WW1 & WW2 Naval Group - Able Seaman James Lambert, HMS Comorin Survivor
1914-15 Star – J. 21296. J. LAMBERT. A.B. R.N.
British War Medal – J. 21296. J. LAMBERT. A.B. R.N.
Victory Medal – J. 21296. J. LAMBERT. A.B. R.N.
1939-45 Star – unnamed as issued
Atlantic Star – unnamed as issued
War Medal – unnamed as issued
Royal Navy Long Service & Good Conduct Medal – J. 21296. J. LAMBERT. A.B. H.M.S. EXCELLENT.
James Lambert was born on 25th June 1895 in Bognor, Sussex. A bottle washer by trade, he enlisted in the Royal Navy on his 18th birthday, 25th June 1913.
He served across both World Wars with long service afloat and ashore. Ships and establishments on his record include HMS Formidable (battleship, sunk by U-24 in 1915 with heavy loss of life), HMS Albemarle (pre-dreadnought battleship), HMS Glasgow (Town-class cruiser, present at the Falklands battle in 1914), HMS Barham (Queen Elizabeth-class battleship, later sunk by U-331 in 1941), HMS Victorious, HMS Dido, HMS Seymour, and a number of shore bases such as HMS Excellent, Woolwich and Dolphin.
During WW2 he was posted to the Armed Merchant Cruiser HMS Comorin, serving aboard from 28th September 1939 until 6th April 1941.
Originally a P&O liner, Comorin was requisitioned in September 1939 and converted into an AMC with 7 × 6-inch guns. She operated on the South Atlantic Station, in the Bermuda Convoy Escort Force, and later on the Freetown Escort Force, undertaking vital but dangerous duties protecting merchant shipping against U-boats and surface raiders.
On 6th April 1941, while on escort duty in the North Atlantic, Comorin caught fire in heavy weather and was abandoned. Twenty men were lost, while 455 survivors – including Lambert – were rescued. The following day, the burning wreck was scuttled by HMS Broke. It is almost certain that Able Seaman Lambert sustained the compound fracture which led to his discharge shortly after, on 26th August 1941.
Importantly, his original medals – the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal, and LSGC – would have been on board Comorin when she was lost. The medals offered here are the official replacement issues subsequently sent to him, making them his only surviving group. His WW2 entitlement of the 1939-45 Star, Atlantic Star, and War Medal reflects his service aboard Comorin.
A poignant and highly unusual full career group to a sailor who spanned both World Wars, with medals replaced due to loss in action at sea.
PLEASE NOTE: All research will be sent to the buyer via email. I am unable to provide printed copies, as I do not have access to a printer.
AJMS Medals