The Airmen's Stories - P/O W G M Lambie

William Gavin Mein Lambie was born in 1917 in Kirkpatrick-Juxta, Dumfriesshire, the son of Thomas Lambie and Margaret Lambie.

He attended Moffat Academy and then served an apprenticeship as a motor engineer with Millar & Lindsay, Edinburgh.

Lambie joined the RAF in April 1939 on a short service commission. He was posted to 219 Squadron at Catterick in July 1940.

On 2nd August 1940 he was captain of Blenheim L8962 that overshot Leeming’s runway in a practice flapless landing. In order to avoid running onto the Great North Road he raised the undercarriage but he and his gunner, Sgt R Bell, were unhurt.

Standing: Sgt. RV Cook, Sgt. GT Williams, Sgt. C Beveridge, P/O RV Baron, P/O RC Hall, Sgt. S Austin, Sgt. DC Bunch, Sgt. E Combes

Seated: Sgt. HF Grubb, Sgt. EG Grubb, P/O WGM Lambie, F/O JC Carriere, F/O HG Goddard, F/Lt. JH Little, F/O JG Topham, P/O GM Head, P/O J Sinclair, Sgt. OA Dupee, Sgt. HK Crook. Airmen centre on ground not known.

Above image courtesy of Colin Brown.

On 15th November Lambie was killed when his Beaufighter R2084 crashed from unknown causes near Kenley. Sgt. DJ Pearcy was also killed.

Lambie is buried in Nutfield Cemetery, Surrey.