Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of George Gamble, an agricultural labourer, born 1854 in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire and his wife Jane Gamble (nee Elliott, married on the 2nd March 1879 in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire), born 1853 in Nether Broughton, Leicestershire, John Henry was born in the 3rd quarter of 1879 in Melton Mowbray, also residing in the family home was John’s maternal Uncle, William Elliott, an agricultural labourer, born 1859 in Nether Broughton, in April 1881 the family home was at 17, Norman Street, Melton Mowbray. In April 1891 John was absent from the family home at Melbourne Street, Melton Mowbray, residing there was his father, a general labourer and his siblings Elizabeth, born 1881, Ada Maria, born 1886 and William, born 1889, the latter three siblings were all born in Melton Mowbray, also residing in the family home was John’s paternal Uncle, Harry Gamble, born 1879 in Melton Mowbray. In March 1901 John was employed as a general labourer and was residing in the family home at 30, Sidney Street, Melton Mowbray, together with his father, a general labourer, his mother and siblings, Elizabeth, a hosiery trade worker, Florence, a hosiery trade worker, born 1885 in Melton Mowbray, Ada and William. In April 1911 John was employed as a general labourer and was residing in the family home at 30, Sydney Street, Melton Mowbray, together with his father, a council labourer, his mother and sibling, William, a general labourer, also residing in the family home was John’s niece Mary Ann Charlton, born 1903 in Melton Mowbray and his maternal Uncle, William Elliott, a general labourer. In the 2nd quarter of 1913 John married Mary A. Gamble in the Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire district.
The War Diary records: 21 Dec-15 - Shelling continued all night 20th/21st till almost 7.00am when wind changed and went round to “SAFE” Germans at once stopped shelling. (Probably the Germans had intended giving us another gas attack after the bombardment had the wind held). Remainder of the 21st December was pretty quiet. Gunners estimate that Germans fired 400,000 shells into 6th Division area alone during the bombardment. These numbers of course included the batteries etc. in 6th Division area. Points to be noted re gas were (1) Gas very deadly. (2) Slightest defect in tube helmet is fatal – or almost fatal. (3) No time to be lost in putting helmets on. Two to five minutes was sufficient to kill a man who had lost his helmet. As the gas attack was expected (though date was unknown) all our bomb and listening posts in front line of trenches had been supplied with extra helmets so that one man could always wear a helmet. This precaution was needed because the gas travelled at such speed that men were almost overpowered at once. In fact men in the front line were about gassed before helmets could be got on so quick did the gas travel. Casualties 2nd Lt. S. HUBBARD sick, 16 suffering from gas, 4 sick. Total Casualties 18th to the 21st “A” Company 3 killed, 6 died of gas, 4 wounded, 53 suffering from gas. 3 sick. “B” Company 9 wounded, 19 suffering from gas, 1 sick. “C” Company 6 killed, 1 died of gas, 4 wounded, 6 suffering from gas, 1 sick. 3 missing. “D” Company 2 wounded, 10 suffering from gas, 2 missing.
On Friday January 14th 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – MELTON SOLDIER GASSED. Last Saturday Mrs. Gamble, 2, Watchorn’s Yard, King-street, Melton Mowbray received an official intimation that her husband, Pte. John Gamble, of the 1st Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, had been killed in action. The news was conveyed in a letter from Captain T. I. Angel, on behalf of the officer in charge of records at Lichfield. In which he said:- “It is my painful duty to inform you that a report has this day been received from the War Office notifying the death of No. 7196 Private John Gamble, 1st Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, which occurred at a place not stated on the 15th December 1915, and I am to express to you the sympathy and regret of the Army Council at your loss. The cause of death was killed in action.” Mrs. Gamble has learned from a private letter, and also from three soldiers home on furlough, that her husband died from the effects of gas poisoning. Deceased, who was 36 years of age, was in the employ of Mr. Cropper, builder, at the time the war broke out, and he had previously worked for the Holwell Iron Co., and Col. the Hon. W. A. W. Lawson, D.S.O., at Staveley Lodge. As a regular he served three years with the Leicester’s, spending most of the time in India, and nearly ten years as a reservist. He completed his time some months ago, but continued to serve his country. He was called up immediately on the outbreak of war. Deceased leaves a widow and three children.