Fred Neville Lamb
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
Frederick Neville was the younger son of James William and Gertrude Lamb (née Towson). Frederick's birth was registered as Frederick and he was named Frederick in the notices of his death but the CWGC and Army records use the name 'Fred'.
Frederick's father was born in Dewsbury, Yorkshire, in 1885 and was a widower when he married Gertrude (b. 1890) at Basford St Leodegarius on 5 September 1915. They had three children; James William b. 9 December 1916, Frederick Neville b. 1919 (OND) and Christine Mary b. June 1922.
James, a [house] painter had married Annie Louisa Bostock in 1910 (JAS Nottingham) and in 1911 they were living at 358 Berridge Road Central. Their son, Reginald A., was born in 1914 (OND); both Annie and Reginald died in 1914 (OND).
James and Gertrude were living at 48 Ena Avenue, Sneinton Dale, when he attested in 1915. He was mobilised in September the following year, shortly before the birth of their son James, and served with the Royal Field Artillery in Salonika. (See 'Extra information').
James was demobilised to 48 Ena Avenue in February 1919 and the second son, Fred, was born later that year. The family was still at 48 Ena Avenue in 1921; James was employed as a painter and decorator (Arthur Goodchild, Builder & Decorator, Meadow Lane). The couple's daughter, Christine, was born the following year.
The family was living at 209 Windmill Lane, Sneinton, when the eldest son, James, died on 21 August 1931 following a road traffic accident. (See 'Extra information').
James, Gertrude, and their daughter Christine, were recorded at 209 Windmill Lane when the England & Wales Register was compiled on 29 September 1939. James was still employed as a house painter and Christine was a sewing machinist (hosiery). Fred had already been mobilised.
Fred was killed in Egypt in May 1942; he was engaged to Joan Giles at the time of his death.
His sister Christine married Frederick Ernest Bowler later in 1942 (JAS) and their daughter, Mary Christine, was born in April the following year.
Gertrude Lamb died on 23 February 1944, five months before the death in France on 14 July of her son-in-law, Frederick Bowler, who was serving with the RAMC. (See 'Extra information')
James William Lamb has not yet been traced after 1944 (Nottingham Evening Post notice).
His widowed daughter Christine married William H Smith in 1946.
Fred probably attested in the Royal Regiment of Artillery in 1938 and mobilised on 1 September the following year, two days before the outbreak of war. An Army record gave his 'place of domicile' as Colwick.
He served with the South Notts Hussars and was killed in action in the Western Desert, Egypt, on 27 May 1942.
Fred has no known grave and is commemorated on the Alamein Memorial, Egypt (Col. 11).
‘The action at Knightsbridge formed part of the Battle of Gazala (26 May-21 June 1942). Although attacks by elements of the 15th Panzer Division were fiercely resisted by 201st Guards Brigade, the wider battle went against the 8th Army. The Germans and Italians forced the Allies back and took the vital port of Tobruk soon afterwards.’ (National Army Museum) The SNH was in the ‘Knightsbridge box’ during the Battle of the Cauldron (2-11 June), and made a ‘last stand’ on 6 June 1942.
James William snr. attested in December 1915, was mobilised in September 1916 and posted to the RFA (165980 (Gunner), joining at the RFA Depot on 13 September. He served in Salonika, probably from January the following year, and was transferred to Class 'Z' Army Reserve on demobilization on 22 February 1919; home address 48 Ena Avenue. James was awarded a disability pension (20% disability): malaria attributed to war service.
Frederick's brother-in-law, Frederick Ernest Bowler, served with 211th Field Ambulance RAMC (7374236 Private) and was killed in France on 14 July 1944. (See record on this Roll of Honour)
Nottingham Evening Post, 21 August 1931: (1) Cyclist Fatally Injured. Unidentified Victim of Carlton Accident. Collision With Van. A cycilst, whose identity has not yet been established, was involved in a fatal accident at Carlton this afternoon. It is understood he came into collision with a motor-van when cycling in Station-road, sustaining serious head injuries. The man was removed to the General Hospital, but died about an hour after admission.’ (2) ‘Carlton Fatality (See this Page). The victim has been identified as James William Lamb, 14, a painter’s apprentice, of 209. Windmill-lane, Nottingham. He was riding his cycle towards Netherfield when the collision occurred with a motor van owned by Messrs. Bland and Co., sauce manufacturers, of Leicester.’ (www.britishnewspaperachive.co.uk)
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 25 August 1931: ‘Lamb. By accident, August 21st, James, the beloved son of James and Gertrude Lamb, interment Carlton, Wednesday, 2.15.’ (www.britishnwspaperarchive.co.uk)
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 29 May 1943: ‘Lamb. L/Sgt Frederick Neville, SNH, killed Knightsbridge, May, 1942. Reunited with his brother [James William d. 1931]. We have lost, heaven has gained, two of the best this world contained. Mam, dad, Christine [Bowler m. 1942], Fred [Frederick E Bowler].’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 27 May 1944: 'Lamb. L/Sgt. Frederick Neville , SNH, killed Knightsbridge, 1942; also dear wife Gertrude died February 23rd, 1944, and son Jim [James William d. 1931]. You’re ours to remember when others forget. Dad and Chris [Christine Bowler].’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 29 May 1944: ‘Lamb. Sgt Frederick Neville, SNH, killed Knightstbridge, 1942. In memory’s garden we meet every day, I shall always remember you smiling. Fiancée Joan. One of the best, Mr and Mrs Giles.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 24 February 1945: Lamb. Gertrude (Aunt Gert) died February 23rd, 1944. Always remembered by Tom, Lil, Joan, and Joe (overseas).’
(www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Additional research/record updated, RF (Jan. 2026)
Photo of Fred Neville Lamb
Commemorated on the Alamein Memorial, Egypt (www.cwgc.org)