Ypres Reservoir Cemetery: P. Priano
Ypres Reservoir Cemetery: Pauline Priano
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
George William Forster Lambert, known as George, one of 10 known children, was the 3rd born of 6 brothers and had 2 elder and 2 younger sisters. His father James Lambert was born at Haydon Bridge, Northumberland and had moved to Newcastle-upon-Tyne where he met Mary Hall, originally from Birtley, County Durham who had also moved to Newcastle-upon-Tyne when approximately 6 years old. They were both 22 years of age when they married in 1868, settling at 75, Hinde Street, in the district of Elswick, Newcastle, where their son John Thomas was born in 1870, James Bewick in 1871. James was employed as a butcher, over the next 10 years they had a further 5 children, Margaret born 1873, Mary Ann 1876, after spending a few years living in Gateshead where George and Ernest were born in 1877 and 1879 respectively, they moved into 27, Railway Street, Newcastle, a property they shared with Lisle and Mary McPherson and where Alfred was born in 1881. By 1891 their family was complete, Mary had given birth to a further 3 children, Sarah 1883, Arthur 1886 and Ethel 1889. Their elder children were now working to assist their father in maintaining the family, he continued to ply his trade as a butcher, John Thomas (21) was an engine maker’s fitter, James (20) and George (14) were cart-men. James Lambert had his own butchery business in the Gloucester Street area of Elswick by 1901, James Jnr (29) owned a meat van, Alfred (19) was an apprentice fitter, Arthur (15) a butcher’s assistant. George was no longer living at home and is untraceable until 1914, it is known he was employed as an engineer’s labourer and declared upon enlistment that he had never served in any of His Majesty’s forces.
George was married at Gateshead Registry Office, November 28th 1914 to Elizabeth Moor/Moore born 1885 at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland. Her father had died, January 4th 1914, they moved into her home at 26, West Street, Gateshead and adopted Grace Weddle born May 7th 1913, the daughter of her sister Grace and brother-in-law John Weddle.
After the declaration of war, August 4th 1914, George did not enlist immediately. He presented himself at the recruitment office, Gateshead, December 12th 1915 and was posted to the Army Reserve until March 27th 1917 when he was mobilised, joining the 4th Battalion Durham Light Infantry, part of the Tyne Defences at Seaham Harbour, as Private 40008. May 17th 1917 Elizabeth gave birth to their son George William Forster Lambert Jnr.
The 4th Battalion served for the duration of WW1 in England but also provided men for the draft. Private Lambert, in his 40th year, despite his age, was drafted to France, landing at Boulogne, August 1st 1917. Having arrived at the 35th Infantry Base Depot at Etaples that same day he was posted to the 14th Battalion Durham Light Infantry and later re-posted to the 22nd Pioneer Battalion D.L.I. who had spent the entire summer of 1917 digging trenches and laying down light railway track on the Ypres salient in Belgium in preparation for the 3rd Battle of Ypres which raged July 31st-November 10th 1917. The 22nd Battalion attached to the 6th Division remained on the Ypres salient until March 28th when they transferred to the Somme.
Private 40008 George William Forster Lambert Durham Light Infantry was killed in action, March 3rd 1918 and is at rest within Ypres Reservoir Cemetery, Ypres, Belgium, grave III. D. 13. He was 41 years of age.
As per his will all his effects were assigned to his widow. Elizabeth received all monies due to him, a pension of 25/6 pence a week as of September 30th 1919 for herself and the 2 children, also his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal sent to her at 26, West Street, Gateshead, County Durham. Elizabeth commissioned at a cost of 11 shillings 1 pence an additional inscription to be added to his military headstone, it reads, “Ever Remembered By His Loving Wife And Son George.”
Elizabeth Lambert nee Moor/Moore died at her home, February 5th 1929, present at the death was her sister Grace Weddle of 4, Melbourne Street, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
In 1939 Grace Weddle (adopted daughter) was living with her birth mother Grace and siblings John, Mary, Ellen and Emily at 22, Union Street, Newcastle, living with them was George William Forster Lambert Jnr., single and employed as a dock labourer. Grace Weddle married Alexander Heslop in 1940, she died aged 34 years in 1948, George William Forster Lambert Jnr aged 50 years, March 31st 1968 at Walkergate Hospital, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
George William Forster Lambert has not been identified on a local memorial.
He is remembered in The DLI Book of Remembrance page 52
