Private Ivan Gibbons

Ivan Gibbons was the son of Samuel Edward and Evelina (Betteridge) Gibbons, of Coventry, he enlisted in the General Service Corps and volunteered for airborne forces.

Private Gibbons successfully completed parachute training at RAF Ringway on course number 128 from 6 to 20 August 1944. His course report stated “Very good performer. Cheerful and confident”. He was posted to 8th Battalion, the Parachute Regiment, and took part in Operation Varsity (Rhine Crossing).

Pte Gibbons was killed in action on 24 March 1945, aged 19, whilst taking part in the daylight parachute drop into Germany as part of the Rhine Crossing during operation Varsity and was given a field burial near Merr, Germany and was re-interred to Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, Germany, on 18 March 1947.

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