Colin W. G. Gibson facts for kids

Colin William George Gibson (born February 16, 1891 – died July 3, 1974) was an important Canadian figure. He was a politician, a land surveyor, and a lawyer. He served his country in many ways, both in the military and in government.

Colin Gibson's Life and Work

Early Life and Military Service

Colin Gibson studied at the Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston, Ontario. He graduated from there in 1911. A famous future military leader, Kenneth Stuart, was also a student at the college. Colin Gibson joined the British Army's Royal Fusiliers in 1914. He also graduated from the University of Toronto in 1915.

After his studies, he became a lawyer in 1919. Later, from 1929 to 1934, he was a Lieutenant-Colonel in the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry. He helped start the Royal Military College of Canada ex-cadet club in Hamilton, Ontario in 1930. From 1935 to 1939, he was the leader of the Hamilton Garrison, which is a military base.

Political Career

Colin Gibson became a Member of Parliament (MP) for Hamilton West. An MP is a person elected to represent their area in the Canadian government. He was first elected in 1940 as a member of the Liberal Party. He was re-elected three times, serving until 1950.

Important Government Roles

During his time as an MP, Colin Gibson held several important jobs in the Canadian government:

• He was the Minister of National Revenue from 1940 to 1945. This role involved managing the government's money and taxes.
• He became the Minister of National Defence for Air from 1945 to 1946. In this job, he was in charge of Canada's air force.
• He served as the Secretary of State for Canada from 1946 to 1949. This role involved managing government records and official documents.
• Finally, he was the Minister for Mines and Resources from 1949 to 1950. This job focused on Canada's natural resources.

After being re-elected in 1949, he continued as Minister for Mines and Resources. In 1950, he left both his government job and his role as an MP. He was appointed as a judge on the Supreme Court of Ontario. A puisne judge is a regular judge in a court.

Colin Gibson passed away in 1974.

Family Connections

Colin Gibson came from a family involved in public service. His father was Major General Sir John Morison Gibson. His father was also a well-known figure who served as the Attorney General of Ontario. Colin's son, Colin D. Gibson, also became a Member of Parliament. He represented the area of Hamilton—Wentworth from 1968 to 1972.

Lasting Legacy

Colin Gibson's contributions are remembered at the Royal Military College of Canada. The Gibson Medal is awarded there to the top graduating student in the Arts Division. This medal honors his connection to the college and his achievements.