No.6081, Private, George GILBEY
Aged 30
An Old Contemptible
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George Gilbey was born in Soham (Newmarket Q2-1884 3B:579), son of John and Alice GILBEY (née WATSON).
As with the other Gilbeys, the 'e' in the surname is not always used.
1891 census...Aged 7, he was at Qua Fen Common, Soham with his father John GILBEY [38] farm labourer; his mother Alice [31]; brothers John [10], William [8], Harry [3] and Arthur [1]. All were born Soham 1901 census...Aged 17, he appears to be in prison at Castle Street, Chesterton. There were at least 3 George Gilbey of nearly the same age, but this George was the only one not home for the census. His parents were at Burgess' Corner, Qua Fen, Soham with his brothers Harry [14] farm labourer and Arthur [12] and Elliott [6]. 1911 census...Aged 27, a farm labourer, he was at Qua Fen Common, Soham with his parents and brother Elliott [16] farm labourer. CWGC and pension card have the family at Loft Cottage, Burgess Corner, Soham. His younger brother Elliott was killed in France in 1918 see here |
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Enlisted in Ely. His Army records have not been found, but clearly he must have been a Reservist and called up immediately the war started. "Soldiers Died"
have him dying of his wounds. As he is named on the La Fuerte sous Jouarre memorial this seems to indicate his grave was lost. In fact a report was published in the Cambridge Independent Press on 9th October 1914 that George Gilbey had been wounded and brought back
to the London Hospital where he died ?. This might indicate a different George Gilbey, but no records have been found for any of the other George Gilbeys in the area dying in the war. It also could be that so early in the war, when records of burials were in their infancy and CWGC had not even been thought of, that his burial was not even recorded. The retreat from Mons could hardly be described as an orderly withdrawal and the 2nd Suffolk were very badly hit at the end of August, in fact at roll call on the 27th only 111 men answered. His "Soldier's Personal Effects" entry records his death at Bézu-le-Guéry about 50 miles NE of Paris, near the River Marne
click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
