William Edward "Ted" Gibbins

GIBBINS, William Edward (Ted) November 6, 1919 January 22, 2006 Dad was born in Chelsea, England, the youngest of eight brothers and sisters. At the age of six, following the death of his father, Dad and three of his older brothers and sisters, together with their mother, emigrated to Canada and settled in Prince George. He completed school there, and then returned to England shortly before the start of World War II to join the British Regular Army. Dad was sent out to India after training and served there and in Burma at various times as both an Artillery Officer and Infantry Officer. During the fighting in Burma, Dad was awarded the Military Cross for bravery. He later received a serious leg wound while fighting near Kohima, and finished the war as a Captain in the Army Intelligence Service in India. Eight years after leaving home, Dad returned to Canada to marry his high school sweetheart, Eleanor. They settled originally in Vancouver, and as the family grew, moved to a new home in North Vancouver. Dad and Mum would have celebrated their sixtieth anniversary this year. He will be sadly missed by her, their two daughters Judy (Al) Grimes and Barb (Larry) Schwitek in Kamloops, sons Ron (Judy) in Victoria, and Bob in North Vancouver, as well as four grandchildren, Jennifer (Jason) Turner, Sarah Gibbins and Jessica and Kyle Schwitek, and by his surviving brother George (Frankie). He is also survived by several nieces and nephews in Canada and England. The family would like to thank BC Ambulance, Dr. John Lebrun, and especially the Palliative Care Team at Lions Gate Hospital for their care and support in making Dad's difficult last few weeks as comfortable as possible both for him and for the rest of the family. We would also like to thank the Burma Star Association Chapters in Vancouver and Victoria for the companionship and camaraderie given to both Dad and Mum over the past several years. Funeral services for Dad will be held at 2:00 on Thursday, January 26 at the Boal Chapel at 1505 Lillooet Road in North Vancouver. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to commemorate Dad's life are asked to donate to the Palliative Care Unit at Lions Gate Hospital. 198870