HIBBEN, Robert Edward

Date of Birth
Date Attested
Attested at
Lucknow
Original Unit
47th Battalion - West Ontario
Rank
Private
Date of Death
Age at Death
20
Cemetery
Stone Cemetery – Dartford – Kent – England
Cenotaph
None
Biographical Summary

DIVISIONAL UNIT:         4th Canadian Infantry Division
                                             10th Infantry Brigade
                                             47th Battalion  -  West Ontario
                                             Canadian Infantry Corps
SERVICE NO:                   651165
RESIDENCE:                    Lucknow – Ontario 
DATE OF BIRTH:            January 2, 1898
                                             Dartford – Kent - England
DATE OF DEATH:           September 25, 1918             20 years     8 months
CEMETERY:                     Stone Cemetery – Dartford –
                                             Kent – England
                                             3952
PARENTS                          Mr. Robert and Emma Hibben – Lucknow – Ontario
Occupation:                        Labourer                               Religion:     Church of England
Enlistment:                         Lucknow – January 3, 1916
Enlistment Age:                 18 years

This young man was born in Dartford, emmigrated to Canada with his parents, lived in Lucknow and enlisted there and served overseas in France. 
Private Hibben and his unit departed Halifax bound for Liverpool on board the SS Metagam on October 17, 1916 and arrived on October 28, 1916. He transfers to the 4th Reserve Battalion on February 23, 1918 and then transfers to the 47th Battalion and goes overseas on March 28, 1918. He does not join his unit in the field until August 12, 1918.
He is admitted to No. 83 General Hospital based in Boulogne on September 3, 1918. He then in invalided to England on the Troopship St. David and admitted to the Central Military Hospital – Fort Pitt – Chatham – Kent on September 5, 1918. On September 7, 1018 he is admitted to No. 2 Eastern General Hospital in Brighton. He is reported to be dangerously ill on September 24, 1918 and on September 25th, 1918 – Private Hibben loses his battle for survival. He died of Septic Pericarditis (infection of the sac surrounding the heart) and from a gun shot wound to the eye.
Private Hibben was wounded on September 3, 1918 after receiving gun shot wounds to his eye. The weather was fine with winds from the south-west with some showers in the morning.
The Battalion advanced eastward at mid day in support of the 46th Battalion and after crossing the summit of the Mont Dury Ridge the Battalion encounted a very heavy enemy artillery battage of high explosive shells and gas. The ground was devoid of cover and casualties were being taken. The advance continued to the objective which was from the east end of Recourt and the east end of Saudemont and here the Battalion dug in with the Companies being spread in depth.
Casualties were 22 men killed and 66 men wounded.
Following his death, he was buried in Stone Cemetery in the town where he was born. His parents would have had some comfort knowing that this is where their son was laid to rest.