Pte
Robert James Gamble
Information about birth
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Date of birth: 20/03/1884 |
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Place of birth: Winton North, Victoria, Australia |
General information
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Profession: Building Contractor |
Army information
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Country: Australia |
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Force: Australian Imperial Force |
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Rank: Private |
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Service number: 6055 |
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Enlistment date: 09/09/1916 |
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Enlistment place: Cootamundra, New South Wales, Australia |
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Units: — Australian Infantry, 24th Bn. (Victoria) (Last known unit) |
Information about death
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Date of death: 08/10/1917 |
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Place of death: Romulus Wood, Belgium |
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Cause of death: Killed in action (K.I.A.) |
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Age: 33 |
Cemetery
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Birr Cross Roads Cemetery Plot: V Row: A Grave: 2 |
Distinctions and medals 2
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British War Medal Medal |
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Victory Medal Medal |
Points of interest 2
| #1 | Place of birth | ||
| #2 | Enlistment place |
My story
Clemence Henry Gamble of the 5th Battalion A.I.F. was a farmer from Winton North, Victoria. Clem Gamble embarked from Melbourne on during October 1916. Whilst serving in Belgium he was killed in action on 4 October 1917 at Passchendaele, aged 22, when he was buried by a shell. His mates later gave him a decent burial in the field. Following the Armistice his remains were exhumed and laid to rest in the Aeroplane British Cemetery, Belgium.
His brother Robert James Gamble was killed in action, also at Passchendaele, on 8 October 1917. Jim Gamble, age 34, of the 24th Battalion was killed with several other men when blown to pieces by a German “coal box” shell near Deknoet Farm, Romulus Wood.
A third brother, Sergeant Harvey Lewis Gamble was safely returned to Australia. Harvey was discharged before the end of the war as a result of a petition from the people of the Winton/Benalla district following the deaths of his two brothers in the same week in October 1917.
The following article appeared in the Benalla on 23 November 1917,
“Two Sons Killed in Action.
Our Winton North correspondent writes :-Only a fortnight ago Mrs. J. Gamble received the sad news that her youngest son Clem, on the 4th of October, had been killed in action in France, It is now our painful duty to report that further bad news came to hand last Tuesday, 13th November, when Mrs. Gamble received a wire from the Defence Department informing her that her son Private Robert James has also been killed in action in France on the 8th of last month, It was a dreadful blow to the family, coming so soon after the first great sorrow. Mrs. Gamble Is naturally prostrated with genuine regret and heartfelt sympathy has been expressed both far and near. Private Robert James Gamble was born at Winton North on the 20th of January, 1884, so he was just under thirty-four years of age, On the death of his father, some 14 years ago, his became the strong arm upon which the bereaved mother could lean for help and advice, He was to them a generous helper and a wise councillor, a good son, a kind and loving brother, a faithful and true friend. For some time he worked as a carpenter in Mildura and other places and some years ago settled in Culcairn, N.S.W. With three other members of the family be established the firm of Gamble Bros., builders and contractors where they worked up a prosperous business and undertook many large and important contracts. It was his ambition to become a qualified architect studying through a correspondence school, and was in a fair way to accomplish his purpose. But there was something he prized still more highly his devotion to duty and love for king and country. He enlisted and entered the Liverpool Camp on the 26th of August, 1916, and sailed for England on October 29th. He spent a few weeks training there, after which he went to France with his comrades to fight in the cause of liberty. Like many thousands of Australia's noblest he has given his life for the honour of the Empire.”
His brother Robert James Gamble was killed in action, also at Passchendaele, on 8 October 1917. Jim Gamble, age 34, of the 24th Battalion was killed with several other men when blown to pieces by a German “coal box” shell near Deknoet Farm, Romulus Wood.
A third brother, Sergeant Harvey Lewis Gamble was safely returned to Australia. Harvey was discharged before the end of the war as a result of a petition from the people of the Winton/Benalla district following the deaths of his two brothers in the same week in October 1917.
The following article appeared in the Benalla on 23 November 1917,
“Two Sons Killed in Action.
Our Winton North correspondent writes :-Only a fortnight ago Mrs. J. Gamble received the sad news that her youngest son Clem, on the 4th of October, had been killed in action in France, It is now our painful duty to report that further bad news came to hand last Tuesday, 13th November, when Mrs. Gamble received a wire from the Defence Department informing her that her son Private Robert James has also been killed in action in France on the 8th of last month, It was a dreadful blow to the family, coming so soon after the first great sorrow. Mrs. Gamble Is naturally prostrated with genuine regret and heartfelt sympathy has been expressed both far and near. Private Robert James Gamble was born at Winton North on the 20th of January, 1884, so he was just under thirty-four years of age, On the death of his father, some 14 years ago, his became the strong arm upon which the bereaved mother could lean for help and advice, He was to them a generous helper and a wise councillor, a good son, a kind and loving brother, a faithful and true friend. For some time he worked as a carpenter in Mildura and other places and some years ago settled in Culcairn, N.S.W. With three other members of the family be established the firm of Gamble Bros., builders and contractors where they worked up a prosperous business and undertook many large and important contracts. It was his ambition to become a qualified architect studying through a correspondence school, and was in a fair way to accomplish his purpose. But there was something he prized still more highly his devotion to duty and love for king and country. He enlisted and entered the Liverpool Camp on the 26th of August, 1916, and sailed for England on October 29th. He spent a few weeks training there, after which he went to France with his comrades to fight in the cause of liberty. Like many thousands of Australia's noblest he has given his life for the honour of the Empire.”
Connection to other soldiers 1
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Clement Henry Gamble
Brother |
Sources 6
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AIF Project https://www.aif.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=106848 Sources used |
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AWM https://www.awm.gov.au/advanced-search/people?people_preferred_name=Gamble&people_service_number=6055&people_unit= Sources used |
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CWGC https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/459960/ROBERT%20JAMES%20GAMBLE/ Sources used |
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Service Record https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=4035965 Sources used |
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The Long long Trail http://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/order-of-battle-of-divisions/2nd-australian-division/ Sources used |
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War Diary https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C1355872 Sources used |