• Focke-Wulf Fw 190 Würger
• Messerschmitt Bf 110

Date of birth:

November 3rd, 1919 (RevesbyLincolnshire, Great Britain)

Date of death:

May 2nd, 1942 (Debden/Suffolk, Great Britain)

Buried on:

Commonwealth War Graves Saffron Walden Cemetery
Plot: 41. Grave: 17.

Service number:

40530

Nationality:

British

Humphrey Trench Gilbert was killed in a flying accident May 2nd, 1942 when Spitfire BL372 "YT-Z" crashed at Loves Farm, Cutlers Green, Thaxted, Essex.

Promotions:
February 19th, 1938: Acting Pilot Officer on probation;
December 6th, 1938: Pilot Officer on probation;
September 3rd, 1940: Flying Officer;
September 3rd, 1941: Flight Lieutenant (war subs.).

Career:
?: Durnford School;
January 1934 - July 1937: Cheltenham College;
December 1937 - February 18th, 1938: No. 7 Elementary & Reserve Flying Training School, Desford;
?: No. 1 RAF Depot, Uxbridge;
March 5th, 1938: No. 9 Flying Training School, Hullavington;
September 17th, 1938: No. 73 Squadron;
October 23rd, 1938 - December 22nd, 1938: CFS, Upavon;
January 1939: Flying Instructor, No. 505 Squadron, Auxiliairy Air Force;
?: No. 9 Flying Training School;
August 3rd, 1940: No 6 Operational Training Unit, Sutton Bridge;
August 16th, 1940: No. 601 Squadron, Debden;
April 1941: 'B' Flight Commander, No. 601 Squadron;
May 1941: No. 1422 Flight, Heston;
September 3rd, 1941: Flight commander No. 71 (Eagle) Squadron, Martlesham Heath;
November 1st, 1941: Commanding Officer No. 222 Squadron, North Weald;
December 23rd, 1941: Commanding Officer No. 65 Squadron, Debden.

Victories:
August 15th, 1940: Junkers Ju 87 (shared);
August 30th, 1940: Heinkel He 111 (shared);
August 31st, 1940: Messerschmitt Bf 110;
September 4th, 1940: Messerschmitt Bf 110;
February 12th, 1942: Messerschmitt Bf 109;
February 12th, 1942: Messerschmitt Bf 109 (damaged);
April 12th, 1942: Focke-Wulf Fw 190.

Own flown aircraft:
Hawker Hurricane V7260;
Hawker Hurricane V6647.

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Acting Squadron Leader

Unit:

No. 65 (East India) Squadron, Royal Air Force

Awarded on:

May 29th, 1942

Citation:
"This officer has been engaged on operational flying since August, 1940, and fought through the Battle of Britain. He has completed numerous operational sorties over enemy occupied territory and although he has been shot down and wounded, he has always displayed great keenness to engage the enemy. Since February, 1942, Squadron Leader Gilbert has participated in a number of operational sorties, including an attack on German battleships. In this operation he destroyed one enemy aircraft and damaged another. He has led his squadron, and occasionally the wing, with considerable success and his fine leadership and determination have been an inspiration to his pilots.
Squadron Leader Gilbert has destroyed 5 enemy aircraft."

Awarded posthumously.
LG 35577/2332.

• Photo 1: Tom MacNeill
• - The London Gazette of 8th March 1938, Issue 34490
  - The London Gazette of 3rd October 1939, Issue 34700
  - The London Gazette of 20th September 1940, Issue 34949
  - The London Gazette of 25th November 1941, Issue 35358
  - Second Supplement to The London Gazette of 26th May 1942, Issue 35577, dated 29th May 1942
  - Commonwealth Wargraves Commission
  - Battle of Britain London Monument
  

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Messerschmitt Bf 110

Focke-Wulf Fw 190 Würger