CAN you help find the missing link to the history of a First World War soldier who does not appear on any war memorial in the country.

Peter Collis is a welfare officer at a Cambridgeshire branch of the Royal British Legion.

And as part of his work, he has been looking into the history of Private JE Gibbons who died in December 1918 after being treated in a lunatic asylum in Fulbourn, near Cambridge.

As Mr Collis has been doing his detective work, he has tracked down links to Warrington.

He said: “The man came to light a few years back as he is buried in what is now the redundant cemetery to what is now known as Fulbourn Hospital and had been given the honour of a Commonwealth War Graves Commission headstone.

“Research into his name doesn’t give me any record of him being mentioned on any war memorial in any county.

“As he technically resided within the parish of Fulbourn when he died I personally feel he should be commemorated on our memorial which I am currently pursuing. However it would be nice to trace his family roots and even any living relatives.”

Pte Gibbons was a member of the 23rd works brigade of The King’s Liverpool Regiment and died on December 4, two days after being admitted for tuberculosis.

His address when admitted was 11 Hope Street in Cambridge and this is also the address on his death certificate. His soldier’s effects give his next of kin as Ann and she was given £5 war gratuity.

Mr Collis continues: “Here the trail goes cold.

“Having researched the Cambridge records I can find no reference to John or Ann anywhere in Cambridgeshire, there is no record of them living at the Cambridge address in the 1917 Kelly’s Directory and Ann is not at that address in 1919.

“I presume, as he was in hospital, she took lodgings to be near him.

“Unfortunately there is no directory for 1918 available.”

Here the trail links to Warrington.

Through online research, Mr Collis found a John Ernest Gibbons born 1880 in Knutsford to parents John and Ellen. This John married Annie Bates at Warrington in 1902.

Children from this marriage were Kathleen, born 1902 and Reginald, born 1906. The 1911 census had them living at 22, Lovely Lane.

John’s occupation was listed as a monumental mason and Annie a dressmaker. John’s death certificate has him as a cement worker.

Can you help with any more information which might get Mr Gibbons listed on a war memorial?

Mr Collis is looking to complete his work in 2018 in time for the 100th anniversary of the Armistice in the First World War and of Pte Gibbon’s death.

If so, get in touch with Yester Years at newsdesk@guardiangrp.co.uk.

Or write to Yester Years, Warrington Guardian, 138 Bridge Street, Warrington, WA1 2RU.

We will pass all messages on to Mr Collis.