Trafford

Born at Sale during the September quarter 1895 in the Altrincham R.D. -
ref: 8a/204, the son of Francis & Ellen Gibbon (nee Hulme). 

1901 Census - 23 Perseverence Street, Sale Moor (now Conway Road).   Son -
aged: 6 - born: Sale.   Head of household - Francis Gibbon - Married -
aged: 37 - occ: Cab Driver - born: Stretford.   Also Ellen Gibbon - Wife -
aged: 36 - born: Southport, Lancashire.   Plus 5 siblings.

Attended St. Anne's School, Sale.

His mother - Ellen Gibbon, died sometime between 1901 and 1902.     His
father then married Elizabeth Chadwick during the March quarter 1903 in the
Bucklow R.D. - ref: 8a/259.  

1911 Census - No Trace.    His father - aged: 49 was then residing at 35
Albion Street, Sale - occ: Watchman at Hackney Carriage Depot.   His wife -
Elizabeth Gibbon, aged: 50 - born at Cannock Chase, plus 4 of Albert's
siblings.    Could Albert have emigrated earlier than the Australian
records show?  Could he have been on his way to Australia, or even there
already on Census night?

He emigrated to Australia when aged 19 years (1914)  and was a resident of
Melbourne at the time of his enlistment.   It also states that he was
wounded at Gallipoli - that his 'calling' - was Able Seaman ??? (perhaps a
seaman before enlisting in Australia - whilst in port in Australia ???).  
It lists a James Clayton of 196 Cross St, Sale, as the person to contact
for further information if required.

A.I.F. Database.
Place of birth - Sale, England.    School - St Ann's, Sale, England.   Age
on arrival in Australia - 19. 
Religion - Church of England.   Occupation - Seaman.   Marital status -
Single.   Age at embarkation 19 
Next of kin Mother, Mrs E Gibbon, 196 Mt Pleasant Cross Street, Sale
Cheshire, England 
Previous military service  - Nil.   Enlistment date -21 September 1914.  
Rank on enlistment Private 
Unit name - 13th Battalion, D Company.   AWM Embarkation Roll number -
23/30/1 
Embarkation details Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board
Transport A38 Ulysses on 22 December 1914 
Rank from Nominal Roll - Private.   Unit from Nominal Roll - 13th
Battalion.   Fate - Died of wounds 23 August 1915 
Place of death or wounding - Gallipoli, Turkey.   Date of death - 23 August
1915 
Age at death - 20.   Age at death from cemetery records - 20.   Australian
War Memorial - 69 
Other details War service: Egypt, Gallipoli.   Medals: 1914-15 Star,
British War Medal, Victory Medal 

On the 29/04/1915 he was shot in his left thigh by a sniper, as he and a
comrade were carrying a wounded soldier on a stretcher.   Leg eventually
went septic and had to be amputated.

Commemorated on the A.W.M. Roll of Honour.

Altrincham Guardian, dated 25/06/1915, lists his parents address as 196
Mount Pleasant, Sale and lists him as a Bandsman.

Also in 27/08/1915 edition of the local newspaper.  Listed in the Guardian
Year Book - Roll of Honour for 1916.

Had four brothers serving:-  Frank - an Able Seaman serving on "Black
Prince".  Stanley - an Able Seaman serving on the "Hibernian".  William - a
Trooper in the Earl of Chester's Yeomanry.  Ernest - a Private in the 5th
Cheshire Rgt.

CWGC - Son of Francis & Elizabeth Gibbon of 196 Cross Street, Sale.  
[Francis & Ellen actually Elizabeth being his step-mother].

M.I. - "No tribute too great to pay for those who fell for Victory Day".