GIBB, JOHN HASSARD STEWART, Major, was
born 13 February 1859, son of Alexander James Gibb, and of Marguerite Vance
Balbirnie-Vans. He was educated on the Continent, and at Sandhurst, and was
gazetted to the 29th Regiment 13 August 1879; promoted into the 36th
Regiment in 1880. He served in the Nile Expedition, 1884 to 1885, and
received the Medal with clasp and Khedive's Star, taking part in the
operations with the Sudan Frontier Field Force, 1885 to 1886, taking part in
the action at Giniss; received the 4th Class Osmanieh; was promoted Captain,
Worcestershire Regiment, 1 September 1886. He served in Uganda, under Sir
Gerald Portal, in the Unyoro Campaign, 1894; was appointed in command of the
Expedition to Mruli; received
3rd Class Brilliant Star of Zanzibar. He was promoted Major, 1896. He again
saw active service in South Africa, from 1900 to 1902, taking part during the
operations in the Orange Free State, February to May 1900; in the operations
in Orange River Colony, May to November 1900; during the operations in Orange
River Colony, 30 November 1900 to 31 May 1902. He was mentioned in Despatches
[London Gazette, 10 September 1901]; received the Queen's Medal with three
clasps and the King's Medal with two clasps, and was created a Companion of
the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 27 September 1901]: "John
Hassard Stewart Gibb, Major, Worcestershire Regiment. In recognition of
services during the operations in South Africa". The Insignia were sent to
Lord Roberts 18 January 1902, and presented by Major General E O F Hamilton at
Heilbron 12 March, 1902. He was promoted Lieutenant Colonel 2 March 1903, and
received the Brevet of Colonel, 1906, and retired 2 March, 1907. He was
awarded the Medal of the Royal Humane Society, 1884. He served during the
European War, 1914 to 1916, in France; was appointed Commandant, Base Depot,
25th Division, September 1915. Colonel Gibb married, in 1887, Annie Isabella
(who died in 1892), eldest daughter of Major George N Saunders, Bengal Staff
Corps; they had one daughter.
DSO, Egypt The
Nile 1884-5 (Lt Worcester Regt), Central Africa (0) (Capt Worc Regt), QSA
(3) CC OFS Trans (Maj DSO Worc Regt), KSA (2) (Maj DSO Worc Regt), 1914-15
Star, Bt-Col DSO), BWM, Victory Medal (Bt-Col), Order of Osmaneh (Turkey) 4th
Class, Khedives Star, Order of the brilliant Star (Zanzibar) (class
unknown), Royal Humane Society Medal (Capt 1884).
Regimental Museum
1993.
