Gamble, Robert Hodgson Perry
Personal Information
Rank | F/L |
Forename(s) | Robert Hodgson Perry |
Surname | Gamble |
Gender | M |
Age | 22 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 04-04-1943 |
Next of Kin | Son of Robert Clifford Gamble and Edith Belle Gamble (née Hodgson), of Gowganda, Ontario. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Handley Page Halifax II |
Serial Number | HR713 |
Markings | EQ-F |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | United Kingdom |
Burial/Memorial Place | Runnymede Memorial |
Grave Reference | Panel 172. |
Epitaph |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 168 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | J/9337 |
Service | Royal Canadian Air Force |
Group | 6 |
Squadron | 408 (Goose) |
Trade | Pilot |
Country of Origin | Canada |
Other Memorials
Location | Roman Rd, Leeming, North Yorkshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Brass plaque set into a stone plinth into which is carved with the Canadian maple leaf and the Yorkshire rose. |
Memorial Text | This memorial is dedicated to those men and women who served at RAF Leeming during World War II, including those from the Royal Canadian Air Force Squadrons, whose members came from all parts of the Commonwealth from 1942 to 1945; 405 Vancouver, 408 Goose |
Location | Opposite old Main Guardroom, RAF Leeming, North Yorkshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Stone Memorial & Metal Plaques |
Memorial Text | In commemoration of those men and women of many nations who served at RAF Leeming during the second world war. |
Location | Village Centre, Linton on Ouse, North Yorkshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Stone Memorial and inscribed slate tablet |
Memorial Text | In memory of 408 (Goose) and 426 (Thunderbird) Squadrons of R.C.A.F |
Miscellaneous Information
Robert was born in Gowganda, Ontario on 13 May 1920. His father was born in Ogdensburg, New York, USA, a Mining Promoter and his mother was born in Cumberland, Ontario. He had two sisters, Edith Evelyn 1913 and Claire Isabel 1914-1916. They had lived in Old Forest Hill Road, Toronto at one point. He attended Haileybury Public School 1928-1929 and then Upper Canada College 1929-1939 (Full Junior Matric and part Senior). He went to Queen’s University on a pre-Science course 1939-1940 and then 1940-1941 to sit the Science course. He was a Private on the C.O.T.C.course at Queen ‘s 1940-1941. His sporting interests were rugby, swimming, skiing and track events. He was still a student when he enlisted. |
Robert enlisted on 25 April 1941 and after training was sent to the U.K. He arrived at 3 PRC in 22 January 1942 then went to 12 (P) AFU 6 April 1942, 14 OTU on 2 June 1942 and arrived at 408 Squadron on 8 September 1942. |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1797/8 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1797/7 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 03-04-1943 |
End Date | 04-04-1943 |
Takeoff Station | Leeming |
Day/Night Raid | Night (1% moon) |
Operation | Essen. 348 aircraft, 21 losses (6.0%). The weather was uncertain so PFF had a plan to mark either using sky or ground markers. In the event the conditions were clear but both kinds of marking were used, causing confusion amongst the main force. Nevertheless, bombing was accurate, making this the most successful attack on Essen so far. |
Reason for Loss | Lost without trace |