Gilbert Thomas Francis Gardner [commonly known as Gilbert T. Gardner] was born in Oxford, England on 22 September 1880 and worked as an architect in Oxford, England, for many years. He was articled to the Oxford-based architect Henry James Tollitt in 1894 and remained as his assistant until 1904. He also studied at Oxford Art School and City Technical College.
From 1904 he was an assistant to Messrs Tollitt & Lee. He was elected a Licentiate of the Royal Institute of British Architects (LRIBA) in 1911 and a Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects (FRIBA). in 1927
Projects by Gardner included Archer's furniture warehouse in Oxford (1920), the Oxford War Memorial (unveiled 1921) the Central Picture Playhouse and Café in Reading (1920), Clarendon Garage and Staff Hotel in Oxford (1924), Twinings wholesale and grocery premises in Oxford (1924), shops and flats in Park End Street, Oxford (1925), the drill hall and artillery headquarters in Banbury (1924), and the Continuous Strip Mill of the Northern Aluminium Company in Rogerstone, Monmouthshire (completed 1950).
Among posts held by Gardner were Surveyor to Oxfordshire Agricultural Society, Architect to County of Oxford Territorial Force Association, instructor in quantity surveying at Oxford City Technical School, and Chairman of Oxfordshire Society of Architects in 1925.
His address was given as 152 Divinity Road, Oxford in 1911 and 1926; 7 St. Aldgate's, Oxfordshire in 1911 and 1930; and Barclays Bank Chambers, 116 Aldgate , Oxford, Oxfordshire in 1935 and 1939. He died in Oxford in 1955.
Architectural projects by Gardner included Archer's furniture warehouse in Oxford (1920), the Oxford War Memorial (unveiled 1921) the Central Picture Playhouse and Café in Reading (1920), Clarendon Garage and Staff Hotel in Oxford (1924), Twinings wholesale and grocery premises in Oxford (1924), shops and flats in Park End Street, Oxford (1925), the drill hall and artilliary headquarters in Banbury (1924), and the Continuous Strip Mill of the Northern Aluminium Company in Rogerstone, Monmouthshire (completed 1950).
"Brumscombe", near Oxford; Busby Conservative Club; riding school, Oxford; "Morris" garage at Oxford; " Windmills, Wheatley; Central Picture Playhouse, Friar Street, Reading. [Source: Who's Who in Architecture 1923]
Archer's furniture warehouse Oxford, 1920; Central Picture Playhouse and Café, Reading, 1920; Clarendon Garage and Staff Hotel, Oxford, 1924; Twinings wholesale and retail grocery premises. Oxford, 1924; shops and flats, Park End Street, Oxford, 1925; drill hall and artillery headquarters, Banbury, 1924; numerous private houses, 1919-1920. [Soiurce: Who's Who in Architecture 1926]