Person Page 404

Death announcement: 09 December 1863 Dublin Daily Express
"Johnstone-December 3, much regretted, after a short illness, at Strandhill, Sligo, Andrew C. Johnstone, Esq., Lieutenant in Leitrim Rifles, and son of the late Charles D. Johnstone, Esq., M.D."

Her death was announced in the 6th December 1856 edition of the Longford Journal, as follows:
"November 30, at 45, Marlborough-street. Dublin, in her 86th year. Mrs. Sarah, relict of the late Thomas Warburton, Esq, King's County, fifth son of the Rev. Richard Warburton, D.D., Rector of Banagher."

His obituary appeared in the 5 Feb 1907 edition of the Liverpool Daily Post - a transcription follows:

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DEATH OF SIR DAVID GAMBLE.
End of an Energetic Career.
ST. HELENS' IDEAL CITIZEN.
SKETCH OF HIS LIFE.

We deeply regret to announce the death of Sir David Gamble, Bart., K.C.B., who on Sunday celebrated his eighty-fourth birthday, and during the night following he passed quietly away at his residence, Windlehurst, St. Helens, where he had been lying ill for some weeks. Towards the end of last year he contracted a chill, but recovered sufficiently to permit of his making occasional visits to his office, and hopes were entertained that he would soon recover his normal health in spite of the burden of his years. Even when the death of Mr. William Gamble, his second son, occurred with tragic suddenness three weeks ago, it was reported that Sir David had received the news of the first death among his children with great fortitude. But the shock must have had a weakening effect, and although Sir David visited his office as late as last Saturday week, he was evidently far from well. Complications set in, and on Thursday a serious operation was decided upon and carried out with the object of relieving the patient from the pain that he was suffering. This was successfully achieved by Dr. Thomas, of Liverpool, with Dr. Masson, o! St. Helens, but, unfortunately, the shock to the system was too great, and Sir David quickly sank and died on the night of his eighty-fourth birthday. His eldest son, Alderman Josias Christopher Gamble, was present at the bedside, as were also Mrs. Bishop, the eldest daughter, Mrs. Austin Carr, and Miss Gamble.

STORY OF HIS CAREER.
The sad news of Sir David's death quickly spread through the town, and it was received with the greatest sorrow. A real sense of bereavement fell on the minds of the people, who have for so many years looked up to Sir David as the father of the town. His long residence and the personal contact of himself and his family with the residents, his active interest in everything that concerned the welfare of the community, and his widespread benevolence, combined to make him the idol of the people.

The flags at the Town Hall, the Gamble Institute, and other public buildings were placed half-mast, and in other ways the towns. people sought to indicate the sorrow that has befallen the community.

Sir David Gamble’s life is a striking illustration of the success of energy and vigorous devotion. Fortunate in having a father with a genius for chemical discovery, and educated with the object of enabling him to apply his knowledge to promote the commercial success of his business, Sir David early displayed natural aptitude and exceptional business abilities. He took up the work so well inaugurated by his father, and his unwearied enthusiasm, determination, and strong personality succeeded in placing himself and his family in a state of influence which enabled them to become the benefactors of the district. Whatever he took in hand he pursued until he had achieved the object in view. Simultaneously with his efforts for progress in the domain of commerce, he laboured for the public good, giving St. Helens, the town of his adoption, the benefit of his rare ability in the administration of its local affairs, and showering upon the inhabitants many splendid benefactions which laid them under a lasting debt of gratitude.He was an ideal citizen, with a single eye to the common good.

Sir David Gamble was born in Dublin on February 3rd, 1823, the year when the salt tax was repealed, which meant so much to the chemical trade in which he was destined to become so successful. He was created a Companion of the Bath in 1887, a baronet of the United Kingdom in June, 1897, and a K.C.B. a little over a year ago. Sir David was of a generous disposition to those with whom he was immediately connected, and on his eightieth birthday, in 1903, he made his office staff and everybody connected with his estate handsome presents as a "thank-offering for a long life.” The Gambles were an Ayrshire family, but were driven from Scotland, and took refuge in Ireland when King James VI. thrust prelacy upon the Scots. They were staunch and steadfast Presbyterians, and chose to suffer exile for conscience sake. Sir David's father, Mr. Josias Christopher Gamble, was born in 1776, near Enniskillen, and was educated for the ministry. He studied at Glasgow University, where he graduated, taking his degree in 1797. In December, 1799, he was ordained minister of the Presbyterian Church at Enniskillen. In 1896 Sir David Gamble was the chief subscriber to the fund for the restoration of Enniskillen Church, and he had a fine window put in to the memory of his father.

After being four years at Enniskillen, Mr. Gamble accepted a call to Belfast. While pursuing his theological studies at Glasgow University, Mr. Gamble, the elder, became fascinated with the study of natural science, and a good deal of the time of the young minister was devoted to chemical experiment. The farmers of the neighbourhood in which he lived grew flax upon their lands, and their families prepared and span it. Mr. Gamble experimented until he was able to prepare solutions of chlorine which would bleach the linen manufactured by the hand-loom weavers. These experiments afforded indications and suggestions of the great commercial value of chemical processes, and while in Belfast Mr. Gamble started a small plant in county Monaghan for the manufacture of bleaching powder. Later he moved to more suitable premises on the banks of the Liffey at Dublin. To be in a better position to supply the manufacturers of Lancashire, who were his chief customers, Mr. Gamble came to Liverpool in 1828, and a few months later settled in St. Helens, where he joined the father of Mr. E. K. Muspratt. In St. Helens at that time the plate, crown, flint, and bottle glass trades were already established, but the works started by Mr. Gamble and Mr. Muspratt were practically the founding of the chemical industry in the borough. After a few years of profitable partnership, Mr. Gamble and Mr. Muspratt separated, Mr. Muspratt to start elsewhere, while Mr. Gamble remained in St. Helens. The Gerrard's. Bridge Works and afterwards the Hardshaw Brook Works were acquired, and with the help of Sir David Gamble and his four sons - Alderman J. C. Gamble, Messrs. William, George, and David, jun.-were developed into most prosperous concerns.

The family first resided in Duke-street, and afterwards at a farmhouse which belonged to the Sarah Cowley estate, the site of which is now covered by the St. Helens railway station and chemical works. In 1839 they removed to Sutton House, which is now the St. Helens Hospital. Sir David was educated, first at the old school on Cowley Hill, kept by a Mr. Morley, and afterwards he was a student at the London University College and the Andersonian University, Glasgow. By the direction of his father his attention was devoted, not so much to the classics and literature as to natural science, and his thorough knowledge of this branch of science has been a great factor in his life. Mr. Josias Christopher Gamble ceased his more active labour and surrendered the control of the works to his son in 1842, after he had, by wonderful perseverance and genius, improved and developed the processes of manufacture in a marvellous way. He died, aged seventy-two, at his residence, on January 27, 1848, three weeks after the birth of his first grandson, the present Sir Joniss Christopher Gamble.

From 1842 up to the present time Sir David, who was for so many years known far and near as "Colonel" Gamble, has been the most prominent figure in the public and social life of the town and district. To recite the story of his career is really to give the complete history of St. Helens. Notwithstanding that he was only a young man of twenty, he took a most energetic part in promoting the St. Helens Improvement Bill, which was subsequently passed in 1845. Previous to this St. Helens only existed in name, for the parish church and the verger's house attached to it were the only buildings that were legally entitled to the description of St, Helens. The surrounding streets and houses were under the charge of separate authorities, whose districts were ill-defined and subject to most absurd variations in regard to lighting, draining, and general management The Improvement Act consolidated the greater part of the district, and defined the boundaries. Sir David Gacoble was one of the original Commissioners in the Act, and served for some years as Chairman of the board

On the 26th January, 1847, Sir David married Miss Elizabeth Haddock, daughter of Mr. Thomas Haddock, colliery proprietor, and there were eleven children. Lady Gamble died on the 23rd October, 1899, at the age of seventy-three. She will ever be remembered as a good and gentle lady, whose charity and help were given in the most unostentatious manner possible. The eldest son is Mr. Josias Christopher Gamble, an alderman, ex-Mayor, justice of the peace, and freeman of the borough of St. Helens. The other children are Mrs, Bishop, Mayoress of St. Helens, wife of Alderman C. J. Bishop, the present Mayor; the late Mr. William Gamble, J.P., of Briars Hey, Rainhill, whose terribly sudden death three weeks ago saddened the last few days of Sir David’s life: Mr. David Gamble, Colwyn Bay; Mr. Georgo Gamble, Winchester; Mrs. Austin C. Carr, Broxton, Cheshire; Miss Hannah Gamble; the Rev. Arthur Gamble, vicar of Bradbourne, Derbyshire; Mrs. Bardsley, who was married to the vicar of St. Helens on the 19th June last year; Mr. Harry Gamble, Rainhill; and Mrs. M. J. Hammill, St. Helens.

When the movement was started for the incorporation of the borough, and its extension to include Sutton and Parr, which parishes declined to join the Commissioners district in 1845, Colonel Gamble was foremost in promoting the ideas of the inhabitants. His great services were then recognised by the Town Council, which came into being on the incorporation of the borough on the 5th March, 1868, and he was elected the first Mayor - a position he has filled four times. He was Mayor from March, 1868, to November, 1870, and on the 14th July, 1870, he was elected alderman on the resignation of Alderman Cross. To this position he has been unanimously re-elected ever since.

In 1889 the inhabitants of the town subscribed £1,035 for the purpose of paying some tribute to Sir David for his long and faithful services, and in that year he was presented with a splendid portrait of himself, painted by Herkomer, at a cost of 800 guineas. The presentation was made by Alderman D. M’Kechnie, at that time Deputy-Mayor, who had originated the movement. During this particular year Alderman J. C. Gamble occupied the mayoral chair.

Sir David built his residence at Windleburst in 1869, and when the Town Council acquired the Victoria Park he gave a large plot of land, on which the present admirable entrance to the park was built. He also improved his Windle estate to such a degree as to make that side of the town far more attractive than anyone who knows St. Helens only by repute could ever imagine possible.

What Sir David Gamble did to further the success of the Volunteer movement is well known. Very few towns in England have supported the movement more heartily than St. Helens and the distinguished position the town holds in this matter is very largely owing to the support he gave to it from the creation of the Volunteer Force in 1860. He was one of the most active members of the general committee who raised funds for the establishment of a local corps. He was chosen captain in February, 1860, of the first company of the 47th Lancashire Rifle Volunteers, and the regiment grew so rapidly that he was appointed major on April 4, and lieutenant-colonel on July 5, of the same year. By his generosity the excellent drill hall and parade ground were provided, and after the corps had enjoyed the use of these indispensable necessaries for many years, Sir David, about 1899, made over the freehold absolutely to the corps for ever. During the twenty-seven years he was commanding officer, the organisation of the regiment became more and more perfect. The 47th Lancashire was distinguished for the soldierly bearing of its members on parade, for the admirable commissariat arrangements, which drew official notice when a review was held at a distance from home; and in musketry it won not only the highest honours in its county competitions, but also carried away from the great national contests at Wimbledon numerous and costly prizes, on one occasion bearing away the blue ribbon of victory - the Queen's Prize. In Queen Victoria's Jubileo year Colonel Gamble received the honour of a Companionship of the Bath in recognition of his services to the Volunteer movement. He retired from his battalion in December, 1887, with the rank of honorary colonel. His regiment on more than one occasion gave expression to its affection for him, and the officers and men presented him with his portrait, an engraved sword, and a massive silver service.

Yachting was Sir David’s chief recreation, and in this connection it may be interesting to note that in the early part of 1882 he visited the Mediterranean and Egypt, in 1885 he went to Australia, and in 1887 again visited the Mediterranean. As a yachtsman he was widely known, and his prolonged and successful commodoreship of the Royal Mersey Yacht Club will be affectionately remembered by its members. The club was founded in 1844, and Sir David Gamble, who was elected a member in 1858, was its fifth commodore. His predecessors in the office were Dr. Grindrod, Mr. Thomas Littledale, Mr. S. R. Graves, M.P., and Colonel Stanley (the present Lord Derby). In 1896 the members entertained Sir David, then Colonel Gamble, to a complimentary banquet to mark their admiration of his enthusiasm in the interests of the club.

Sir David was ever known as a true friend of education, and every denomination always received most willing help from him in this matter. Being a thorough Churchman, he always gave largely to all the parishes in the town; in fact, his benefactions were ever handsome. St. Mark's Church, Cowley Hill, was erected in a great measure as a result of his generosity, and in the building of Holy Trinity and St. Peter's, Parr, which are what is known as "slag" churches (being built of slag from the local copper works), Sir David made himself responsible for the success of the undertakings. He was one of the patrons of the living of St. Helens. Windle elementary schools, which serve the thickly-populated neighbourhood of Cowley Hill and Gerrard's Bridge, were built by Sir David in 1868, and, with subsequent enlargements cost over £3.000. These schools ever since their establishment were maintained in a high state of efficiency by the Gamble family until they were taken over by the Corporation. He was one of the promoters of Cowley Middle-Class Schools, which were a great boon to the town, and have been extremely successful in educating capable chemiste and glassmakers.

The crowning act of Sir David's public career was the building and presenting to the town of the Gamble Institute. This huge building, with the land and furniture, cost £36,000, and was opened by the Earl of Derby on November 5th, 1896. It at once placed St. Helens in possession of almost the finest and best-equipped free library and technical school in the kingdom. Up to 1893 the Town Council had rapidly developed the old science and art classes, which had been carried on by a voluntary committee for many years, and in a short time it was realised that it would be necessary for a large building to be erected at the public expense for technical instruction purposes, and the cost was expected to add materially to the rates. At the Council meeting in April, 1893, however, the members of the Corporation were surprised and delighted when the Mayor, the late Alderman Arthur Sinclair, Sir David's friend and colleague, read a letter in which Sir David offered to erect and present to the town a suitable building. This princely gift was promptly accepted, and as the buildings rose up in the hands of the builders the town was able to realise the extent of the gift. Thursday. November 5th, 1896, was one of the most memorable days in the history of St. Helens. A large and brilliant gathering assembled at the Town Hall, where Sir David, who was still Colonel Gambie, presented the institute and all its contents to the town. He was then made the first freeman of the borough, and the Earl of Derby, who was at that time Lord Mayor of Liverpool, opened the institute amid the acclamation of the whole town. The splendid work which the institute has done ever since will continue to bear testimony to Sir David’s sound, good sense and noble generosity.

He was created a baronet in June, 1897, on the occasion of Queen Victoria's diamond jubilee, but still continued to devote himself to the public work of the town as closely and whole-heartedly as ever. Sir David was appointed a county magistrate on July 11th, 1865. He was for a long period a liberal supporter of the Lancashire Agricultural Society, and made himself practically responsible for the success of the show which was held at St. Helens in 1901. He was also almost the oldest member of the Royal Agricultural Society of England, his election dating back to 1850.

As a politician, Sir David never cared much for Parliamentary honours. He was a Liberal and a Churchman, and until the Home Rule split a consistent adherent of Mr. Gladstone, for whom he worked in 1868, when the great statesman contested South-West Lancashire. He also supported Colonel McCorquodale in 1885. He was president of St. Helens Liberal Unionist Association from its formation until the last annual meeting, when Sir David resigned, his Free Trade principles preventing him following Mr. Chamberlain, who posed as the leader of the Liberal Unionists. After the last redistribution of Parliamentary seats, and St. Helens for the first time was given a representative at Westminster, he was induced to come forward as the first Liberal candidate for the borough against Mr. Seton-Karr. He was defeated by fifty-seven votes in a poll of 7,443, and "retired apparently without a sigh." Sir David was not the man to take umbrage at this rebuff from his townsmen, for whom he had worked so loyally for many years. Without a break he again threw himself wholeheartedly and enthusiastically into the work of the municipality, and in the following year he was elected Mayor of the borough for the fourth time, and presented by the inhabitants with his portrait by Herkomer. He was a man who always maintained his own opinions vigorously, yet retained the warmest regard of all who had to do with him. It may have been that the inhabitants placed such high value on his work municipally that they were unwilling to lose his services locally, even at the advantage of having him as their Parliamentary representative.

To the members of the St. Helens Town Council and those who knew him intimately Sir David Gamble was a wonderful old man. He was a business man of the greatest sagacity and discernment, and in public and private life most exact in the discharge of the slightest duty. Everything he had to do, no matter how trivial. was treated with almost minute care. Underlying his unswerving business instinct, however, Sir David possessed a large-hearted sympathy and courtliness which made him easy of approach and most considerate in his treatment of others. He was ever ready to take up the smallest piece of work that was likely to benefit the people of his district, and it was mainly owing to the interest he took as a member of the Windle Parish Council that the Moss Bank water supply was satisfactorily arranged in the summer of 1902. His benefactions are well known; his name has been revered and a household word for many long years, and his demise will be most profoundly regretted by all sections of the community, and by a very large circle of friends and colleagues in an infinite variety of societies and institutions. To St. Helens people he was the patriarch, the lather of the borough, and his memory will long be reverenced and treasured, Though essentially a man of action and strenuous endeavour, Sir David Gamble's life and work merits the application of Shakespeare’s highest commendatory lines: —

His life was gentle: and the elements
So mixed in him, that Nature might stand up,
And say to all the world, "This was a Man.”
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He was the 2nd Baronet of Windlehurst.