Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Acting Sergeant

Awarded on:

December 20th, 1945

Citation:
"Sgt Gilbert was formerly employed in the textile trade in Switzerland and France. He came to the United Kingdom in July 1939 and joined the Pioneer Corps in November 1940. Having a strong antipathy for National Socialism, he felt he would like to undertake some active mission to assist in its defeat, and in 1944 he volunteered for special duties.

On several occasions he tried to penetrate German-held territory and after a very gallant attempt to cross the Rhine in a rubber dinghy under heavy fire, he finally undertook a hazardous mission to infiltrate through the German lines in German uniform in February 1945. He made his attempt from a point near Hoven opposite Erkelenz, which was occupied by the 335th Infantry Regiment of the U.S. 84th Division. Gilbert came under heavy cross machine-gun fire 150 yards from his starting point. He then struck across country in a N.E. direction, but only ran into further heavy fire and also encountered a mine-field with barbed wire. He spent several hours in a ditch where he was able to observe the approximate position of a number of 88 mm guns and in a further attempt to penetrate East, he called down the fire of these guns upon himself. By crawling and rolling along the ground under continuous fire, he managed to reach an American fox-hole near Hoven. The commander of the 335th U.S. Regiment stated he was very favourably impressed by the local information brought in by Gilbert which caused him to modify his plan of attack, and said he was worthy of the highest praise for the very courageous way in which he had endeavoured to carry out his mission.

This is to certify that this statement can be sent to the War Office, the Foreign Office and the Swiss Government."

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)