Herbert Michael Gilbert (4 May 1917 – 31 October 1983) was a three-time premiership winning and state representative Australian rugby league footballer who played in the 1930s and 1940s. A hooker who played with the St. George and Balmain clubs, he won premierships and made state representative appearances, both before and after active service in World War II.
Gilbert (middle far right) in St. George's 1941 premiership-winning team
Gilbert played alongside his brother Jack in the St. George Dragons1941 Grand Final winning team. The following season he again made representative appearances in Brisbane for games III and IV of the interstate series.[1] Gilbert then played in the 1942 Grand Final loss to Canterbury-Bankstown. The outbreak of war then interrupted his football career.
Herb Gilbert 1941
War serviceedit
Gilbert's football career was interrupted due to his enlistment in the Australian Army in 1942. He served in the 54 Anti-Aircraft regiment as a gunner and was not discharged from active service until the war was over in November 1945.[2] Both his younger brothers Jack Gilbert and James also saw active service. James, like Herb was in the 54th Anti-Aircraft Regiment and was stationed in the Northern Territory[3]
Post-war careeredit
After discharge Gilbert returned to football, moving to the Balmain club for the 1946 season. In 1946 he represented New South Wales against England during the first post-war Lions tour and made another appearance for the Blues in the inter-state series. That year Balmain reached the Grand Final against his former club St. George. Gilbert played in a close game, won by Balmain 13–12. Tensions of the encounter overflowed after full-time and the match concluded on an ugly note when Saints forward, Jim Hale went toe-to-toe with Gilbert. Hale was then attacked by a spectator and an all-in brawl followed. Gilbert won another premiership with Balmain Tigers in season 1947 when his team defeated Canterbury-Bankstown in the Grand Final. He retired after the 1948 NSWRFL season. Gilbert was a member of the New South Wales rugby league team on eight occasions between 1940 and 1946.[4]
Herbert Michael Gilbert died on 31 October 1983, aged 66.[5]
Herb Gilbert Jr. at yetsredayshero.com.au 21 September 2009 at the Wayback Machine
Dragons History at showroom.com.au
Published sourcesedit
Whiticker, Alan & Hudson, Glen (2006) The Encyclopedia of Rugby League Players, Gavin Allen Publishing, Sydney
Haddan, Steve (2007) The Finals – 100 Years of National Rugby League Finals, Steve Haddan Publishing, Brisbane
January 01, 1970
herb, gilbert, herbert, michael, gilbert, 1917, october, 1983, three, time, premiership, winning, state, representative, australian, rugby, league, footballer, played, 1930s, 1940s, hooker, played, with, george, balmain, clubs, premierships, made, state, repre. Herbert Michael Gilbert 4 May 1917 31 October 1983 was a three time premiership winning and state representative Australian rugby league footballer who played in the 1930s and 1940s A hooker who played with the St George and Balmain clubs he won premierships and made state representative appearances both before and after active service in World War II Herb Gilbert Jr Personal informationFull nameHerbert Michael GilbertBorn 1917 05 04 4 May 1917Kogarah New South Wales AustraliaDied31 October 1983 1983 10 31 aged 66 Bexley North New South Wales AustraliaPlaying informationPositionHookerClub Years Team Pld T G FG P 1938 43 St George 89 12 2 0 40 1946 48 Balmain 45 0 2 0 4 Total 134 12 4 0 44 Representative Years Team Pld T G FG P 1940 46 New South Wales 8 2 0 0 6 1942 43 City NSW 2 0 0 0 0 Contents 1 Early years 2 War service 3 Post war career 4 References 5 On line sources 6 Published sourcesEarly years editSon of Kangaroo great Herb Gilbert Herb Gilbert Jr started playing first grade in the New South Wales Rugby Football League premiership with the St George club in 1938 In 1940 he began representative playing duties for New South Wales appearing in games III and IV in Brisbane of that year s series against Queensland nbsp Gilbert middle far right in St George s 1941 premiership winning teamGilbert played alongside his brother Jack in the St George Dragons 1941 Grand Final winning team The following season he again made representative appearances in Brisbane for games III and IV of the interstate series 1 Gilbert then played in the 1942 Grand Final loss to Canterbury Bankstown The outbreak of war then interrupted his football career nbsp Herb Gilbert 1941War service editGilbert s football career was interrupted due to his enlistment in the Australian Army in 1942 He served in the 54 Anti Aircraft regiment as a gunner and was not discharged from active service until the war was over in November 1945 2 Both his younger brothers Jack Gilbert and James also saw active service James like Herb was in the 54th Anti Aircraft Regiment and was stationed in the Northern Territory 3 Post war career editAfter discharge Gilbert returned to football moving to the Balmain club for the 1946 season In 1946 he represented New South Wales against England during the first post war Lions tour and made another appearance for the Blues in the inter state series That year Balmain reached the Grand Final against his former club St George Gilbert played in a close game won by Balmain 13 12 Tensions of the encounter overflowed after full time and the match concluded on an ugly note when Saints forward Jim Hale went toe to toe with Gilbert Hale was then attacked by a spectator and an all in brawl followed Gilbert won another premiership with Balmain Tigers in season 1947 when his team defeated Canterbury Bankstown in the Grand Final He retired after the 1948 NSWRFL season Gilbert was a member of the New South Wales rugby league team on eight occasions between 1940 and 1946 4 Herbert Michael Gilbert died on 31 October 1983 aged 66 5 References edit Herb Gilbert at the RL Project Herb Gilbert War record James Gilbert War Record Whiticker Hudson The Encyclopedia of Rugby League Players 1995 Edition ISBN 1875169571 Sydney Morning Herlad Death Notice 1 11 1983On line sources editHerb Gilbert Jr at yetsredayshero com au Archived 21 September 2009 at the Wayback Machine Herb Gilbert Jr at nrlstats com Dragons History at showroom com auPublished sources editWhiticker Alan amp Hudson Glen 2006 The Encyclopedia of Rugby League Players Gavin Allen Publishing Sydney Haddan Steve 2007 The Finals 100 Years of National Rugby League Finals Steve Haddan Publishing Brisbane Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Herb Gilbert Jr amp oldid 1215129059, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
