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		Creator		Gibb, James Brunton, 1897-
		Title		James Brunton Gibb - further papers, 1873 - ca. 1980
		Level of Description		Collection
		Date of Work		1873 - ca. 1980
		Type of Material		Textual Records
		Call Number		MLMSS 3446 ADD-ON 2220 / Boxes 1-3 MLMSS 3446 ADD-ON 2220 / Folder 4X POSTERS 1204 / 1-4
		Issue Copy		Partially Microfilmed : Refer to Contents for locations
		Physical Description		0.95 metres of textual material (3 boxes and 1 outsize folder) : manuscript, typescript, clippings, ephemera, printed, photographs 4 posters
		Administrative / Biographical Note		James Brunton Gibb was born in Sydney on 13th January 1897. He commenced the study of elocution at 8 years of age, and soon after he took part in many of Mr Lawrence Campbell's recitals. He was baptised James Thomas but used his mother's maiden name as a performing artist. In printed material throughout his life he was variously referred to as James Gibb, James Brunton Gibb and James Brunton-Gibb. Enlisting in the Australian Imperial Forces in July 1915, the young man sailed from Sydney in R.M.S. Osterley in January 1916, bound for Suez. In March 1916 he was transferred to the 7th Field Ambulance(B) which sailed for Marseilles, then saw active service in the heaviest battles in France and Flanders. His diaries provide detailed accounts of his time at war, and reveal a man of great sensitivities. He returned to Australia on the transport ship "Rio Pardo", which sailed from England in May 1919. During the war, James Brunton Gibb was selected as one of the Anzac Coves Company, a band of entertainers for the soldiers at the front. This was the first Field Theatre of the A.I.F. and was financed by the Australian Comforts Fund, which supported veterans. The Anzac Coves not only performed at the front using hand made props and costumes but they also toured Britain. This collection contains posters and programmes from English theatres in which they were welcomed. Before returning to Australia the Anzac Coves appeared by command at Buckingham Palace before the Royal Family and distinguished guests. While in England James Brunton Gibb became a close friend of Mr and Mrs George Mc. A. Scales. They corresponded with each other, Lillie Scales signing herself "your English Mother". Her letters are preserved from 1920 to 1923. In 1921 the English couple visited James in Sydney. After his return to Sydney James began taking pupils and soon became well known as a teacher of elocution and a performer at many and varied dramatic and humorous recitals. Over the years he became one of Sydney's prominent theatrical and concert personalities, and was recognised as one of the foremost teachers of speech in New South Wales. He adjudicated at the eisteddfods of the State. In 1923, he married Ethel Isabel Lang, whom he had known for several years. Miss Lang was also a performer and continued her career for many decades. The husband and wife often appeared on the same programmes as James Gibb and Ethel Lang, and Miss Lang became widely known for her acting in radio serials such as "The Lawsons" and "Blue Hills". She also took part in lunch time theatres at the Palace Theatre and the Q Theatre. Some of her papers are included in this collection. As well as her stage career Mrs Gibb raised two sons and two daughters. James Brunton Gibb enlisted again in December 1942 and rose to the rank of Captain. During the Second World War he was amenities officer at the 113th Australian General Hospital at Concord, where he organised concerts by leading entertainers. He was an early member of Sydney Legacy and was active in several community organisations, including the Freemasons. He died on 28 June 1968.
		Contents		1. Diaries and printed book ITEM 01 James Brunton Gibb diary, 14 January-20 March 1916 (CY 4925, frames 1-57) ITEM 02 James Brunton Gibb diary, 14 January 1916-19 July 1916 (CY 4925, frames 58-97) ITEM 03 James Brunton Gibb diary, 19 March-13 June 1916 (CY 4925, frames 98-145) ITEM 04 James Brunton Gibb diary, 14 June-31 December 1916 (CY 4925, frames 146-196) ITEM 05 James Brunton Gibb diary, 1 January 1917-7 January 1918 (CY 4925, frames 197-334) ITEM 06 James Brunton Gibb diary, 1 January-21 July 1918 (CY 4925, frames 335-409) ITEM 07 James Brunton Gibb diary, 22 July 1918-31 December 1918 (CY 4925, frames 410-486) ITEM 08 James Brunton Gibb diary, 1 January-15 June 1919 (CY 4925, frames 487-592) ITEM 09 Pocketbook listing original verse and prose, his repertoire, poems of Australian sentiment (Call No.: MLMSS 3446 ADD-ON 2220/Box 1) ITEM 10 1913; Notes, Teacher's and personal views on the study of Elocution (Call No.: MLMSS 3446 ADD-ON/Box 1) ITEM 11 "Voice, song and speech: a practical guide for singers and speakers; from the combined view of vocal surgeon and voice trainer" by Lennox Browne, FRCS ed. and Emil Behnke. 20th ed. London, Sampson Low, Marston & Co., date unknown. The book is inscribed "Brunton Gibb". (Call No.: MLMSS 3446 ADD-ON 2220/Box 1) 2. Military papers, 1915-1960, including: 1915-1919; 7th field ambulance list of principal moves 1916; accounts 1917; pass 1919; official advice about the arrival of "Rio Pardo" in Melbourne 1919; Menu for final dinner of the Field Ambulance at Mont-sur-Marchienne ca. 1930-1960; menus of the 7th Field Ambulance re-unions, football results date unknown; A.I.F. Soldier's Record of Service Book for World War II 1943; Commission appointing James Brunton Gibb a Lieutenant in the Active Citizen Military Forces from 23 Oct 1942 (Call No.: MLMSS 3446 ADD-ON 2220/Folder 4X) 18 Mar 1946; Demobilisation Procedure Book 1946; War gratuity entitlement (Call No.: MLMSS 3446 ADD-ON 2220/Box 2) 3. Family history papers, 1873 - 1940 These items include a phrenology reading of Septimus Furness by Charles Edwards, several in memoriam notices and funeral papers, cover page of an early prize awarded for elocution, some papers relating to employment. (Call No.: MLMSS 3446 ADD-ON 2220/Box 2) 4. Correspondence and poems 1919-1923; Letters received from Mr and Mrs Scales ("your English Mother") (Call No.: MLMSS 3446 ADD-ON 2220/Box 2) 1922; Letter received from Cecil Jessop (Call No.: MLMSS 3446 ADD-ON 2220/Box 2) 1918-1968; Miscellaneous correspondence, radio obituary for James Brunton Gibb, message from the King, Letter from Miss Australia 1949, letters of thanks for food parcels sent by Ethel Gibb to England, poetry composed by Gibb. (Call No.: MLMSS 3446 ADD-ON 2220/Box 2) Date unknown; Inscribed copy of poem composed by Gibb for Peter, "They are not dead". (Call No.: MLMSS 3446, ADD-ON 2220/Folder 4X) 5. Photographs. These include: Sgt. Roy Bice from South Australia who won the Military Medal as a stretcher-bearer, and was killed in action. Also a newscutting of poem "Pal-O' Mine" dedicated by Gibb to his friend; members of the Anzac Coves; Stan J. Capper in uniform in Belgium, March 1919; Drummoyne Honour Memorial unveiled on 2nd anniversary of Anzac Day; Capt. Gibb with Gracie Fields and her husband, Monty Banks, visiting hospital, and nurses; 'Rio Pardo' in which Gibb sailed home; Monte Luke photograph of Gibb; Beatrice Day, who played Josephine in "A Royal Divorce"; Lawrence Campbell, 1920; an autographed gum leaf which was taken to the war; photograph of Ethel Lang and Brunton Gibb on a dramatic art recital publication. (Call No.: MLMSS 3446 ADD-ON 2220/Box 2) 6. Miscellaneous booklets and magazines, including: date unknown; J.C.Williamson Magazine Sept. 1963; The High Bulletin, Vol 2, no 8. Magazine of Sydney High School. 1963; Annotated copy of "The American Dream", by Edward Albee, in which Ethel Lang played "Mommy", with telegrams 1943, 1944, 1987; "Koora-na-boon", official organ of the Sydney Savage Club (Call No.: MLMSS 3446 ADD-ON 2220/Box 2) date unknown; Theatre and war ephemera (Call No.: MLMSS 3446 ADD-ON 2220/Box 2) 7. Newspaper cuttings June 1918; "Aussie" no. 5. The Australian Soldiers' Magazine. Printed in the field by the A.I.F. Printing Section. It contains an article on the Anzac Coves. J.Gibb is listed as monologist 24 Aug 1918; "The Dooins" of U.S. Reserve Base Hospital no. 2. The First American Army Newsletter published in France. This paper contains a review of the Anzac Coves. 1919; YMCA booklet "Through the war with the A.I.F." (Call No.: MLMSS 3446 ADD-ON 2220/Box 2) 8. Invitations, 1930-1960, 1986. (Call No.: MLMSS 3446 ADD-ON 2220/Box 3) 9. Programmes 1917-1918; Programmes of concerts given by Anzac Coves in England (Call No.: MLMSS 3446 ADD-ON 2220/Box 3) 1919-1920; Programmes of concerts given by Lawrence Campbell, doyen of elocutionists and speech teachers (Call No.: MLMSS 3446 ADD-ON 2220/Box 3) 1910-1926; Programmes of dramatic and humorous recitals given by Gibb and Ethel Lang (Call No.: MLMSS 3446 ADD-ON 2220/Box 3) 1919-1925; Concerts given in the Drummoyne District where the Gibb family lived (Call No.: MLMSS 3446 ADD-ON 2220/Box 3) 1920-1932; Dramatic and humorous art recitals (Call No.: MLMSS 3446 ADD-ON 2220/Box 3) ca. 1920-ca. 1960; Gibb and Lang concerts (Call No.: MLMSS 3446 ADD-ON 2220/Box 3) 10. Posters 18 March 1918; Billboard poster advertising "The Anzac Coves" for performances at the Birmingham Empire Palace (Call No.: POSTERS 1204/1) 1 April 1918; Billboard poster advertising Anzac Coves concerts at the Liverpool Olympia. 2 copies (Call No.: POSTERS 1204/2-3) April 1918; Billboard poster advertising the Anzac Coves 1st Australian H.Q. Pierrot Troupe, to perform at Kings Theatre Hammersmith (Call No.: POSTERS 1204/4)
		Source		Presented by Barbara Revill in 1997


		General Note		State Library of New South Wales collection of World War I diaries
		Name		Anzac Coves Australia. Army. Australian Imperial Force (1914-1921) Australian Comforts Fund Banks, Monty Bice, Roy, Sgt. Campbell, Lawrence Fields, Gracie J.C. Williamson (Firm) Lang, Ethel, 1902- Legacy Club of Sydney Miss Australia Quest Osterley (ship) Palace Theatre (Sydney, N.S.W.) Q Theatre (Sydney, N.S.W.) Rio Pardo (troopship) Sydney Savage Club Western Front Campaign (1914-1918)
		Subject		Actors and actresses -- New South Wales. Cemeteries -- New South Wales -- Rookwood. Diaries. Dramatic monologues. Dramatists, Australian -- New South Wales. Entertainers -- New South Wales -- Sydney. Genealogy. Phrenology -- New South Wales. Pierrot. Poetry, Modern -- 20th century. Poets, Australian -- New South Wales. Posters, British. Souvenirs, Australia. Speech -- Study and teaching -- New South Wales. Theater programs -- New South Wales. Theatrical companies -- New South Wales. Theatrical posters. World War, 1914-1918 World War, 1939-1945
		Place		Drummoyne (N.S.W.)