Date of birth:

1906 (Chopwell/Tyne and Wear, Great Britain)

Date of death:

October 18th, 1940 (Coventry/Warwickshire, Great Britain)

Buried on:

Commonwealth War Graves London Road Cemetery
Plot: 348. Grave: 46.

Service number:

4445289

Nationality:

British

Michael Gibson formerly served with the Durham Light Infantry.

A memorial plaque, set in stone, and erected by the Whitley Local History Group in 2008, today marks the spot where the bomb detonated, the inscription stating: 'In Memory of the Seven men of the Royal Engineers 9th Bomb Disposal Company Who Lost Their Lives When an Unexploded German Bomb Removed from the City Centre Exploded Whilst Being Unloaded Near This Spot for De-Fusing on Whitley Common on 18 October 1940:
2nd Lieutenenant A.F. Campbell, G.C., Age 42
Sgt. M. Gibson, G.C. Age 34
Sapper W. Gibson, Age 22
Sapper R. Gilchrist, Age 23
Sapper J. Plumb, Age 25
Sapper R.W. Skelton, Age 20
Driver E.F. Taylor, R.A.S.C., Age 32

Following a funeral service at Coventry Cathedral on 25 October 1940, they were burried in a collective grave in Coventry (London Road) Cemetery.

Do you have more information about this person? Inform us!

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Sergeant

Unit:

9 Bomb Disposal, Bomb Disposal Royal Engineers, Home Forces, British Army

Awarded on:

January 22nd, 1941

Recommendation:
"On 14 September a large unexploded bomb fell in an important factory. Excavation supervised by Sergeant Gibson was begun, during which time another bomb which had dropped nearby exploded. Despite the knowledge that the bomb on which he was engaged was of a similar type the N.C.O. persevered and eventually the bomb was discovered. On uncovering it an unusual hissing noise was heard coming from the bomb, whereupon Sergeant Gibson sent his men awat and immediately set to work on the fuse. This he extracted safely and the bomb was eventually removed. His prompt and courageous action saved a very dangerous situation."

Michael Gibson was later killed when disposing of a bomb. At that time he had not yet been presented with his George Cross. The presentation followed postumously.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

• Photo 1: Familie
• Photo: Family
  
• - Caroline Leach
  - Jessica Michael
  - Supplement to The London Gazette of 21st January 1941, Issue 35050, dated 22nd January 1941
  - George Cross Database - Dix Noonan Webb
  

Helaas geen map gevonden.