Firstly I would like to wish the members of this group the very best for 2015.
I am keen to learn more about my maternal grandfather Fred Lamble's military career in Natal Carbineers and DLI. I know he fought in the Boer War and Bambatha rebellion, and later, in WW1. I know he was a member of the band in both regiments. A Canadian medal collector called 'Mike' bought my grandfather's medals from a dealer in London some years back, and he posted a story recently on this website in which he claims that my grandfather was on the train with Winston Churchill when he was taken prisoner at Chieveley. I wondered if 'Mike' would make contact with me as I have several photographs of my grandfather in uniform (wearing his medals) that may be of interest to him, as well as information about him to share.
Any addition any information or advice from the experts as to how I can learn more or verify the Churchill story, would be most welcome.
LAMBLE, F. (Fred)
REG. NO.: 370
RANK: PRIVATE
REGT: DURBAN LIGHT INFANTRY
BARS: NATAL, SOUTH AFRICA 1901, SOUTH AFRICA 1902
FROM BRITISH MEDAL FORUM:
Mike
Just to add some more info to the growing list on your man.
I have a copy of the nominal roll for the Natal Carbineers during the ABW. It has the following entry:
945 Tpr Lamble F. Attestation Date: 20/03/1901
________________________________________
Discharge Date: 31/05/1902 from DLI
LAMBLE Fred. Trooper 945. Attested 20/3/1901, Band. Age 22. Height 5’ 9½’’, chest 33’’. Jeweller, 6 Baverstock st., Pietermaritzburg. Promoted Lance Corporal 22/2/1904. Previous service DLI 1/2/1897-26/11/1899 Served Anglo Boer War 20/3/1901 to 31/5/1902 and 1906 Rebllion. Off strength 30/11/1906. He must have rejoined after November 1906 - probalby served 1/12/1907 - 24/12/1907 as he is in a photo of the band taken in 1908.
Sixty men of the Durban Light Infantry formed part of the personnel of the armoured train which at this time patrolled daily from Estcourt to Colenso. On 15th November a rail was removed or twisted, and the train was attacked; 2 men of the Durban regiment were killed, Captain J. Wyllie and 15 were wounded, and 19 were taken prisoners, of whom 8 were wounded, 1 mortally.
With thanks and kind regards
Cheryl Johnson
Durban
KwaZulu-Natal
South Africa
