Gilbee, William Russell (Private, b.1920 - d.1982)

Collection relating to the Second World War service of VX29345 Private William Russell ‘Bill’ Gilbee, 2/8 Australian Infantry Battalion, Second Australian Imperial Force, Germany and Australia, 1940-1946.

Wallet 1 of 1 – Contains two folders of material relating to Private William Russell ‘Bill’ Gilbee’s service with 2/8 Australian Infantry Battalion and his time as a prisoner of war of the Germans between 1941 and 1945.

Folder 1 of 2 consists of 14 letters and one telegram [including associated envelope] from Private Gilbee’s family members and friends, dated between October 1944 and August 1945. These items of correspondence were written while Private Gilbee was a prisoner of war of the Germans, and shortly after his liberation. The writers include Private Gilbee’s mother, Mrs Agnes May Gilbee, and his sisters, Mrs Iris Lorraine Hermon and Mrs Violet May Dann. In their letters, Private Gilbee’s family members and friends write about home life, social events, family news, and looking forward to Private Gilbee’s return to Australia.

Folder 2 of 2 consists of official letters and documents relating to the service of Private Gilbee. This folder contains:
1x Soldier’s Pay Book, containing entries dated between June 1940 and May 1941.
1x Letter of identification of Private Gilbee. This letter relates to Private Gilbee’s service as an interpreter in Munich, Germany, in May 1945.
1x Copy of speech by Ms Catherine MacCormick, Honorary Secretary of the 2/8th Battalion Welfare Association to members of 2/8 Australian Infantry Battalion who had been German prisoners of war, Melbourne, Victoria, [date unknown].
1x Demobilisation Procedure Book, issued February 1946.
1x Certificate of Discharge, issued 20 February 1946.

Private William Russell Gilbee enlisted to the Second Australian Imperial Force on 23 May 1920. After a period of training, he was assigned to 2/8 Australian Infantry Battalion. With this unit, Private Gilbee served in Palestine, Egypt, Libya and Greece. On 18 April 1941, Private Gilbee was wounded in action while serving in Greece. He was captured as a prisoner of war of the Germans at Spakia, Crete, on 1 June 1941. Private Gilbee was interned in various German prisoner of war camps until the end of the War in Europe. He returned to Australia in September 1945, and was discharged on 20 February 1946.