Private William J Gilbert

William John Gilbert was the son of Robert Frederick and Ada Lilian Gilbert,of Stapenhill, Burton-on-Trent, he enlisted in the Royal Warwickshire Regiment and volunteered for Airborne forces.

Private Gilbert successfully completed parachute training at RAF Ringway on course number 116, from 15 to 27 May 1944. His course report stated “Above average pupil”. He was posted to 12th (10th Battalion, The Green Howards [Yorkshire Regt.]) The Parachute Regiment and took part in Operation Overlord (Normandy).

Pte Gilbert was killed in action on 22 August 1944, aged 18, and was given a field burial in Pont Leveque and was re-interred to Ranville War Cemetery, Calvados, France, on 26 October 1945.

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