Name
Reginald James Gilbert
1895
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
19/04/1917
21
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Rifleman
330342
Hampshire Regiment
1st/8th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
GAZA WAR CEMETERY
XXI. E 3.
Israel and Palestine (including Gaza)
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Hitchin Town Memorial, St Mary's Church Roll of Honour, Hitchin
Pre War
Reginald James Gilbert was born in 1895 in Fordingbridge or Ringwood, Hampshire, and his parents have not been identified and presumably died early, as by 1891, he was living at Ethelburga Street, East Battersea with his aunts Martha (32) and Edith (30). Martha is listed as the head of the hopusehold and although listed as married may have been a widow.
By 1911 Martha Keen and Reggie were living at Elm View, 47 York Road, Hitchin. Also present was Maisie Gilbert (13) a niece – perhaps Reggie’s sister.
Niece
Officially Reginald was recorded as born in Crow, Hants. And living in Hitchin, Herts, when he enlisted Newport, Isle of Wight.
Wartime Service
He was first given the Regimental Number G/1626 l/8th Battalion of the Hampshire Regiment and later renumbered to 330342 – probably in 1917. This regiment was also known as the Isle of Wight Rifles ‘Princess Beatrice's’ a Territorial Force. At the time of his death this Battalion was part of the 163rd Brigade in the 54th Division.
He served with the Battalion throughout the Dardanelles campaign and was wounded. Later he went to Palestine attacking the Turks there. He was killed in action in Palestine after having been reported as missing in April 1917. Enquiries were made by his family of the British Red Cross on 20 Jukly 1917.
His death occurred during the Second Battle of Gaza which was as disastrous as the first. The British attacked at 7.30am five miles south east of Gaza at Ali Muntar. British organisation as usual led to hopeless failure with the loss of many men's lives.
He was buried in Plot 21, Row E, Grave 3 in the Gaza War Cemetery in Israel.
Additional Information
*1 On the Hitchin War Memorial, he is shown as ‘E. Gilbert’, and in some records R E Gilbert, but it is reasonably certain to be the same person.
After his death £3 11s 5d was authorised to go to Martha his aunt on 18 July 1918. Later, a war gratuity of £12 was authorised to be paid to her, on 18 November 1919.
His pension cards record Mrs Martha Keen, his aunt, as his next of dependant, living at 47 York Road, Hitchin. The card does not detail the award of any pension.
Acknowledgments
David C Baines, Jonty Wild
