Military History

Gilbert is listed as being killed in action on 3rd July 1916 during the early stages of the Battle of the Somme. The 8th Battalion war diary entries for the period 2nd to 4th July are transcribed below.

Forceville - 2 Jul 1916: The Battalion halted here for the day, but had sudden orders at 11 pm to be ready to move. However the order to move did not come till the next day.

Martinsart Wood - 3 Jul 1916: The Regiment was supposed to attack the German front line at 3am but this was postponed till 6am. The Bat’n advanced in 4 waves. D & A Coys from our front line B & C Coys from our support line.

Each company had two platoons in line crossing on a front of some 150 or 200 yards followed by the other two platoons. As the leading companies left the front trench their place was taken by the two leading Platoons of each supporting Company. Touch was kept with the Cheshires by means of runners. This means of communication was also adopted to keep touch with the 2nd S. Lancs. Regt. The leading companies understood their objectives and had sufficient time to explain their orders to their men according to the operation orders issued in Martinsart Wood. The Coys in support had not sufficient time to explain these orders thoroughly to their men owing to the distance from the front line and the enemy’s shell fire.

The 1st two waves went out punctually at the appointed hour, the other two Coys were held in the front line till it was seen how things were going and till reinforcements were requested. A message was sent back asking for reinforcements and bombs and these were sent up immediately. 2 platoon at this time were sent up, no reinforcements had arrived from the reserve to take our place. Eventually all reinforcements were sent except a platoon with 2 Lewis guns. The last reserve of 2 platoons did not reach the enemy line but returned with the Battalion when it retired. The frontage occupied in the German line was about 180 yards which had been much damaged by our shell fire and there was very little cover. The right flank giving way was the cause of the Battn falling back and also the unfortunate word "retire" undoubtedly passed along from the right. Major Birt ordered the left to conform.

Orders and messages referring to the operations took a very long time to reach Battn HQ owing to the dark and the orderlies being near to the trenches. There was no telephone to Battn HQ and all messages were by runners. This delayed instructions to OC Coys and did not give them time to arrange bombing parties, etc. for clearing the German communication trenches. The German rifle & machine gun fire was not particularly severe and had communication with the right and left been kept up throughout the attack would have been successful.

During the operation we suffered the following casualties: 4 officers killed and 10 wounded, 430 casualties other ranks.

Aveluy Wood - 4 Jul 1916: The Regt left the front line trenches being relieved by the 1st Wiltshire Regt & marched to the south side of Aveluy Wood.