Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Four: Sergeant K. T. Gambling, Gloucestershire Regiment, who was killed in action during the retreat from Burma on 4 May 1942

1939-45 Star; Burma Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with named Army Council enclosure, in card box of issue addressed to ‘Mr. H.T. Gambling, 44 Upper Bristol Road, Clutton, Bristol’, extremely fine (4) £100-£140

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals to recipients of the Burma Star.

View
Collection

Kenneth Thomas Gambling attested for the Gloucestershire Regiment and served as a Sergeant with the 1st Battalion during the Second World War in Burma. The 1st Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment was one of just two British regular battalions in Burma in 1941-42. The battalion formed part of the 17th Indian Division. The battalion first engaged the Japanese early in March 1942 when Rangoon was abandoned; it remained in contact with the enemy almost continuously until finally withdrawing across the Chindwin and over the mountains to Assam in mid-May.

Gambling was killed in action in the Battalion’s final battle of the Retreat from Burma, at the village of Budalin, on 4 May 1942. The village was organised for defence when the Japanese attacked at about 0430 hours, supported by tanks. The Glosters held their fire until the last moment and the attack was repelled, to be followed up by Gloster fighting patrols. However, Burma Division ordered the Glosters to withdraw some 30 miles to Ye-u. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Rangoon Memorial, Burma.

His medals were sent to his father, Mr. Henry Thomas Gambling, of Bristol.