Bill Gilbert (intelligence service director)

Sir William Gilbert KBE, DSO, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Director New Zealand Security Intelligence Service
In office 28 November 1956 – July 1976
Succeeded by	Paul Molineaux
Personal details
Born	Herbert Ellery Gilbert (1916-07-20)20 July 1916 Wanganui, New Zealand
Died	Silverstream, New Zealand
Spouse(s)	Patricia Caroline Anson Gilbert (née Farrer)
Alma mater	Royal Military College, Duntroon
Military service
Allegiance	New Zealand
Service/branch	New Zealand Army
Years of service	1935–1956
Rank	Brigadier
Commands	6th Field Regiment
Battles/wars	Second World War North African Campaign Siege of Tobruk Battle of Medenine Italian Campaign Battle of Monte Cassino
Awards	Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire Distinguished Service Order Mentioned in Despatches Bronze Star (United States)

Sir William Herbert Ellery "Bill" Gilbert KBE, DSO, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , (20 July 1916 – 26 September 1987), born Herbert Ellery Gilbert, was a New Zealand military leader and intelligence service director.

He was born in Wanganui on 20 July 1916. In 1956, he was tasked by Jack Marshall, then Minister of Justice, with setting up the New Zealand Security Service. Over 19 years, he served under seven Prime Ministers. He was appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE) in the 1976 Birthday Honours, just one month prior to his retirement.

He was born as Herbert Ellery Gilbert. At the Australian Royal Military College in Duntroon he was nicknamed Bill, and the name stuck. After his retirement, he changed his name by deed poll to William Herbert Ellery Gilbert.