Lance Corporal R/2002 Edgar Wilfred Lambert
Died of Wounds on Monday, 24th September 1917, age 23.
Buried in Grave "New Ground South" at St. Peter's Churchyard, West Bromwich, Staffs, United Kingdom.
7th Bn., King's Royal Rifle Corps. 41st Brigade of 14th Division.
Son of James Lambert; husband of M. A. Wellings (formerly Lambert), of 28, Farley St., Great Bridge, Tipton.
Born: Cirencester, Enlisted: West Bromwich, Resident: Great Bridge.
First landed France & Flanders, 18th May 1915.
Medal entitlement: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Soldier's Papers at National Archives survived and transcribed.
Commemorated on the Salem Chapel, and St. Peter's, Greets Green memorials.
Commemorated here because he appears on a Tipton memorial.
Link to Commonwealth War Graves Site: www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/395629/
Genealogical Data
Birth of Edgar Wilfred Lambert registered December Quarter 1894 in Cirencester, Glos.
1901 Census
172 Cricklade Street, Cirencester, Glos.
Henry J Lambert (51, Confectioner, born Minchinhampton), his wife Mary A (47, born Stroud), and their 5 children: Emily A (26, Confectioner's Assistant, born Stroud), Albert G (16, Draper's Assistant, born Cirencester), Walter F (13, School, born Cirencester), Harriet Elizabeth (11, School, born Cirencester), and Edgar W (6, School, born Cirencester).
Marriage of Edgar Wilfred Lambert and Mary A. Husellbee registered March Quarter 1915 in West Bromwich.
1911 Census
172 Cricklade Street, Cirencester, Glos.
Henry James Lambert (61, Confectioner, born Minchinhampton), his wife of 1 year Charlotte (47, born Cirencester), and 2 of Henry's children from an earlier marriage: Harriet Elizabeth (21, Assisting in the Business, born Cirencester), and Edgar Wilfred (16, Draper's Assistant, born Cirencester).
Personal Data
Edgar enlisted on 4th September 1914 and after initial training landed France on 18th May 1915. He served in France and Flanders from 1915 to 1917 returning to England, presumably due to illness, on 18th April 1917.
He was discharged from the 7th (Depot) Battalion of the Kings Royal Rifle Brigade on 23rd August 1917 as "no longer physically fit for war service". His discharge papers describe him as being 5ft 7in tall with a 35in chest, brown eyes and brown hair, with a pale and sallow complexion. He had a scar on his left thigh, it is not known whether this was due to war service. His trade was given as Draper's Assistant and he was to live at 47 Farley Street, Great Bridge, Tipton. He was described as "Sober, honest and steady, a good non-commissioned officer."
The report of his Medical Board dated 2nd August 1917 states that he was suffering from Total Disablement diagnosed as "VDH" - Valvular Disease of the Heart - affecting the aortic and mitral valves. It was stated that this was not caused by active service but was aggravated by it. Edgar was granted a pension of 27shillings and 6 pence per week, initially for six months. Unfortunately Edgar dies just over a month later, and was buried in St. Peter's Churchyard, Greets Green.
"VDH" - Valvular Disease of the Heart - was a common cause of discharge during the Great War. This was called "Soldier's Heart" and it was suggested that the condition could be brought on by stress, in effect a psychosomatic condition. As Edgar's death was just a month later it would suggest that the exertion of a soldier's life in the trenches aggravated a pre-existing condition.
After Edgar's death, his outstanding army pay and allowances amounted to £1/0/0d (1 pound exactly); this was paid to his widow, Annie, in December 1917. His War Gratuity was £14/0/0d (14 pounds exactly), this was also paid to Annie in December 1919. The value of the War Gratuity suggests that Edgar had enlisted in August 1914.
Action resulting in his death
Still to be researched. Contact me if required.
Newspaper Cuttings
None.