16/10/1916- To 87 Depot Company as Private
25/11/1916- To 44th Battalion 6th Reinforcements
8/03/1917- To 11th Training Battalion Durrington England ex Australia
20/03/1917- Admitted Fargo Military Hospital England ( Influenza )
3/04/1917- Discharhed to 11th Training Battalion Durrington ex Hospital
19/06/1917- Proceeded Overseas 3rd Australian Division Base Depot Havre France ex Southampton ex Durrington
9/07/1917- Joined 44th Battalion in the field France ex Base Depot
24/10/1917- Appointed LANCE CORPORAL in the field France
1/11/1917- Promoted TEMPORARY CORPORAL in the field France
10/11/1917- Admitted 10th Stationary Hospital St Omer France ( Influenza )
16/11/1917- Admitted No. 7 Convalescent Depot Boulogne France
5/12/1917- Rejoined Battalion in the field France ex 3rd Australian Division Base Depot Rouelles France
19/02/1918- Granted Leave England
8/03/1918- Rejoined Battalion in the field France ex Leave
21/08/1918- Promoted CORPORAL in the field France
1/09/1918- Promoted TEMPORARY SERGEANT in the field France
3/12/1918- Promoted SERGEANT in the field France
16/03/1919- MENTION IN DESPATCHES
29/04/1919- To No. 3 Group Codford England ex Australian Infantry Base Depot France for Return to Australia
21/06/1919- Embarked England for Australia per ” Konigin Louise ”
2/08/1919- Disembarked Fremantle
10/09/1919- Discharged from Service
MENTION IN DESPATCHES
Information supplied by courtesy of Grahame Olde, Collie-Cardiff R.S.L Club, ( from the History of the 44th Battalion ) :-
Following reports by Lieut. Col. CLARK, J P 44th Battalion AIF-
Report 1- 2826- Sgt. GILBERT, J.A.– ” On 3rd September 1918 this NCO took charge of a patrol and worked from ALLAINES BRIDGE forward to our picquet line. He then worked Northwards along our picquet line under atillery and M.G. fire for at least 3000 yards. He obtained accurate and reliable information as far North as MOISLAINS WOOD of the picquet and front lines of the 47th and 74th English Divisions. His coolness under fire set a splendid example to his men . He has acted as Platoon Sergeant since the Sergeant became a casualty on 29th August 1918″.
Report 2- 2826- Sgt. GILBERT, J.A.– ” During the approach on the Hindenburg Line the platoon commander was killed and this NCO took charge and throughout the operation he handled his men with great skill . On arrival at the Hindenburg front line his platoon was held up by Machine Gun fire from BONY. He saw enemy in the trench on his left and immediately organised bombing parties and commenced to work up the trench toward the village. By his great courage and utter disregard for danger he set a splendid example to his men and also saved a very critical situation “.
Date of Recommendation : 7 February 1919
Date of Commonwaelth of Australia Gazette : 30 October 1919
Location in Commonwealth of Australia Gazette : Page 1660, Position 84
Date of London Gazette : 11 July 1919
Location in London Gazette : Page 8832, Position 35.