Funeral of Mr. G.R. Gibbs, Royal School's Ex-Head

Freemasonry, music, schoolteaching, and the Army Cadet Force were all represented at the funeral today of Mr George Reginald Gibbs, who died at his home, 1, Oaklands-road, Wolverhampton, last Sunday.

Mr Gibbs, who was 68, was a former headmaster of the Royal Wolverhampton School, a noted Midlands baritone, an active Freemason, a member of the Oaklands Bowling Club, and vice-chairman of the Staffordshire Cadet League.

Today’s service, at St Paul’s Church, was taken by the vicar, the Rev. W.T.D. Attoe, and the lesson was read by the Rev. W. Sargent.

Family mourners were: Mr David Gibbs, son; Mr Arthur Gibbs, brother; Miss A. Gibbs, sister; Mr George Cox, son-in-law; Mr and Mrs F.R. Smith and Colonel H.L. Lister.

Representing the Royal Wolverhampton School were Mr F.L. Steward, chairman of the governors; Mr C.C. Lathe, deputy chairman; Mr S.W. Maslen Jones, Mr J.C. Neve and Mr J.M. Wyer, governors; the Rev S.H. Pitt chaplain; Mr J.W. Saunders house governor; Mr O.H. Dickenson, headmaster, boys school; Miss G.M. Wright, headmistress, girls school; Miss L.H. Oldbury, and Mr C.M. Darby, administration.

Mr E.F. Pope (second master), Mr F.A Arnold and Mr B.A. Pensom (assistant masters), Major P.W. Hinde (O.C. Royal School Cadet Corps, also representing the Combined Cadet Force association), Mr M.N. Evans (C.S.M. Royal School Cadet Corps), Mr S.T. Attwood and R. Willis (head boy).

Representing the Old Royals Association were Mr D.R. Fellows (chairman) and Mr E. Gurmin (secretary).

Representing Cadet Force

Army Cadet organisations were represented by the chairman of Staffordshire Cadet League, Colonel A.M.L. Harrison; former chairman, Lieut-Colonel W. Byford-Jones; commandant, Colonel Muller; deputy-commandant, Lieut-Colonel Caswill; secretary Major H.R. Brown; Colonel S.B. Milner, Colonel C.W. Rogers (Staffordshire Territorial and Auxiliary Forces Association). Major W.B. Lunt, Major J. Brown, Major Wesson, Captain Humphreys, Captain Causer, Captain Roberts, Lieutenant Morris, Captain A.V. Pearson, Major V.A. Sleath, Captain E.T. Morse, Lieut-Colonel A. Gameson-Lane (also representing Colonel W.J. Beddows).

Other Masons

Other Freemasons present included Messrs L.M. Inston, Royal Arch Masons of Staffordshire, representing the Rev Harry Baylis, 2nd Provincial Grand Principal in charge; A.W. Nash, B.J.M. Pearsall, J.L. Moulder and E.L. Humphries (Old Edwardians Lodge), Frank Clifford (Harmonic Lodge), W.R. Boffey (Prince of Wales Lodge), C. Harper, E.H. Simpson and E.R. Brock (Victoria Lodge), A.E. Boulton and A.J. Waddell(Lodge of Honour), S.R. Kelly (Old Edwardians Lodge and also representing R.V.B. Hughes (Chapter of Honour)), E.M. Picken (Chapter of Dudley), H. Lewis Knight (Wulfrun Lodge), A.W. Jeffs and M.R. Barnsley (Gervase Pagnel Chapter), H. Lamb (Dofra Lodge).

Oaklands Bowling Club representatives included; Messrs W. Bailey, president; J.C. Finlayson, C.B. Rubery, A. Keates, Charles Blakemore, Mr and Mrs Wolverson, T.B. Southall, J. Moore.

From Musical Life

Representatives of musical organisations included; Messrs E.J. Dunton (Bilston Orchestra), H.E. Hayward, William Blower, Bernard kind, T.F.J. Gough, Mr and Mrs J. Reynolds, E. Pountney, F. Horne (Wolverhampton Orpheus Male Voice Choir), E.L. Cotterell (Wolverhampton Guild of Music), C.F. Higgins (Stourbridge Concert Society).

King Edward VI School, Stourbridge, where Mr Gibbs was on the staff for a number of years, was represented by Messrs. R.L. Chambers, headmaster, F. Carter, second master, G.H.C. Burley, W.E. Dempsey, S.T. Featherston.

Others present included Ann Pope (god-daughter) Mrs and Miss Gibbs (representing Infantile Paralysis Fellowship), Miss Littleford, Mrs Mee, Messrs N.R. Pensom and B.A. Pensom, J.J.L. Brookes, George Johnson, R.W. Lloyd, Miss Lloyd, Councillor Frank Chapham, Frank Weaver, T.G. Lefroy, W.G. Cliff, Jack Holloway, A.L. Napier, M.W. Marsh, Tom Parsons, G. Garland and Fred Careless representing 23rd Battalion Home Guard, E.J. Page president, Stourbridge Old Edwardians Club, Alfred Dickin, Percy Thomas, representing P. Brown, S.H. Blackshaw, J. Gulliver, Councillor D.R. Fellows, Stanley M. Jones, W.E. Bennett, D. Chattaway, Dr L.B. Pailing, representing Col. R.F. Pearson, P.J.M Thomas, H.T. Fisher, Archie Bateman, Mrs Edwards, Mr and Mrs A. Willett, Mrs Wheale, Mrs Pryce, M. Gurmin, A.F. Purnell, M. Baxter, W. Davieson.