Lt Lamburn - 46 Squadron

stevief · 29 December 2012, 02:00 PM

I am a medal collector and have just started collecting medals to WWI pilots. I recently purchased a single BWM to Lt Gerald Arthur Lamburn and dashed off to Kew a few days ago to look through his papers and the combat reports for 46 Squadron and found out the following:

He joined 46 Squadron on 20 November 1917 as a 2/Lt.

His first victory was on 28 December 1917 (a Pfalz two-seater) which he shared with 2/Lt H.N.C. Robinson.

His next (last?) two victories were on 20 May 1918 (a L.V.G. two-seater and (believed to be) a D.F.W. two-seater) which he shared with Lt. W.T.A. Burkitt and Lt H.S. Preston.

There is record of a further two "indecisive" combats on 30 July 1918 when he, Capt D.R. MacLaren M.C. and Lt N. Bruce met with four Hannoveraners and a D.F.W.

He transfered to No. 1 Fighting School on 1 August 1918 and was killed in an aeroplane accident on 30 September 1918 when aged just 19.

I also discovered that certain combat reports were stolen from the PRO and that this theft was discovered in 1990. It seems that some of these reports are still missing.

My question to the Forum is whether there is any other source that could tell me whether Lt Lamburn scored more that his seeming total of 3 victories - which seem rather too well spaced out. Would the squadron record book help and, if so, how do I get hold of it? Does anyone know of any articles that may have been written about 46 Squadron prior to the records being stolen? Any assistance would be greatly appreciated!!

john_g · 31 December 2012, 12:24 AM

He is not listed as an "Ace" in Above The Trenches".

john-g

Mark · 31 December 2012, 01:25 AM

Arthur Gould Lee was a pilot in 46 squadron and has written several books of his experiences. You might want to check out his books as they are very good reads anyway, and you might be able to research where his notes and papers have ended up and see if they might be some help if you like to do research like that.

Mark · 31 December 2012, 01:27 AM

Amazon link, you might just want to see if your local library can order them as they seem to be rather pricey nowadays!

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_no...%20gould%20lee

john_g · 31 December 2012, 01:51 AM

He is named briefly in No Parachute on page 202 (22/12/17), 204 (24/12/17) and 206 (28/12/17). He is not mentioned in the indices in Flypast or Flying Cathedral.
Try obtaining the book through your local library.

john-g

stevief · 31 December 2012, 02:53 AM

Many, many thanks John and Mark. I will purchase a copy of "No Parachute" as it looks like a very interesting read!! I did look for him in "Above the Trenches" and couldn't find him but I just wondered whether that book may have been written after the theft from the PRO. There are 8 combat reports missing (that the PRO know of) and who's to say that one or two of those may contain details of a further 2 "victories" for Lamburn?!? They may also add to the scores of other pilots in 46 Squadron!??!

john_g · 31 December 2012, 03:57 AM

Above the Trenches is not just based on Combat Reports. There are many other records. At the NA there are records for 46 Sqn held in AIR1/1426-1433, these include Pilots reports, Record books, Particulars of Officers, Officer Reports and number of enemy destroyed, History data and Daily routine orders. There is also a 46 Squadron History in AIR1/692/21/20/46 it might be helpful , you will not know until you hve a look through.

Also look at AIR1 for Wing records for additional information. 46 were controlled by these Wings at the dates given.
2 Wg 10/16-4/17, 11 Wg 4/17-6/17, 13 Wg 9/17-5/18, 22 Wg 8/18-11/18.

You could also consult Royal Flying Corps Comminques he is mentioned once in the 1917-18 edition (Bowyer) and the 1918 edition by Cole. I am not suggesting that you should buy either of them, as they do not add anything that you do not already know.

cheers

john-g

Graeme · 31 December 2012, 11:44 AM

stevief

Compilation of Above The Trenches began in the 1980s (or earlier, I seem to recall an anticipated publication date of the mid 1970s) and the book was published in 1990. The "gentleman" who purloined the combat reports concentrated on those submitted by famous aces - Mannock, Ball, Barker, Collishaw etc - so its is unlikely that combat reports for less famous pilots were taken (there being no market for them at the time).

The Brigade Summaries (also in AIR1) are a useful source of information; 46 Sqn operated within I, II and III Brigades at various times.

Graeme

stevief · 31 December 2012, 12:46 PM

Many thanks Graeme. It is interesting your comment that the "gentleman" who purloined the combat reports concentrated on those submitted by famous aces because Lt Lamburn's first victory was shared with 2/Lt H.N.C. Robinson who was a famous ace and his last "indecisive" combat was with Capt D.R. MacLaren M.C. who was a very famous ace. It is possible then that the missing reports could contain claims by Robinson and/or MacLaren which they shared with more junior pilots?!? I now need to check the Squadron record book which I now think to be at the NA.

stevief · 1 January 2013, 01:39 PM

Hi Nils - how and where did you get this extra info!?!? I have looked everywhere I could think of (not many places - being new to this game!) to find details of the accident that killed him and found nothing except the date of the accident. Also, was the driven down on 13 June 1918 "out of control" which may then count?!? Please let me know.