The Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment

Sergeant W Sibbald

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Serjeant William SIBBALD, L/7524, 1st Battalion, Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment,  killed in action, on the Somme, Flanders France, 28th August 1916, age 32.

22nd January 1886, born  Gosport, Hampshire, son of William Wilson (Merchant Sevice) & Frances Maria (daughter of Frederick Clarges) Sibbald.

Educated Romsey House School.

Enlisted 3rd February 1904, Maidstone, Kent.

1911 Military India - William Sibbald, Private, age 26, single, 2nd Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment, Soldier, born Gosport, Hampshire.

Served eight years with the Colours in Malta & India & afterwards joined the Reserves.

5th August 1914, Called up for Service from Reserves; 30th August 1914, posted BEF.

Brother of Company Quartermaster Sergeant John Sibbald, 2/7910, 3rd Battalion,  S?P? Borderers, (5, Pinewood Terrace, Frimley Green, Farnborough, Hampshire.)

Sisters - Elizabeth Elms; Frances B Sibbald.

Commemorated at Thiepval Memorial, Pier & France 11C, France.

1st Battalion War Diary - July to September 1916 - The Somme Fighting

No.7524. Sergt. William Sibbald - On the night of 22nd-23rd July 1916, when the Battalion assaulted the enemy trenches near High Wood, was one of a bombing party which was sent in search of an isolated trench to the flank. Although wounded early in the engagement he refused to go to the dressing station, and throughout the night displayed the greatest coolness and contempt for danger. During the night of 21st July 1916 he did valuable reconnaissance work, and with a bomb killed two German snipers whom he found concealed in a shell hole.

Sergt. Sibbald was killed in a later action on the Somme.

London Gazette 4th January 1917

War Office, 2nd January, 1917.

The following despatch has been received by the Secretary of State for War from General Sir Douglas Haig, G.C.B., Commander-in-Chief of the British Armies in France:

General Headquarters, 13th November, 1916.

I have the honour to submit a list of names of those officers, ladies, non-commissioned officers and men, serving, or who have served, under my command, whose distinguished and gallant services and devotion to duty I consider  deserving of special mention.

I have the honour to be, Sir, Your obedient Servant, D. HAIG, General. - Commander-in-Chief, The British Armies in France.

Sibbald, No. 7524 Serjeant W.