Friends of the Somme - Mid Ulster Branch  
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8633   Private John Gamble
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Dated added: 01/01/2016   Last updated: 12/05/2020
Personal Details
Regiment/Service: 1st Battalion, Scots Guards (British Army)
Date Of Birth: 11/04/1895
Died: 27/07/1915 (Killed in Action)
Age: 20
Summary      
John Gamble was the son of James and Eliza Gamble. The family were originally lived on the Ballymena area but moved to Kilrea about 1884. John Gable was born in Kilrea on 11th April 1895. He was on of 10 known children. John’s mother died on the eve of Christmas on 23rd December 1899. John was just four years old. His father was a railway porter. John Gamble enlisted in Glasgow around 1912. On 28th October 1914 he was wounded at Ypres and as a result spent some time in hospital. After returning to the front, Private John Gamble was serving with the 1st Battalion of the Scots Guards when he was killed in action when he shot through the head by a sniper in Belgium on 27th July 1915.
Private John Gamble
Further Information
John Gamble was the son of James and Eliza Gamble. James Gamble married Elizabeth Martin in the district of Ballymena on 27th January 1877.
The family were originally lived on the Ballymena area but moved to Kilrea about 1884.
John Gable was born in Kilrea on 11th April 1895. He was on of 10 known children.
Known family: James Gamble, Elizabeth Gamble, Elizabeth Gamble (born 7th March 1877, Clough in Ballymena), David Gamble (born 25th August 1878, Clough in Ballymena), Isabella Gamble (born 3rd January 1881, Clough in Ballymena), John Gamble (born 20th January 1882, Clough in Ballymena), Robert Gamble (born 7th April 1883, Clough in Ballymena), Thomas Gamble (born 1st April 1885, Kilrea), William James Gamble (born 23rd July 1887, Kilrea), Sarah Gamble (born 30th October 1889, Kilrea, died 30th November 1896) , Mary Ellen Gamble (born 13th April 1892, Kilrea), John Gamble (born 11th April 1895, Kilrea).
John’s mother, Eliza Gamble, died on the eve of Christmas on 23rd December 1899. She was 47 years old. John was just four years old.
The 1901 census lists John as age 5 living with the family at house 17 in Kilrea, Londonderry. His father was a railway porter and a widower.
His eldest brother, David Gamble, was listed as an Army Pensioner, aged 22. It is assumed that he was injured in the Boer War
John Gamble enlisted in Glasgow around 1912.
Medal card
Private Gamble left for France on 1st September 1914.
On 28th October 1914 he was wounded at Ypres and as a result spent some time in hospital.
After returning to the front, Private John Gamble was serving with the 1st Battalion of the Scots Guards when he was killed in action when he shot through the head by a sniper in Belgium on 27th July 1915.
From the Belfast Newsletter dated 14th August 1915:
Mr David Gamble, Kilrea, has been informed of the death in action in Belgium of his brother, Private John Gamble, of the Scots Guards, The deceased was 21 years of age, had three years’ service, and went to the front in September last. He was wounded at Ypres on 28th October. Private Gamble’s father has received a letter from the sergeant of his son’s platoon, in which he says:-
‘We all feel the loss of a good comrade, and one who was devoted to his duty. Nothing was ever too much for him to do. Although lost to you, I sincerely hope these few lines will console you in your bereavement, knowing how well your son has done his duty both for his country and comrades of his regiment.’
From the Northern Constitution dated 14th August 1915:
Death of John Gamble, son of James (in Glasgow) and brother of David (in Kilrea). A regular soldier with three years’ service, he left for France on 1st September 1914 and on 28th October 1914 he was wounded at Ypres. On return from hospital he was shot through the head by a sniper in Belgium. He has another brother, Thomas, in the Royal Horse Artillery.
Private John Gamble is buried in Cambrin Churchyard Extension. Cambrin is a village about 24 kilometres north of Arras and about 8 kilometres east of Bethune.
Another brother, Thomas Gamble, served with the Royal Horse Artillery.
The CWGC record Private John Gamble as the son of James Gamble of 42 Palermo Street, Springburn, Glasgow.
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Relevant Magherafelt Area Locations
No Location Region Location Notes Longtitude Latitude
1 Kilrea town Kilrea Census listing in Kilrea town 54.951110 -6.549566
References and Links
No Link Reference Map Doc
1 1901 Census lists Gamble family 1901 census lists John as age 5 living with the family at house 17 in Kilrea, Londonderry
2 Diamond War Memorial Project Minimal information on Guardsman John Gamble
3 National Archives UK Medal Card can be purchased here
4 War Graves Photographic Project Photo of Private John Gamble's grave can be purchased here
Magherafelt District's War Dead Acknowledgements 2014-2023