Matthew Gibson was the youngest son of Matthew and Emma Gibson. He was born 7th September 1895. The family lived at Tullyweary House, Ardtrea. Matthew was a student at Cookstown Academy and then Edinburgh University where he studied medicine. Having successfully completed his second year, he offered his services as probationer surgeon, He served on board the destroyer, H.M.S. Moresby for one year and was on board during the Battle of Jutland. He returned to Edinburgh University to complete his studies. After graduating in the summer of 1918, he joined the Royal Army Medical Corps for the remainder of the war.