Albert Gilbert
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Albert was born in 1894 the son of Thomas and Julian (sic) Gilbert (née Hunter). His father Thomas was born in Nottingham in about 1854 and his mother Julian in Newark in 1855. They were married at Lenton parish church in April 1874 and according to the 1911 Census had 14 children, three of whom died before 1911. Thirteen children have been traced on census records or birth registrations (Gilbert/Hunter): John Thomas b. 1874, William Francis b. 1876, Maud Julian b. 1878 d. 1902, Lillian birth registered 1881 (J/F/M), Thomas b. 1883, Henry b. 1885, Percy birth registered 1888 (J/F/M), Grace b. 1890, Mabel b. 1892, Bertram b. 1897, Albert b. 1895, Wilfred b. 1897 and Dora b. 1902. The children were born in either Radford or Lenton (Nottingham). Thomas Gilbert, a joiner, and Julian, a dressmaker, together with their children John, William, Maude and Lilian, were living at 1 Gordon Place, Lenton in 1881. They had move to Rowton Terrace, Lenton, by the time of the 1891 Census and then to 21 Middleton Street in 1901. Eight children were living at home in 1901: William, a printer, Lilian a cigar maker, Henry, Percy, Grace, Albert and Bertram who were still at school and Wilfred. John Thomas had married Clara Parnham at Radford All Souls in 1899 and the same year Maude Julian married Frederick George Hammond. Thomas (b. 1883) and Mabel (b. 1892) have not yet been traced on the 1901 Census and might be two of the three children who died before 1911. The youngest child, Dora, was born the following year. Maud Hammond died in 1902 leaving two sons, John Wilfred (b. 1899 reg. Nottingham) and Kenneth Francis (b. 1901 reg. Eastbourne). In 1911 her sons were living with their paternal grandparents, John and Georgina Hammond, in Eastbourne. John Wilfred joined the RAF on 25 April 1918 (162037) and was discharged in March 1919. He had named his brother Kenneth as his next of kin. By 1911 Thomas and Julian had moved to 84 Miall Street, Old Radford but only six children were in the home on the night of the census: Grace and Mabel who were blouse makers, Bertram a litho printer, Albert a metal turner (cycle works) and Wilfred and Dora who were school age. Percy had emigrated to Canada in 1906, sailing from Liverpool on SS Siberian (Allan Line) on 1 May 1906, destination St John's Newfoundland. He later settled in Manitoba. Three more children were married: William Francis to Lily Turner in 1902 (Radford All Souls), Lilian to Henry Thrale in 1904 and Henry had probably married Daisy Stenson in 1907. Albert (17), occupation labourer, departed Liverpool on 10 April 1912 onboard SS Lake Erie (Allan Line Steamship Co. Ltd) bound for St John, New Brunswick, Canada, and settled in Manitoba where his brother Percy was living. Thomas snr. died in December 1912 (see 'Extra information'). His widow Julian and their daughter Dora (11) sailed from Liverpool on 11 September 1914 (SS Grampian, Allan Line Steamship Co. Ltd) for Montreal, Quebec. Julian died the following year on 25 June and was buried at Oak River, Manitoba. Her son Percy died in Canada in 1952. Albert's brother William Francis served in the Employment Supply Company, Royal Army Service Corps (T4/216044), enlisting in 1916 'for period of the War' at the age of 40 years 41 days. He embarked Devonport on 20 September 1916 (HT Transylvania) with 778 Coy MT ASC, disembarking Salonika on 2 October. He embarked Salonika on 25 March 1919 for UK via Taranto for demobilization/transfer to Class 'Z' Army Reserve. He was discharged to 69 Forster Street, Old Radford, Nottingham on 9 May 1919. Service record: Home 12 August 1916-19 September 1916. BEF Salonika 20 September 1916-24 March 1919. En route Home 25 March 1919-10 April 1919. Home 11 April 1919-8 May 1919. William qualified for the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Albert Gilbert enlisted in Canada on 24th January 1916 giving his age as 20, date of birth 5 March 1894 although his birth was registered in 1895 (A/M/J Nottingham). He named his older brother Percy of Cardale, Manitoba, as his next of kin. Albert died of wounds at 33rd Casualty Clearing Station on 28 July 1918. He is buried at Ligny-St. Flochel British Cemetery, Grave Reference: I F 21. CWGC - Ligny St Flochel British Cemetery (extract): The cemetery is in the village of Ligny-St. Flochel approximately 24km from Arras. 'The cemetery was started at the beginning of April 1918 when the 7th Casualty Clearing Station came back from Tincques ahead of the German advance. At the end of May the 33rd Casualty Clearing Station arrived from Aire and in August, No.1 Casualty Clearing Station from Pernes. All three stations had left Ligny-St Flochel by November 1918.' (www.cwgc.org)
Albert's brother-in-law, Henry Thrale, the husband of his sister Lillian, served with the 75th Bn Central Ontario Regiment (670815 Private) and was killed in action on 17 August 1917. He is commemorated on the Vimy Ridge Memorial. (See record on this Roll of Honour) Nottingham Evening Post, 9 December 1912: ‘Nottingham man dies at his bench. Noticed to be leaning on his bench at the Old Radford Works on Saturday, Thomas Gilbert, 59, a joiner, of 84 Miall-street, Old Radford, was spoken to by one of his mates, but made no reply, and on being removed outside the works was found to be dead.' (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
