TIBBETTS Joseph Edward

Died in Hospital at Malta.
Sergeant-Major Tibbits came to us four years ago, to succeed Sergeant Hobro as Gymnastic Instructor. He was then a Corporal, but got his third stripe soon after. When his time of service with the Colours expired, he became Sergeant-Instructor to the O.T.C., in addition to his gymnasium work. On the outbreak of war he was called up as a Reservist, and transferred to the newly-raised 9th Battalion, which suffered so heavily in Gallipoli. He escaped bullets, shells, and bombs, in the sanguinary fighting in which his Battalion took part, only to fall a victim to disease. We have much to thank him for. It was under his instruction, and due largely to his keenness, that we first sent up a pair to represent the School in the Gymnastic Competition for Public Schools at Aldershot, and though we found at our first appearance that we had much to learn, we were much more successful at the next competition, being well up in the list in Gymnastics, and second in Boxing. His success as an Instructor was due to his keenness, which was infectious, and his sympathy. He never bullied, he persuaded. We have to mourn the loss of a very capable Instructor and valued friend, and offer our sincerest sympathy to his widow.
R. J. W.

Source for additional information: The Vigornian, November 1915, No.84, Vol.VIII (Worcester Kings School magazine)

The following report appears in the Kidderminster Times 11th September 1915:
Company Sergeant Major J.E. Tibbetts, 10329, 9th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment. Died of dysentry contracted at Dardenelles. Formerly Sergeant Instructor of OTC and also a gymnastic instructor at King’s School, Worcester. He leaves a widow and infant daughter.