Guardsman Gilbert Thomas Siviour

Gilbert Thomas was born in the first quarter of 1892 to parents Harry, a Snuff Grinder and Dora Lillian (nee Harding). His parent had married in 1887 and by the time Gilbert was born they already had two children: Frank and Walter. Gilbert was Baptised St. Peter & St. Paul Church in Mitcham on 5th June 1892. At this time the family address was listed as Church Street, Mitcham. (The family had previously been living at 12 Love Lane, Mitcham).

By 1901 the family were living at 24 Church Street, Mitcham. Gilbert and his two brothers now had two additional siblings: Roland born in 1894 and Rose born in 1896. They also shared their house with Harry Jeal who was listed as a boarder and Railway worker.

In 1911 Gilberts parents were living at 1 Sunnyside Villas in Mitcham in 5 rooms with three of their children: Walter, Roland and Rose, whilst Gilbert was living away from home working as a servant at 170 Old Kent Road.

With the outbreak of war Gilbert enlisted in London with the 3rd Battalion Grenadier Guards and given the service number 22106.

The 3rd Battalion was stationed in Wellington Barracks, London in August 1914. They landed in France on 27th July1915. In August that year they joined the 2nd Guards Brigade, Guards Division and served with this formation for the remainder of the war. Records show Gilbert disembarked to France on 5th October 1915.

He died on 1st December 1917 aged 25 of wounds received whilst in France.

His name appears on the Mitcham War Memorial, and he is commemorated at Achiet-Le-Grand Communal cemetery Extension at Nord-Pas-De-Calais, in France.

Gilbert also lost his brother Walter, who had joined the Royal Army Medical corps and was killed in action on 8th June 1917. He is commemorated at Ypes Menin Gate.