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The need for Solicitors was so pressing at the time that ex-servicemen could qualify after one year post articles and that is what Archie did. He then went off to South Africa where his family had interests and practised as a Solicitor there. Mr Large acted for the Gibson family in Southsea and that is how Archie eventually came to be invited to join the practice. He was taken into partnership in 1934 and the practice then became known as Large & Gibson, which name has remained ever since.
Mr Large later moved to semi-retirement in Calne, Wiltshire and after his health deteriorated he died in 1938. During the Second World War Mr Gibson, a great patriot, volunteered for service in the Royal Navy and served on the staff of the Commander in Chief, Portsmouth, throughout the War years. It is reputed that when Mr Gibson left the office he gave the staff caretaking it a cheque for £50 with instructions to close down when the money ran out - fortunately it didn't happen! With the evacuation, the call up and dangers of living in Portsmouth at the time, the work of the practice inevitably dwindled. There were several air raids and on 20/21st January 1941 came a fire bomb raid. The greater part of Palmerston Road including the firm's office was destroyed. The large safe in our present reception office at Kent House fell from the top floor into the Bank's vaults and was red hot. Most of the documents in the safe were destroyed but fortunately the Wills held by the firm had been stored elsewhere.
The practice moved temporarily into a large room in Mr Gibson's sister's house in Bruce Road, Southsea where the staff struggled on until Mr Gibson returned at the end of the War. He took offices at Britannic House, 114 Victoria Road North,Southsea, where he was joined in 1946 by DUDLEY JAMES WARD, then aged 31 after his War service in the Army.
Mr Ward soon became a Partner and he and Mr Gibson practised together for the next 23 years. Mr Gibson retired from practice in 1969 and died six years later. Mr Ward then practised alone until 1974 when RICHARD WOOTTON joined as his Partner straight from articles with a Birmingham firm. Mr Wootton, then in his late 20's, rejuvenated the firm and ensuing years saw a period of rapid expansion. In 1974 the firm moved to the present office at Kent House, 49 Kent Road, Southsea. Kent House is a listed building designed by Thomas Owen, a noted local architect in the 19th Century. The firm first occupied only half the building but soon expanded to the whole of it. A branch office was opened in 1981 at 226a Havant Road, Drayton for the benefit of the firm at the north end of the City and beyond. Mr Ward retired to consultancy in 1984 although he continues to remain actively involved in the practice specialising in Wills, Trusts and Estate Administration. We are proud to have the benefit of his many years of legal experience and depth of knowledge. He is believed to be one of the longest practising solicitors anywhere in the country! PETER DYMOCK joined the practice in 1987 having trained in articles with a large local firm. He was taken into partnership in 1990. Mr Dymock has developed the firm's expertise in the field of litigation and now Large & Gibson undertakes virtually all types of cases and we have advocates appearing regularly in the local Courts. Mr Wootton, the current Senior Partner, now heads the non-contentious team specialising in conveyancing, company and commercial work. We regularly deal with property transactions from flats and houses to factory units and large industrial parks. The firm has a dedicated and professional team of staff who are well trained at all levels. Over the years Large & Gibson has set out to build a reputation for best quality service to our Clients and to provide a friendly and personal approach. We feel this has been our strength over the years. We are proud to be able to say that much of our new work is recommended by our existing Clients. We take this opportunity, as we celebrate our 100th anniversary, to extend our grateful best wishes to all our Clients both past and present!
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