#1357, Thomas (Tom) Reginald GIBBS

Tom was in the Lancing Coll. O.T.C. rifle team. 1921-24 in Spain and France training for business career. 1926-27 Cuddesdon Theological College Ordained Deacon at York, 1927, Priest 1928. Curate of South Bank, Diocese York, 1927-31. Missionary on the staff of the Diocese of Northern Rhodesia U.M.C.A. at Chipili 1931-34. Priest in charge St. Ninian's, Whitby, Diocese York, 1938-44. Vicar of South Bank 1944-49. Chaplain to St. Hilda's Middle School, Order of the Holy Paraclete, Whitby, including pastoral work in parish, 1949-69.

He was in Africa May 1969 to December 1969, sent by the Order of the Holy Paraclete to visit their Sisters, Schools, Houses, Hospitals and work in general, in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Rhodesia, Swaziland, Kalhari, Ghana, Mampong Ashanti, Cape Coast and Accra. Curate of the Ascension, Hull, Diocese York, 1970-72. Retired officially January 1972; helping voluntarily since with services, visiting etc. at St. Michael's, Abingdon, Oxon., in villages (Diocese Hereford) and latterly in West Malvern (Diocese Worcester) also involved in working with all age groups for the Church, Missions and Charities, through sponsored walks, sponsored swims, etc.

Over a period of 20 years has sponsored children through "Save the Children Fund" and "Bible Lands Mission" in Britain, Korea, West Indies, Africa, Palestine.

Gibbs Family Tree, ID 1017

Extracted from a Worcester newspaper we show the following account:

"Who is that old priest with a knap-sack on his back cycling full speed down Croft Bank and singing The Hills are alive with the Sound of Music?"  Most people in West Malvern would have answered "It's Father Tom, of course!"  So the dearly loved, devoted priest was known.  Father Tom arranged all the details of his own funeral service of dedication, joy and thanksgiving in the church where he had helped during his long retirement when he lived at Adelaide House.

He trained at Cuddesdon Theological College, was ordained at York and was a curate in the York diocese until he went as a missionary to Northern Rhodesia with the Universities Mission.  He returned to Yorkshire in 1938 as vicar of Whitby, then Middleborough and finally for twenty years as chaplain to St. Hilda's School before coming to Mathon, Malvern after a time at Abingdon, Oxfordshire.  The crowded church was decorated with buttercups and wild flowers by his nieces, Mrs Mary Carver and Mrs. Betty McCausland.  The service, with choir, was conducted by Rev. Peter Baron, former vicar of West Malvern assisted by Rev. John Parry (cousin), who read the lessons, and attended by the Rural Dean, Canon John Davies and Canon H K Sly.  Mr. Ronald Ward was organist.