Trafford

Born during the March quarter 1880 in the Altrincham R.D. - ref: 8a/194,
the eldest son of James Henry & Annie Ambler - (nee Finlayson).

1881 Census - Lisson Grove, Hale.   Son - aged: 1 - born: Hale.    Head of
household - James H. Ambler - Married - aged: 28 - occ: Leather Buyer's
Salesman - born: Timperley.  Also - Annie Ambler - Wife - aged: 23 - born:
Scotland.  Plus 2 visitors and 1 domestic servant all born in Scotland.  

1891 Census - 40 Petworth Street, Cheetham, Prestwich, Manchester.    Son -
aged: 11 - Scholar - born: Cheshire.   Head of household - James Henry
Ambler - Married - aged: 38 - occ: Leather Factor - born: Cheshire.  Also -
Annie Ambler - Wife - aged: 33 - born: Scotland.  Plus 1 younger brother
and 1 domestic servant.  

1901 Census - "Balmae", Cleggs Road, Hale.   Son - aged: 21 - occ: Stained
Glass Artist - born: Cheshire.   Head of household - James H. Ambler -
Married - aged: 48 - occ: Leather Salesman - born: Cheshire.  Also - Annie
Ambler - Wife - aged: 43 - born: Scotland.  Plus 1 "Finlayson" visitor.

1911 Census - "Balmae", Cleggs Road, Hale.   Son - aged: 30 - occ: Art
Metal Manufacturer - born: Hale.   Head of household - James Ambler -
Married - aged: 58 - occ: Leather Factor - born: Timperely.  Also - Annie
Ambler - Wife - aged: 53 - born: Kirkcudbright, Scotland.  Plus 1
"Finlayson" visitor.   [His mother came from Castle Street,
Kirkcudbright].

He was a Director of Messrs. Humphries,  Jackson & Ambler Ltd., Cornbrook
Park Road, Hulme and Lucy Street, Manchester, a company established in
1907.  The company specialised in high class ornamental metalwork, metal
casement and painted and stained glass leaded light windows.  John was one
of three Directors and the company employed between 110 and 120 staff.

John enlisted in 1914 into the Cheshire Rgt and rose to the rank of
Sergeant.  He was commissioned Lieutenant in the 5th Battalion, Duke of
Wellington's (West Riding Regiment) on the 11th May 1915.   He was posted
to France in December 1915, but as a result of a Courts Marshal, was
dismissed from the Army in April 1916.   He re-enlisted as a Private and
returned to France in the autumn of 1916.

Commemorated on the private family gravestone in St. Mary's, Bowdon - Grave
No. 2030.   His father, James Henry died 23/02/1924 aged 72 years and his
mother, Annie died 23/03/1935 aged 77 years.

French M.I. -  "R.I.P."

Listed as a Private on the local St. Peter's Memorial and Hale Town War
Memorial, both referenced to the Cameron Highlanders, but is named on the
Kirkcudbright Town War Memorial, as Sergeant J.F. Ambler having served in
the Earl of Chester's Yeomanry.  He was well known in his mother's
birthplace - Kirkcudbright and sang in the choir there.

My thanks to members of the Great War Forum for part of this information.