Description
St John’s Ambulance Brigade Medal for South Africa 1899-1902, Queen’s South Africa, 2 bars, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Royal Naval Auxiliary Long Service & Good Conduct, GV, Wardmaster William Lambert, Royal Naval Auxiliary Sick Berth Reserver, ex Orderly of Barnoldswick Division during the Boer War.
St John Medal officially impressed: “1141 Pte W. Lambert. Barnoldswick Div:”
QSA officially impressed: “1141 Ordly: W. Lambert. St John Amb: Bde:”
RNASBR LSGC officially impressed: “174 W.G. Lambert. Wardmaster. RNASBR”
A scarce complete St John’s Pair and additional rare RNASBR variety of the Naval Reserve LS&GC.
Confirmed on the matching QSA medal roll as having earned the Queen’s South Africa, 2 clasps, Orange Free State and Transvaal. as an Orderly with the “St John Ambulance Brigade”
A note reads that he was serving at 10 General Hospital.
No 10 General Hospital, was based in Bloemfontein, in the building of Grey’s College, An old distinguished School in Bloemfontein.
You can go the link below to view a period photograph inside the hospital held by the National Army Museum showing some nurses and medical staff treating patients:
https://collection.nam.ac.uk/detail.php?acc=1998-01-135-66
Apparently the men of the Barnoldswick Division were amongst the first Ambulance to go out to to South Africa.
The remarks on the medal roll notes that he returned “To Base 10th October 1900”
The Naval Medal rolls note he was issued his RNASBR LSGC for services as Wardmaster issued to him on 26th November 1919, which was issued to C.C. St Johns Ambulance.
Manchester Courier, 1st October 1909 writes:
“Ambulance Officer Honoured
Councillor W.G. Lambert, Superintendent of Bacup Ambulance Division, has just received a special vote of thanks on vellum signed by the Prince of Wales, as Grand Prior of the Order of St John of Jerusalem, the text recording His Royal Highness’s special thanks, and that of the Chapter General for Superintendent Lambert’s distinguished services in furthering the work of the Order in connection with its ambulance department. Mr Lambert has 14 years service in the corps.”
A further wartime newspaper article recalls his time in the RNASBR as a Wardmaster, from the Rochdale Observer, 12th June 1915:
“PRESENTATION – An interesting gathering took place at the Bacup Liberal Club on Tuesday evening, when Superintendent W.G. Lambert, chief of the Bacup Ambulance Division, was present with a handsomely framed group photograph in recognition of his 7 months service as Sick Berth Wardmaster at the Royal Naval Hospital, Chatham.
Supt Lambert went on active service with 40 other Bacup Aumblance men last august, but on account of illness and advancing age was compelled to retire.
His comrades then decided to present him with the photograph, which represents 55 men, including 7 Bacup reservists.
The Mayor made the representation and also distributed the certificates to successful students at the recent emergency classes.”
The earlier Preston Guardian 8th August 1914, regarding the start of the war recalls the mobilisation under him:
“150 MEN ANSWER COUNTRY’S CALL
It is estimated that 150 men had left Bacup in obedience to the country’s call…
… The 41 members of the Royal Naval Sick Berth Reserve (Bacup Ambulance Division), who left the town on Sunday, are stationed proportionately at the Chatham and Portsmouth Naval Hospitals.
Superintendent Lambert, Bacup, is one of the assistance Ward masters, and has charge of a section of the Motor Ambulance Waggons…
