Henry Gilchrist was born in Ireland on January 4, 1913, and immigrated to Canada with his family between the two great wars. He joined the OPP on April 9, 1938, prior to the outbreak of World War II.

Cpl. Henry Gilchrist spent most of his time serving in Southwestern Ontario. It first posting was in Lucan and in 1940, he moved to the Elgin detachment and live in Iona. Some time later Gilchrist move to OPP district headquarters at London and worked in the radio room there while he studied for possible promotion.

Gilchrist advanced and was made corporal on October 1, 1949 and later transferred to his final post as detachment commander at Tillsonburg in 1951.

Gilchrist enjoyed all forms of sporting events. He was also involved as a member of the Iona Masonic Lodge and later the Shrine Club.

On February 16, 1954, Gilchrist was travelling on a straight stretch of Highway 3 from Aylmer to Tillsonburg. At about 11:50 p.m., his right front fender clipped the left rear of a truck parked on the south side of the highway. His car spun and he was thrown out of the car to be struck immediately by a car following close behind. He died three and a half hours later in hospital as a result of the injuries he sustained.

Cpl. Henry Gilchrist was predeceased by his first wife two years prior to his death and was survived by his second wife and three children.