[1] He studied at prestigious art schools in England, Rome and Florence before beginning his career.

Martyn & Co.. Gilbert was born in Burcot, Worcestershire in 1900 and as a child studied at Rugby School.

[1] Aside from studies in Florence and Rome, Gilbert studied at the Birmingham Central School of Art, the Royal College of Art and the Royal Academy, where he was a silver and bronze medalist.

In 1927 he was highly commended in the British Prix de Rome final competition.

[1] Gilbert, who worked under his full name, became a member of Royal Birmingham Society of Artists in 1937.