Gilbert Sedbon

“What a reporter. What a man. So glad I knew him.”

I echo Tony Winning's appraisal of the great Gilbert Sedbon. I first met him as he was about to pass 60, but you’d never have known his age from the energy and the enthusiasm he showed every day in the bureau. His kindness and encouragement for callow junior reporters was also legendary. I quickly learned how to avoid the volcanic eruptions to which Gilbert occasionally succumbed when some smartarse was subbing his copy. It was simple - no matter how much you changed the copy, you effaced yourself and signed off every story REUTER SED. ■