Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Thomas Lambert, a foreman railway platelayer, born 1854 in Bentley, Suffolk and his wife Annie Maria Lambert (nee Elliott, married in the 4th quarter of 1878 in Hose Parish Church,, Leicestershire), born 1st December 1862 in Harby, Leicestershire. Walter James was born in the 3rd quarter of 1885 in Scalford, Leicestershire, his siblings were, Mary Lizzy, a schoolgirl, born 1883 and William Thomas, born 1889, both his siblings were born in Scalford, in April 1891 the family home was at Station Road, Scalford. In March 1901 Walter was absent from the family home at Station Road, Scalford, residing there was his father, a foreman railway platelayer, his mother and siblings, William, a schoolboy, Louisa Alice, a schoolgirl, born 1892, Sarah Ellen, a schoolgirl, born 1896 and Edith Emily, born 21st April 1899, the latter three children were all born in Scalford, Walter was employed as a stableman, and was residing as a boarder at Main Street, Asfordby, Leicestershire. In April 1911 Walter was absent from the family home in Scalford, residing there was his father, a hawker, his mother and siblings, Edith, a schoolgirl, Harry Elliott, born 22nd November 1905 in Nottingham and Robert George, born 28th November 1906 in Scalford, Walter was employed as a groom and was residing as a servant at Ashby Folville, Leicestershire. On the 10th July 1915, Walter married Florence Penelope Adams in Ashby Folville Parish Church, Florence was born on the 17th February 1893 in the Billesdon, Leicestershire district. They had a son, James Aubrey Verdun Lambert, born 30th August 1916 in the Melton Mowbray district. Walter died in the 2nd Northern General Hospital, Leeds, Yorkshire in December 1919 and was buried on the 19th December 1919 in Ashby Folville Churchyard. Walter’s father died in the 2nd quarter of 1929 in the Melton Mowbray district, aged 75. Walter’s widow married Job Dilkes in the 2nd quarter of 1921 in the Shardlow, Derbyshire district. In 1939 Walter’s widow, Florence Dilkes was residing in the family home at Ashby Folville, together with his her son James Lambert, a public works contractor, and his half blood sibling, Ivor Henry S. Dilkes, a rose nursery labourer, born 23rd September 1924. There was also a further half blood sibling, Gordon B. Dilkes, born in the 3rd quarter of 1927 in the Melton Mowbray district. In 1939 Walter’s widowed mother was residing in the family home in Sandy Lane Melton Mowbray, together with his married brother Harry, a market gardener, his wife Mabel Lambert, born 7th July 1913, and their children, Eileen, a schoolgirl, born 29th September 1933, Janet, born 25th July 1935 and Robert, born 14th January 1937, also residing in the family home was Walter’s sister Edith, a hotel worker. Walter’s mother died in the 1st quarter of 1946 in the Melton Mowbray, district, aged 83.
Walter enlisted into the Territorial Force on the 6th November 1914 in Towcester, Northamptonshire, and was allocated the service number 1352. He gave his place of birth as Scalford, Leicestershire and age as 29 years, and his trade or calling as groom.
His medical examination recorded that he was 5 feet 7 inches in height, weighed 140 lbs, had a chest measurement of between 34 and 36 inches, his physical development was described as good, and the following distinctive marks were noted, scar on right side of face above lips.
He gave his next of kin as, Florence Penelope Lambert, Barsby, Leicestershire.
During his period of military service the following events of note occurred:-
Joined. At Northampton. 6/11/14.
Embodied. 2/1st Northamptonshire Yeomanry. Pte. 6/11/14.
Posted. Admin Centre. 27/11/14.
Posted. 3/1st Northamptonshire Yeomanry. 15/5/15.
Posted. 2/1st Northamptonshire Yeomanry. 12/6/15.
Posted. British Expeditionary Force, France. 8/7/16.
Embarked: Southampton, 8/7/16.
Disembarked: Havre, 9/7/16.
Posted. 1/1st Northamptonshire Yeomanry. 16/7/16.
Transferred. 1/1st Northamptonshire Yeomanry. In the field. 16/7/16.
To Hospital (Hernia R.). In the field. 9/1/18.
Admitted. 70th Field Ambulance. In the field. 9/1/18.
Admitted. 23rd DRS. In the field. 12/1/18.
Transferred. To 24th Casualty Clearing Station. In the field. 14/1/18.
Admitted. 62nd General Hospital (Abscess groin) Italy. 20/1/18.
Transferred. From 57th General Hospital. To England A.T. Warilda. Marseilles. 6/2/18.
Posted. B. J. J. Depot. 7/2/18.
Admitted. Psoas abscess Tubercular. Merry Flats War Hospital, Govan, Glasgow. 7/2/18.
Discharged. From Hospital 10/2/19.
Discharged. No longer physically fit for War Service Para 392 (xvi) King’s Regulations. 10/2/19.
Summary of Service:
Home Service. 6/11/14 – 7/7/16, 1 year 244 days.
British Expeditionary Force, France. 8/7/16 - 6/11/17, 1 year 122 days.
Italy. 7/11/17 – 6/2/18, 92 days.
Home Service. 7/2/18 – 10/2/19, 1 year 4 days.
Total service. 4 years 93 days.
He was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Walter’s surviving service record amounts to a total of thirty five pages, and these are in good condition and offer an accurate overall description of events that took place during his period of his military service.