Son of James Arnold Gibbon and Eva Marian Gibbon (nee Terry) of Fredericton, NB. His father, Arnold, was a decorated veteran of WWI. John and his younger sisters Nancy and Jane were the grandchildren of Edgar John Terry and James Spence Gibbon, two prominent businessmen in Saint John at that time. He was 18 years old when he travelled to Saint John to enlist with the 1st Canadian Special Service Battalion.
Sergeant Gibbon was killed in an accidental bazooka explosion near Santa Maria, Italy due to a faulty round being prematurely discharged in the barrel of the launcher on November 28, 1943. The explosion occurred during an offensive operation to reclaim the surrounding area after the allies successfully crossed the Sangro River early that morning. Six other men were injured at the scene, but Gibbon was killed instantly. Mezzagrogna and Santa Maria were successfully captured by British troops the very next day.
In the accident report, a fellow soldier in his unit (Major R.W. Becket) said that Gibbon was "an excellent soldier both in conduct and capabilities."
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