Pte. LAMBERT. E G/33756 East Surrey Regiment

LAMBERT, EDWIN. DoD: 22/10/1918. Age: 38. Unit Text: 9th Bn. Additional information: Son of Thomas and Catherine Lambert, of Horsmonden, Kent; husband of Florence Lambert, of Rose Bank, Hawkhurst, Kent. Parish Clerk of Horsmonden. Cemetery: SARRALBE MILITARY CEMETERY.

Edwin Lambert was both baptised and married in St Margaret’s Church in Horsmonden. Prior to being called up he was a carpenter, decorator, builder and undertaker. He often worked as a Parish Relieving Officer and was a bellringer at St Margaret’s Church.

His family were well known in the village. His father, Thomas was a carpenter and Parish Clerk and his grandfather, Mallion Lambert, a master carpenter of note whose work in St Margaret’s comprised a pair of kneeling angels on either side of the Chancel entrance, the carved pulpit and two carved oak chairs showing his signature on the base.

The story about Edwin’s time in the East Surrey Regiment is very moving, particularly as he recorded a ‘Month’s Experience at the Front’ in July 1917 and his diary which he started in October 1918, just a short time before he died in a German Hospital. Sadly, Edwin died just 20 days before the war ended.