The Queens Own Royal West Kent R

The Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment

Sergeant A T Gilbert

Serjeant Alfred Thomas GILBERT, G/10247, 1st Battalion, Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment.

Born 1885, Marden, Kent, enlisted 10th October 1915, Maidstone, Kent, age 27, height 5ft 6 inches, weight 140lbs, resided 138 Tonbridge Road, Maidstone, Kent. Formerly warehouseman.

Husband to Mrs Rosa Kate Gilbert (nee Weston), 138 Tonbridge Road, Maidstone, Kent. Married 6th December 1912, Maidstone, Kent.

Child - Stanley Robert Gilbert, born 4th March 1915, Maidstone, Kent.

Postings - Home, 10th October 1915 to 2nd May 1916; BEF, 3rd May 1916 to 15th July 1917; Home, 16th July 1917 to 7th January 1918; Italian Expeditionary Force, 8th January 1918 to 29th November 1918; Home (leave), 30th November 1918 to 13th December 1918, for demob.; BEF, 14th December 1918, Dunkirk 4th March 1919..

Appointed unpaid Lance Corporal 6th January 1916; Promoted to Acting Corporal 23rd September 1916; Confirmed in rank of Corporal 28th September 1916; Promoted Acting Sergeant 23rd May 1917; Promoted Sergeant, 1st September 1918.

Wounded 16th July 1917, shell wound both shoulders, to England, Bethnall Green Military Hospital, 17th July to 27th August 1917, Edinburgh War Hospital 28th August 1917 to 7th September 1917, Hospital, 17th September 1917 to 3rd December 1917. 4th December 1917, gets a pricking pain in right shoulder when he moves, shoulder Xrayed, nothing evident on plate.

Transferred to Reserve and Demobilized 8th April 1919 to 138 Tonbridge Road, Maidstone, Kent.

AWARDS: DCM

London Gazette 5th December 1918.

His Majesty The KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the Distinguished Conduct Medal to the under mentioned Warrant Officers, Non-commissioned Officers, and Men, for gallantry and distinguished service in the Field:—

Serjeant A T GILBERT, G/10247, 1st Battalion, Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment. (Maidstone)

For conspicuous gallantry in command of a platoon during an attack. Noticing an awkward gap in the attacking line, he changed his direction and led his platoon to a flank in face of heavy machine-gun and rifle fire. He then cleared a trench, taking several prisoners and a machine gun which was in a position to enfilade the attacking line. His immediate grasp of a serious situation and his own personal courage were of great value at a critical moment.

This page was last updated on 24-Dec-2011.