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10070 Company Sergeant Major
JAMES GIBBS
Royal Engineers 

By 

Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Edward De Santis, MSCE, BSAE, PE, MinstRE
(December 2024) 

Figure 1.  Gibbs’ Egypt 1882 Medal with [TEL-EL-KEBIR] Clasp.
(Image from the author’s collection) 

1. INTRODUCTION

When I purchased Company Sergeant Major Gibbs’ Egypt 1882 medal back in the 1980’s, it had been listed for sale as a single medal with the clasp [TEL-EL-KEBIR] mounted on the ribbon.  During my research of Gibbs’ service I discovered that he was awarded the Egypt 1882 medal, but was not authorized the clasp.  In addition to this medal he had been awarded the South Africa medal for service in the Zulu War with the clasp [1879] and for his service in Egypt he also received the Khedive’s Star.  Finally, for his almost 29 years of service, he was awarded the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal.  

One wonders how his medal group got broken up.  In addition to his Egypt 1882 medal being separated from his group, the clasp for [TEL-EL-KEBIR] was added to the medal.  The 18^th Company, Royal Engineers Roll of Officers, Warrant Officers, Non Commissioned Officers and Men entitled to the War Medal for the Egyptian Campaign 1882 was prepared at Gibraltar on 28 October 1882. It clearly shows that Gibbs was not entitled to the Tel-el-Kebir clasp.[1]   This clasp had been unofficially added to the medal.  It is possible that at some later date it was determined that Gibbs actually was entitled to the clasp, although no evidence of this has been found.  Gibbs may have added the clasp to credit himself with participation at that action, or the clasp may have been added by a previous owner (collector) of the medal or medal group.  The whereabouts of the other three medals to which Gibbs is entitled is not known. 

2. FAMILY INFORMATION 

No information could be uncovered regarding Gibbs’ family prior to his joining the Royal Engineers.  He had been born on the island of Bermuda on 3 March 1855 and may have been the son of a soldier serving there at the time.  At the time of his enlistment in the Army on 4 May 1869 he was living in Dublin, Ireland, presumably with his family.  As was not uncommon during that time, his enlistment as a Boy Soldier may also indicate that he was the son of a serving or discharged soldier, his father himself being a member of the Corps of Royal Engineers.

3. PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION 

From Gibbs’ service papers, only a description of him can be found when he enlisted  as a boy in 1869.

Description Upon Enlistment in 1869[2] 

4.  RECRUITMENT, ENLISTMENT AND TRAINING 

Recruitment

James Gibbs was recruited for service by a Sergeant Major Buttle[3] in Dublin, Ireland on 4 May 1869.  He was given a preliminary medical examination on 17 May and was re-vaccinated against small pox on this date.  In conjunction with his attestation he was given a second military examination on 2 June 1869 and was found to be fit for service in the Army. 

Enlistment

James Gibbs attested for service as a Boy Soldier in the Royal Engineers at Chatham, Kent on 1 June 1869.  He was assigned Regimental Number 10070 at the time of his attestation. 

Boy enlistment was a traditional method of augmenting recruitment.  Regiments consisting entirely of boys had been formed at an earlier date, but the last had disappeared in 1802.  Between 1859 and 1899 regulations specified that the number was not to exceed 2 per cent of the establishment.  Boys were taken on from the age of fifteen[4] and served an apprenticeship until they reached the normal age of enlistment.  During this time they were taught one of two or three trades.  Nearly three-quarters of the boys recruited underwent training as musicians (that is, drummers and buglers), the remainder as tailors and shoemakers.  On reaching the minimum age for enlistment, boys formally joined the regiment or corps to which they were attached.  What was new was the suggestion inspired by the practices of the Royal Navy, of a comprehensive training scheme.  Borrowing directly from the navy’s experience, many advocated that special training schools be set up, and that the establishment of boys at the Royal Military Asylum and the Royal Hibernian Military School be substantially increased.[5]  As will be seen in his record of service, Gibbs did not have the opportunity to be trained at one of these establishments. 

At the time of his attestation Gibbs indicated that:[6] 

·         He did not have a trade.

·         He was not an Apprentice.

·         He was not married.

·         He was not presently serving in the Militia or any regiment  or corps of the Army.

·         He had no prior military or naval service.

·         He had never been rejected as unfit for service.

·         He had never been marked with the letter “D” (Deserter) or the letters “BC” (Bad Conduct).

·         He did receive and understood a Notice regarding his attestation.

·         He did not receive a bounty payment, but he did receive a free kit.

·         He had no objection to his manner of enlistment.

·         He was willing to be attested to serve in the Corps of Royal Engineers for a term of 12 years. 

Gibbs swore the Oath of Attestation at Rochester, Kent on 3 June 1869 before a Justice of the Peace.  His attestation was certified by a Colonel W. Browne, Assistant Adjutant General Royal Engineers, on 12 June. 

Training

Between 12 June 1869 and 26 March 1870, it appears that 10070 Boy Soldier James Gibbs received training as a bugler, probably at Chatham, before being posted to the 25^th Fortress Company at Shorncliffe Camp, near Cheriton, in Kent.  On 1 April 1870 he was officially appointed as a Bugler.  The typical duties of a Bugler are described in detail by Cockerill:[7]

“Reveille was blown at 0600 hours in the summer months at 0630 in the winter.  Defaulters paraded a quarter of an hour after reveille, in full marching order and at the call of the bugle.  Breakfast followed shortly after when, again to the sound of the bugle’s clarion call, everyone paraded and marched to the cookhouse.  Within an hour the main morning parade took place.  For this a sustained ‘G’ was blown five minutes before parade time, followed by the ‘Fall In’ which brought all the troops on to the parade square at the same time!  Another call summoned the sick to sick parade and yet another for ‘Orderly Room’.  This was held at 1000 hours if there were any disciplinary cases to be heard by the CO (Saturdays and Sundays excepted).

The bugle heralded the start and finish of drill and training sessions; mail distribution once a day; fire alarms and fire drills.  The first appearance of the CO, at 0900 hours, was recognized by the duty bugler, when all personnel on or near the square were brought to attention until dismissed by the CO with a ‘Carry on, please!’  The duty bugler was also in attendance when the main guard was called out by the sentry on post for every call made officially on its services.  In fact, the bugler was used to communicate every instruction of a general nature.  There was a call for everything that was done.  After the ‘Tea” call at, say 1630-1700 hours, the main defaulters parade of the day was held when all those on jankers (defaulter’s punishment) paraded in full marching order.  There was ‘officers dress’ and ‘officers mess’ at 2000 hours followed by the ‘First Post’ at 2130 hours and ‘Last Post’ at 2200 hours.  The main guard turned out and stood with arms presented for the duration of the playing of the Last Post.  Lights out ended the normal round of calls for the day.”

5.  POSTINGS, ASSIGNMENTS AND CAMPAIGN SERVICE[8]

Gibraltar (1870-1876)

The 25^th Fortress Company left Shorncliffe on 30 April 1870 and arrived at Gibraltar on 10 May 1870.  The company assisted in the defence of the ports and harbours at Gibraltar that had significant military importance.  This was accomplished by the use of mines and searchlights and by supporting the Royal Artillery garrison co-located with the fortress company.

A Royal Engineers fortress company typically would provide the following services in defence of ports and harbours:

·         Construction and maintenance of fortifications and gun emplacements.

·         Construction of ammunition storage areas and magazines.

·         Construction and maintenance of roadways.

·         Water supply to units manning the fortifications.

·         Supply of electricity to installations within the fortress area.

·         Providing searchlight support to anti-aircraft and anti-shipping artillery batteries.

·         Providing engineer works in and around the harbour and port areas.

On 1 March 1872 Bugler Gibbs attained the age of 17 years, the age that apparently allowed him to be trained as a Sapper, although he could not yet be taken on the rolls at that rank until he was 18 years old.  As he was serving with a company in Gibraltar, his training had to have been done by the company in place of the regular training that he would have received at the School of Military Engineering (SME) at Chatham.

With the exception of Drivers, every recruit enlisted for the Royal Engineers had to have a trade.  Pioneers and Sappers also were trained in infantry drill and pioneer duties.  The engineer recruits also received musketry training.  When the course of training was completed the recruits had to pass an examination and were then transferred to engineer formations, where they received higher pay and could earn extra allowances by working at their special trades.  As Gibbs was serving with a company during his course of training, the examination was probably administered by an officer or senior non-commissioned officer of the company.  No trade qualification is shown in Gibbs service record.

On 1 August 1873 Gibbs was posted as a Sapper in the 25^th Fortress Company.  He was at the time 18 years and 5 months old and probably received “on the job training” from the time of his arrival at Gibraltar.

Sapper Gibbs was awarded Good Conduct Pay at 1 penny (1d) per day on 3 March 1874 and he received a Second Class Certificate of Education on 18 June 1874.  A second-class certificate, necessary for promotion to sergeant, entailed writing and dictation from a more difficult work, familiarity with all forms of regimental accounting, and facility with proportions and interest, fractions and averages.[9]  Gibbs conduct and educational accomplishments at this point gave indications that he was destined to be an above-average soldier.  However, on 8 April 1875 he was made to forfeit his Good Conduct Pay for an offense not detailed in his service papers.

Chatham (1876-1877)

Sapper Gibbs was posted home on 12 December 1876 and appears to have been assigned to one of the depot companies at Chatham.  He remained there for about 11 months before being posted to Aldershot.  During this time he may have received more formal training as a Sapper.

Aldershot (1877-1878)

Upon his arrival at Aldershot he was posted to the 5^th Field Company under the command of Captain Warren Richard Colvin Wynne, R.E.[10] 

On 21 June 1878 Gibbs’ Good Conduct Pay at 1d was restored and on 15 November he was appointed an unpaid Lance Corporal.  About this time trouble was brewing with the Zulus in South Africa, and Gibbs would shortly embark on active service in Zululand.  While it is not known for certain, Gibbs may well have served under the soon-to-be famous Lieutenant John Rouse Merriott Chard, R.E. who would receive the Victoria Cross for his service at Rorke’s Drift.

Two field companies of the Royal Engineers (the 2^nd and the 5^th) embarked for South Africa on 2 December 1878 aboard SS Walmer Castle, and landed at Durban on 4 January 1879, for the reinforcement of the units already in South Africa. The corps there had previously only consisted of the 7^th  Field Company.

Figure 4.  SS Walmer Castle (1).

(Image courtesy of Wikipedia)

The 5^th Company was assigned to Colonel Richard Thomas Glyn's column and was to start from Helpmakaar and Rorke's Drift for the invasion of Zululand.  The engineer units with  Glyn’s column were the 5^th Field Company Royal Engineers, with Captain Walter Parke Jones, R.E. in command,[11] Lieutenants John Rouse Merriott Chard, V.C., R.E.,[12] Reginald Da Costa Porter, R.E.[13] and Charles Ernest Commeline, R.E.[14] and two Companies of Native Pioneers commanded by Lieutenant Francis Hartwell MacDowel, R.E.[15]

Figure 5.  The Battle of Ulundi, 4 July 1879.

(Image courtesy of Wikipedia)

Gibbs’ service papers indicate that on 23 June 1879 he ceased to act as a Lance Corporal.  At that time his company was en route to Ulundi, the capital of the Zulu nation, where a great battle was to be fought.  The Battle of Ulundi took place on 4 July 1879 and was the last major battle of the Anglo-Zulu War. During the battle the British formed square to defend against the encircling Zulu attack.  The 5^th Field Company took a position within the square along with the headquarters staff, the 2nd Native Natal Contingent, fifty wagons and carts with reserve ammunition and the hospital wagons. The British army broke the military power of the Zulu nation by defeating the main Zulu army and immediately afterwards capturing and burning the royal kraal of oNdini.

For his service in the Zulu War Gibbs was awarded the South Africa medal with clasp [1879].  He returned home from South Africa on 1 February 1880.

Chatham (1880-1881)

Gibbs was posted to Chatham on his return home.  On 21 June 1880 he was awarded Good Conduct Pay at 2d and on 15 December 1880 he re-engaged to complete 21 years of service shortly before being posted to Ireland.

Dublin (1881-1882)

Sapper Gibbs arrived at Cork Harbour on 25 January 1881 to join his new unit, probably the 18^th Company, R.E.[16]  He was posted from Cork Harbour to Cork on 18 January 1882 where he married Elizabeth Pyne (1863-?) at Cork, without leave[17] on 16 April 1882.   A man who married without leave (permission) of his commanding officer could have a hard time indeed, for his wife and children were denied quarters of any sort and were given no extra rations; the wife had to work or starve.  He and his new bride would have less than four months together when he and his company were posted to Egypt on 4 August 1882.

Egypt (1882)

Gibbs and his company arrived at Ismailia, Egypt on 22 August 1882.  The 18^th Company took part in the Egypt campaign of 1882 and was assigned to the Army Train where it provided rear area support to three divisions as well as the Army Troops.

The Egyptian Campaign of 1882 was the result of an uprising against the corrupt Khedive of Egypt declaring a new constitution in January 1882. Britain and France sent a combined fleet to Alexandria to protect their interests but domestic political events resulted in the French returning home. Admiral Beauchamp Seymour bombarded the city and occupied it. The British Expeditionary Force under Lieutenant General Sir Garnet Wolseley was prevented from advancing on Cairo at Kafr-el-Dawwar and then went by sea via the Suez Canal to Ismailia. Successful actions were fought at Kassassin and the Egyptians were finally defeated at the Battle of Tel-el-Kebir. Cairo was captured, the Khedive restored and Arabi Pasha, the uprising leader, was sent into exile.[18]

During this campaign the officers in Gibbs company included:

·         Major William Salmond, R.E. (Officer-in-Command)[19]

·         Captain Charles Hadfield Gordon, R.E. (Second-in-Command)[20]

·         Lieutenant Alfred Montgomery Mantell, R.E.[21]

·         Lieutenant Stephen Leslie Norris, R.E.[22]

·         Lieutenant John Winn, R.E.[23]

During the campaign in Egypt, the Company Sergeant Major of the 18^th Company, R.E. was 11456 CSM George Taylor, R.E.[24]

Elements of the 18^th Company may have taken part in the Battle of Tel-el-Kebir, although it appears that Gibbs was not part of this element.  The roll for the Egypt 1882 medal shows that Gibbs had earned the medal, but not the clasp for this battle.  As discussed earlier, his medal does have the [TEL-EL-KEBIR] clasp on the ribbon, but his entitlement to the clasp is in question.  In addition to the Egypt medal he was awarded the bronze Khedive’s Star medal by the government of Egypt.

Gibraltar (1882-1885)

Sapper Gibbs was posted again to Gibraltar on 5 October 1882.  He arrived on “The Rock” on 15 October and probably was assigned to one of the R.E. companies then serving there.  These companies included the 10^th, 21^st and 32^nd Companies.[25]  Since his service papers do not show his unit postings, it is not possible to know in which company he served.  While at Gibraltar he was awarded Good Conduct Pay at 3d.

Chatham (1885-1887)

Gibbs arrived at Chatham on 16 October 1885 and probably was posted to one of the Depot Companies there, of which there were seven, A through G and M Companies.  He was appointed an Acting Lance Corporal on 15 December 1885 and was promoted to the substantive rank of Lance Corporal on 15 August 1886.  It had taken him 13 years to get a substantive promotion to a rank above Sapper!  Then on 1 June 1887 he was promoted 2^nd Corporal, less than one year after being promoted to Lance Corporal.  Despite his rather rocky performance in the early years of his enlistment in 1869, by 1886 and 1887 he was impressing commanding officers.

Curragh Camp, Ireland (1887-1889)

2^nd Corporal Gibbs was posted back to Ireland where he arrived at Curragh Camp on 27 August 1887, perhaps with the 29^th Company, R.E.[26]  On 23 October 1888 he was placed on the Married Roll.  On this same date his Military History Sheet shows him a qualified Volunteer Instructor.  The exact meaning of this qualification has not been uncovered, but on 25 January 1889 he was appointed to serve as a Volunteer Instructor in some unit not identified in his records.

Exeter (1889-1898)

In his service papers at the time of his discharge there is an entry “Authority V 1^st Devon Engrs.”  Perhaps this may indicate that during the last few years of his service he had been posted as an Instructor to the 1^st Devon Volunteer Engineers on the Permanent Staff of that unit.  A permanent staff consisting of an adjutant and serjeant instructors from the Regular Army was permitted for each unit in the Volunteer Corps .

The 1st Devonshire Engineer Volunteer Corps (EVC), later the Devonshire Fortress Royal Engineers, was a volunteer unit of the Royal Engineers whose history dated back to 1862 with the mission to defend the vital naval base at Plymouth.  The EVC title of the corps was abandoned in 1888, when the units became 'Engineer Volunteers, Royal Engineers', proclaiming their affiliation to the Regular Army Royal Engineers.  It was during this period that Gibbs was designated a Qualified Volunteer Instructor and based on his discharge papers his duties appear to have been with the Devonshire Engineer Volunteers.  In August 1889, the units was constituted as the 1st Devonshire and Somersetshire RE (V), with its Headquarters at the Priory, Colleton Crescent, Exeter.[27]

Gibbs was promoted to the rank of Sergeant on 1 February 1889, only one and a half years from his promotions to Sergeant!  It seems that his military career had taken a marked turn upwards at this time, due no doubt to his performance.  But more advancement was to come in short order.

Sergeant Gibbs became eligible for Good Conduct Pay at 4d on 3 March 1890 and on 27 May 1890 he was permitted to continue in service beyond 21 years.  In many cases Warrant Officers and Non-Commissioned Officers, and in rare cases even Privates, were allowed to continue in the service after 21 years, and thus earn a higher pension.  Leave for such a continuance of service had to be obtained from higher authorities, without which no one had a right to it.  The only exceptions were those cases, where Non-Commissioned Officers and men on duty at the depots or in the cadres of the militia, yeomanry, or volunteers were authorized by the commanders of their regimental district.  Men on such prolonged service could claim their discharge at any time upon three months’ notice.[28] 

On 3 June 1890 Gibbs was promoted to the rank of Company Sergeant Major (Volunteer Instructor).  This promotion had come just one and a half years after his promotion to Sergeant and 21 years from the date of his enlistment.  On 3 March 1893 Gibbs became eligible for Good Conduct Pay at 5d.  In 1891 Gibbs completed 18 years of service and would have been eligible to receive the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal.

On 28 February 1898 Gibbs’ stellar career hit a bump in the road.  He was convicted by Civil Power on this date for being drunk and disorderly off duty.  His sentence was a fine or 10/ or 7 days imprisonment.  So that he would not lose duty days if imprisoned, he elected to pay the fine, however, he had to forfeit 1d of his Good Conduct Pay.

Company Sergeant Major James Gibbs was discharged from the Army on 30 April 1898 on the termination of his second period of engagement.  His service towards engagement and towards pension was reckoned as 28 years and 332 days.  It was noted that he was in possession of a Second Class Certificate of Education and that he had been somewhat intemperate, but latterly had been steady.  His age on discharge was 43 and his pension date was listed as 3 May 1898.

The following sections are presented in tabular form to summarize Gibb’ promotions, appointments and the medals that he was awarded during his time in the Army.  They are provided to give the reader easy access to these aspects of his military career.  The tables are followed by sections dealing with his marriage, personal information and post-service life. 

6.  PROMOTIONS AND APPOINTMENTS

a. Promotions:  Gibbs received the following promotions during his time in service:

b. Appointments:  Gibbs received the following appointments during his time in service:

7.  MEDALS, AWARDS AND DECORATIONS

Figures 6,7,8 and 9.  The Medals of Company Sergeant Major James Gibbs.

(From left to right: Egypt 1882, South Africa 1879, Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (Victoria) and the Khedive’s Star.

(Images from the author’s collection)

NOTE: These are not the medals of CSM Gibbs.  They are presented here for Illustrative purposed only.

8.  RELEASE FROM SERVICE 

Company Sergeant Major Gibbs was released from service on 30 April 1898.  His total service was reckoned as shown in the tables below.

9. MARRIAGE, FAMILY AND PERSONAL INFORMATION

Unfortunately, no family tree could be found for James Gibbs on the Internet, so no information was available regarding his parents and his siblings, if any. 

He married an Irish woman, Elizabeth Pyne, on 16 April 1882 while he was serving in Cork.  Presumably their marriage was in a Roman Catholic church, as Gibbs was a Catholic and Elizabeth, being from Ireland, probably was as well.  His service papers indicated that they did not have any children.

10.  POST SERVICE LIFE

             The 1901 Census of England and Wales shows James Gibbs and his wife residing at 10 Priory Street in Coventry, Warwickshire.  At that time he was employed as a Guild Inspector for the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC). 

            The 1911 Census of Ireland shows James and Elizabeth Gibbs residing at 9 Paul’s Street in Cork, Ireland.  James’ occupation is listed as Vintner and Army Pensioner. 

Figure 10.  The Gibbs Residence in 1911 at 9 Paul’s Street in Cork, Ireland.
(The grey house with the awning in the center with the awning)
(Image courtesy of Google Earth)

ANNEX A 

Figures 11 and  12.  The Grave of Colonel John Rouse Merriott Chard, V.C., R.E.
(Images courtesy of Find a Grave) 

NOTE: Colonel Chard’s grave was visited by the author in 1985.

REFERENCES:

1.      Army Lists

Monthly Army Lists 1882.

2.       Books

a.       COCKERILL, A.W.  Sons of the Brave: The Story of Boy Soldiers.  Leo Cooper, London, 1984, pp. 157-158.
b.      CONOLLY, T.W.J.  Roll of Officers of the Corps of Royal Engineers From 1660 to 1898.  The Royal Engineers Institute, Chatham, Kent, 1898.
c.       GRIERSON, J.M.  Scarlet Into Khaki: The British Army on the Eve of the Boer War.  Greenhill Books, London, 1988.
d.      SKELLEY, A.R.  The Victorian Army at Home: The Recruitment and Terms and Conditions of the British Regular, 1859-1899.  Mc Gill-Queen’s University Press, Montreal, 1977, p. 262.

3.      Census

1901 Census of England (RG 13/2912).
1911 Census of Ireland.

4.      Internet Web Sites

a.       ArteFacts: Royal Engineers.
https://www.artefacts.co.za/main/Buildings/archframes.php?archid=2711
b.      UK, Royal Hospital Chelsea Pensioner Admissions and Discharges, 1715-1925
https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/60917/records/746404?tid=&pid=&queryId=a0b74618-9f97-478e-8f29-3f4e41121dcd&_phsrc=hFr5266&_phstart=successSource
c.       Wikipedia: Anglo-Zulu War
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anglo-Zulu_War
d.      Find a Grave: John Rouse Merriott Chard.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/11681/john_rouse_merriott-chard#view-photo=289513687
e.       The British & Commonwealth Shipping Company Register.
https://www.bandcstaffregister.com/page140.html
f.        Wikipedia: Battle of Ulundi.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Ulundi
g.      Wikipedia: National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NSPCC
h.      fibis: Egyptian Campaign 1882
https://wiki.fibis.org/w/Egyptian_Campaign_1882#British_Expeditionary_Force
i.        Wikipedia: 1^st Devonshire Engineers.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1st_Devonshire_Engineers
j.        Wikipedia: Volunteer Force.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volunteer_Force 

5.      Medal Rolls

a.   Medal Roll (WO100/46), 5^th Field Company, Royal Engineers, South Africa 1879.
b.   Medal Roll (WO100/56), 18^th Field Company, Royal Engineers, Egypt 1885. 

6.      Soldier’s Service Papers (WO97/2872).

a.       Attestation Paper.
b.      Description.
c.       Medical Certificate.
d.      Statement of Service.
e.       Medical History (W.O. Form 1143).
f.        Statement of Service (Army Form B. 260).
g.      Military History Sheet.
h.      Record of Services
i.        Military History Sheet (2^nd version).

 ENDNOTES