Interview with John Adam Gibson

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Description

Object description

British civilian worked as kitchen porter and footman for Royal Family and Sir Winston Churchill in GB, 1946-1951

Content description

REEL 1 Background in Belfast, Northern Ireland, 1926-1939: family. Aspects of period as civilian in Belfast, Northern Ireland, 1939-1945: evacuation to Enniskillin area at start of Second World War; rationing and smuggling across border with Ireland; German Air Force raids on Belfast, 1941; relations between Catholics and Protestants; choral activities; story of attending wakes for locals with mother; decision to go to London to search for biological mother. Aspects of period as kitchen porter and footman for Royal Family in London, GB, 1946-1948: obtaining employment as kitchen porter, 2/1946; return to Belfast to nurse mother, 1947; return to London to work as footman for Princess Elizabeth, 1/1948; termination of employment whilst Clarence House was being prepared for Princess Elizabeth. Recollections of period working for Sir Winston Churchill in GB, 1948-1949: obtaining employment with the Churchill family; duties at Hyde Park Gate and Chartwell; Sunday night film shows at Chartwell; description of Chartwell; sight of Winston Churchill going for a swim. REEL 2 Continues: morning routine including dressing Winston Churchill; story concerning Winston Churchill's cigars; character of lunches at Chartwell; Winston Churchill's afternoon and bathing routine; relations between Winston Churchill and his wife Clementine; dealing with pets; Winston Churchill's reaction to birth of Prince Charles, 14/11/1948; Winston Churchill's nightly routine working on memoirs; story of accompanying Winston Churchill to receive freedom of Luton; Winston Churchill's collection of hats, siren suits and monogrammed slippers. REEL 3 Continues: Winston Churchill's feelings towards his dead brother, Major John Spencer-Churchill; attitude of Winston Churchill towards his staff; degree of frequency of Winston Churchill's moods; visits to Chartwell by military personnel and politicians; Winston Churchill's regular visits to Parliament; number of personal secretaries employed; duties at Hyde Park Gate; relations with Clementine Churchill; relations between members of Churchill family; opinion of Randolph Churchill; memories of Churchill children; habit of naming Churchill family members with animal names; memories of the Churchill's 40th wedding anniversary, 12/8/1948; visit by Duke of Windsor; pay and conditions for staff; attitude of Winston Churchill to his leaving and gift received. REEL 4 Continues: opinion of Winston Churchill; attitude of Protestants towards Winston Churchill in Belfast. Recollections of period as kitchen porter and footman with Royal Family in GB, 1946-1948 and 1949-1951: hierarchy of staff at Buckingham Palace; duties as kitchen porter; rations; visits to Windsor Castle, Sandringham House and Balmoral Castle by Royal Train; Royal Protocol; attending ghillies' ball at Balmoral Castle; story of being shouted out by King George VI for making mistake when dancing; attending ball for General Dwight D Eisenhower; dancing with female members of Royal Family; post-war refurbishment of Buckingham Palace; first meeting with Duke of Edinburgh. REEL 5 Continues: move to Kensington Palace; lifestyle of Princess Elizabeth and Duke of Edinburgh; move to Windlesham House, 2/1949; Sunday cricket matches; visit with actor Danny Kaye; looking after Prince Charles' pram; opinion of Prince Charles as baby; move to Clarence House, 6/1949; informal character of household at Clarence House; feeding the corgis; degree of security and being approached by reporters; relationship with Duke of Edinburgh; simple food preferences of Princess Elizabeth and Duke of Edinburgh; Christmas at Sandringham House; memories of King George VI; visits to Balmoral; story of getting drunk at Buckingham Palace. REEL 6 Continues: reasons for leaving service with Royal Family, 1951; attitude towards Royal Family; attitude towards working for the Churchill family and Royal Family, 1946-1951.

Object Details

Category: Sound
Related period: 1990 to the present day (production), 1945-1989 (content), 1945-1989 (association)
Creator: IWM (Production company)
Smith, Lyn E (Recorder)
Gibson, John Adam (Interviewee/Speaker)
Production date: 2003-01-14
Dimensions: whole: Duration 170, Number Of Items 6
Catalogue number: 24708

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