No.59475, Private, Percival William GAMBLE
Aged 19
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Percival William Gamble was born in Fordham, (Newmarket Q2-1898 3B:533 ), baptised in Fordham on 11th June 1899 the son of John Martin and Sarah Ann
Rebecca Gamble (née GAUNT).
1901 census...Aged 2, he was at Church Street, Fordham with his father John Martin GAMBLE [33] a plumber/gas fitter, born Enfield; his mother Sarah [28] born Bardford, Bedfordshire; sisters Olive May [6] and Alice Nelson [5] both born in Newmarket; brothers Martin Harrison [4] born Newmarket and Robert Baden [9 months] born Fordham. 1911 census...Aged 12, he was at Carter Street, Fordham with his parents (father now a house painter), sister Olive, brother Martin (farm labourer), brother Robert and new sisters, Norah [7] and Constance [5] both born in Fordham. All 7 children survived. |
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He enlisted in Cambridge.
War Diary :- 4 am - 29 September 1918 "Coys took up positions on forming up line between LEMPIRE POST and TOMBOYS FARM facing NE. 5:30 am the Bn advanced behind Americans A and D Coys in front line, B Coy in support and C Coy in Reserve.Owing to dense smoke barrage our Coys got mixed up with the Americans. Objective of the Bn MACQUINCOURT TRENCH was taken but owing to lack of support on the right, A Coy fell back and formed a defensive flank. 10 am - 5 of the 8 officers who were with the Coys had become casualties, including B and D Coy Commanders, therefore 2 Coys only were organised . A and B together and C and D together. A number of American stragglers were attached to our Coys.Owing to heavy MG fire from both flanks the forward Coy, A Coy were forced to abandon position and withdraw to TOMBOYS SUPPORT.On account of the dense smoke and mist the troops had not mopped up thoroughly and the enemy still held posts behind our troops on the flanks." CWGC have 44 of the battalion killed. Percy was buried near Lempire and in 1919/1920 he and several unknown soldiers were removed from their resting place and re-interred a few hundred yards away in Unicorn Cemetery. (see below)
click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
