A message from Ian's family

We have been overwhelmed by the support that Ian received from a broad range of friends and colleagues during his illness, and that we have received since.

Of the mass of letters and messages we have received, we could replicate many. However, this one struck a particular chord, partly because it came from some one so very far away (Singapore), that had met Ian only once, and who went out of her way to describe the effect that a day with Ian had had on her and her pupils:

I had the pleasure of working with Ian last year when he led my A level students visiting London through some of the museums, iconic sites of London and Brixton. I do not think my students appreciated what a skilled guide your brother was and that they had actually learnt so much until they began writing in their reflection journals about their experiences. He imparted information and insights to them in a manner that belied the depth of its content, and I was particularly grateful and impressed by how during their walking tour of Brixton he went out of his way for them to experience a service at one of the area's Gospel Halls. It was a special opportunity and experience that they (and my colleagues and I) thoroughly enjoyed, and that some still talk about. He never talked down to them and was willing to explain what they did not understand with patience and humour.

That was the reason why when planning this year's trip for students to London I had asked Angela to contact Ian to again lead my student's though their tours etc.

We should like to thank all the clients, tour organisers and fellow guides that Ian came into contact with, in nearly 10 years of guiding. For him, it was an intellectually stimulating and satisfying career, made all the richer by the many people he met and befriended along the way.

In particular, we should like to thank those in the guiding community that rallied around Ian in his final illness. It gives us great comfort and joy to know that he was loved and respected by his fellows.

It is with great sadness that we have to announce that Ian passed away on Thursday, 6th September, after battling cancer for around two years.

A thanksgiving service was held for Ian's life at the church of St Botolph Without Aldgate, London EC3, at 2.30pm on Monday, 17th September.

Despite the sad occasion, the day was one of celebration of Ian's life.  It was especially notable that the large congregation included people from all phases of Ian's life.  From his earliest days, his family, his Godmother, childhood friends from Devon;  friends from prep school, Rugby, his gap year working in Germany, Cambridge;  and from his working life, colleagues from Reuters, Schroders, Creditanstalt, SOAS and his career as a lecturer and Blue Badge Guide.

What this emphasised to all present was how the qualities that they all recognised, enabled Ian to develop friendships and relationships of a remarkable depth, richness and longevity; and how hard he worked to maintain those friendships. This should be an inspiration to all of us, as should be the way in which he bore his illness without complaint.

Addresses were given by Ian's brother Robert, by long-time friend Andrew Downey and, on behalf of the guiding community, by Leonie Chalker. 

Please address any queries to Ian's brother, Robert Gibson, at +44 (0)1494 868932, or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it