Albert Gamble

Albert 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 of whom eight 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. Percy was married to Sarah Ann (née Emery m. 1906) and they and their daughter were living in Carlton. 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. 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. Harriet died in 1932. Albert married Emmeline Ward (b. 1895) in 1915 (J/A/S) shortly after he had attested in the army. They lived at 126 Garden Road Nottingham. Emmeline was awarded a weekly pension of 13/9d (thirteen shillings and nine pence) with effect from 9 July 1917. Emmeline married Joseph R Foster in 1921 and they were living in Nottingham in 1939 when the England & Wales Register was compiled. They probably had two children including Gladys (b. 1922). Emmeline died in 1975.

1911 - paper cutter (printer). 1915 - factory hand (hosiery)

49 Beauchamp Street, Nottingham. Enlisted Nottingham

16th (Service) Battalion (Chatsworth Rifles), Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment). A battalion of Kitchener's New Armies, the 16th Battalion was raised at Derby on 16 April 1915 by the Duke of Devonshire and the Derbyshire Territorial Force Association. It joined the BEF France, landing at Le Havre of 6 March 1916 under order of 117th Brigade, 39th Division. Albert Gamble attested on 27 May 1915 and served in the UK until March 1916: Buxton 27 May 1915-8 June 1915. Redmires 9 June 1915-2 September 1915. Hersley Park 2 September 1915-30 September 1915. Aldershot 30 September 1915-8 November 1915. Witley Camp 8 November 1915-5 March 1916. Albert embarked Southampton for BEF France, landing on 6 March 1916. Two months later on 27 May he was treated for influenza at 133 Field Ambulance transferring to 11CRS on 2 June. There was no date of discharge. Albert was appointed unpaid lance corporal on 13 September 1916. On 7 October 1917 Albert was again admitted to 133 Field Ambulance, on this occasion for treatment for a foreign body in his eye. He was transferred to No. 3 Casualty Clearing Station on 8 October then to No. 13 Stationary Hospital Boulogne on 9 October. He was probably discharged on 18 October and rejoined his battalion in the field on 29 October 1916. Albert was killed in action on 23 December 1916 and is buried in Essex Farm Cemetery, Belgium (grave ref. II.J.5). Albert qualified for the British War Medal and Victory Medal. CWGC - History of Essex Farm Cemetery (extract): 'The land south of Essex Farm was used as a dressing station cemetery from April 1915 to August 1917. The burials were made without definite plan and some of the divisions which occupied this sector may be traced in almost every part of the cemetery, but the 49th (West Riding) Division buried their dead of 1915 in Plot I, and the 38th (Welsh) Division used Plot III in the autumn of 1916.' (www.cwgc.org)

Albert’s brother, 7698 Lance Corporal Percy Gamble 2nd Bn. Sherwood Foresters, died on 15 February 1917 from wounds received in action. (See record on this Roll of Honour) His elder brother Samuel was conscripted aged 34 and served in France from 2 October 1917 where he was transferred to the Labour Corps. Samuel was demobilised on 19 September 1919. Their younger brother Herbert Victor served briefly in the UK before being discharged from the army suffering from epilepsy. 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’, 6 & 8 January 1917: ‘Gamble. Killed in action, December 23rd, 1916, Lance-Corporal A Gamble, age 24. I’ll miss him and mourn him in silence unseen, and dwell on the happiness that might have been. From sorrowing wife.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Roll of Honour’, 6 & 8 January 1917: ‘Gamble. Killed in action, December 23rd, 1916, Lance-Corporal A Gamble, age 24. Christ will link the broken chain, closer when we meet again. A noble life laid down. From brothers and sisters, Sam and Percy, Annie [Percy's wife], Edith [Samuel's wife] and Emily.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, 'In Memoriam'. 24th December 1917: “GAMBLE. – In loving memory of Lance-Corpl. Albert Gamble, killed in action December 23rd, 1916. Sweet is the memory of one we loved so dear. – Wife and mother-in-law.” Nottingham Evening Post, 'In Memoriam', 23 December 1918: “GAMBLE. – In loving memory of Lance-Cpl. Albert Gamble, killed in action December 23rd, 1916. Not forgotten. – Loving wife and mother-in-law.” Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 21 October 1932: ‘Gamble. On Oct. 18th, Harriet, the beloved mother of Gertrude, Emily and Cyril. (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Army Service Record: noted that there were no personal effects to be returned to Albert's widow. 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)