| Name | Gilbert S N Richards, CBE, DL, MA(Hon), LLB | |
| Year of Birth | 1912 | |
| Year of Death | 1980 (aged 68) | |
| Contributions in Coventry | Born in Coventry, he attended King Henry VIII School and became its Head Boy. He studied Law and became a successful Solicitor founding a firm latterly called Richards, Heynes & Coopers. Much of his life was devoted to local politics being a Councillor for the Earlsdon ward and latterly an Alderman of the City. He was leader of the City Council from 1967 – 1972, and remained an elected Council official until the year of his death. He was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant for the West Midlands and played a minor role in the formation of Warwick University – serving for many years, until his death, on the University Council. A Committed Christian he was a member of Holy Trinity Church, serving as a Churchwarden for over 20 years. He was so well respected that his ashes are interred in the Chancel of that church. He joined the Police Specials at the start of the Second World War, as a prior Rugby Injury from school days prevented active war service. He remained in the force until his death, having served for a time as Head of the Specials. Despite his past injuries, he remained a keen supporter of the sport of Rugby, especially Coventry Rugby Club. | |
| A Member of | A Member of Trinity Lodge no 254, having joined in 1946, He became its Master in 1960. and was later appointed as the Provincial Senior Grand Warden. He was promoted to PAGDC by the United Grand Lodge of England. He was an excellent ritualist and developed his masonic journey through the Royal Arch and the Knights Templar degrees, achieving high honours in each. | |
| Charitable Works | A governor of King Henry VIII School and later the Chairman of the Governors. A trustee of Bond’s and Ford’s Alms-houses [Coventry Churches (Municipal) Charities for over 20 years He was also heavily involved in the Boy’s Brigade, becoming its National Treasurer – and keenly supported the NSPCC and the United Nations. A community centre in Earlsdon is named after him – “The Gilbert Richard Centre” | |
| Random Facts | At his funeral, in respect of his long service with the Police Specials, all the traffic lights between his home and Holy Trinity Church were set to “Green” so that the hearse and cortege could pass without interruption. After the funeral his coffin left the church through an honour guard of Police Specials forming an arch with their truncheons. |