In loving memory of my dear husband Thomas Martin Gilbert
Date1914
Object number00044875
NameMemoriam Card
MediumInk on paper
DimensionsOverall: 75 x 115 mm
ClassificationsEphemera
Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Anne H Goldie
DescriptionThis memoriam card is a tribute to Thomas Martin Gilbert, aged 31, who served during World War I on the Australian submarine AE1, which disappeared on 14 September 1914.
The card features a decorative foliate border with a spray of flowers and contains an inscription by Gilbert's widow who pays tribute to her husband as follows: "In loving memory of my dear husband Thomas Martin Gilbert who lost his life in the submarine AE1 September 14th. 1914, aged 31 years".HistoryAE1 was the Royal Australian Navy's first submarine, commissioned in the United Kingdom on 28 February 1914. After its commission AE1, accompanied by AE2, sailed to Australia with a joint crew of British and Australian sailors and arrived in Sydney during May 1914.
Following the outbreak of war in August 1914, both submarines proceeded to New Guinea for operations against the German colonies. On 14 September AE1, accompanied by HMAS PARRAMATTA, left Blanche Bay, New Britain, to patrol the coast off Cape Gazelle. The submarine was last seen by PARRAMATTA at 3.30 pm that day and no trace has been found of the vessel, or its company, since.
Thomas Martin Gilbert was one of the ship's company of AE1. He had originally joined the Royal Navy but transferred to the Royal Australian Navy in December 1913.SignificanceThis card is a rare reminder of the mysterious loss of the AE1 submarine and its 24 crew members in 1914. It illustrates the dangers of naval service and the impact of wartime loss on families.
14 September 1904
after 1914
1914 - 1915
