Wisbech barrister launches book about his ancestor Thomas Wilson Bracken at museum
BARRISTER Martin Gibson of Wisbech has written a fascinating book charting the life of his ancestor Thomas Wilson Bracken. Servant of the Empire is being launched tonight (Friday) at Wisbech Museum. The biography of his great grandfather is Mr Gibs
BARRISTER Martin Gibson of Wisbech has written a fascinating book charting the life of his ancestor Thomas Wilson Bracken.
Servant of the Empire is being launched tonight (Friday) at Wisbech Museum.
The biography of his great grandfather is Mr Gibson's first book and gives a vivid account of the life of the eminent engineer and First World War captain.
He uses the eventful life of his ancestor to shed fresh light on the forgotten aspects of Victorian and Edwardian politics and society.
You may also want to watch:
As a professional railway builder Bracken was instrumental in the development of Imperial trade in West Africa at the end of the 19th Century.
During the First World War he volunteered at the age of 50 to serve in the Royal Engineers where he played a key supporting role in the battles of Arras and Passchendale.
Most Read
- 1 Woman threatened for not wearing mask describes fear for safety
- 2 Five fire crews called to building blaze
- 3 Fen farm on more than 200 acres of land up for sale for £2.2million
- 4 Stronger bonds can be key to success, believes Fenmen boss
- 5 Octavia Hill’s Birthplace House gets share of £1.57billion fund
- 6 Historian who wrote 126 books and spent 64 years bellringing dies aged 90
- 7 ‘Numerous’ number plate thefts reported to police across region
- 8 'I lived in the woods' - Suspected murder victim reveals five year ordeal
- 9 Businesses reopen as lockdown restrictions ease
- 10 Restaurant launches bright pink ‘selfie areas’ ahead of reopening
After the war Bracken published a number of letters and articles commenting on how the world had changed.
Mr Gibson studied history at New College Oxford and qualified as a barrister in 1990, practising from commercial chambers in Gray's Lane, London. He has lived in Wisbech since 2000 and is a trustee of both Wisbech Museum and The Wisbech Society.
• Servant of the Empire is published by Hayloft Publishing Limited and has its own website, www.servantofempire.co.uk, where further information is available and copies can be bought.