Gubbins, Charles Henry (1859-1932), merchant and sportsman

Charles Henry Gubbins was born at Woodstown, Lisnagry, county Limerick on 16 August 1859 as the fourth son of provision merchant and justice of the peace William Gough Gubbins (1820-1902) and his first wife Mary née Russell (d. 1874). The family later moved to Castle Troy, county Limerick and subsequently lived at Castleconnell, county Limerick. Charles was educated at St John’s College, Newport, county Limerick and Abbey School, county Tipperary, and followed his father into the merchant trade, working for the food company Messrs W. J. Shaw and Sons in Limerick.

In his free time, Charles Henry Gubbins was a keen cyclist and athlete. Between 1881 and 1887, he served as honorary secretary to the Limerick Amateur Athletic and Bicycle Club. He was a popular figure in social circles with a cheerful disposition and a good sense of humour. He possessed a good singing voice, played the cornet with notable skill and was an enthusiastic amateur thespian, appearing regularly both in concerts and plays.

In 1889, Charles moved to Cork to manage the firm’s branch in that city. It was probably here that he met his future wife, Martha Banyer Trew, whom he married in Cheddar, England on 2 February 1898. In 1900, Charles was promoted to the charge of W. J. Shaw & Sons’ head office in Manchester, in which city he remained for the rest of his life. He died in Manchester on 31 December 1932.