GAMBLE, RICHARD NARRIEN, Major, was
born at Edinburgh 10 March 1860, son of Lieutenant General D J Gamble, CB,
and Mrs M E Gamble. He was educated at Blair Lodge, and RMC, Sandhurst, and
was commissioned in the 10th Lincolnshire Regiment 13 August 1879; was
Adjutant in the same regiment 30 November 1881 to 20 November 1884. He served
in the Bechuanaland Expedition, 1884-85; became Captain 3 August 1887; passed
the Staff College, 1890-91; was ADC to GOC, Scottish District, 16 January 1894
to 30 September 1895, and DAAG, Cork District, 2 October 1895 to 6 January
1898. He took part in the Egyptian Campaign, 1898-99; was present at the
operations at Atbara and Khartoum; was mentioned in Despatches [London
Gazette, 30 September 1898, and on another occasion]; awarded the Medjidie,
3rd Class, and the British Medal and Egyptian Medal with three clasps. He was
promoted Major, Royal Berkshire Regiment, 3 November 1900, and served in the
South African War, 1900-1, as DAAG, Mounted Infantry, 7 April to 2 November
1900, and on the General Staff; during operations in the Orange Free State,
including action at Houtnek (Thoba Mountain); taking part in the operations in
the Transvaal in May and June, 1900, including actions near Johannesburg and
Diamond Hill; during operations in Orange River Colony, including action at
Wittebergen. He was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 10
September 1901]; received the Queen's Medal with four clasps, and was created
a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 27 September
1901]: "Richard Narrien Gamble, Major, Royal Berkshire Regiment. In
recognition of services during the operations in South Africa". The Insignia
were presented by the King 29 October 1901; the Warrant sent 18 January 1902.
He was DAQMG, 6th Division, 2nd Army Corps, 1 January to 12 May 1903, and was
Major, Second-in-Command, 2nd Royal Berkshire Regiment, 1905-8; promoted
Lieutenant Colonel 30 April 1907; commanding the same regiment, 1908-11; was
promoted Colonel 19 July 1911; was GSO, 1st Grade, 6th (Poona) Division,
1912-14. At the outbreak of the European War, 1914, he was sent to
Mesopotamia as GSO, 6th Division, and was promoted Brigadier General
commanding 17th Brigade in Mesopotamia, 1915, where he was thrice mentioned in
Despatches for valuable service, and created CB in 1915. He was transferred
to India in 1916, where he served as Deputy-Adjutant-General at Army
Headquarters, Simla, and subsequently as Inspector of Volunteers in India and
Burma. Brigadier General Gamble retired 13 October 1918. He married, in
1901, Audrey Nona, daughter of Francis A Bevan, DL, JP, late Chairman of
Barclay and Company.
