Arthur George Lambert

A Private with the 18th Battalion, Arthur died on 20th of July 1916 at the age of 25. 

Arthur was born at Lowestoft in 1891, a son of Edward George and Alice Kathleen Lambert. He was baptised at Saint John’s Church on 5 July 1891 and his family lived at 5 Grosvenor Road. In 1901 they lived at 8 Windsor Road and they were still living there in 1911 when Arthur worked as a joiner. 

Arthur enlisted in the Army at Bury St. Edmunds. He joined the Middlesex Regiment and served with the 18th (Service) Battalion (1st Public Works Pioneers). He was a member of XII Platoon in C Company. Arthur went to France in 1916.  

From 17 July 1916 the 18th Battalion were at Fricourt Wood, Somme. On 20 July 1916 at attack was launched at Fricourt Wood and the 18th battalion were to follow the attack and dig a communication trench from High Wood. Due to a heavy enemy barrage it was not possible to dig the trench. However, B and D Companies began digging work at 3.45a.m. and continued to 10.45 a.m. when all the men were exhausted. A and C Companies were then marched up to the work and took over about 8 p.m. Later on there was another enemy barrage. At various points during the night platoons were detached to support the troops in High Wood. C Company then withdrew to bivouacs. During the night A and C Companies found that 39 men were casualties.

Arthur was reported wounded and missing on 20 July. During 1916 enquires continued to be made about him through the Red Cross, but in 1917 it was presumed that he had been killed in action on 20 July.