Percy Gamble
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Percy Gamble was the son of Samuel Seward and Harriett Gamble (née Flinders). His father was born in Nottingham in 1852, the son of Samuel Seward Gamble, a needle maker, and his wife Elizabeth. His mother was also born in Nottingham, birth registered 1856 (J/F/M). Samuel and Harriett were married at Nottingham St Paul in April 1875 and had 11 children eight of whom survived infancy or childhood. Their surviving children, who were born in Nottingham, were: Gertrude b. January 1877, Samuel Bertrand 1882, Percy b. 1885, Emily b. 1887, Arthur b. 1890, Albert Edward b. 1892, Herbert Victor b. 1895 and Cyril Vernon b. 1901. Two of the three children who died young were probably Edith b. 1879 d. 1881 and Samuel Seward b. 1881 d. 1881. Samuel, a needle maker, Harriett and their daughter Gertrude were living on West Street, Nottingham, in 1881. The family has not yet been traced on the 1891 Census but in 1901 Samuel and Harriett, who was working from home as a lace clipper, were living at 33 Seymour Street, Nottingham. Also in the home on the night of the census were their seven children Gertrude, a costume maker, Samuel a lithographic printer's apprentice, Percy a lithographic labourer, Emily, Arthur, Albert and Herbert. Cyril was born later that year. The family was still living at 33 Seymour Street when Arthur joined the Territorial Force in 1908 (see 'Extra information). In 1911 Harriet, a lace hand (clipping and drawing) working from home, was living at 5 Clarence Terrace, Nottingam, with four of her sons, Arthur, a meter fitter (Nottingham Corporation), Albert, a paper cutter (printing company), Herbert a layer-on (printing company) and Cyril. Gertrude had married Harold Saywell, an engine fitter (Corporation gas works) in 1905 and they and their daughter Margery were living in Sherwood. Samuel Bertrand had married Edith Brown in 1906 and they were living at 45 Beauchamp Street, Nottingham. Emily married Arthur Wheatcroft, a hosiery packer, in 1908 and they and their three children were living off Lowdham Street, Nottingham. Percy, a lace curtain bleacher, had married Sarah Ann Emery (b. 1886) in 1906 and they and their daughter Annie Selina (b. 1907) were living at 1 Nelson Yard, Beck Street, Carlton, Nottingham. Harriett's husband Samuel has not yet been traced on the 1911 Census. He died in 1915 (reg. Nottingham). Harriett was living at 49 Beauchamp Street, Carlton Road, Nottingham, when her son Albert attested in May 1915. She died in 1932. The WW1 Pension Ledgers Record gives Sarah Ann Gamble's place of residence as Leyton, Stratford (London). Percy's record on the Registers of Soldiers' Effects names his mother, Harriett Gamble, as a part-legatee and it appears that his daughter Annie Selina was the other legatee. There is also a WW1 Pension Ledgers Record for his mother Harriett. Percy's widow Sarah Annie married Alfred Johnson in 1920 (reg. West Ham Essex); she died in 1976. Their daughter Annie Selina (father Percy Gamble) married John Henry Charlesworth at Christ Church, Stratford, Essex, in 1926.
2nd Bn Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment). Lance Corporal Percy Gamble enlisted in Ilkeston, Derbyshire, although he was living in Nottingham at the time. Percy landed in France on 11 August 1915. He died on 15 December 1917 from wounds received in action and is buried in Bois-Guillaume Communal Cemetery Extension, France (grave ref. B.6a). He qualified for the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. CWGC - History of Bois-Guillaume Communal Cemetery Extension (extract): 'The extension adjoins Bois-Guillaume Communal Cemetery. It was begun in March 1917 and most of the burials came from No.8 General Hospital, which was quartered at Bois-Guillaume in a large country house and grounds.' (www.cwgc.org)
Percy's brother, 26651 Lance Corporal Albert Gamble, served with the 16th Battalion (Chatsworth Rifles) Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment). He was killed in action on 23 December 1916 aged 24, buried Essex Farm Cemetery. (See record on this Roll of Honour) Their brother Samuel, a printer, attested on 24 June 1916 aged 34 yrs 357 days, and was mobilized on 12 July 1917 into the Training Reserve. He served in France from 2 October 1917 when he was transferred to the Labour Corps. He was demobilised on 19 September 1919. The younger brother Herbert Victor he enlisted in the Special Reserve of the Sherwood Foresters, on 10 August 1914, age 19 yrs 121 days. Herbert served at home until on 17 June 1915, following an appearance before a medical board, he was discharged from the army being 'no longer physically fit for army service'; he had suffered a number of epileptic seizures during his service. Arthur attested on 4 December 1908 in the Territorial Force on a four year engagement (UK), and served in the South Notts Hussars (395 Private). He was 18y 6m of age and working for Nottingham Corporation as a meter fixer's assistant. He completed annual training between 1909-1912 and re-engaged for a further two years on 3 December 1912, completing annual training in 1913. He was discharged from the Territorial Force on 29 March 1915 under para. 392 Section 16 King's Regulations (released as being permanently physically unfit for service). Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Roll of Honour’, 20 December 1917: ‘Gamble. Died of wounds, December 15th, 1917 Lce-Cpl P Gamble, Sherwood Foresters. A true brother, only to be known by those who loved him best. From his sorrowing mother, brothers, and sisters.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 21 October 1932: ‘Gamble. On Oct. 18th, Harriet, the beloved mother of Gertrude, Emily and Cyril.' (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) The youngest brother, Cyril Vernon, was a baker and confectioner. He was killed during a raid on Nottingham the night of 9 May 1941 when the Co-operative Bakery on Meadow Lane was one of the parts of Nottingham that were bombed. (CWGC.1276856, Nottingham Civilian Dead) Nottingham Evening Post, 'In Memoriam', 9 May 1942 (three notices): 'Gamble. Cyril, killed by enemy action. Treasured memories of you dear brother will never fade. Loving sister Emily [Wheatcroft], Arthur [Wheatcroft], nieces and nephews.' 'Gamble. Treasured memories of my dear brother Cyril, killed by enemy action, May 9th, 1941. Worthy of Remembrance. Sister Gertie [Gertrude Saywell].' 'Gamble. Cherished memories of dear Uncle Cyril, killed by enemy action, May 9th, 1941. Every day remembered. Loving nieces, Margery, Dorothy, Gladys and Freda [daughters of Gertrude and the late Harold Saywell].' (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
