The Gibbs family in the 1960’s.

Standing left to right: Donald, son of Sydney; William and Richard, sons of Murray. Seated left to right: Reginald and Murray Gibbs. Donald,William and Richard were the fifth and final generation of the Gibbs family to run the business which ceased…

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1956 launch of the David Brown 900 tractor at Bedfont.

Left to right; David Brown (later Sir), Reginald, Sydney and Murray Gibbs.

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Joseph Gibbs 1826 to 1900

John Gibbs had three sons, Arthur, Joseph and Charles. All three sons joined the gold rush in Australia; Joseph returned to England when his father suffered a stroke and he became the second generation to run the family business.

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The Spinney Cottage at Bedfont in the late 1950’s.

From right to left; Sydney, Reginald and Murray Gibbs, the fourth generation to run the family firm. John Gibbs lived with his family in The Spinney with the wheelwright and blacksmith workshop attached. Originally there were two cottages which we…

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David Brown tractor presentation.

A presentation by the director of David Brown to Donald Gibbs in 1976 in recognition of the long association of the two businesses. The tractor model can be seen in the display case at the Rural Life Centre.

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Austin Cars

Presentation of a plaque to Reginald Gibbs in recognition of the company’s long association with the Austin Motor Company. This plaque is displayed in the Gibbs display at the Rural Life Centre.

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Royal Smithfiled Show 1959

Murray and Sydney Gibbs sharing a joke with Prime Minister Harold Macmillan during his visit to the Gibbs stand at the Royal Smithfield Show.

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Murray, Reginald and Sydney Gibbs outside The Spinney.

Herbert had four sons, the eldest William John (1896 to 1916) was killed in the First World war. Herbert commissioned a stained glass window in William’s memory which is sited in the chancel area of St Mary’s Church in Bedfont. His three remaining…

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Herbert John Gibbs and Reginald Gibbs

Herbert John, seated front row second from the left, in his later years. His son Reginald is seated fourth from the left.

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Herbert John Gibbs 1868 - 1936

Joseph’s eldest son, Herbert John, joined the business as a wheelwright’s assistant. He was described as a thin, delicate man, but his skills led to a considerable expansion around the turn of the century. Herbert was interested in new developmen…

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John Gibbs 1792 - 1867

The founder of the business, John Gibbs was born in Chalfont, Bucks in 1792. He began his working life in Cowley, Middlesex and then in 1844 he started his own business in Bedfont as a wheelwright and blacksmith. It is likely that he chose this are…

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Herbert John, seated front row second from the left, in his later years. His son Reginald is seated fourth from the left.

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