67003
GILBERT, Charles Joseph James
| Service Number: | 11083 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 30 July 1915 |
| Last Rank: | Driver |
| Last Unit: | 3rd Divisional Train |
| Born: | Kent, England, date not yet discovered |
| Home Town: | Stirling (SA), Adelaide Hills, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Wood machinist |
| Memorials: | Adelaide Grand Masonic Lodge WW1 Honour Board (1), Aldgate War Memorial, Stirling Uniting Church Lych Gate |
World War 1 Service
| 30 Jul 1915: | Enlisted | |
|---|---|---|
| 9 Jun 1916: | Involvement Driver, 11083, 3rd Divisional Train, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '21' embarkation_place: Adelaide embarkation_ship: HMAT Afric embarkation_ship_number: A19 public_note: '' | |
| 9 Jun 1916: | Embarked Driver, 11083, HMAT Afric, Adelaide | |
| 9 Jun 1916: | Involvement Driver, 11083, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '21' embarkation_place: Adelaide embarkation_ship: HMAT Afric embarkation_ship_number: A19 public_note: '' | |
| 9 Jun 1916: | Embarked Driver, 11083, 3rd Divisional Train, HMAT Afric, Adelaide | |
| 25 Mar 1919: | Discharged AIF WW1, Driver, 11083, 3rd Divisional Train, Discharged from service on the 25th of March 1919 due to ‘Cessation of Hostilities’. | |
| Date unknown: | Wounded 11083 |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Adelaide Botanic High School
Gilbert Charles Joseph James was born in Kent, England but moved to South Australia at some point during his childhood
He was 28 years old when he enlisted on the 30th of July 1915. Before he enlisted, he lived in Stirling West, South Australia and worked as a Wood Machinist. Before enlisting he also was a member of the Adelaide Rifle Club for 6 months. His recorded next of kin was his mother, Mrs Lucy Schantz. His wife, Mrs D. R. P. Gilbert was later officially documented as his next of kin, she lived on Avenue Road, Clarence Park, South Australia. As documented on the attestation papers, he stated his religious denomination as the Church of England.
His standing height was 5 feet and 6 inches and a quarter inch, his chest width was 34 inches resting and 36 inches fully expanded, and he weighed 132 pounds (60kg). His papers state that he had hazel eyes, brown hair, and a ‘fresh’ complexion. His vision was 6 out of 6 in both eyes, and he had vaccination scars on his left arm, which wasn’t uncommon at the time.
Gilbert embarked from Outer Harbour on board HMAT A19 Afric, 9th of June 1916 and disembarked in Southampton, UK. He completed more training until he was transferred to the 3rd Divisional Train that was sent to the headquarters in France to serve in WWI on the 30th of December 1916.
Gilbert continued to serve with the 3rd Divisional Train until he took leave on the 8th of January 1918 - 25th January 1918. Gilbert then served again for 7 months before taking leave again to the UK for 17 days in September until rejoining the unit on the 23rd of September 1918. He continued service without any injuries being documented.
He survived the war and returned to Australia on the 25th of March 1919. He was discharged from service 16 April 191 due to ‘Cessation of Hostilities.