A good Punjab Frontier, Great War pair and Army Long Service and Good Conduct group awarded to Serjeant T. Gambell, 1st Battalion, later 7th Battalion, East Kent Regiment – the Buffs who saw service on the Punjab Frontier operations from 28th October 1897 until 6th April 1898, after a prolonged period at home in the UK during which time he ruptured his groin during a training accident, he would later go on to see service with 7th Battalion, East Kent Regiment on the Western Front from 14th July 1916 later being discharged time expired on 1st May 1917.
Group of 4: India General Service Medal 1895-1902, 1 Clasp: Punjab Frontier 1897-98; (4751 PTE. J. GAMBELL. 1ST BN. “THE BUFFS”.) British War Medal 1914-19 and Victory Medal; (L-4751 SJT. T. GAMBELL. E. KENT. R.) Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, GVR Fm: Bust; (4751 SJT. T. GAMBELL. E. KENT. REGT)
Condition: Nearly Extremely Fine
Thomas Gambell was born in Faversham, Kent and giving his trade as Labourer attested at Canterbury on 22nd March 1895. Initially serving with 2nd Battalion, East Kent Regiment at home in the UK he subsequently transferred to 1st Battalion, East Kent Regiment and saw service during the Punjab Frontier operations which began on 10th June 1897 prior to his arrival on 28th October 1897 and lasted until 6th April 1898. He remained in India until 13th October 1903, and then embarked for Aden where he remained until 8th December 1904. He then returned home to the UK and re-engaged to serve 21 years with the colours. He would injured himself during training on 20th July 1911 falling down a blind hole and rupturing his groin, this being investigated and Gambell cleared of any wrongdoing.
Remaining at home he was awarded an Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal in 1915, before he was shipped to France with 7th Battalion, East Kent Regiment – the Buffs on 14th July 1916 to serve on the Western Front, he was returned to the UK on 19th April 1917 and discharged on 1st May 1917 time expired aged 40 years.
