Gibson, Albert (1894-1952)

Transcription of obituary published in the Minutes of Conference

ALBERT GIBSON: born in 1894. Converted under the preaching of the evangelist, Albert Shakesby, he had become a Local Preacher when war broke out in 1914, and the following year he was in the navy. During his term of service he was for a considerable time aboard the famous Sydney, not an ideal place for a man to pursue his studies for the ministry; but this he attempted against much derision from men who thought that liberal dowsings with water would cool his ardour. His persistence won for him the support of another young Methodist whom he in turn encouraged, the result being that they studied together, both of them eventually winning through to college. 

After a year in circuit work, he entered Hartley College in 1920, and was ordained in 1925. He felt himself honoured and challenged by the call of his home church and circuit, and it is evident that he was gradually bracing himself to a task which he saw meant much hard work, when suddenly he was called to a higher service. 

He was sincere in his purpose, quietly and steadily honouring his first call, and there came the co-operation of the Spirit which made his life and work effective. It was a grievous blow, not only to his family but to the whole circuit, when he was so suddenly taken away, but all are conscious of a comforting pride in every remembrance of him. He died on 29th January 1952, in his fifty-eighth year and in the thirty-first of his ministry.

Family

Albert was born on 19 December 1894 at Huddersfield, Yorkshire, to parents Josephus Schofield Gibson, a tripe dealer, and Sarah Furness.

He married Annie Rossiter (b1892) in the spring of 1925 in the Huddersfield Registration District, Yorkshire. Birth records identify two children.

• Brian M (b1926)
• June S (b1931)

Albert died on 29 January 1952 at Huddersfield, Yorkshire.

Circuits

• 1919 Pocklington
• 1920 Hartley
• 1922 Enfield
• 1923 S Yorks Mission
• 1925 Oldham IV
• 1931 Bacup
• 1935 Heywood Bridge St
• 1937 Heywood Central
• 1939 Weardale
• 1944 Consett
• 1948 Wakefield

References

Methodist Minutes 1952/139

W Leary, Directory of Primitive Methodist Ministers and their Circuits, 1990

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers