Eva Irene Gimson: 1925-2015

When Eva Irene was born on 16 October 1925 in Linton, Cambridgeshire, England, the country was in recovery mode from World War 1, she was the last of five children in her family. Her father, Ernest Reynolds Gimson, was quite the entrepreneur and he tackled everything in life with a 'can do' philosophy which he passed onto all of his children. Her mother, Gladys Hilda Wakefield was also an amazing woman as she strived to create a loving home for her growing family.

When Eva was about 16 months old, her whole family sailed on the S.S. Berrima to Fremantle, Western Australia where they settled in Babakin. She went to school and helped her father out in the General Store. The shell of this building still stands today.

When World War II broke out, her oldest brother Ernie joined the Royal Air Force; unfortunately, he was reported "Missing in Action" shortly before the war ended. The strain of this loss in her family caused her father to leave Western Australia and join his brother, Robert who had a farm in Pendle Hill, NSW. They travelled by train as it was on the other side of Australia. 

It is in NSW where Eva met James Watt Robertson Banks and married on 4 June 1949 in a double wedding ceremony with her sister. Eventually, Eva and Jim had three children and lived in Guildford, NSW.

Once the children were married, they moved to a small community called Mayflower Villas, which later became known as Mayflower Village, where she spent the rest of her life. It was small but ample room for them and visiting family members. Her sister and her husband lived there too, and after the passing of both husbands they were a great support for one another.

I married one of her sons and found her to be the best possible mother-in-law, although she always considered me to be another daughter. Mum was supportive of all we did as a family and loved all the grandchildren and great grandchildren that came along. Mum was delighted in hearing about their lives and cherished the many pictures, phone calls and visits over the years and was so excited that a great great grandchild was due early in August, 2015.

Towards the end of last year, 2014, Eva became ill and slipped away on 13 April 2015, had she made it to today she would have been 90.

Mum is dearly missed by her family and descendants and left an amazing legacy of her love for the Lord, service to and always thinking of others, we look forward to the day when we will be reunited in eternity.

Eva Irene (Gimson) Banks: 16 October 1925-13 April 2015

Claire (*)

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Ernest William Gimson

Ernest William Gimson was born on 20 Dec 1916 at home at Claremont, 44 London Road in Sawston, Cambridge, England during World War 1. He was the first born child of Ernest Reynolds Gimson and Gladys Hilda Wakefield. Their next child, Roy Gimson, only lived a day. Over the next few years, three girls completed this tight knit family.

In February, 1927, when Ernest (Ernie) was 11 years old, their family immigrated to Australia. They sailed there on the S.S. Berrima and landed in Fremantle. After World War 1, the Australian government looked to Great Britain for immigrants and encouraged those willing to consider resettlement in Australia by offering them assisted passage. Additionally, British immigrants were also eligible to receive land grants and encouraged to settled in rural areas. Their family settled in Babakin, Western Australia as his father purchased land with a store and a home on it.

Everyone in the family helped with the store and Ernie was a great help to his father in running a grocery story and maintain a farm in Western Australia. At 19 years of age, he joined the Royal Air Force in England in 1935 and was just finishing his education when World War II broke out.

Even though Ernie was away from home, he would always remember his sisters and mother at Christmas time and send them jewelry from England. Once World War II started in 1939 he was only able to continue that tradition for a couple more years. While in the Air Force he developed a love for soccer and was able to stay in touch and visit the many relatives still living in England.

Unfortunately, Ernie was reported missing off the coast of Sicily on 25th June, 1941. The family was notified by letter which stated they were part of an attack on a ship and the plane that Ernie was in didn't return from the raid. Various reports state there was a flash from the ship that may have hit the plane causing it to crash. The end result is that he was never seen again and presumed to have met with disaster. To this day he is still listed as "Missing in Action". In the News & Reviews, Cambridge, Sawston 1940-45 Newspaper Cuttings, the following statements were made:

"29^th October 1940   Gallant Sawston Man. A bar to his D.F.M. has been awarded to Sergeant Ernest Gimson of 107 Squadron RAF. Sert. Gimson was born at Sawston, but his home is at Babakin Western Australia.  Before joining the RAF he was a shop keeper’s assistant.  He was awarded his DFM in February of this year in Air Operations.”

     The Malta Family History has a "Commonwealth Air Force Memorial" on their website dedicated to the airmen of the Commonwealth who died during World War II in the Mediterranean area but have no known grave. Their entry states:

The actual Malta Memorial is situated in the area of Floriana and is easily identified by the Golden Eagle which surmounts the column and stands outside the main entrance to Valletta. Ther memorial honors almost 2,300 airmen who lost their lives during this war. He was a member of the 69th squardron whose motto is "With Vigilance We Serve", this he did with his life for his country.

Those who knew him miss him and those who have come to know of him also wish they could have enjoyed the company of Ernest William Gimson, a hero to his family, friends and his country.

Ernest William Gimson, 541685, Flight Sergeant, D.F.M. and Bar, Royal Air Force, 69 Squadron, died 26^th June 1941, aged 25 years.  Son of Ernest R. and Gladys H. Gimson, of Pendle Hill, New South Wales, Australia.