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.
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.
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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.
