Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Arrived in Australia aged 18 years

Son of James and Margaret Gilbert of 'Elnedo', Montague Road, South Brisbane, QLD

Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal

Herbert was born on 12th  December 1895 in Brighton, Sussex to vanman James Gilbert and Margaret Ann Drover Gilbert nee Foster.

On 3rd  December 1900 Herbert was admitted into St Martin Church of England School for infants in Dorking. At the time of his admission the family lived at Curtis Gardens in Dorking. On 20th  April 1903 he left to start at Dorking British School.

At the time of the 1901 Census, the family lived at New Buildings, 3 Station Road, Dorking. James was working as a labourer in a timber yard and Margaret was looking after their children: Ethel, Ernest and Herbert. Dorking is a market town in Surrey, England between Ranmore Common in the North Downs range of hills and Leith Hill in the Greensand Ridge, centred 21 miles (34 km) from London

At the time of the 1911 Census, the family were still living at 4 Curtis Gardens in Dorking. James was working as a vanman and Margaret was at home. Of their children: Ethel was working as a laundry maid, Ernest as a waggon lad and Herbert as a telegraph messenger. The household further comprised of a boarder, waggon driver, George Stickels. Margaret stated that she had given birth to three children.

The family moved back to Australia about 1913-his parents had married there in 1889.

Herbert enlisted on 24th  July 1916 in Brisbane, Queensland in the 21st Reinforcements of the 15th Battalion, 4th Infantry Brigade, Australian Imperial Force.

At the time of his enlistment, Herbert was working as a cellar man.  At the time of his enlistment he lived at Pernberg Road, Milton, Brisbane. His next of kin was listed as his mother: Margaret Ann Drover Gilbert of Pernberg Road, Milton, Brisbane. Later, she resided at El Nedo, Montague Road, South Brisbane, Queensland.

Herbert was part of the 11th Depot Battalion from 7th  June 1916 to 24th  July 1916. On 11th  August 1916 he joined the 21st Reinforcements of the 15th Battalion. On 22nd September he was admitted to the 13 Australian General Hospital with colic. He was discharged on 29th  September 1916. On 21st  October 1916 he embarked on the HMAT Boonah from Brisbane, Australia to England. On 10th  January 1917 Herbert disembarked to Plymouth, England. On the same date he marched out to the 4th Training Battalion stationed at Codford, England. On 26th February 1917 Herbert wrote a will stating that in the event of his death Winifred Elsie Withall should receive £10 and that the remainder of his property should be left to his mother Margaret Ann Drover Gilbert of El Nedo, Farnberg Road, Milton, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.

On 28th  February 1917 Herbert embarked on the SS Invicta from Folkestone, England to France.

On 1st  March 1917 he marched out to the 4th Australian Divisional Base Depot at Etaples. On 5th  March 1917 Herbert proceeded to join the 15th Battalion, 4thInfantry Brigade of the AIF. Two days later, on 7th  March 1917 he was taken on strength of the 15th Battalion from the 21st Reinforcements of the 15th Battalion.

Herbert was wounded by a shell in an action on 15th  October 1917 near Poperinghe in Belgium. He died the following day.He had shrapnel wounds to his chest and a fractured femur. He was 21.

Herbert´s father James Gilbert received the British War and Victory medals, the Memorial Scroll, the Memorial Plaque, and the booklet ´Where the Australians Rest´. Herbert’s mother Margaret received her son´s personal effects including: letters, photos, two wallets, a religious book, metal wrist watch, gold ring, metal ring, silver locket, fountain pen and a mirror. As the next of kin she also received a photo of her son´s grave.

He is one of 8 Australian casualties of the Great War who are honoured on the Dorking War Memorial.

The names of some of Australian casualties are also on the
Dorking United Reform Church Memorial-he is one of them.

Gilbert Family History

Herbert’s father James Gilbert was born on 29th  August 1866 in Brisbane, Queensland in Australia to William Dust Carrington Gilbert and Jane Maidment.  William Dust Carrington Gilbert and Jane Maidment married on 9th  February 1860 in Queensland.

Herbert´s mother Margaret Ann Drover Foster was born about 1866 in Brighton, Sussex to naval pensioner David Barry Foster, born about 1834 at Woodbridge, Suffolk, and monthly nurse Fanny Elizabeth Drover Foster, born about 1838 at Bognor, Sussex.

James Gilbert and Margaret Ann Drover Foster married on 2nd October 1889 in Queensland, Australia.

Herbert had two siblings: Ethel Gilbert born about 1891 in Brisbane, Queensland and Ernest Gilbert born about 1893 in Brisbane, Queensland.

According to the 1919 Australian Electoral Rolls Herbert´s parents James Gilbert and Margaret Ann Drover Gilbert lived at El Nedo, Musgrave Street, Brisbane South, Queensland. James was working as a carter.

Margaret Ann Drover Gilbert died 26th  February 1924 in Queensland.

James Gilbert died on 16th  December 1945 in Queensland.