Name
Henry (Harry) Gamble
1894
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
15/09/1916
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
16361
Bedfordshire Regiment
8th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
GUILLEMONT ROAD CEMETERY, GUILLEMONT
VII. E. 2.
France
Headstone Inscription
None
UK & Other Memorials
Hemel Hempstead Town Memorial,
St John the Evangelist Church Memorial, Boxmoor,
John Dickinson & Co Memorial, Apsley Mills, Apsley
Pre War
Harry Gamble was born in Boxmoor, Hemel Hempstead in 1894, the son of Frederick and Emma Gamble.
On the 1901 Census the family were living at Horsecroft Road, Boxmoor, where his father was working as a general labourer on the highway. By 1911 they were living at 57 Horsecroft Road and Harry was working as a sawyer's assistant in the brush factory.
Wartime Service
He enlisted in Watford and served with the 8th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment in France from 30 August 1915.
He was killed at the Battle of Flers-Courcelette when the Battalion were in position ready for an attack on Quadrilateral, At 6.00 am heavy artillery began a slow barrage, then at 6.20 (zero hour) an intense artillery barrage began but was cut short as 3 companies were drawn up for attack in shell holes, which caused many casualties. The attacking companies pushed forward but failed to take the position. The supporting tanks did not arrive to assist and the battalion suffered very severe casualties.
His death was presumed on or since 15 September 1916 and he was buried in Guillemont Road Cemetery, Guillemont, France.
Additional Information
His father received a war gratuity of £8 10s and pay owing of £7 1s 6d.
Brother to (Robert) William Gamble who died on 30 March 1916 and is buried in Faubourg D-Amiens Cemetery, Arras, France.
N.B. there are records to suggest his father received a war pension for his two sons, but no information regarding amounts paid.
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer
Jonty Wild, dacorumheritage.org.uk, hemelatwar.org.,bedfordregiment.org.uk
