Sutton's oldest man dies at 106 (From Sutton Guardian)

Sutton's oldest man Alfred Gibbens dies at 106

7:00am Friday 1st February 2013 in News By Sophia Sleigh, Reporter

Sutton's oldest man, who held up Winston Churchill in traffic as a policeman during the Second World War, has died aged 106.

Alfred Gibbens, of Sevenoaks Close, Belmont, born on June 14, 1906, died peacefully in St Helier Hospital on Friday, January 18.

Mr Gibbens’ daughter, Sandra Wood, 67, said her dad, who was six years old when the Titanic sank, had a "zest for life" and had taught himself to use a computer at the age of 95.

He was as an advertising executive married to Edith who died in 1997 after 62 years of marriage. He had one daughter, three grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

At his 106th birthday party in June last year he said there was no secret to old age but having lots of friends and family helped.

Mrs Wood said: "He was in the police during the war in Westminster. He was on traffic control and held Winston Churchill up and didn’t realise - we didn’t have Plebgate in those days."

She added: "I was an only child and after my mother died I got to know him in a way I hadn’t known him before. We had lots of fun times and trips away.

"He had a lot of help and support from Prospect Housing carers. They were absolutely wonderful. They enabled him to have a good quality of life in his own home.

"He had lots of lovely friends and neighbours. He did his own shopping and cooking. He enjoyed music and loved going out. He knew about every garden centre in the area.

"He was a very good dad. We travelled a lot and he introduced me to music, opera and ballet. He got on with everybody. People found he was always immaculate. He was still buying clothes even up to this month."

Some of Mrs Wood’s fondest memories of her father include when she was little he would waltz around the sitting room with her standing on his toes.

She said a big thank you for all the support he received from his friends, family and Prospect Housing.

Mr Gibbens’ funeral will be held at 10.15am on February 6, Randalls Park Crematorium, Leatherhead.