Gnr
William George Gilbey
Information about birth
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Date of birth: 20/10/1883 |
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Place of birth: East Horndon, Essex, England, United Kingdom |
General information
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Profession: Bricklayer |
Army information
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Country: England, United Kingdom |
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Force: British Expeditionary Force |
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Rank: Gunner |
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Service number: 284161 |
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Enlistment place: Maidstone, Kent, England, United Kingdom |
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Units: — Royal Garrison Artillery, 77th Siege Bty. (Last known unit) |
Information about death
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Date of death: 30/10/1917 |
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Place of death: Hooge, Wing House, Belgium |
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Cause of death: Killed in action (K.I.A.) |
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Age: 34 |
Cemetery
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The Huts Cemetery Plot: 12 Row: D Grave: 12 |
Distinctions and medals 3
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1914-15 Star Medal |
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British War Medal Medal |
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Victory Medal Medal |
Points of interest 2
| #1 | Place of birth | ||
| #2 | Enlistment place |
My story
Gunner William George Gilbey served with the 77th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery. The father of five fell on 30 October 1917, during the Battle of Passchendaele.
A letter written by one of his comrades informs William’s wife that he died due to German shell fire. His death was instantaneous. A second letter states that he was performing his usual duties on the gun, when a shell burst near the gun. A splinter struck William and perforated his lung.
Unfortunately the pages for October 1917 are missing in the war diary, but on the 1st of November 1917 the battery is situated near Wing House, Hooge. Presumably Gunner Gilbey was killed while manning a gun in that area. He was buried in The Huts Cemetery.
A letter written by one of his comrades informs William’s wife that he died due to German shell fire. His death was instantaneous. A second letter states that he was performing his usual duties on the gun, when a shell burst near the gun. A splinter struck William and perforated his lung.
Unfortunately the pages for October 1917 are missing in the war diary, but on the 1st of November 1917 the battery is situated near Wing House, Hooge. Presumably Gunner Gilbey was killed while manning a gun in that area. He was buried in The Huts Cemetery.
Sources 1
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77 Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery (The Nationa Archives, KEW (TNA), WO 95/396/2). http://nationalarchives.gov.uk Sources used |
More information 3
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Commonwealth War Graves Commission Database https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/156261 |
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Namenlijst (In Flanders Fields Museum) https://namenlijst.org/publicsearch/#/person/_id=d58215b4-d8c2-41fd-adde-bd50312c7719 |
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Lives of the First World War (Imperial War Museum) https://livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk/lifestory/1756403 |