Edward Gilbert was born on 5^th June 1874, and can be found on the 1891 census living with his parents in South Street, Northampton.  His occupation was listed as a Locksmith.  We know from his enlistment papers that he signed up for the regular army in 1892 and joined the Kings Royal Riffles on 15^th January. During his time in the Army, he saw service in India, Mauritius and later in the Second Boer War in South Africa.

In 1903, when he was demobbed and transferred to the Army Reserves and then discharged a year later, he followed his parents to Woodnewton.  They had removed from Northampton to a small thatched cottage next to the White Swan Public House in Town Street in1899, as they appear on the Woodnewton 1901 census.  

Edward met his future wife, Charlotte Simmons whilst living with his parents, as Charlotte lived with her parents in Parson’s Yard across the road.  They were married in Oundle on 27^th July 1905.  The family can be found on the 1911 census living, in what was known, as Smith’s Yard.  He was listed as being a general labourer, and had four children and a step daughter.  We know by the 1921 census, that three more children, one girl and two boys, had been born since the last census.  Also shown on this census was that Edward was working for Lord Brassey on Apethorpe Estate as a general labourer.  One of his children, Charles, who was born in November 1917, would live in Woodnewton for the majority of his life.

Although, Edward was over the age of conscription, he joined the Territorial Forces in 1917.  He attested to the Royal Defence Corp on 29^th January. There had been such a loss of men in the Battle of Somme, which ended three months earlier, that they required previous regular soldiers to join this Territorial Force.  It would appear from Edward’s military paperwork that during the 2 years and 97 days that he was enlisted in the RDC, he spent on home territorh and was demobilised on 5^th May 1919.

Edward continued his support to the military by volunteering with the British Legion and in 1943 he received a ‘Certificate of Appreciation’ in commendation and recognition of his services to the British Legion in Northamptonshire.  Edward was a keen gardener and could often been found as a prize winner in the annual village Flower and Vegetable Show.

The 1939 register shows that Edward, his wife Charlotte and two of their sons, Arthur & Charles were still living in Smith’s Yard.  They were also sharing their home with an evacuee and her two children.  Edward died in 1946 and is buried in St Mary’s Churchyard along with his wife, Charlotte who survived him by 30 years and died at the age of 93 years old.

2022