Richard Apjohn Fitz Gibbon died of wounds on this day in 1915

Richard was born in Dublin, Ireland 5 July 1889. He was the only son of Harry Fitzgibbon, Barrister-at-Law of Greystones, County Wicklow, Ireland and Helen Rebecca Fitzgibbon (née Barton) of Dublin, Ireland.

He was educated at Strangways School, Dublin; Lickey Hills Prep School, Barnet Green; Radley College and Christ Church, Oxford, where he earned his B.A. degree in 1911.

Richard was a keen sportsman, twice coxed rowing eights for Henley Regatta; he was also for a time cox of Christ Church, Oxford, and subsequently stroke of their second eight. He was a member of the Leander Rowing Club.

Then on 6 Jan 1912 Richard was appointed to the unattached List for the Indian Army and after serving a year with the Royal Fusiliers in India he was appointed a double company officer in the 128th Pioneers and later went through a course of engineering with the Sappers and Miners at Rurkee, India. He become Lieutenant on 17 April 1913.

In 1915 Lieut. Fitz Gibbon was in charge of the escort to the Artillery Regiment near Tussoum, on the Suez Canal. They were attacked about 3.30 a.m. on 3 Feb 1915 when the Turks attempted to cross the Canal. His men sank the first pontoon boat, but the second got across.

Wounded early in this fight, he retired for a while to the rear to have his wound bound up after which he returned and continued to direct his men. Two hours or so later it became necessary to get an important message to the commander of the artillery, Lieut. Fitz Gibbon undertook to take it himself, crossing a quarter mile of open space exposed to enemy fire to deliver it.

After delivering the message, it was found that his wound was far too serious for him to continue, he was taken to the Signal House at Toussum. Richard was reported as having been bright and cheerful all day, but died of his wounds early the next morning.

Lieutenant Fitz Gibbon was mentioned in dispatches for conspicuous gallantry and was buried with full military honors in the Ismalia Cemetery, Egypt.

Lieut. Richard Apjohn Fitz Gibbon, 128th Indian Pioneers