b 1879 at “Oakbank” Gullengutta, Warialda district near Graman NSW
(parents: Alexander Dill Gamble and Fanny O’Donnell)
d 11 June 1936
Aged 56 years
Interred Inverell Cemetery Church of England Section, Row 12D Grave 9.
m 1910 at Inverell NSW to Florence May Edwards
(Parents: James John Edwards and Sarah Ann Austen)
The tenth child and fifth son in the family Valentine was only 5 years old when his Mother died.
Like his siblings he was cared for by his eldest sister Fanny Anne and educated from the daily readings and lessons delivered by his father from the family Bible with tutoring by Julius Speers.
Along with his elder brothers, Valentine grew up on the family property learning the hardships of rural life from an early age.
Valentine married Florence May Edwards who was a nursing sister working at the Innishowen Hospital in Inverell. Together they had one son:
Valentine b 1923
Later adopting a daughter.
Valentine and Florence with their son Valentine
Valentine was fortunate enough to win a ballot of land in Texas, Queensland and together with Florence, resided there for some years before returning to the Inverell district and purchasing the property ”Valhalla” between Ashford and Wallangara which consisted of 5,000 acres, he remained here until his death.
Valentine was held in the highest esteem by a large circle of friends and was never one to seek publicity, but was always ready to help forward any public movement for the good of the district.
His wife Florence was also a tireless community worker and exhibited in many country shows. Often one section was devoted to displays by individual women. A display of the life’s work at the Inverell Show 1928 by Florence Gamble can be seen in the publication ‘The Gentle Arts’200 years of Australian Women’s Domestic & Decorative Arts by Jennifer Isaacs. The inscription reads "this display was the life's work of Florence Gamblee, exhibited at Inverell Show February, 1928. Her work includes carved frames, lamp shades, lace collars, hand sewn and embroidered dresses, and metal repoussé, as well as bottled preserves, jellies and cakes.”
Florence is interred with Valentine at Inverell Cemerery.
Valentine fell ill and underwent a serious operation in Sydney in 1935, strangely it was exactly 12 months to the day that he passed away at his home “Valhalla” the death being caused from cancer.