Hugh Porter GILBERT

Regimental number9/1556
Date of birth5 June 1885
Place of birthEngland
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationShepherd
AddressPaparahu Station, Waingake, Gisborne
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation29
Height5' 10"
Weight154 lbs
Next of kinSister, Miss Ella Gilbert, Belle Vue, St Albans Avenue, Bournemouth, England
Enlistment date23 August 1915
Rank on embarkationTrooper
Enlistment statusVolunteer
Unit nameNew Zealand Expeditionary Force, 7th Reinforcements, Otago Mounted Rifles Regiment
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Wellington on 10 October 1915
The Mounted Rifles component of the 7th Reinforcements left New Zealand on 10 October 1915 on board two ships, 'Aparima' and 'Navua'. It is not possible from the Nominal Roll to determine on which ship an individual embarked.
Final rankCorporal
Final unit2nd Battalion, Wellington Infantry Regiment
FateCommenced return to New Zealand 28 February 1919
Medals

Distinguished Conduct Medal

'For conspicuous gallantry and initiative during an enemy withdrawal. He took five men and established an advanced post some 500 yards forward. When the enemy attacked and tried to surround his post he, although badly wounded, bombed and killed many of them, and continued to fight on until exhausted through loss of blood. His splendid example of courage and determination saved the garrison from being captured.'
Source: London Gazette
Date: 30 October 1918

Discharge date6 August 1920
Other details

War service: Western Front

Transferred to 2nd Bn, Wellington Infantry Regiment, 7 September 1917.

Detached to No 2 Field Company Engineers, 26 February 1918; rejoined unit from detachment, 10 March 1918.

Appointed Lance Corporal, 28 March 1918.

Found guilty of failing to salute an officer: reprimanded, 15 June 1918.

Promoted Corporal, 1 June 1918.

Wounded in action, 15 August 1918 (gun shot wound, penetrating); admitted to 11th Stationary Hospital, 21 August 1918; transferred to England, 10 October 1918, and admitted to Royal Victoria Hospital, Netley; transferred to No 1 NZ General Hospital, Brockenhurst, 13 December 1918.

Commenced return to New Zealand on board HT 'Zealandic', 28 February 1919; discharged, 6 August 1920 (medically unfit on account of wounds received in action).

Total war service: 3 years 349 days (of which 3 years 143 days were abroad)

Medals: Distinguished Conduct Medal, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal
Miscellaneous detailsNominal Roll Vol. 1: Otago Mounted Rifles/Seventh
Date of death21 September 1974 Hastings
Age at death89
SourcesArchives New Zealand (Wellington), Agency AABK, Series 18805

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