Photo left courtesy: Larry, Avon Collector's Club. Photo right cortesy Miles Griffin.
All white glaze, swing "lightning" stopper.
Potter: Price / 4 / Bristol.
Gilbert George Gilby was born in Surbiton, Surrey on 2 August 1885, baptised at Surbiton Hill Christ Church on 1 October 1885, eldest son of building contractor George James Gilby and wife Alice Amelia Grant. In 1891 the family were living at 2 Matilda Villas, Ewell Road, Surbiton, adjacent to the Prince of Wales pub. By 1901 the family had moved to 6 Langley Villas in the same road. He was a keen sportsman in his youth, being a member of Hampton Wick Hockey Club until at least 1907. By 1910 he is living in Clifton and playing for Gloucestershire. In 1912 he was living at 2 St' John's Road Clifton, and by now the works were trading as Gilby, Son & Webb and were at Worrall Road. Gilbert married Mabel Irene Kilsby of 12, Quadrant, Weston-super-Mare (b. 4 Aug. 1890 at Adelaide House, Coventry Park, Streatham, Surrey) on 9 April 1912 at Westbury-upon-Trym Holy Trinity. Gilbert was living at 56 Devonshire Road, Westbury Park at the time of his marriage.
From the Gloucestershire Echo - Monday 7 March 1910 page 4: "NEW COMPANIES. Gilby, Son. and Webb, Ltd., has just been registered with a capital of £5,000 £1 shares (3,000 preferred, 1,000 preferred ordinary, and 1,000 deferred ordinary), to acquire the business carried on by Gilby, Son. and Webb, at Clifton. Bristol, Weston-super-Mare, and Cheltenham, and carry on the business of mineral water manufacturers, etc. The subscribers are: G. G. Gilby, 56 Devonshire-road, Bristol, mineral water manufacturer 1 share; A. E. Webb. 56 Devonshire-road, Bristol, mineral water manufacturer. 1 share. Private company. The number of directors not be less than three nor more than five. The first are G. J. Gilby, G. G. Gilby, and A. E. Webb."
Arthur Ernest Webb was born in Hackney, London, in April 1872, baptised 30 June at St. John, Hackney, son of clerk Edmund and wife Isabel Spencer. He married Louise, daughter of publican William Cleave, at Mortlake, Surrey, on 1 November 1900, they were both staying at the Ship Hotel, Mortlake, at the time and Arthur was also a Publican at the Queen's Arms, Windmill Road, Croydon. He was the secretary of Gilby, Son & Webb in 1911, living at 56 Devonshire Road, Redland, with wife Louise.
By 1914 the company were also at Winchester Road, Southampton this branch being run by Arthur.
Arthur Ernest Webb of Heathfield House, Winchester Road, Southampton died on 14 August 1921, at the Royal South Hants. & Southampton Hospital. At the time he was the director of a motor coach company. He left his estate to Edmund Webb, Mineral Water Company Director. (Likely Arthur's brother, living in 22 Brunswick Pl., Southampton at the time.)
From the Hampshire Advertiser - Saturday 9 February 1918 page 3: "CLAIM FOR WAGES. John Lewis v. Arthur E. Webb. —In this case plaintiff, a Portsmouth mineral water manufacturer, sued Arthur E. Webb, of Gilby, Son, and Webb, Heathfield Works, Shirley (the latter being added as parties) for £l4, 10s., for arrears of wages, alleged due him.—Mr. Way, of Portsmouth, appeared for plaintiff. Mr. C. E. Martin (for Messrs. Emanuel and Emanuel) representing the defendant. Plaintiff said that he was engaged as factory manager, £2 10s. a week, agreeing that 10s. a week should remain owing to him at the defendant’s request. At the end of 29 weeks, when witness left, he asked for the money, and met with refusal. Defendant’s case was that at the end of the first month plaintiff was told that could remain on at £2 a week, or could leave. Nothing was said about paying up arrears in the summer. Judgment was entered for the defendant, with costs."
George James Gilby, Gilbert's father and company director, of Hurley Oak Hill, Surbiton, died at 5 St. Vincent's Parade, Bristol on 13 December 1922. Probate to son Gilbert, and Horace Adam Gilby, farmer.
Gilbert remained a keen Hockey player being captain of Somerset for a time.and treasurer of the Western Association.
It was posted in the London Gazette of December 1936 and March 1937 that unless a valid reason not to do so was given, that the company was to be wound up at the expiration of 3 months. Gilbert had been trading in Bristol on his own account since 1920. The last entry in the Bristol telephone directory for his Wine, Spirit and Table Water business is 1963.
In the 1939 register Gilbert is a Table Water Manufacturer, working with wife Mabel, living at 224 Redland Road. He died at this address on 28 July 1970.
| Stoneware Ginger Beer Bottle | |
| Printed:
STONE GINGER BEER / (in circle) *G. G. GILBY* / BRISTOL, (in centre,
vertically) GGG Photo left courtesy: Larry, Avon Collector's Club. Photo right cortesy Miles Griffin. All white glaze, swing "lightning" stopper. Potter: Price / 4 / Bristol. |
| Stoneware Ginger Beer Bottle |
 |
| Printed:
KEEP IN A COOL PLACE / (in circle) *GILBY, SON & WEBB* /
BRISTOL, (in centre) G S & W monogram. All white glaze, swing "lightning" stopper. Potter: Unmarked. |
| Stoneware Ginger Beer Bottles |
 |
| Printed:
KEEP IN A COOL PLACE / (in circle) *GILBY, SON & WEBB
LTD.* / BRISTOL & SOUTHAMPTON, (in centre) G S & W
monogram. All white glaze, swing "lightning" stopper. Potter: one Unmarked, the other Price / 4 / Bristol. |
| Soda Syphon |
 |
| Etched:
KEEP IN COOL PLACE / (in circle) *GILBY, SON & WEBB* /
BRISTOL, (in centre) PORCELAIN / LINED SYPHON / NON / METALLIC
/ G S & W monogram. Maker: British Syphon Co. Ltd. London. |
| Soda Syphon |
 |
| Etched:
KEEP IN COOL PLACE / (in circle) *G. G. GILBY* / BRISTOL, (in
centre) GGG. Maker: British Syphon Co. Ltd. London. |
| 6 & 10oz Crown
Cap Skittles |
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| Embossed
(around base) GILBY SON & WEBB. BRISTOL. 6oz in Green Glass, height 18.5cm. 10oz Aqua Glass, height 21.5cm. Maker: N & Co. Ltd. 5485 on base of 10oz, 5484 on base of 6oz. (Nuttall & Co. Ltd., St. Helens - Pre-1913). |