A Royal Air Force Armourer’s Member of the Order of the British Empire group awarded to Flight Lieutenant R.W. Lamb, Royal Air Force who saw service in North Africa during the Second World War where he would be appointed a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire in the London Gazette of 2nd June 1943 in recognition of his work as officer in charge of armourers, where he prepared mines for all mining operations in the Middle East. He prepared over 350 mines and five hundred 1,000lb bombs. He would later be Mentioned in Despatches in the London Gazette of 1st January 1945, and after the Second World War would see service in Germany and in Singapore. He would take part in operations in Malaya during the Malayan Emergency.
Group of 6: The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E., 2nd type, Military Division; 1939-1945 Star; Africa Star bar North Africa 1942-43; Defence Medal; War Medal with Mention in Despatches oak leaf emblem; General Service Medal 1918-1962, EIIR Br:Omn, 1 Clasp: Malaya; (FLT. LT. R.W. LAMB. R.A.F.) Court-mounted for display.
Condition: court-mounted for display, Nearly Extremely Fine
Rupert William Lamb was born in Ilford, Essex on 16th June 1916 and enlisted into the Royal Air Force on 9th July 1934, he would be sent to the Marine and Aircraft Experimental Establishment at Felixstowe on 16th November 1934, and then the Air Armament School in Eastchurch on 13th April 1945, he would be re-mustered as an Armourer on 6th October 1935. He would travel to the Far East on 21st February 1936 arriving at Singapore, and then being appointed an Aircraftman 1st Class on 1st October 1936 and then Leading AIrcaftman on 1st May 1937. He would move to the Middle East on 20th October 1937, at 4 Flying Training School (Abu Sueir) on 4th November 1937, being appointed a Corporal on 1st May 1938. He would be appointed to 56 (F) Squadron at North Weald on 27th February 1939 before the unit was relocated to Martlesham Heath on 22nd October 1939. He would transfer to 74 Squadron at Hornchurch on 26th February 1940, being appointed Temporary Sergeant on 1st April 1940. He would then be posted to 238 Squadron at Tangmere on 16th May 1940, which would be relocated to Middle Wallop on 20th June 1940 and then Chilbolton on 30th September 1940 and Pembrey on 1st April 1941, before left the Middle East on 20th May 1941.
Promoted to Advanced to Acting Flight Sergeant on 26th August 1940, Temporary Flight Sergeant on 1st August 1941, and Acting Warrant Officer Class 1 on 1st October 1941, before being discharged to a commission on 4th August 1942.
He would be appointed at Pilot Officer (Technical) on 5th August 1942 and would be service at RAF Shallufa when he would be appointed as a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire in the London Gazette of 2nd June 1943:
‘Pilot Officer Lamb, as officer in charge of armourers, has prepared mines for all mining operations in the Middle East. He has displayed intense energy and keenness and accomplishes equally as much skilled work as his armourers. He has prepared over 350 mines and five hundred 1,000lbs since August 1942. He possesses valuable experience gained as a Warrant Officer in a fighter squadron. His untiring enthusiasm has set a fine example.’
He would be promoted to Flying Officer on 2nd April 1944, and would subsequently be Mentioned in Despatches in London Gazette of 1st January 1945. After the end of the Second World War he would promoted to Flight Lieutenant on 23rd March 1947 and spend time in Germany until 1950, before being appointed back to roles in the UK. He would then be posted to Singapore arriving at Changi on 15th October 1955, he retired on 11th August 1958 as a Flight Lieutenant on account of being medically unfit. He would die in Worthing on 8th November 1998.
