Lambert G.W.

GEORGE WILLIAM LAMBERT 1898-1918

50144 Private George William Lambert, 17^th Battalion, the King’s (Liverpool Regiment) died 30 January 1918 and is buried at Ham British Cemetery, Muille-Villette, France.[1] He was about 19 years old and is commemorated on the Cockfield War Memorial.

Family Details

George William was born 1898[2] at Middlestone Moor near Spennymoor, the son of Fred and Emily Lambert.[3] There were 3 children:

Ida Annie bc.1897 at West Hartlepool
George William born 1898 at Middlestone Moor
Irene Mary bc.1901 at Middlestone Moor

In 1911, the family lived at Cockfield (no specific address). By this time Fred was a widower. He was the “village bobby” – a police sergeant. PC Francis Dent lodged with the family.[4] At one time, G.W. Lambert was employed as a booking clerk at Cockfield Station.[5]

Service Details

The service details of George William Lambert and the war diary of the 17^th Battalion, the Liverpool Regiment have not been researched. 50144 Private G.W. Lambert did not enter France until after 31 December 1915.[6] When Private G.W. Lambert enlisted and the exact date he entered France has not been researched and they remain unknown.

The 17^th (Service) Battalion (1^st City), the King’s (Liverpool Regiment) was formed in August 1914 by Lord Derby and it had the distinction of being the first “Pals Battalion”. The battalion came under the orders of the 89^th Brigade, 30^th Division and in November 1915 it landed at Boulogne, France. [7] Units in the 89^th Brigade were:

17^th, the Liverpool Regiment
18^th, the Liverpool Regiment
19^th, the Liverpool Regiment
20^th, the Liverpool Regiment
2^nd, the Bedfordshire Regiment between December 1915 and February 1918
89^th MGC March 1916 moved to the 30^th MG Battalion March 1918
80^th Trench Mortar Battery joined June 1916

The Division fought on the Western Front throughout the war seeing action in 1916 at the Battle of the Somme, Battles of Albert and Transloy Ridge and in 1917 the Pursuit to the Hindenburg Line, the Arras Offensive and the Battle of Pilkem Ridge, part of the Third Battle of Ypres. [8]

Private G.W. Lambert was the only soldier serving with the 17/Liverpool Regiment to die 30 January 1918.[9] There was no major action taking place on that date and it is possible that he died of sickness. The circumstances surrounding his death will remain unknown until his service record is researched.

Private G.W. Lambert was awarded the British War and Victory medals. [10]

News of his Death[11]

“Police Sergeant Lambert of Cockfield has received notification from the War Office that his son who was on active service died at a clearing station in France on 30^th January. The deceased at one time was booking clerk at Cockfield Station.”

Burial [12]

Private G.W. Lambert is buried at grave reference I.B.22, Ham British Cemetery, Muile-Villette. There are 485 burials here, almost half are unidentified.

[1] Commonwealth War Graves Commission

[2] England & Wales 1837-1915 Birth Index Vol.10a p.228 Auckland 1898 Q2

[3] 1901 census

[4] 1911 census

[5] Teesdale Mercury 6 November 1918

[6] Medal Roll card index

[7] http://www.1914-1918.net/kings.htm

[8] http://www.1914-1918.net/30div.htm

[9] Officers and Soldiers Died in the Great War

[10] Medal Roll card index

[11] Teesdale Mercury 6 February 1918

[12] CWGC