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Sussex Country, New Brunswick

Galloway Cows in Sussex, New Brunswick

William Henry Seymour Gamblin (1854-1917) and Ester Ann Kirkpatrick Gamblin (1834-1917)  in 1905

Sussex Country, New Brunswick

William and Joanna Gamblin Original Homestead in 2001

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Harold Seymour Gamblin's Memories of World War One
in a Written and Oral History

LIEUTENANT COLONEL HAROLD SEYMOUR4 GAMBLIN (GEORGE ALEXANDER3, JAMES ROBERT2, WILLIAM1) was born December 21, 1897 in Cody's, Queens County, New Brunswick, Canada, and died June 16, 1986 in Sussex, Kings County, New Brunswick, Canada. He married LULU PEARL NORTHRUP August 24, 1921 in Lower Millstream, New Brunswick, Canada. She was born February 05, 1903 in Coles Island, Queens County, New Brunswick, Canada, and died March 17, 1988 in Sussex, Kings County, New Brunswick, Canada.

Lieutenant Colonel Gamblin served in WW 1 from 1915 to 1919. Following this he served with the 8th Princess Louise's (NB) Hussars and was the commanding officer of the regiment at the outbreak of WW 2. He mobilized the 4th Canadian Motorcycle Regiment (8NBH) and commanded it during 1940 and 1941 when it was re-organized as the 5th Canadian Armored Regiment (8NBH). In 1941 he proceeded overseas in command of the regiment, remaining in England until 1942 when he returned to Canada following hospitalization for a bronchial problem contracted during WW 1. See source documents

Following his return to Canada, he was in command of the C.O.T.C. at Mount Allison University, Sackville, during 1942 and 1943. In 1943 he was posted to the adjutant-general's branch, National Defence Headquarters, serving on the Officers Selection and Appraisal Board for Military District No. 7 for the remainder of the war. He retired from active service with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in 1945 and was posted to his former regiment, the 8th Princess Louise's Hussars (reserve).

Lieutenant Colonel Gamblin served with the Soldier's Settlement board during 1919 and 1920. After a period of farming at Cody's, he returned to the Soldier's Settlement Board (then the Veteran's Land Act) serving until 1959 when he retired to the homestead at Cody's.

Harold S. Gamblin
Harold S. Gamblin in 1942 England
Harold S. Gamblin and King George VI
King George VI and Harold S. Gamblin (top left) beside the Cavalry Barracks in Aldershot on April 24, 1942
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Click to read 2018 Version of Harold's Memories of World War One

Oral History
We are very fortunate to have the late 1970's tape recording Harold made for his daughter Myrtle from which the above PDF was created.  It was edited by Evan Gamblin in November, 2001, and is fascinating listening. 

The Casualty - - a "rather humorous thing" that occurred in March 1918 about a buddy who thought he was wounded. Recorded in the late 1970's.

The Whole Story - - this selection runs 1 hour!  Recorded in the late 1970's.

 

Canadian Contact
Evan R. Gamblin

United States Contact
Ken and Susan Barbi

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This page last updated on Wednesday, February 14, 2024