African Items: Memories of urgent times

Perceval Gibbon was born on the 4th November 1879 in Trelech, Carmarthenshire in Wales and, unusually, was partly educated at the Moravian School, in Koenigsfeld, Baden, Germany.

Gibbon’s early career was as a merchant seaman during which he travelled to Europe, Africa, and the Americas. These early experiences were later reflected in his literary works.

He is perhaps best known for his 1912 novel ‘Margaret Harding’ but began his literary career as a poet with ‘African Items’ in 1903 followed quickly by two novels and then the first collection of his short stories in 1905: ‘Vrouw Grobelaar's Leading Cases’. His short stories were much admired, and many contained cutting and ironic endings.

As a journalist he wrote for several newspapers including for the Rand Daily Mail and in the closing stages of the Boer War he wrote for the Natal Witness.

As the First World War began its titanic struggle across Europe Gibbon joined British Intelligence and was also a war correspondent with the Italian Army from 1917-1918.

By the end of the War he had advanced to the rank of Major in the British Royal Marines.

Perceval Gibbon died on the 30th May 1926.

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