James Gilbert was a career soldier who was a convalescent patient at Hickwells in the spring of 1915.  His entry in Nurse Oliver’s album reads:

22nd April 1915

50082 Driver J Gilbert

Royal Field Artillery

In action Mons, Le Cateau, Aisne

La Basse, Ypres

He shares this page with entries from 5363 Private W Ferguson of the 3rd Border Regiment, W Wallace of the 1st Border Regiment and 19740 Private Joseph Leigh of the 3rd Border Regiment.

James Gilbert was born in 1890 and enlisted in the British Army on 6th February 1908.  He was an Old Contemptible who served with the XV Brigade Royal Field Artillery which formed part of the 5th Division.

His entry indicates that he served abroad from the outbreak of war in August (Mons) until November (Ypres).  He was awarded a silver war badge but was not discharged from the army until 19th April 1919 (discharged from the 4th Reserve Brigade).  This suggests that he may have rejoined his unit after his spell at Hickwells and been wounded again later in the war.  Without access to his service record however, this has to remain supposition.

Sources and Acknowledgements

·       The National Archives: Medal Index Card

·       The National Archives: British War and Victory Medal Roll: RFA 180/B Page 16027: WO 329/89

·       The National Archives: 1914 Star Medal Roll: RFA/23 Page 24: WO 329/2406

·       The National Archives: Silver War Badge Roll: RA/3944: WO 329/2979