This history was compiled during the years 1968-1976 by Edward Bramley Gammell, 5th son of Sir Sydney James Gammell of Countesswells.

The information it contains was taken from the sparse family papers available, searches in Parish Registers, the records of births, marriages and deaths in Somerset House in London and Register House in Edinburgh; Army and other records in the Public Records Office in London; newspaper cuttings, old books and municipal records in Greenock.

Acknowledgements are made for help received from G.V.D. Rybot Esq. and Lt. Colonel J.C. de Vine in regard to the family of William Gammell, eldest son of Lt. General Andrew Gammell, and to the late Mrs. Hectorena Hire and her cousin Mrs. Brenda Chesher for interesting Press Cuttings and Papers, and the career of their grandfather Captain Harcourt Gammell R.N. and his descendants. Also to Mrs. Gammell Gourlay for other papers and the history of her family steming from her grandfather Albert Gammell.

Sources are not always quoted, but where statements of fact have been made, these are all based on written record.

Conjecture has been used sparingly, and when it has been, the fact it is conjecture is clearly stated.

This is the second version, published on the web in January 2002. This version has been updated slightly as a result of information received over the past year.

If you have any information to add, please contact Alistair Gammell