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Peter Gibbs (2)

British classical violinist and R.A.F. pilot. Born in 1920 - Died in 1975 under inexplicable circumstances known as the [url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Mull_Air_Mystery]Great Mull Air Mystery[/url]. Gibbs was a fighter pilot in World War II with 41 Squadron RAF from January 1944 to March 1945. After the War, he formed the [b]Peter Gibbs String Quartet[/b]. He joined the [a=Philharmonia Orchestra] in 1954 and the [a=London Symphony Orchestra] in 1957, being appointed Principal First Violin his last two years with the orchestra (1963-1964). He was [a=BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra]'s Leader from 1960 to 1963. Around 1970 and 1971 Gibbs led [a=The BBC Northern Ireland Orchestra]. Around 1971 and 1972 he led the [a=Orchestra Of The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden]. Across these years, Gibbs had been flying privately. He joined the Surrey Flying Club in June 1957 and then flew more-or-less continuously for the next 18 years. Gibbs was 55 years old when his plane went missing on 24 December 1975. His body was found in April 1976. [a=Jonathan Harvey]'s "Flight-Elegy" is an elegy for the RAF pilot and violinist Peter Gibbs.