Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of William and Jane Gilbert of Great Bowden, Leics. The 1911 census records, William Gilbert, married and head of the family, a Butcher, born 1845 in Great Bowden, Leics., and his wife Jane L. K., born 1856 in Great Bowden, Leics. The children were John C., a Hairdressers Assistant, born 1883 in Lambeth, London, Charles W., a Fishmongers Apprentice, born 1885 in Finsbury, London, James W., an Errand Boy, born 1888 in Finsbury, London, Frank E., born 1891 in Great Bowden, Leics. and Thomas, born 1892 in Great Bowden, Leics. The family were residing at Dingley Terrace, Great Bowden, Leics. The War Diary for the 25th March 1916 records. Near WULVERGHEM. Trenches on examination proved good. Wire excellent. Day opened fine. Wind safe. Draft of 40 other ranks arrived. Nothing of note occurred during the morning, artillery etc. being very quiet. The enemy is generally alert. At 9.00pm two green lights were sent up from the trenches on our right and were immediately followed by six shells. At 11.20pm some rifle grenades were fired by the enemy but with no effect as they landed behind trench 140. Parapets and traverses built and repaired during the night. When relieving listening post on right of 141 our bombers were bombed but no damage done. Working party of 160 under ROYAL ENGINEERS were required to dig trenches but owing to shelling etc. of front line only 80 were available. At 2.30pm enemy shelled WULVERGHEM – MESSINES ROAD T.6.d. with High Explosive Shrapnel, Whizzbangs and Howitzers. At 3.30pm he began to shell FORT OSBORNE, IRISH FARM and front line trenches 141, 142, C.1. and C.2. Firing ceased at 5.00pm. Several direct hits were obtained on FORT OSBORNE and 141 was knocked in in several places. Our artillery retaliated with Whizzbangs on trenches left on ONTARIO FARM at 3.30pm and again at 5.15pm on front line trenches. Approximate number of enemy shells 1000.