1900 -
Private Gamble, of the 2nd Canadian Mounted Rifles, returned home to Victoria on this day.
....The fourth of Victoria's quota of fighting men in the first contingent of Royal Canadians arrived home last night in the person of Private Clarke W. Gamble. He came in on the Islander, and when the now familiar khaki uniform was seen there was a shout of welcome. After being greeted on the wharf by the many friends who had gathered there, he was driven through the city, which was illuminated in honor of his home-coming, to Mr. Keefer's residence on Pemberton road. Government street was strung with colored incandescent lights, and on the corner of Government and Yates streets a lighted design was hung, with the word "Welcome," below the phrase, "God Save the Queen."
....At the residence of Mr. Keefer a reception was held in his honor, to which a large number of his friends were invited. The lawn and grounds of the residence were illuminated in honor of Private Gamble, large Chinese lanterns being hung on all sides. The Fifth Regiment band, which had been called out because of the home-coming of the Victorian soldier, proceeded to the residence, and a short programme of martial music was given.
....Private Gamble was invalided after the battle of Thaba 'Nchu, on May 2 last, he having contracted enteric fever. When he fell out the regiment was near Winburg, and he was sent back there with a party of Boer prisoners. He turned over the charge of his prisoners at Winburg and went into the hospital. He was afterwards transferred to the Cape and then sent to England. He came over soon after Privates Jones, Carter and Finch-Smiles, but stayed for some time in Toronto. Private Gamble was one of the "Men of Paardeberg"—as Dr. Conan Doyle named the First Canadians. He took part in the famous charge in which the Canadians justified the printing of such posters as that exhibited in the Colonist's windows, reading, in large black type, "Striking Bravery of Canadians." He was in that rush in which Canada and Victoria suffered so heavily, and he also took part in the actions which followed—the actions to herd Cronje's forces until the ultimate surrender.
....Private Gamble was met at Vancouver by his father, F. C. Gamble, C.E.
Victoria Daily Colonist, Saturday 22nd September 1900
Clarke William Gamble passed away on the 28th of May, 1969.
www.findagrave.com/memorial/121302798/clarke-william-gamble
The death notice appeared in the Daily Colonist on the two following days :—
GAMBLE—At Rest Haven Hospital, Sidney, B.C., on May 28, 1969, Mr. Clarke William Gamble, aged 91 years, born in La Chute, Quebec Province, and a resident of Sidney, B.C., for the past 16 years, late residence, 9685 Ardmore Dr.; formerly of Victoria, B.C. He leaves his loving wife, Anna D., at home. Mr. Gamble was a life member of the Canadian Engineering Institute of B.C.; a life member of the American Society of Engineers; a life member of the Union Club; and a veteran of the Boer War and the First World War.
....Service will be held in the Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Patricia Bay, B.C., on Friday, May 30, 1969, at 11:00 a.m. Rev. Canon F. C. Vaughan-Birch officiating. Cremation. Flowers gratefully declined. Arrangements by the Sands Funeral Chapel of Roses, Sidney, B.C.
