The HOUSE OF FRASER Archive

Person: Gamble, Elson (fl 1937-1972)

Name: Elson Gamble
Life dates: fl 1937-1972
Gender: Male
Occupation: retailer

Biography:

Elson Gamble was the son of the manager of Anderson’s Royal Polytechnic in Glasgow. On leaving school, he started work at Copland & Lye, then moved on to Mann Byers. He left Glasgow for a two year spell with D H Evans, followed by a brief period at Lyons studying silks. He then joined Lewis's Ltd, of Liverpool, moving to Anderson's Royal Polytechnic in Glasgow, after it had been taken over by Lewis's. In 1937, he was appointed manager of Thomas Muirhead & Co (Glasgow) Ltd just after its acquisition by Fraser Sons & Co Ltd in December 1936. He was charged with the supervision of the store's modernisation and refurbishment. In 1938, he was promoted to the post of general manager of the informally titled House of Fraser Group to co-ordinate the sales strategies of its four stores and to control stocks. In 1947, he was appointed a director of House of Fraser Ltd. In 1953, at the time of the takeover of Binns Ltd by House of Fraser Ltd, he joined the board of directors of Binns. In 1966, he was appointed deputy chairman of House of Fraser Ltd in place of Hugh Fraser who had just become chairman. He retired in January 1972 and was appointed honorary deputy chairman in recognition of his loyal service.

Sources:

Moss, Michael and Turton, Alison, A Legend of Retailing: House of Fraser, London 1989

Records held relating to Elson Gamble:

FRAS 861
Title: Lists of directorships of Elson Gamble and others
Date: c 1959
FRAS 737
Title: Menu for dinner in honour of Gamble's retirement
Date: January 1972
Includes biography and photograph of Gamble.

Related people and companies:

Company name: Thomas Muirhead & Co (Glasgow) Ltd
Dates of connection: 1937-1938
Connection type: Gamble was manager of Thomas Muirhead & Co (Glasgow) Ltd.
Company name: Fraser Sons & Co Ltd
Dates of connection: 1938-1947
Connection type: Gamble was general manager of Fraser Sons & Co Ltd.
Company name: House of Fraser Ltd
Dates of connection: 1947-1972
Connection type: Gamble was a director of House of Fraser Ltd from 1947 and deputy chairman from 1966.
Company name: House of Fraser Ltd | Board of Directors
Dates of connection: 1947-1972
Connection type: Gamble joined the board of directors of House of Fraser Ltd in 1947 and was appointed deputy chairman in 1966.
Company name: Binns Ltd
Dates of connection: 1953
Connection type: Gamble joined the board of directors of Binns Ltd in 1953.
Company name: John Barker & Co Ltd
Dates of connection: c 1959
Connection type: Gamble was a director of John Barker & Co Ltd.
Company name: Gosling & Sons Ltd
Dates of connection: c 1959
Connection type: Gamble was a director of Gosling & Sons Ltd.
Company name: Barker’s Fixed Management Shares Association Ltd
Dates of connection: c 1959
Connection type: Gamble was a director of Barker’s Fixed Management Shares Association Ltd.
Company name: Zeeta Co Ltd
Dates of connection: c 1959
Connection type: Gamble was a director of Zeeta Co Ltd.
Company name: McDonalds Ltd
Dates of connection: c 1959
Connection type: Gamble was a director of McDonalds Ltd.
Name: Fraser, Hugh, 1903-1966, 1st Baron Fraser of Allander
Dates of connection: 1936-1966
Connection type: Gamble was a director of House of Fraser Ltd under the chairmanship of Hugh Fraser.
Name: Fraser, Sir Hugh, 1936-1987, 2nd Baronet
Dates of connection: 1966-1972
Connection type: Gamble was deputy chairman of House of Fraser Ltd under the chairmanship of Hugh Fraser.

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