Thomas Stanley "Stan" Gibbins 2
- Born: 5 Sep 1896, Mititai, Northern Wairoa, Northland, New Zealand 3
- Marriage (1): Ivy Constance Penfold on 15 Jun 1927 in Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand 1
- Died: 28 Jan 1972, Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand aged 75 4
- Crem.: 31 Jan 1972, Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
 General Notes:
Stan grew up helping on the family farm until joining up to fight in WW1.
Stan saw service in the WW1, being fortunately spared from injury or death.
After the war he worked as a driver in Northland before moving to Auckland and marrying Ivy.
Burial Notes:
Waikumete Cemetary
Plot:Eucalyptus Glade, Row Sc - Ash, Plot 0
Noted events in his life were:
• Military: Private, 1917. 5 Northern Advocate 2 October 1917
The First Division - Remaining men called up
Gibbins, Thomas Stanley, farmer, Te Kopuru
First name(s)Thomas Stanley
Last nameGibbins
Regimental number72981
RankPrivate
Last addressTe Kopuru North Auckland
Next of kin titleMrs A C
Next of kin surnameGIBBINS
Next of kin relationshipMother
Next of kin addressTe Kopuru North Auckland
OccupationFarmer
Roll82
Page17
CountryNew Zealand
Record setNew Zealand WW1 Soldiers
CategoryMilitary, armed forces & conflict
SubcategoryFirst World War
Embarkation date: 16 May 1918 on the Ionic
37th Reinforcements D Company
• Residence: 7 Cheltenham Terrace, Devonport, 1925, Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand. 6
• Occupation: truck driver: Auckland City, Auckland, New Zealand.
• Residence: 27 Allen Road, 1935, Grey Lynn, Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand. 7
Stan's military service: Bet 2 Oct 1917 and 5 Aug 2019, , , , France
Stan (Thomas Stanley) was conscripted into the New Zealand army (Called the NZ Expeditionary Force) on the second of October 1917. His enlistment is dated the 30th of October.
It is unknown whether or not he knew that one of his cousins, Henry Montgomery, had been killed in action in France on the 31st of July 1917.
He underwent initial training at the Trentham military camp in Wellington for several months.
While in camp another cousin, Ted Montgomery, was killed on the 21st of November 1917.
Stan left for Europe by ship on the Ionic on the 16th of May 1918, arriving in London on the 7th of July 1918.
He underwent further training in England before being posted to the war's western front and joining his battalion in France on the 13th of September 1918. His unit was the 1st Battalion Otago Regiment.
This unit was involved in the Battle of St Quentin Canal (29 September to 10 October 1918), part of the Hundred Days Offensive that was pivotal in ending the war.
Shortly after this, Stan caught influenza (the "Spanish" 'flu) and was admitted to hospital on the 1st of November that year and transferred to Rouen hospital on the 3rd.
While the number of men killed in WW1 was horrific, it should be noted that more people (~50 million worldwide) died of this pandemic than in battle.
Armistice day, marking the end of hostilities, was on the 11th of November, while he was in hospital.
Stan was ill for some time but rejoined his unit in France on the 23rd of December 1918, and they were involved in occupation duties in Mulheim, Germany for a while. These duties included guarding war supplies and clearing mines.
Stan's battalion was shipped home on the Ruahine, leaving on the 19th of May 1919 and arriving in NZ on the 8th of July.
He was discharged from the army on the 5th of August 1919.
Stan married Ivy Constance Penfold on 15 Jun 1927 in Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.1 (Ivy Constance Penfold was born on 6 Feb 1897 in Playden, Sussex, England, United Kingdom,8 died on 30 Jan 1976 in Auckland City, Auckland, New Zealand 9 and was cremated on 2 Feb 1976 in Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.)
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