Frederick Gamble
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Frederick was the son of Samuel and Emma Gamble (née Mee). Both his parents were born in Nottingham in 1866 and were married at Sneinton St Philip on 25 December 1884. They had at least four children who were born in Nottingham: Frederick William b. 1886, John Edward b. 1890 d. 1890, Alice b. abt. 1893 and Samuel b. 1901. In 1891 Samuel, a lace dresser, Emma, a lace clipper, and their son Fred were lodging on Kid Street, Nottingham, in the home of a widow, Harriett Smith, and her daughter Maria. However, by 1901 Samuel, now a paviour's labourer, his wife and their two children, Fred and Alice (8), had moved to 6 Drake Street, Nottingham. Emma died in April 1908 and Samuel married Harriett Underwood (b. 1866) in 1909. In 1911 Samuel, now a coal dealer on his own account, and his second wife were living with his son Samuel (9) at 114 Red Lion Street, Nottingham. Alice has not been traced after 1901 but Frederick, a coal dealer's carter, was living at 7 Stanhope Street, Nottingham, in the household of Henry Alfred Mee, a coal dealer (own account), and his wife and family. It is likely that Henry Mee was Frederick's uncle. Frederick later lived at 4 Woburn Street, Colwick Street, Sneinton, with Gertrude Needham. Gertrude Needham (née Shepherd) had married William James Needham in 1903 (reg. J/F/M). They had five children only one of whom, Eliza (b. 1905), survived infancy. Two of the four children who died in infancy or early childhood were William James b. 1906 d. 1909 and Sarah Ann b. 1910 d. 1912. In 1911 William, a coal carter, and Gertrude, a lace hand (at home), were living with their daughters Eliza and Sarah on Vassal Street, Nottingham. William may have died in 1914. Frederick and Gertrude had at least two children, both of whom were registered as Needham: Gertrude b. December 1916, who probably died in 1928, and Winifred M. b. February 1918 who died in 1918 (J/A/S). Gertrude completed a form for the army in July 1920 naming Frederick's surviving blood relatives. She listed herself under 'widow', and children Eliza Needham and Gertie Needham, all of 4 Woburn Street, and his father Samuel Gamble and brother Samuel Gamble (19) both of 114 Red Lion Street, Nottingham. Gertrude wrote 'none' against the marker 'Sisters'. Samuel Gamble snr., retired coal dealer, and his wife Harriett were living on Pemberton Street, Nottingham, in 1939 when the England & Wales Register was compiled. Samuel died in 1955; his son Samuel had predeceased him (d. 1951). Harriett died in 1958.
11th Battalion Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment). Formerly 3rd Bn Lincolnshire Regiment (38422 Private). The 11th (Service) Battalion was a battalion of Kitchener's New Armies and was raised in Edinburgh in August 1914. It was under order of the 9th (Scottish) Division and served on the Western Front from May 1915. Gamble was called up for service on 18 March 1916 and attested in Derby on 20 March 1916; his service date was reckoned from 18 March. He was 30 years 154 days old and stood 5ft 2⅝ ins. tall. Frederick signed the attestation with his mark. Frederick was posted to the 3rd Lincolnshire Regiment on 25 March 1916 but was transferred to the 2/7th Bn. Royal Scots on 14 April 1916 (3645 Private). He was granted five days leave from 9-13 September then on 18 December 1916 transferred to the 54th Bn. Training Reserve (Kirkcaldy). He was posted from the Training Reserve to the BEF France as reinforcement for the 2nd Bn. Royal Scots, embarking 24 May 1917. However, he was posted to the 11th Bn. on 9 June 1917, joining on 12 June. Frederick was killed in action on 21 October 1917. He is buried in New Irish Farm Cemetery, Belgium (grave ref. XI.D.14). The history of the cemetery and information from Frederick's army record indicates that his grave was brought into the cemetery after the Armistice. There is a note in his service record about the exhumation of his body. (See 'Extra information') Service History: Home 18 March 1916-23 May 1917. France 24 May 1917-21 October 1917. Served 1 year 218 days. He qualified for the British War Medal and Victory Medal. CWGC - History of New Irish Farm Cemetery (extract): 'New Irish Farm Cemetery was first used from August to November 1917 and was named after a nearby farm, known to the troops as 'Irish Farm' (originally there was an Irish Farm Cemetery immediately South of the Farm. New Irish Farm Cemetery is about 300 metres North of the Farm at a crossing once known as Hammond's Corner). It was used again in April and May 1918 and at the Armistice it contained just 73 burials - the three irregular rows of Plot I - but was then greatly enlarged when more than 4,500 graves were brought in from the battlefields north-east of Ypres (now Ieper) and from the following smaller cemeteries [listed].' (www.cwgc.org)
In February 1921 Gertrude Needham received the following letter: 'I beg to inform you that an identity disc has been recovered from the body of the late 47889 Private Frederick Gamble Royal Scots. But it is regretted that owing to the exhumation of the body the disc in question after disinfection has rather a disagreeable odour which is quite harmless and not injurious to health. Would you please inform me in what manner you desire same to be disposed of - to be forwarded to you or destroyed? Stamped addressed envelope enclosed for reply.' The Nottinghamshire Great War Roll of Honour is underpinned by non-judgemental ideological neutrality. However, the above communication seems staggeringly insensitive. David Nunn Gertrude Needham was described on several military records, including the authority for a separation allowance, as Frederick's 'unmarried wife.' His personal effects comprising letters, photos and a safety razor were returned to Gertrude in 1918; a note on the original memo also refers to an identity disc. She was his sole legatee (Miss-sic Gertrude Needham).
