Birth & early life
Born at Pentland, Edinburgh, on the 4th of May 1838, the son of Captain John Charles Hope Gibsone, 7th Dragoon Guards, and his wife Jane Louisa, daughter of Hugh Samuel Bringloe, Esq., of Edinburgh.
John Charles Hope Gibsone [father]
John Gibsone's father, also named John, entered the 7th Dragoon Guards as a Cornet in 1830, becoming a Lieutenant-Colonel in 1854.
He served in the Kaffir War of 1846-47 in the 7th Dragoon Guards, leading the cavalry charge at Kanga on the 8th of June 1846 when a large body of the enemy was encountered, and utterly broken, leaving upwards of 400 dead on the field. His services were warmly acknowledged in the public despatches, his name being particularly mentioned in General Orders.
He transferred to the 17th Lancers and is shown as a Lieutenant-Colonel and Colonel in 1861. He is, however, shown as commanding the Cavalry Depot at Maidstone from the 17th of November 1857, after having commanded the Cavalry Depot at Newbridge during the Crimean War period.
Promoted to Major-General and on to half-pay in June of 1862, he became Colonel of the 8th Hussars in December 1868, Lieutenant-General in October 1871, Colonel of the 17th Lancers from September 1875, and a General in October 1877.
He died at Leamington in July 1884.
Educated privately and at the Royal Military College, Berkshire.
1851 Census
8&9 Montpellier Cresc, Brighton.
John Gibsone, 12, pupil, born Scotland.
Hugh Gibsone, 10, pupil, Newcastle.
The Gibsones are among 16 boy pupils and 4 Servants under clergyman William Watson and his wife Mary Jane.
Service
Cornet in the 17th Lancers: 8th of December 1854.
Letter to Lieut-Colonel Gibsone, The Cavalry Depot, Newbridge:
"Horse Guards, 16th December 1854
Sir, — I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 14th inst, and to acquaint you that under the circumstances represented therein the General Commanding-in-Chief is pleased to permit your son, Cornet J. Gibsone of the 17th Lancers remaining with you at the Cavalry Depot, Newbridge until the 8th of April next, unless previously required at the Depot of his Corps at Brighton.
I am, etc. etc.
James Simpson, AAG.
Lieutenant, 17th Lancers: 26th of February 1855.
Letter to Lieut-Colonel Gibsone, The Cavalry Depot, Newbridge:
"Horse Guards, 23rd March 1855
Sir, — I have had the honour of laying your letter before the General Commanding-in-Chief of the 19th inst. and to acquaint you that his Lordship has no objection to your son Cornet [sic] Gibsone of the 17th Lancers remaining with you at the Cavalry Depot, Newbridge, for a further period of three months unless previously required for embarkation.
I am, etc. etc.
R. B. Downes, AAG.
Letter to Lieut-Colonel Gibsone, Commanding Cavalry Depot, Newbridge:
"Horse Guards, 4th May 1855
Sir, — I have the honour by direction of the General Commanding-in-Chief, that his Lordship has approved of Cornet Gibsone, 17th Lancers, who is now at the Cavalry Depot Newbridge, being attached to, and embarking with the draft of the 8th Hussars now under orders for the East.
I am, etc. etc.
W. A. Forster, AAG.
Joined the regiment in the Crimea aboard the S.T. "Golden Fleece." [CHECK DATE: 16th of July 1855? He would have been only a few months beyond his 17th birthday.]
The Golden Fleece
For detailed information about this ship, see http://www.historic-shipping.co.uk/gsssco/Golden%20Fleece.html (accessed 26.10.12).
John Gibsone brought a wooden finger sign back from the Crimea, now in the National Army Museum:
(Click on image to enlarge)
Wooden sign post, 'To Headquarters and Balaklava', 1854.
This sign post was brought from the Crimean War (1854-1856) by Cornet John Gibsone of the 17th Regiment of Light Dragoons (Lancers). Gibsone was commissioned into the regiment on 8 December 1854 and joined it in the Crimea on 14 July 1855. He retired as a captain in 1863.
NAM Accession Number: NAM. 1960-08-50-1
National Army Museum, Study collection: ollection.nam.ac.uk/detail.php?acc=1960-08-50-1
The muster rolls for the period July-September 1858 show him "On Field Service" from September of that year.
Captain, 17th Lancers: 27th of May 1859.
In 1860, he married, at Petham, near Canterbury, Kent, Mary Ann, the daughter of the Revd Hughes-Hallet of Canterbury, who conducted the service.
Marriage registered
John Gibsone to Mary Anne Hughes Hallett, December Quarter 1860, Bridge.
1861 Census
3, Albion Place, Maidstone.
John Gibsone, 22, married, lodger, Captain, 17th Lancers, born Edinburgh.
Mary A Gibsone, 18, Pelham.
Their eldest son, Hugh John Craig, became a Major in the R.M.L.I., and was later on the Recruiting Staff of the R.M.L.I at Birmingham.
A daughter is also known of his marriage, Alice Emma, who was born at Secunderbad, India, on the 15th of December 1861.
Another son, Donald Hope, served in the Royal Indian Marine.
Captain in the 19th Foot: 2nd of September 1862.
Adjutant of the Leicestershire Yeomanry Cavalry (as Lieutenant) from the 18th of September 1863.
1871 Census
Gaddesby, Melton Mowbray, Leics.
John Gibson [sic], 32, Captain & Adjutant of Yeomanry Cavalry.
Mary Ann Gibson, 28.
Hugh J C Gibson, 6.
Alice M Gibson, 4.
Alexandra Gibson, 2.
Donald H Gibson, 1.
Harry Gibson, under 1 month.
Five Servants are also shown.
Temporary Captain from the 24th of September 1874.
Resigned his commission on the 12th of February 1880.
Life after service
J.P. for Warwickshire, Leicestershire, and Midlothian.
1881 Census
30, de Mountford Street, Leicester.
John Gibsone, 43, Major & Adjutant, Leicester Yeomanry Cavalry, born Edinburgh.
Mary A Gibsone, born Pelham.
Alice, 14, born Leicester.
Alexander, 12, born Leicester.
Donald, 11, born Leicester.
Harry, 10, born Leicester.
Winifred, 8, born Leicester.
Milicent, 6, born Leicester.
Kenneth, 4, born Leicester.
Maud, 2, born Leicester.
Eleanor 1, born Leicester.
Four Servants are also shown.
1901 Census
Paddy Inn, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire.
John Gibsone, visitor, 62 retired HM Army, born Edinburgh.
6, Warwick New Road, Leamington.
Mary A Gibsone, 58, born Pelham.
Alice M Gibsone, 34.
Milicent Gibsone, 26.
Maud M Gibsone, 22.
Eleanor Gibsone, 21.
Four Servants are also shown.
Death registered
Milicent Gibsone [3rd daughter], 33, September Quarter 1908, Warwick.
1911 Census
Redrose Lodge, Leamington.
John Gibsone, 73, Major — Retired, H.M. Army.
[A note adds: "13 children born alive, 8 still living"].
Mary Ann, 68.
Hugh John, 46.
Winifred, 38.
Eleanor Ruth, 31.
Joan Mary Hope Gibsone [granddaughter], 7.
Three Servants, a Page and a Nurse are also shown.
Death registered
Mary G Gibsone [wife], 68, Warwick, March Quarter 1912.
Death & burial
John Gibsone died at Red Cross Lodge, 6 Warwick New Road, Leamington Spa, on the 12th of May 1913, aged 75 years.
Death registered
John Gibsone, 75, June Quarter 1913, Warwick.
Extract from the Leamington Gazette, 20th of May 1913:
"We regret to record the death, which occurred on Whit Monday, of Major John Gibsone at his residence, Red Cross Lodge, Warwick New Road, Leamington.
For some months past he had been in failing health, but death was not anticipated until within about ten days of his passing away. The deceased gentleman was born on the 4th of May 1838 and served in the 17th Lancers, having a successful military career.
He had married, on the 8th of December 1860, Mary Ann, the second daughter of the Revd. James Hughes-Hallett, of Higham, Kent, and five sons and five daughters were born to them, the eldest son being Major John Hugh Craig Gibsone, Major in the late Royal Garrison Regiment and formerly a Major in the Royal Marine Artillery [sic].
The late Major Gibsone came from a well-known Pentland family, where he had an estate. The family arms were three keys fesse ways, ward downwards and the crest, a pelican feu. The motto was "Pendite coe testes portae" [?].
He was a Justice of the Peace for Midlothian, Lancashire and Warwickshire, being appointed to the Commission in 1886 and was therefore one of the most senior magistrates on the Kenilworth Divisional Bench. He was always so strictly impartial and fair in his decisions and most attentive to his magisterial duties.
As a sportsman his interests were varied, and the Leamington Cricket Club found in him an enthusiastic supporter. In politics he was an ardent Conservative.
Mrs. Gibsone had predeceased her husband about eighteen months ago. The deepest sympathy is felt with the bereaved relatives...
At the sitting of the Kenilworth Magistrates on Wednesday the Chairman (Alderman T.W. Thursfield) made an eulogistic reference to the late Major Gibsone. He then said,
'Before the business of the Court commences I think it would be fitting that we allude to the loss this Bench has sustained since its last meeting. Major Gibsone was appointed in 1886, and I think I am not saying any more than the truth when I say that a more kindly, just and industrious magistrate we have never had.
I consider that this Bench and the whole County Justiciary has sustained a severe loss by his passing. I only wish to reiterate what I have already said. We feel extremely sad to have lost such a genial colleague.'
The Funeral
The funeral took place yesterday (Thursday) the cortege leaving Red Cross Lodge at noon, the first part of the service being held in St. Mark's Church, where a large congregation had assembled to pay their last respects and show their esteem for the deceased gentleman.
The officiating clergymen were Canon H. Bertram Streatfield (Vicar) and the Revd. C.H. Clissold, (son-in-law.) The surpliced choir-boys were in attendance, and met the cortege at the west door. Psalm XC was rendered by Barnaby's chant and the hymns, 'Now the labourer's task is o'er' and 'Abide with me', were sung. Mr. George Kennett presided at the organ and played the "Funeral March" (Wely) before the service and extemporised when the coffin was being borne up the nave and the March Funebre" (Chopin) as the recessional.
As the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Trumpeters H. Willis (5th Lancers) and L. Earl (of the 21st Lancers) sounded the call of the 17th Lancers, which was followed by the 'Last Post' being most impressively sounded by both men...
The coffin (on which were placed several wreaths, including a magnificent one from the 17th Lancers tied with the Regimental colours forming the ribbon) was of oak and on the brass tablet was the inscription, 'John Gibsone. Died 12th of May 1913. Aged 75 years.'"
John Gibsone was buried in the Milverton Cemetery, Old Milverton Road, Leamington, on the 15th of May in Section 20 Grave No. 23 (Consecrated Ground). His wife, Mary Ann, had been interred in the same grave on the 16th of February 1912. Two other members of his family are buried close by, John Gibsone having purchased all three graves.
A daughter, Milicent Gibsone, a spinster aged 33 years, was buried on the 23rd of September 1908 in Section 20 Grave No. 24., and a son, Hugh John Gibsone, Retired Col. Royal Marines, aged 64 years, was buried in Section No. 20 Grave No. 22, on the 22nd of November 1928. Gravestones were erected over all three graves. (This information came from the local Cemetery Authority.)
The inscriptions on the erected gravestones are as follows:
Left:
'In memory of Milicent, third daughter of Major Gibsone of, N.B., late 17th Lancers, who died at Red Cross Lodge, 19th of September 1908, aged 34 years.'
Centre:
'In loving memory of Mary Ann Hughes-Hallett, wife of Major John Gibsone, of Pentland, Midlothian, N.B., who died at Red Cross Lodge 12th of February 1912 in her 69th year. Also of the above Major John Gibsone, late Captain 17th Lancers, with which regiment he served in the Crimea and the Indian Mutiny campaigns. Died at Red Cross Lodge 12th of May 1913, aged 75.'
Right:
'In loving memory of Colonel Hugh John Craig Gibsone, died November 19th 1928, aged 64 years. At Rest.'"
