Thomas Reginald Ibbetson was the second son of printer and lithographer Joseph Ibbetson and his wife Caroline. Having entered the army as a private early in the war, Thomas was quickly promoted as the Shipley Times & Express reported on 26 November 1915. “Gunner T R Ibbeston, the second son of Mr & Mrs J Ibbetson of Hill Side House, Moorhead Lane, Shipley, has been recommended for a commission. “He joined the 1/3 West Riding Brigade, RFA, on September 20th, 1914 and proceeded to France on April 15th of the present year. He has thus seen eight month’s service. “During that time, except for a fortnight when he was in a rest

camp, he was almost continuously under fire. “He is 21 years of age and was educated at Saltaire Grammar School, afterwards going into business with his uncle, Mr David Todd, Worsted Spinners, Albert Mills, Bingley. “Whilst I the firing line he has had many thrill adventures. On one occasion a shell burst within five yards of him and blew up two dug-outs. Happily, there was not a single casualty in his battery. In consequence of this good fortune it was popularly known as God’s Own Battery.”

On 17 November 1916 the newspaper reported: “Lieut T R Ibbetson, Royal Field Artillery, a winner of the Military Cross, is the younger son of Mr J Ibbetson of Moorhead, Shipley. “Lieut Ibbetson was educated at the Salts Schools. Before the war he was learning the spinning trade.” Thomas’s medal was presented to him by the King at Buckingham Palace the following August. The next reference we have is from 22 February 1918: “A military wedding took place at St Peter’s Church, Shipley, on

Saturday morning. “The bridegroom was Lieut T R Ibbetson, M.C., (Royal Field Artillery), second son of Mr and Mrs J Ibbetson of Moorhead Shipley. The bride was Miss Elsie V Hill, second daughter of Mrs Hill of Manningham. “The bridegroom joined the colours soon after the outbreak of war and has seen a good deal of active service. Some little time ago he was awarded the Military Cross. “The bride was given away by her uncle, Mr W Brown, and the best man was Sub-Lieut L N Morton, R.N.R. Thomas’s brother, Philip Leslie, also served and was killed in October 1918 (link below) and Thomas was listed as the chief mourner.