| Service # | 6871-B-7 |
| Unit # | Imperial Army, 1st Division CEF - Mechancial Transports |
Regimental number: 6871-B-7. Imperial Force. Reference RG9-11-F-10 (Imperial Army), Finding Aid-9-56-Vol.103, Item #644282, Imperial Gratuities. [Cdn. Service No.153505].
Married in Chatham, ON. to Carrie / Martha 8/05/1896 at Chatham. The father of Violet, Bud, Lloyd, Gladys, Garnet and Archibald. Bud was a taxi driver prior to his enlistment.
According to the Kent Regt. Chapter IODE, he was a Black taxi driver in Chatham, ON. He enlisted 15/12/15 in Chatham with the Mechanical Transport of the 1st Division.
Bud went overseas with the 1st Division CEF., with the Mechanical Transports. He was reported training at Salisbury Plain in 21 January, 1916 and later at Grove Park were he passed all test for heavy lorries. He was attached to Section #2 Ammunition and supplies for a Howitzer Battery.
He crossed overseas to France in the latter part of February 1916 with the Mechanical Transport Section of the A.M.C. where he served for one year and was promoted to Corporal.
Bud was an ex-tank driver and wrote a letter “to McCuire & Trotter” in 1916. As follows:
Somewhere in France.
Tuesday, May 3, 1916
Dear Friends:
Here I am somewhere in France, but here is more than I can say, This is a very pretty country, but nothing compared to Canada. Ivan Glenn has been with me up until three weeks ago when we were separated. He felt very bad about it and so did I, being that we were the only two on the convoy from Chatham.
There are twelve Canadian on this convoy … I am getting on well with the boys, we have some nice officers and non-commissioned officers an a fine lot of men.
How are you getting along with the Cadillac and Studebakercars? The Studebaker car is a very prominent car in England, but I have not seen of them out here. Our lorries are Dalmiers and the light cars are Sunbeams, but believe me, I would not change my good old Galt for any of them. Give my best wishes to all of the boys, especially Jim Massey, Jack Drew and Billy Griffin…Tell Jack Drew I never got around by Kelly’s and I am a little timid of the Germans so never got to Murphy’s.
Harry Pleasance is about 20 miles from here and I am going down to see him the first chance I get. He is some boy. I hear he is driving a staff car. England is some country. We are at Southend-on-the Sea for two months. It is a beautiful seaside resort, and I enjoyed every minute of the time sprnt there and was sorry when we left, as we were in private billets and had real beds to sleep on again for a change.
My address is Pte. Bud P. Gipson, 153505, M.T.A.B.C. 637 Company, B.E.T. Army Post Office, London, England
Well Jim, if you haven’t changed your telephone number yet, I will call you some day. I think your number was 599. Well I must close now, hoping that you will write soon and let me know how you are getting along
I remain, sincerely , Bud.
He was then transferred to #7 Workshop, N. Siege Park, attached to 13th Corps where he remained until November 1917. He then transferred to 1st Ausie K Siege Park wher he remained until September of 1918 when he was granted a leave for Canada.
During his service Bud was wounded in the left arm and side but remained on duty.
He was discharged 24 January, 1919 at London, ON. due to demobilization.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
| Sources | LAC, IODE Books of Remembrance., Request through LAC for additional information |
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