Gilbert Hibdige

Story:
Gilbert Hibdige (registered as 'Hebdige' but used 'Hibdige' thereafter) was born in Sixpenny Handley, Dorset, on 29 Dec 1885 the son of James Hibdige and Elizabeth Hibdige (nee Gilbert).  He lived his early life with his family at Higher Birdmore Farm, Berwick St. John, Wiltshire, until he had enlisted at Devizes, Wiltshire, on 25 Jan 1904 with the Duke of Edinburgh's (Wiltshire) Regiment as a Private (Service No. 6714).  He served with both the 1st and 2nd Battalions eventually becoming a Corporal.  He married Annie Stephanie Lovelock at Bowerchalke, Wiltshire, on 4 Oct 1909.  He was discharged to Reserves on 23 Jun 1911 and embodied on 8 Aug 1914 at the outbreak of war.  He was transferred to the Royal Engineers becoming a Sergeant (Service No. 208571).  He served in France and Flanders from 15 Jul 1915.  He was transferred yet again to the Royal Engineers (Inland Water Transport) on 15 Nov 1916 (Service No. WR300003).  He was finally discharged on 26 Mar 1919 because of the onset of Rheumatism for which he received a limited pension until 1925 and awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1915 Star.  By the 1921 Census he was living at The Kennels, Stratford Sub Castle, Salisbury, Wiltshire, working as a Farm Labourer.  By the time of the 1939 Register he had moved to Upper Boynton Farm Cottages, Finhead, Warminster, Wiltshire, working as a Cowman.  His death was recorded in Winchester, Hampshire, and he was buried at Magdalen Hill Cemetery, Winchester, Hampshire, on 1 Feb 1956.