Hero dropped rank so he could join the fight with comrades
A Rutherglen army sergeant gave up his top role so he could fight for his country on the front line.
Sgt Andrew Gibson was a skilled physical instructor and was kept, against his will, training soldiers in England between 1916 and 1918.
Frustrated he couldn’t join his fellow troops in battling the Germans, the father-ofone reverted from Sergeant to infantryman so he could be posted to France.
In August 1918, his wife received the sad news that Andrew had been killed in action.
The soldier had spent most of his life in Rutherglen and worked in the town as a glazier before emigrating to Canada with his family.
Andrew was fighting with the Canadian Scottish Regiment when he was fatally wounded.
On September 26, 1918, the Reformer republished an article that appeared in Ontarian newspaper, the Hamilton Herald.
It read: “Sergeant Andrew Gibson, 25 West Picton Street, died for his country during the great offensive.
“He was killed while serving with the 15th Canadian Scottish, having reverted from Sergeant five months ago in order to get to France.
“The sad news was received by his wife, Mrs Andrew Gibson, on August 20.
“Sergeant Gibson enlisted with the 92nd Battalion, Gordons, three years ago, and went to England two years ago last May.
“When in training his ability as a physical instructor was recognised, and greatly against his will, he was kept for a long time in England on the training staff.
“He was from Scotland; came to Canada some years ago and settled in this city.
“Before the war he served three years with the 91st Highlanders. He was born in Blairgowrie, Perthshire, and leaves a wife and small daughter, as well as his parents John and Mrs Gibson, and a sister, Miss Harriet, all of 25 West Picton Street.
“Although born in Blairgowrie, Mr Gibson spent almost all his life in Rutherglen before emigrating to Canada.
“He resided at 10 Greenbank Street, Rutherglen, with his parents, and as a young lad took great interest in the Boy Scout movement, forming a troop of his own.
“Sergeant Gibson was a glazier to trade, having served his apprenticeship with Mr G Kirk, King Street, Rutherglen.
“Sergeant Gibson and his parents and sister were well known in the Greenbank Street district of Rutherglen, his father being employed at Messrs J and J White’s, Shawfield Chemical Works, before leaving for Canada.”