Person

On the death of Victor Lamb in 1916 the Chester-le-Street Chronicle featured two of the letters that were sent to his mother. The first from Second Lieutenant Ralph Curry:

“It is with deepest regret that I write to inform you of the death of your son, Victor. He was killed in action today (June 27th) by a trench mortar shell. I deeply regret his death, as he was one of the finest lads in this company. He will be buried in the graveyard behind the lines, and a cross erected as soon as possible. All the men of his platoon join with me in sending you our deepest sympathy.”

As well as the formal letter from a junior officer in the battalion, Victor’s mother received a letter from a friend of his, who was also from Sacriston, R Johnson:

“I am sorry to say it is only too true about poor Victor being killed by a German shell. He will be missed by the officers of the platoon, and also by my friend Jim Holland, and myself, as he was a good pal and a lad who always did his duty to King and Country. My pal joins with me in sending our deepest sympathy to your sad bereavement. I shall see to him getting a decent burial, and a cross, with his name inscribed on it.”

Images from the Chester le Street Chronicle newspaper are reproduced by kind permission of Chester le Street Heritage Group
http://www.chesterlestreetheritage.org/page8.html

Civil Parish: Witton Gilbert

Birth date: 1898

Death date: 1916-Jun-27

Armed force/civilian: Army

Residence: 10 Mount Pleasant, Sacriston (CWGC)
1 Oliver’s Buildings, Sacriston (1911 census)

Organisation membership: Boy Scouts

Family: Parents: Albert Lamb, Mary Ellen Lamb
Siblings: Thomas Edrie Lamb, Leonard Capel Lamb, Edna Mary Lamb, Nellie Lamb, Elizabeth Annie Lamb

Military service:

Joined Territorials aged 15
8th Battalion Durham Light Infantry
30 Oct 1915: Landed in France

Medal(s): 1915 Star, British War and Victory Medals

Memorial(s): Ridge Wood Military Cemetery, Belgium
Saint Peter’s Church, Sacriston, plaque (now at the Working Men’s Club)
Sacriston Working Men’s Club, Roll of Honour
Sacriston War Memorial Institute, four memorials, now at Fulworth Centre

Gender: Male

Contributed by Sacriston Heritage Group | Durham County Record Office