No.463283, Private, Solomon GILBEY
Aged 26
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Solomon Gilbey was born in Soham on 25th August 1891 {22nd Aug. Canadian Army records} (Newmarket Q3-1891 3B:519), baptised in Soham on 16th September 1891,
son of Alexander and Eliza GILBEY (née GILBY) of The Piece, Soham.
As with the other Gilbeys, the 'e' in the surname is not always used. 1901 census...Aged 9, he was at The Shade, Soham, with his father Alexander GILBEY [32] farm labourer; his mother Eliza [31] and sisters Minnie [11] and Rose Mary [2]. All were born in Soham. His mother died in 1902 and his father married Sophie BRIDGEMAN in 1910 1911 census...Aged 19, drainage labourer, he was at Hall Street, Soham with his father; stepmother Sophia [44]; half brothers Robert BRIDGEMAN [22] and Harry BRIDGEMAN, both drainage labourers and Joseph BRIDGEMAN [8]; sisters Rose and Elsie [9] and half sister Alice Bridgeman [10]. All the newcomers were Soham born. |
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Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF), RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 3522 - 12 Attested at Vernon, British Columbia on 30th July 1915. A labourer born Soham, next of kin father Alexander GILBEY, of Townsend, Soham. He gave his age as 24, was 5 feet 8 inches (172.7 cm) tall, chest 37" to 39.5" (94 to 100.3 cm), grey eyes, brown hair, Church of England His progress through the units was from 2nd Overseas Battalion to 48th Battalion to 25th Reserve Battalion until finally transferred to the 72nd Battalion. Sailing from Montreal per "SS Scandinavian" on 1st October 1915, arriving in UK on 4th October 1915, he went to France on 9th March 1916. He spent from 18th July to 1st September 1916 in Broadwater Hospital Ipswich with a fracture of his right fibula (in an accident). He then went to Canadian Convalescent Hospital, Woodcote, Epsom from 2nd September to 6th October 1916 before returning to duty and posted to Shorncliffe. On 29/12/1916 he was with 25th Res Battn at Bramshott, Hants promoted to unpaid Lance Corporal on 1st April 1917 and posted to 1st Reserve Battn on 20th April before joining 72nd battalion on 5th September 1917, when he reverted to the ranks. He was wounded (gas shell) on 24th, July 1918 and sent to No 12 Canadian Field Ambulance, but was back on duty on 29th, and was killed in action on 9th August 1918. On the 9th August the 72nd Canadians were part of the force that smashed through Germans in the battle of Amiens, losing 11 men killed. Local press report: An official report has been received by Mr. Alexander Gilbey, of Townsend, Soham, notifying him of the death of his son, Pte. Solomon Gilbey, Canadian Infantry, which occurred on Aug.9th. A subsequent letter from the O.C. states "He was killed instantly by a machine gun bullet at about 6 p.m. on Aug.8th. Your son had done long service with this battalion, and his determination and example were at all times an inspiration to his comrades. At the time of his death he was acting as a company runner, and had shown great skill and bravery in the delivery of important messages. While I know that his loss will be irreparable to you , I trust that it will be of some consolation to know that he died fighting a good fight in the greatest, and we hope decisive, battle of the war." The late Pte.Gilbey enlisted in July 1915, in Canada, where he has been working as an estate gardener since his emigration some six years ago.
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