Frank Gibbs
Sir Frank Stannard Gibbs | |
|---|---|
Gibbs presenting the British Government's Instrument of Accession to the Pacific Charter to Foreign Minister of the Philippines, Carlos P. Garcia, on 9 November 1954. | |
| British Ambassador to the Philippines | |
| In office 1954–1955 | |
| Preceded by | Linton Foulds |
| Succeeded by | Sir George Clutton |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 3 July 1895 |
| Died | 22 October 1983 (aged 88) |
| Nationality | British |
| Children | 2 |
| Occupation | Diplomat |
Sir Frank Stannard Gibbs (3 July 1895 – 22 October 1983) was a British diplomat who served as British Ambassador to the Philippines from 1954 to 1955.
Career
Gibbs joined the Foreign Service and began his career as vice-consul in Genoa in 1920.[1] He then served in Madrid, Rio de Janeiro, Paris, Marseille, Beira, and Milan.[2] In 1935, he joined the China consular service and was acting consul-general at Canton. In 1939, he was at Addis Ababa;[3] in 1941 at Rosario;[4] and in 1946, he was consul-general in Tunis.[5][6]
Gibbs was consul-general for French Indochina at Saigon from 1947 to 1951.[7] In 1950, when Britain recognised the Indochina associated states of Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, he was elevated to the rank of minister to the three states.[6][8] The raising of the consul-general to legation status was seen as confirming Britain's position in supporting the three states against the Communist backed Viet Minh insurrectionary government.[9] On presenting his credentials to the Emperor, he praised Vietnam's progress towards independence and its support for economic co-operation with the Commonwealth.[5][10]
In 1951, he was appointed minister in Manila,[11] and in 1954 promoted to ambassador to the Philippines,[12] a post he held until his retirement from the service in 1955.[5]
Personal life
Gibbs married Sylvia Knight in 1944 and they had one son and one daughter.[5]
Gibbs died on 22 October 1983, aged 88.[5]
Honours
Gibbs was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 1939 Birthday Honours, and promoted to Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE) in the 1954 New Year Honours.[13] He was appointed Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) in the 1949 Birthday Honours.[5][14]
See also
References
- ^ "No. 13613". The Edinburgh Gazette. 9 July 1920. p. 1626.
- ^ "No. 33664". The London Gazette. 25 November 1930. p. 7492.
- ^ "No. 34628". The London Gazette. 23 May 1939. p. 3470.
- ^ "No. 35068". The London Gazette. 7 February 1941. p. 751.
- ^ a b c d e f Who was who 1981-1990 : a companion to Who's who. Internet Archive. London : A. & C. Black. 1991. p. 283. ISBN 978-0-7136-3336-8.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link) - ^ a b Colin Mackie (2013). A Directory of British Diplomats [2013]. p. 191.
- ^ "No. 38192". The London Gazette. 30 January 1948. p. 742.
- ^ "British Minister To Indo-China". The Times. 10 November 1950. p. 6.
- ^ "Britain To Raise Saigon Consulate To Legation Status". Singapore Standard. 14 August 1950. p. 5.
- ^ "Hanoi Defences Strengthened". The Times. 11 November 1950. p. 6.
- ^ "No. 39323". The London Gazette. 31 August 1951. p. 4608.
- ^ "No. 40310". The London Gazette. 26 October 1954. p. 6067.
- ^ "No. 40053". The London Gazette (Supplement). 1 January 1954. p. 21.
- ^ "No. 38628". The London Gazette (Supplement). 9 June 1949. p. 2797.