Gibbs, Harold Edward

Gnr. Harold Edward Gibbs took part in the invasion of Normandy with his unit, the 19th Field Regiment. All through the terrible early days of action on the Continent, through Belgium and Holland and into Germany he had fought unscathed. Then on that historic day, March 26, 1945, when the Allied forces crossed the Rhine, Gnr. Gibbs lost his life through enemy bombing. His Regiment, according to his Captain, lost an expert and seasoned soldier and one who helped make the liberation of the Continent possible. He was buried temporarily at Bedburg, Germany. Gnr. Gibbs had enlisted in 1942 and had trained at Brantford, Camp Borden, Camp Shilo, Terrace, B.C. and Petawawa, before going to England on July 18, 1943. He served for a time as a driver in the Motor Transport. Born in Brantford, August 17, 1917, the second son of Mr. and Mrs., George Gibbs, 77 Lyons Ave., Harold received his education at Victoria and Graham Bell Schools and the Collegiate Institute. He was a member of Grace Anglican Church and of the A.Y.P.A., and when a boy, sang in the Choir. As a lad, also, he was well known to many Brantfordites to whom he daily carried The Expositor. After his school days, he was employed as a grocery clerk, and before his enlistment worked at Weekes' Store on Market Street. On February 14, 1942, he was married to Miss Florence Hawks and they have one daughter, Karin Diane.

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