Joseph Gilbey was born in Glasgow, Scotland in 1928. After completing compulsory British army service (1947-1949) Gilbey immigrated to Canada in 1957. Working with the Iron Ore Company of Canada in northern Quebec and Labrador, he helped establish the mining town of Labrador City. In 1962 he moved to Oakville, Ontario and began working with the Ford Motor Company of Canada. Twenty five years later he retired and decided to travel.

In 1993 Gilbey arrived in Montevideo and found a second career. A chance reading about the Battle of the River Plate progressed to a fascination with the character of Captain Langsdorff. Serious investigation convinced Gilbey to write the Captain’s story. Many conflicting facts in the annals called for a resolution.

Langsdorff of the Graf Spee: Prince of Honour, published in 1999, received many compliments. Institute de Publicaçiones Navales in Buenos Aires translated it into Spanish. This year - 2006 - they will print a second edition.

In recent years divers in Montevideo have recovered various important parts of the sunken warship. This year - 2006 - they raised a 300 kg. bronze eagle with a swastika held in its talons. Gilbey shared in the excitement created in Montevideo. His new book ‘Kriegsmarine: Admiral Raeder’s Navy’ had just rolled off the press in Canada.

Continuing the search for new information concerning the Graf Spee saga occupies Gilbey’s time. Fourteen years of close research has only sharpened his appetite.