Out and about today in London, quite close to where I live, I came across Aberdeen Place, London NW8.... Note that the first house on the left has a 'Blue Plaque'.... Which tells us....
Just to fill in a little bit of the history behind this location ; Gibson and his wife, Eve, moved into a flat at this address not long after the Dams Raid in the Summer of 1943. It was here, in the Spring of 1944, that Gibson wrote most of his memoir, 'Enemy Coast Ahead' - working furiously on the book at weekends. It was also here, on September 20th 1944, that Eve Gibson anxiously awaited the phone call that, on the previous evening, her husband had promised to make. Instead, soon after lunch, a messenger boy arrived at the front door bearing a telegram marked PRIORITY. She opened it to read the message : - 'Regret to inform you Wing Commander G P Sibson (39438) reported missing on operational flight on the night of 19/20 September'.
And wasn't it great to see all his mates came outside the pub with him so he could light up....Wouldn't want smoke getting in anyones eyes...flack may have been dangerous but try smoking in a pub...Good mates I'd say...
As far as I can make out, apart from Eve ( Mrs Gibson ), his mates include McCarthy, Munro, Johnson, Leggo, Hobday and Hay ( and that looks possibly like 'Mickey' Martin getting his ear bent ). It was obviously taken when 617 were all in London to recieve their decorations at Buckingham Palace and have their legendary booze-up at the Hungaria Restaurant.
For your dedicated service. Not to mention the great photo's ! Seeing pictures of places I'll never be, leads me to pass on my thanks to thee !
