14 Facts About Humphrey Gibbs

Herbert Humphrey Gibbs, later created, in 1923, The 1st Baron Hunsdon of Hunsdon.

Humphrey Gibbs was educated at Ludgrove School, Eton and Trinity College, Cambridge.

Humphrey Gibbs moved to Southern Rhodesia in 1928, buying a farm at Nyamandhlovu, near Bulawayo.

Humphrey Gibbs became active in farming administration and helped found the National Farmers Union.

Humphrey Gibbs was elected to the Legislative Assembly at the general election of 1948 as a United Party member, representing the constituency of Wankie, serving one term before standing down in 1954.

Humphrey Gibbs was intensely loyal to Rhodesia, and was a close friend of Ian Smith, but he was equally loyal to his office as the Queen's viceroy.

Humphrey Gibbs declared that by issuing the UDI, Smith and his government had committed an act of treason.

However, Humphrey Gibbs knew that the bulk of the officer corps, as well as the rank and file of the Rhodesian military, were solidly behind Smith's government and that such a move would lead to a coup d'etat.

In 1967, on the second anniversary of UDI, Humphrey Gibbs declared that his visitors' book would be open to all those who wished to show their loyalty to The Queen, while Dupont, in response, announced that the visitors' book at his office, on the same street, would be open to all those who wished to show their support for UDI.

In June 1969, Humphrey Gibbs resigned after Smith's government held and won a referendum that year making Rhodesia a republic.

Humphrey Gibbs remained in Rhodesia and lived the rest of his life on his farm.

Humphrey Gibbs stayed on his farm where he had been living since 1970 until 1983 when he moved to Harare, where he lived until his death in 1990.

Humphrey Gibbs died in Harare on 5 November 1990, with his funeral held at the Cathedral of St Mary and All Saints, Harare.

Molly Humphrey Gibbs, was appointed as a Commander of the Order of St John of Jerusalem in 1960, and a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1969.