No.18707, Lance Corporal, Herbert GILBEY
Aged 30
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Herbert Gilbey was born in Soham on 4th June 1885 (Newmarket Q3-1885 3B:579), baptised in Soham on 24th November 1886, son of William and Margaret GILBEY
(née MARTIN) of The Pen, Soham.
As with the other Gilbeys, the 'e' in the surname is not always used. 1891 census...Aged 5, Herbert Wilby, he was at The Penn, Soham with his father William GILBY [46] farm labourer; his mother Margaret [49] born Lancashire; brothers William [24], Charley [15] (both farm labourers) and George [8]; sister Elizabeth [11]. Except for his mother they were all born in Soham. 1901 census...Aged 15, now Wilbey,a bricklayer's labourer, he was at St. John's Square, Soham with his parents, father now a bricklayer's labourer, and mother now recorded as born in Soham. On 16th October 1909, in Soham, he married Rose BULLMAN (b. 26-4-1889). 1911 census...Aged 25, Herbert Gilbey, a farm labourer, he was at Mill Lane, Soham with his wife Rose [21] born Soham and their son Bert [1] born Soham 1-1-1910. His parents were also living in Mill Lane, Soham The pension card records another son, Cyril(b.8-1-1912). The family were at Mill Corner but later moved to Waterside |
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Enlisted on 31st December 1902 in the Suffolk Regiment No.6306 at Ely. A labourer born in Soham, he gave his age as 18 years 2 months, weighed 121 lbs (55.1 kg), was 5 feet 7.75 inches ( 172.1 cm)tall,
chest 33.5" to 39" (85.1 to 99.1 cm),blue eyes, brown hair, Wesleyan. Signed for 3 years in colours, 9 on Reserve. Posted to 1st battalion on 26th January 1903, transferred to Reserves on completion of his three years on 29th December 1905. Mobilised at Bury St Edmunds 5th August 1914 but immediately relegated to Army Reserves. Discharged as medically unfit on 30th September 1914 with a note that "unless a radical cure is done, he is permanently unfit". His family at that time were, Father William at St John's Square, Soham, brother George in Suffolk Regiment, brother William, address unknown, brother Charles in Woking and wife Rose. No mention of son but this military history sheet was probably not complete until much late and possibly his son Bert was the child who died in 1918. His mother had died in 1916. Herbert was recorded a bricklayer's labourer, aged 29 years 11 months, 5 feet 8.5 inches tall and intending to live at St John's Square, waterside, Soham. What his medical complaint was is not recorded nor the "radical cure" which led to him being later accepted by Army ( enlisting in Newmarket) and eventually dying in Salonika. Early July the 1st Battalion in Salonika suffered severely from attacks of malaria, the medical staff being almost overcome by the numbers afflicted.
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