Peter Gibbs (2)

British classical violinist and R.A.F. pilot. Born in 1920 - Died in 1975 under inexplicable circumstances known as the Great Mull Air Mystery. 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 Peter Gibbs String Quartet. He joined the Philharmonia Orchestra in 1954 and the London Symphony Orchestra in 1957, being appointed Principal First Violin his last two years with the orchestra (1963-1964). He was BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra's Leader from 1960 to 1963. Around 1970 and 1971 Gibbs led The BBC Northern Ireland Orchestra. Around 1971 and 1972 he led the 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. Jonathan Harvey's "Flight-Elegy" is an elegy for the RAF pilot and violinist Peter Gibbs.