Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Andrew Gilbert, a granite quarry worker, born 1872 in Mountsorrel, Leics., and his wife Drusilla Gilbert (nee Baker, married in the 4th quarter of 1892 in the Barrow upon Soar, Leics. district), born 1872 in Mountsorrel, Leics. Tom was born in the 3rd quarter of 1893 in Mountsorrel, Leics., his siblings were, William Henry, born 1895 in Rothley, Leics., Edith Elizabeth, born 1898 in Whitwick, Leics., Frederick, born 1900 and Florence, born 1897, the latter two siblings were both born in Rothley, Leics., also residing with the family was his paternal uncle, Furley Gilbert, a general labourer, born 1878 in Mountsorrel, Leics., in March 1901 the family home was at Town Green, Rothley, Leics. In April 1911 Tom was employed as a granite quarry truck worker and was residing in the family home at North Street, Rothley, Leics., together with his father a granite quarry worker, his mother and siblings, William, a boot trade scourer, Edith, a boot trade machine room assistant, Frederick, a schoolboy and Florence, a schoolgirl. In the 4th quarter of 1911 Tom married Rose Whatsize, born 1891 in Leicester, who was the daughter of Frederick and Jane Whatsize of 51, Mount Road, Leicester, they married in the Leicester marriage registration district, and they had two children, Frederick A., born 1913 and Gladys M., born 1912, both children were born in Leicester.
On Friday January 1st 1915 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “DISTRICT WAR ITEMS.” – MOUNTSORREL SOLDIER KILLED IN ACTION. – Mrs. Gilbert, wife of Thomas Gilbert, a Private in the 1st Leicestershire Regiment, has received a notification from the War Office that her husband was killed in action in France on November 29th. Pte. Gilbert was well known at Wigston, but for some years had lived at 68, Elders Yard, Mountsorrel, and until called up in the reserve, worked at the quarries. He leaves a widow and two children to mourn their loss.
The War Diary for Sunday 29th November records that it was quiet all day. Casualties two men killed.