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William Douglas Lamb (1894-)


Watchmaker from Durham City served as Air Mechanic


William Douglas Lamb was born on 08-Jul-1894. He was a child of William Douglas Lamb (1861-1913) a Watchmaker from Scotland and Isabella Munro (1863-1950) who was also Scottish. In total he had 5 brothers and sisters Margaret McPherson (b.1888), David (b.1890), Robert Henry (b.1897), Herbert Douglas (b.1901) and Alice Elizabeth (b.1906). The family’s address at both the 1901 and 1911 census is given as 57 South Street, Durham, a relatively affluent residential street on the banks of the River Wear overlooking Durham Cathedral. This was also given as his mother’s address as next of kin on his service record in 1918.

William entered the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) on 20-Jan-1917 at the age of 22. His civilian occupation at the time of his entry into service is recorded as Watchmaker. He was given the service number F25233, the rank of Acting Air Mechanic 1st class and the trade of Engineer. He entered the RNAS via Crystal Palace in London and then spent a month at the main RNAS training establishment at Cranwell. On completion of his training he was posted to Eastbourne where he spent the rest of the war apart from 2 weeks at Radford (Coventry), a base that received newly built aircraft from factories in Coventry and Birmingham, prepared them and despatched them. It is possible he was sent there as part of a team to check over planes destined for Eastbourne.

William transferred to the RAF when it was formed by joining the RNAS and the Royal Flying Corps on 01-Apr-1918. He was given the new service number 225233 and his equivalent rank of Air Mechanic 2nd class. On transfer his trade was updated to Fitter (AE) which indicates he probably worked primarily on aircraft engines. He was promoted to Air Mechanic 1st class on 24-Jun-1918.

William left the RAF via Ripon Dispersal Camp on 25-Jan-1919 and it was noted that his health on discharge was Category A. He was awarded the British War Medal for his service.

Civil Parish: Durham

Birth date: 08-Jul-1894

Armed force/civilian: Air Force

Residence: 57 South Street, Durham (1901 and 1911 censuses and mother’s address on service record)

Military service:

Enlisted in Royal Naval Air Service, F25233, Acting Air Mechanic 1st class 20-Jan-1917
Transferred to Royal Air Force, 225233, Air Mechanic 2nd class, 01-Apr-1918
Promoted to Air Mechanic 1st class, 24-Jun-1918
Discharged 25-Jan-1919

Gender: Male

Contributed by David D, Stanley, Co Durham

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