Waterhouse, Gilbert (1883-1916)

Gilbert Waterhouse was an English architect and, later, war poet. He was killed on the first day of the Battle of the Somme while serving as a second lieutenant in the 2nd Battalion Essex Regiment. Waterhouse was educated at Bancroft’s School 1894-1900 and at the University of London. At the UK 1901 Census, the family were shown to be living in East London, where his occupation was given as Ship’s Draughtsman at the age of 18. He is known to have then qualified as an architect (RIBA) and gives his profession as “architect-surveyor” when he enlisted on 8 September 1914.