St. Mary’s vicar, Arthur Adam Taylor Crosse, writes in the Waxham Deanery Magazines, November 1916: “We are very sorry to hear that Corporal William Gibbs, (East Field) Norfolk Regiment, attached to the 1st Essex, has been wounded in France, and is now at a base hospital. He has seen a great deal of strenuous service, being sent first to Gallipoli, and having some terrible experiences there, being among the last to leave the Peninsula; then he went to Egypt, and from there was sent to France, where he has been in the thick of the fighting for many months. Those who know him will feel confident that he has all the qualities of a fine soldier, and we wish him a speedy and complete recovery, and hope soon to see him back on leave in Hickling;” and in December 1916: “It is with great sorrow that we received the news that Lc.-corporal William G. K. Gibbs, Norfolk Regiment; attached to the 1st Essex, had died on October 20th of wounds received in action in France. He was severely wounded in the chest, but was making some progress, and hopes were entertained of his recovery. Pneumonia, however, set in, and he gradually sank and died, and he was reverently laid to rest in a little Churchyard near the casualty clearing station. William Gibbs was a fine example of Norfolk manhood, and a very attractive personality. He bore an unblemished character, was a good Churchman, a regular communicant, and very keen on his soldiering. He was an only son, and our most heartfelt sympathy goes out to his sorrowing father, mother and sister. Their great consolation must be the memory of his good brave life and gallant death, and the hope of reunion in thebetter land.” In February 1917 he writes: “The sum of £2 6s. has been sent to the Belgian Red Cross, as the result of the offerings in Hickling Church onNovember 26th, when a memorial service was held for the late W. G. K. Gibbs and H. H. Pratt, of this parish.”

David Belsten