Harold Walter Gibbs
Location: St Mary’s Church
Town/village: Billingsley
County: Shropshire
Postcode: WV16 6PH
Details on cross:
In Loving Memory Of
Lieut. H.W. Gibbs
Shrops R.H.A.
Died Of Wounds 25.3.18
Text type: Writing is black on the white painted cross. Writing also on the circular element. No GRU tags
NOTE – dimensions are approximate due to elevated and precarious position of the cross which didn’t allow close measurement.
Cross dimensions
Shaft Height: 1,030mm (including pedestal)
Cross beam width: 600mm
Width of wood: 75mm
Thickness or depth: 35mm
Circle plate (if celtic type)
Outer diameter: 450mm
Width of circle: 50mm
Thickness: 35mm
Other information
Mounting to wall: freestanding in church window. Not well balanced as almost fell over when touched with tape measure! Pedestal base has two fixings attached but no longer used.
Detailing: Cross also has an attached picture of Lieut. Gibbs near the bottom of the shaft. Cross has a circular Celtic style crossbeam as well as the main cross beam. At both ends of the cross beam and the top of the shaft are additional simple carved cross details painted gold/bronze. Cross is set on a two layered wooden pedestal base.
Evidence of use in field: none
Surface insertion depth: none
Finish: white painted
Condition: some bumps and scratches but otherwise in good condition.
Other information, notes and observations: pedestal base dimensions are: Top layer 360mm wide, 45mm high, 70mm deep. Bottom layer 480mm wide, 45mm high, 90mm deep. Cross is in the large window at the end of the church on the left as you enter the church. There is a typed/laminated note giving background to returned crosses generally (see picture)
Church also contains a wall plaque/memorial to Lieut. Gibbs, who was the first from the parish to die in the Great War (see picture)
There is also a small Great War display currently in the church which includes some details on Lieut. Gibbs.
Biographical information: Some information here at the Bridgnorth War memorial website.
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Survey and photographs Peter Bull.
Date of survey: 21/7/16
