Joseph Henry Lamb

Joseph Henry Lamb was the son of Joseph and Sarah Lamb (née Rolling). His father Joseph was born in 1857 at Hexham, Northumberland, the son of Francis Lamb, a miner, and his wife Mary (née Thompson), and baptised at the Allendale Chapelry, Ninebanks, on 12 July. His mother Sarah was born in York in 1856, the daughter of George Rolling, a gardener, and his wife Ann Elizabeth (née Ullyott). Sarah was baptised at St Mary Bishophill on 11 May 1856. Joseph and Sarah were married in 1882 (reg. J/F/M Newcastle upon Tyne) and had four children who were born and baptised in Gateshead: Annie Jane birth registered 1883 (j/F/M) bap. 14 March; John George b. 1884 bap 4 November; Joseph Henry birth registered 1889 (J/F/M) bap. 16 January and Eleanor May b. 1892 bap. 15 June. In 1891, nine years after their marriage, Joseph (33), a railway engine driver, and Sarah (34) were living on Harlington Street, Gateshead, with their three children, Annie (8), John (6) and Joseph (2). Their fourth child, Eleanor, was born the following year. The family had moved to 8 Richardson Street, Heaton, Newcastle upon Tyne, by 1901. All four children were in the home on the night of the census: Annie of no occupation, John a brass finisher and Joseph and Eleanor who were school age. The family had moved to Nottinghamshire by 1907 when the youngest child, Eleanor, died at about the age of 14 (reg. J/F/M Shardlow Derbyshire). The eldest child, Annie, died in 1911 (reg. J/F/M Shardlow) aged about 27. John and Sarah were living at Park Road, Chilwell, Nottingham, in 1911; John was no longer working and Sarah was recorded on the census as head of household. Of their two surviving children, only John, a shawl maker, was still living at home, Joseph having joined the army in May 1908 and at the time of the census serving with the Sherwood Foresters at Crownhill Barracks in Plympton, Devon. Joseph's parents were still living on Park Road, Chilwell, when he was killed in 1917. His mother Sarah may have died in 1925 (reg. O/N/D Ripon West Riding) and Joseph in 1929 (reg. J/F/M Newcastle upon Tyne).

He was a regular soldier enlisting on 11 May 1908. In 1911 he was serving with the 2nd Bn Sherwood Foresters in Plympton, Devon.

Joseph Lamb enlisted in the army at Nottingham on 11th May 1908, joining on a 12 year engagement (7 years with the Colours, 5 years Reserve). He was 18 yrs and 4 months old and gave his occupation as lace hand. He was posted to the Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment) and in 1911 was serving with the 2nd Battalion at Crownhill Barracks, Plympton, Devon. Joseph served in France from 8 September 1914. He reported sick on at least three occasions. On 4 February 1916 he attended No. 17 Field Ambulance (diagnosis illegible) and was transferred to No. 6 Casualty Clearing Station on 9 February, returning to his battalion on light duties three days later. The following year on 10 March he was treated at No. 18 Field Ambulance for scabies, returning to duty on 22 March but was treated atain for scabies on 21 June at No. 16 Field Ambulance returning to duty on 29 June 1917. Joseph was appointed unpaid lance corporal on 20 March 1916 and to paid lance corporal on 15 September, two weeks before being appointed acting corporal on 29 September 1916. Appointed acting sergeant on 25 May 1917 he was confirmed in the rank on 1 July, the day he was reported missing in action. Joseph's death was later assumed to have occurred on or since 1 July 1917. He has no known grave and his name is commemorated on the Loos Memorial, France (Panel 87 to 89). CWGC - History of Loos Memorial (extract): 'The Loos Memorial forms the sides and back of Dud Corner Cemetery. Loos-en-Gohelle … The name "Dud Corner" is believed to be due to the large number of unexploded enemy shells found in the neighbourhood after the Armistice. … The Loos Memorial commemorates over 20,000 officers and men who have no known grave, who fell in the area from the River Lys to the old southern boundary of the First Army, east and west of Grenay, from the first day of the Battle of Loos to the end of the war.' (www.cwgc.org)

Nottingham Evening Post, 16 August 1917: ‘Local Casualties. Missing. Sherwoods. Lamb 10783 Actg-Sgt J (Chilwell).’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) WW1 Pension Ledgers Index Cards: mother Sarah Lamb, residence Chilwell.