Soldier Record

Gilbert was my paternal Grandfather. He trained as a teacher in Exeter prior to the First World War. He enlisted in the Bristol's Own battalion (either 1st/4th or 2nd/4th) of the Gloucestershire Regiment at the Drill Hall, Old Market, Bristol on the 26th November 1915. He was sent to France in either April/May 1916 and served as a signaller/despatch rider. I don't know where he saw action but he was wounded in the knee and nearly lost the leg in a French Hospital which may have been in Bar Le Duc, France? before being repatriated to England where despite having a completely stiff, unbendable leg, remained on the roll until discharge on 4th July 1919. He went back to teaching and became deputy Headmaster of Dr Bells Church School, Fishponds, Bristol. He died of lung cancer in 1968 having been a heavy smoker most of his life (see the ciggie in his hand in the photo!). He never spoke to the family about the war.