Family :

Service Life:

Campaigns:

• The First World War 1914-1918, World-wide.

Accidents were a minor factor in the casualty list. Our definition is deaths resulting from activities that were not directly associated with 'active service'. We have excluded Naval Accidents which are seperately identified because of their numbers and impact. Many accidents involved the aviators, operating at the the limits of technology.

Detail :

A newspaper article regarding his death and funeral appeared in the Burlington Gazette on 1st August, 1917 - "Further Particulars of Death of Flight Lieut. Bibby. A current issue of the Exmouth (England) Chronicle contains further particulars of the death and funeral of Flight Sub-Lieut. J.C. [sic] Bibby, brouther of Mrs. Howard Shappard, of Burlington. The young aviator, after a brilliant career, was reported accideentally killed over a month ago, while serving in Malta. According to the English journal news from Malta stated that Lieut. Bibby was making an experimental trip in a machine on June 11, when at about 11-o'clock as he was returning to his base he, by some means not yet explained, fell from the aeroplane, landing in the neighbourhood of Benghasia. Dr. Pearson R.N., rendered immediate attention, but his efforts were of no avail, death being almost instantaneous. the remains were removed to the mortuary of R.N. hospital, Bighi, where an inquiry was held. The funeral took place on the morning of the 13th, with full naval honors, the remains being conveyed from the mortuary of the R.N. hospital, Bighi, for internment in the Church of England cemetery, via Cappuccini. The coffin, covered with the Union Jack, was placed on a gun carriage drawn by a party of men belonging to the R.A. N.S. Six flight-lieutenants, comrades of the deceased, acted as pall-bearers. The mourners included representatives from the British, French, Italian and Japanese navy, Flag Lieut. Takue Fojisawe, imperial Japanese navy, representing Rear-Admiral Kozo Sato. Lieut. Ingham represented his excellency Field Marshal Lord Methuen, governor and commander-in-chief, Malta. There was a wealth of floral tributes."

David Barnes Killed while flying on the 11th June 1917. A headstone erected by the officers and men of R.N. Seaplane Base, Malta, and by the great kindness of Officers and Crew and Troops on board the French transport Eugene Crossos. He was accidentally killed when Short 320 Torpedo Carrying Seaplane No. 8317 crashed during trials at Malta The Exmouth Examiner enlarged on the circumstances; Bibby was making an experimental trip in a machine and at about 11.00hrs he was returning to base when, due to unexplained circumstances, he fell from the aeroplane. He was buried on 13th June with full military honours.

His death was reported in the Toronto Star 21st June, 1917 - "BIBBY - Accidentally killed, Flight Sub-Lieutenant John R. Bibby, R.N., dearly beloved husband of Olive Van Every, in his 27th year."

For his service he was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

See also: Canadian Great War Project.
See also: Air War 1914 1918.

Masonic :

Joined the English Constitution from Riverdale Lodge No 494 (Toronto) on 22nd November 1916. He is recorded in Letchworth Lodge records as based in Gibraltar and employed as a Flight Sub-Lieut. The final annotation in the contribution record states "Killed whilst serving 1917 date unknown."

Source :

The project globally acknowledges the following as sources of information for research across the whole database:

• The Commonwealth War Graves Commission
• The (UK) National Archives
• Ancestry.co.uk - Genealogy, Family Trees & Family History online
• ugle.org.uk - The records of the United Grand Lodge of England including the Library and Museum of Freemasonry

Additional Source:

• Founder Researchers : Paul Masters & Mike McCarthy
• Researcher : Bruce Littley