Moses Ryles Gilbert is listed in the 1911 census as one of 17 children of whom only 10 survived. This appears to be inaccurate, as in 1911, eleven of his siblings were alive, all of whom reached adulthood. Of his known siblings he was the third born of 6 sons and had 4 elder and 2 younger sisters.

His father Thomas William Gilbert was born January 28th 1853 and baptised, February 19th at St Botolph without Bishopsgate, in London's east end. His family was living at Dove Court, Finsbury, London in 1861 where his father, Edward Gilbert, was a painter (house), by 1871 he had brought his family to the north east, settling at Baker’s Entry, Brewery Bank, Byker, a suburb of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland. Edward Snr and son Edward Jnr were employed as packers, Thomas (17) worked as a turner, his brother Martin (14) as an errand boy.

Thomas William Gilbert was married in the parish of All Saints, Newcastle, June 29th 1875 to Esther Maria Ryles, employed as a servant. Their daughter Margaret Thirza Gilbert was born in 1876, Edward Henry 1877, baptised April 4th, Martin Frederick 1879 and Elizabeth Jane in 1881 whilst they were living at 11, Byker Buildings. Thomas William supported his family employed as a potter. Over the next 10 years Ether gave birth to a further 5 children, Sarah Spoors 1882, Esther Maria, March 23rd 1883, Moses Ryles 1886, Dorothy Annie, August 18th 1888, and Thomasina 1890. As number 11 Byker Buildings was no longer large enough for their growing family, as it was above a shop, they had moved by 1891, next door to number 9, Thomas’s employment was unchanged, he was now assisted in keeping the family by Edward Henry, employed as a grocer. Their son Charles Edward was born April 7th 1892, Thomas William in 1893, Ethel Maud 1894 who died within a few months and James Henry 1894. Esther Maria Gilbert nee Ryles died in 1902, aged 47 years, in 1911 widower Thomas William, listed in the census in error as married, was living in 4 rooms at 11, Byker Buildings and had taken over for his own account a grocers' shop at 32, Gibson Street, assisted by Dora Annie (22) and Thomasina (20), Moses (24) was a shipyard labourer, Charles Edward (18) and Thomas William (17) were working as general labourers, also in the household was Martin Gilbert, grandson.

Moses Ryles Gilbert was married at St. Andrew’s Church, Gateshead, County Durham, April 8th 1912, to Isabella Tuck, their daughter Beatrice was born November 9th 1912, Margaret Thirza Gilbert, July 18th 1915.

When war was declared with Germany, Moses and his family were living at 41, Rose Street, Gateshead, where he was employed as a potato cartman. He enlisted December 12th 1915 at Gateshead and was assigned to the Army Reserve B until he was mobilised in October 1916, at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland. October 10th 1916 he was posted and joined the Royal Field Artillery at their Base Depot as Gunner 185182, October 29th he was assigned to the Reserve Battery Royal Field Artillery until orders were received to depart for Egypt.

Gunner Gilbert arrived at Southampton, May 17th 1917 and departed to France, where he possibly attended one of the three Trench Mortar Schools, departing Marseilles, June 27th 1917, he arrived at Alexandria, July 6th 1917 as part of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force. July 17th 1917 he joined the X54 Trench Mortar Battery, attached to the 54th (East Anglia) Division which had been on the `Gallipoli peninsular since July 1915.

The division participated during the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Battles of Gaza between March and October 1917, phases of the Battle of Palestine, at which point Gunner Gilbert was attached, November 3rd 1917, to the 60th Divisional Train.

After the Armistice in Palestine, October 30th 1918, he joined the 302 Brigade, 60th Division November 29th 1918, which had arrived in Palestine during 1917 from Salonika having previously served during 1916 in France, on the Somme.

He was examined by the medical board at Alexandria, Egypt, February 19th 1919, considered to not have any disability, he was temporarily retained until April 16th 1919, before returning to the United Kingdom. He was discharged at Ripon in Yorkshire, August 4th 1919, under King’s Regulations 392 (xxviii), “On demobilisation.” Awards British War Medal and Victory Medal.

All the Gilbert brothers were eligible to serve during WW1, records have been found for Martin Frederick Gilbert Army Service Corps, Charles Edward Gilbert and James Henry Gilbert Northumberland Fusiliers, all of whom survived the conflict, their eldest brother Private Edward Henry Gilbert Northumberland Fusiliers was killed in 1917.

Post war his wife gave birth to a further 2 children, John Coulson Gilbert, April 12th 1920 and Edward in 1926. In 1939 they were still living at Rose Street, Gateshead, Moses was employed as a hotel porter, his son John, by the London North Eastern Railway as a booking lad, indicating he was a new entrant to the railway service. He spent his days in the signal box recording train movements, answering the phone and taking messages but was strictly forbidden to operate the signal equipment.

Moses Ryles Gilbert died aged 54 years in 1940 at Gateshead, County Durham, Isabella Gilbert nee Tuck at Northumberland South in 1964, aged 76 years.

Their daughter Beatrice was married in 1933 to John Lorraine, born January 15th 1905 at Birtley. In 1939 he was employed above ground at the colliery as a motor man on the colliery screens, Beatrice had a general store for her own account, they were living at 3, Gardiner Square, Chester-le-Street, County Durham. John Lorraine, aged 63 years, of 18, Eastwood Gardens, Low Fell, Gateshead, died October 14th 1968, effects in the sum of £2743 to administrator as per his will, Newcastle, May 22nd, Beatrice Gilbert Lorraine nee Gilbert of 26, Evistones Road, Low Fell, February 8th 1992, aged 79 years.

Margaret Thirza Gilbert married Robert Forster Vint, born October 10th 1912, Gateshead, County Durham, in the district of Gateshead in 1939. Robert Forster Vint died in 2001 aged 88 years, details as regards Margaret Thirza Vint nee Gilbert, unknown.

John Coulson Gilbert married Jane Richards in 1943 at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland, where he died in 1974, aged 54 years, details of his wife, unknown.

Details of Edward Gilbert, unknown.

In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.