2.LIEUT A.H.GILBERT
Archibald Holmes Gilbert
Born Los Angeles California, United States 12/4/1894
Then lived in Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Joined the Canadian Expeditionary Force as 117259, 12th Canadian Mounted Rifles
Commissioned 2nd Lieutenant, Imperial Army 26/2/17
Posted as Pilot to 22nd Squadron, Royal Flying Corps 27/7/17
Between July and September 1917, as the offensive focus of the British ground forces moved from the Somme toward Ypres, 22nd Squadron moved base three times - respectively to Warloy, Izel les Hameaux and Boisdinghem. In September he was flying from at Estre Blanche, an aerodrome just south of Saint-Omer.
On the 17/9/17, five FE2B Bristol Fighters - two-seaters armed with forward firing Vickers & rear-facing Lewis Machine Guns - were involved in a desperate aerial combat in which 2 aircraft were lost & another returned with its pilot wounded & his rear-gunner dead. On this same date, Lieut. A.H.Gilbert & his Air Mechanic S.C.Boxall shot down one Enemy Aircraft in flames & claimed another which went down, apparently out of control
On 21/9/17, during the Battle of Menin Road Ridge, 2.Lieut Gilbert set off on an Offensive Patrol & was engaged in aerial combat above Houthulst-Roulers, N.E. of Ypres. There, in exchange for one Enemy Aircraft brought down, two FE2B Bristol Fighters of 22 Squadron were lost in a mid-air collision at 1000 feet - one of these was Gilbert's aircraft (serial A7233)
KIA Whilst Flying 21/9/17
Buried in Potijze Chateau Lawn Cemetery, Belgium
Also commemorated on a bronze plaque in the Knox United Church, Calgary inscribed 'To the Glory of God and in loving memory of Calgary members of the Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force who fell during the Great War. Full of promise, noble and fearless they gave their lives in defence of their country'
His Officers Papers exist at TNA but we have not checked them Ref: WO 339/80240
For 30 page file of his C.E.F. Service Papers - Click here
With research from "Pi" in the Sky: A history of No. 22 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps & RAF in the War of 1914-1918, by W.F.J.Harvey
Condition: On long silk ribbons, GVF
