Richard Gibson

Richard Boaler Gibson

1879-1958


Richard Gibson with his daughter, Mary, at her wedding in 1938 (left) and on the same occasion with his wife, Frances, (right).

The Gibson family were in business as corn merchants in Bourne as long ago as the 18th century, the best known being John Gibson who was responsible for converting his red brick premises in West Street into the Bourne Institute with its mock Gothic facade, a building that survives to this day as The Pyramid Club.

His son was Richard Boaler Gibson who was born there in 1879 and once he was old enough he joined the family business which prospered. Business was so good that in 1922, he built himself a new and substantial family home in North Road that became known as The Croft.

Richard died on 9th July 1958 and The Croft was subsequently sold in August 1960 for £8,000 (£160,000 at today's values) when it comprised an entrance hall, cloak room, lounge, dining room, two kitchens, five bedrooms, a dressing room and a large bathroom. There was also a detached garage for two cars and a well-cared for tennis court. Grassland through which there were two rights of way from North Road, covered more than seven acres and there was also a sheltered orchard with a variety of mature fruit trees.

Among those with fond memories of this house was Air Marshal Sir Maurice Heath (1909-1998), former Chief of Staff, Allied Air Forces, Central Europe, who married Richard and Frances Gibson’s daughter Mary in 1938 and although he re-married after her death in 1988, he left instructions that his remains should be buried beside her in the town cemetery in remembrance of the happy times he had enjoyed at The Croft.

They both share the same grave with her parents, Richard Gibson (31st October 1879 - 9th July 1958) and his wife Frances Mary Gibson (29th September 1890 - 9th November 1986).

Richard Gibson was also a motor rally enthusiast and a pioneer motor cyclist and motorist in the early years of the 20th century and among the family souvenirs is a certificate from the Motor Cycle Club of Great Britain stating that he completed a 100-mile non stop run on northern roads on the 3rd of June 1905 and it is signed by the secretary and official timekeeper.

The club allowed motor cars to enter its trials from 1904, thus starting the first big car rally events in Great Britain, and around 1908, Richard Gibson was among 300 competitors who took part in the London to Edinburgh run and although only six of them finished the course, he was one of them.

However, he did not encourage his son, also Richard, to take an interest in cars but the lad was already following the activities of Raymond Mays and the BRM and was soon captivated. Then after moving to Barnstaple in North Devon, where he became the owner of a garage business, he did start a racing career himself later competing in many prestigious events around the world including the Cape and Rand Grand Prixs in South Africa.

In 1954, he also competed in the Goodwood Nine-Hour Event and after taking second place with just two hours to go, he hit an oil patch, spun round and collided with a Porsche driven by Stirling Moss and both cars had to be taken out of the race. Richard died in Spain in December 2010, aged 92.

PHOTO ALBUM


The Croft and gardens in 1950.

Richard Boaler Gibson with a family group at The Croft in 1955 and (below) The Croft in North Road and the family grave in the town cemetery. In the picture: Richard Gibson, junior, and his wife Kathleen, Richard Boaler Gibson and his wife Francis May, their daughter Mary and her husband Sir Maurice Heath, Tom and David Gibson (sons of Richard, junior) and James and Julia Health (children of Maurice and Mary Heath).

WRITTEN MAY 2012