Lt Col R A Gibbens MBE - obituary

For those who knew him Bob was very much a “soldier’s soldier” and a great and long-time supporter of the Association. Sadly he passed away unexpectedly on 27 October 2015 aged 83. 

Born on 10 August 1932, Bob joined the Army as an apprentice tradesman at the Army Apprentice School, Chepstow in 1947. He quickly rose through the ranks and whilst serving in Egypt in the early fifties he transferred to the REME as an artificer which began a long and distinguished period with the Airborne Forces. Various other overseas postings ensued until in 1969 he was selected for commissioning whilst serving as Warrant Officer 1 Trade Training in Singapore. 

Bob’s commissioned service was no less diverse and postings to Scotland, Bahrain and 2 tours in BAOR followed before returning to the School of Mechanical Training at Bordon. Moving on in 1975 to Cyprus he was awarded the MBE in 1977 before further tours in Belgium and once again BAOR following promotion to Major. 

His overseas commitments ceased in 1985 on advancement to Lieutenant Colonel when he took command of the REME Workshops in Bridgend before his final posting as the Army Careers Officer for Coventry and Warwickshire until his retirement in 1993. 

Whilst in his last position in 1991 he offered his services to Blesma – whom he had long supported – and took over as Midlands Area Treasurer after joining the Coventry and District Branch, which he became Chairman of in 1996. Bob and his wife Reph threw themselves wholeheartedly into helping the Association, committing much of their time to assisting the Members of the Branch and organising trips and visits throughout the UK for the Branch and the Midlands Area. They were ever present at Area Meetings, the Annual General Meetings and latterly Members Weekends where he would regale attendees with stories of his parachuting days. 

A lifelong supporter of football with West Ham he was swift to pick up on life’s idiosyncrasies and his observations were liberally peppered with a keen very dry sense of humour, which made him a delight to be with. 

As befits the man, his funeral was attended by a great many whose lives he had enriched including many representatives from Blesma. He meant a great deal to those who knew him and will be very much missed by all, especially Reph, his children Lorraine and Paul and his grandchildren Michael, Laura, Emily and Robbie.