He served in the Legislative Assembly of Western Australia from 1914 to 1917, representing the seat of Gascoyne.
Gilchrist moved to Carnarvon, Western Australia, in 1904, where he was the pastor of a Presbyterian church for a period (although without becoming ordained).
[1] In 1913, Gilchrist toured the North-West as an organiser for the Commonwealth Liberal Party, campaigning against the 1913 referendums.
He was a prominent advocate of migration schemes, and served as secretary of the New Settlers' League and the Big Brother Movement.
Between 1939 and 1945, Gilchrist lived in the United States and gave lectures about Australia on behalf of Rotary International.