James Henry 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 youngest of 6 sons and had 6 elder 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 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, born August 17th 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.

James Henry Gilbert moved from Byker, Northumberland to Gateshead, County Durham. During the 2nd quarter 1916 he was married at Gateshead to Lena Anderson, born December 24th 1897.

He served during WW1 as Private 15442 Northumberland Fusiliers in France and Belgium until his discharge to Class Z, due to disability, abscess right arm, January 23rd 1919. 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, Moses Ryles Gilbert Royal Artillery and Charles Edward Gilbert Northumberland Fusiliers, all survived the conflict, their eldest brother Private Edward Henry Gilbert Northumberland Fusiliers was killed in 1917.

In 1939 he and his wife were living at 196, Brinkburn Avenue, Gateshead, County Durham, James, listed as a professional musician (trumpet). James Henry Gilbert died in 1961 aged 66 years, Lena Gilbert nee Anderson aged 67 years in 1965, both registered in the district of Gateshead, `County Durham.

In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.