Ernest Gibson
Ernest Gibson was born on 4th June 1912 to Robert and Catherine Gibson of 29 Law Street, Fulwell. Ernest was their eighth child; and Catherine would go on to have four further children after Ernest. Robert describes himself as a ‘Bakers Vanman’ in the 1911 census, unsurprisingly Catherine’s role is ‘home duties.’
Unlike his elder brothers Ernest did not follow his father into the baking profession, in 1931 he joins the Transport and General Workers Union, working as a general labourer, he also joins the Communist Party and Young Communist League (YCL) in 1931. In 1933 Ernest married Phyllis Byfield, a nurse at the Southwick Hospital, he was also in Durham during the ‘PAC riots’, protesting against the National Government’s decision to dismiss the Durham Public Assistance Committee (PAC) and impose cuts to relief payments in the county. Ernest was at the anti-fascist demonstration in Sunderland in May 1934 and in August 1935 he headed a deputation from the Sunderland Branch of the YCL, who are protesting about the National Government policy of sending the unemployed to work camps in the South of England.
Ernest travelled to Spain with fellow Teesside Communists Tommy Chilvers and Otto Estensen, they were enlisted into the British battalion on 18th May 1937 Ernest as ID number 1087, Tommy as 1102 and Otto 1103. Ernest gives his home address as 14 Azalea Avenue, and his profession as Builders Labourer, Ernest is sent to the ‘Cocina’ – the Battalion cookhouse.
During the Battle of Brunete, on 13th July 1937, possibly due to the high casualties, Ernest was transferred into No.4 Company acting as a stretcher bearer. In a letter to Harry Pollitt dated October 1937 Ernest complains that he had not been made aware of a telegram for him sent from home, and a few letters, this instigates a flurry of letters and recriminations. Ernest formally requests leave to return home to resolve his ‘domestic situation’ on 10th September 1937.
Harry Dobson writes on 31st October 1937 that :
It appears that it would be criminal to refuse to allow Gibson to return to England. I brought this case to the notice of the Brigade Commissar comrade Duran.
Nevertheless poor Ernest is not granted foreign leave until 30th August 1938 the reason is stated as ‘Domestic problems’, this is almost a year after his initial request! Ernest finally leaves Spain for home on 27th September 1938; once the International Brigades were withdrawn.
Compiled by Tony Fox
Solidarity Park 