Henry Gamble was a Corporal in the 2nd Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment when he was shot through the eye during the Battle of the Aisne on 2nd October 1914. He was a reservist, and had served in Ireland and India for 6 years previously. He originally enlisted in Leicstershire, having been born in Aylestone. Henry was married to Annie Mathers, but sadly the couple had never been able to enjoy a married life; they married on 4th August 1914, and Henry left for the front the following day, on the 5th August. He arrived in France on 5th September and he was killed just a few short weeks later. The couple lived at 24 Castle Terrace on Low Road, which still stands today. The wedding day appears to have been a family affair; the records seem to suggest that Annie’s sister Nellie also married on the same day.

 

On 2nd October 1914 the 2nd Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment were located at Vailly, which today is known as ‘Vailly-sur-Aisne’ and is located to the east of Soissons. The battalion were involved in what we now know as the ‘Battle of the Aisne’ and the battalion war diary entry for the preceding day states; 

“Enemy’s sniping rather more action than usual”.

 

The entry for the 2nd October shows that the line was slightly extended, and that there was some moving about of companies within the trenches.B company were withdrawn and moved to trenches which had previously been held by the Buffs. All of these changes were in place before daylight.

 

No further information is given on the actions of the 2nd October, however the newspaper report in the Mexborough and Swinton Times stated that Henry was shot through the eye, with the bullet coming out of the back of his head. It can thus be assumed that the over-active snipers took another victim that day.  

 

Henry is commemorated on the La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial. Either he had no grave, or more likely (as we know how he died) he was buried, but his grave was subsequently lost in further fighting.