The Airmen's Stories - F/Lt. H M S Lambert

Hugh Michael Stanford Lambert was born on 19th December 1918, the son of William Lambert (1891-??) and Phyllis Mary Lambert (nee Fuller 1890-1976).

His father was a RFC officer. HMS Lambert was educated at the Imperial Service College and in November 1936 joined the RAF on a short service commission.

After completing his initial training at 9 E&RFTS Ansty Lambert went to No. 1 RAF Depot Uxbridge. He was posted to 2 FTS Digby on 12th February 1937 and at the end of the course he spent a month at 5 Armament Training Camp at Penrhos.

On 27th August 1937 Lambert joined 25 Squadron at Hawkinge, equipped with Furies. The squadron converted to two-seater Demons in October 1937, returned to single seaters in June 1938 with Gladiators, and in December it was again re-equipped, this time with Blenheims. On the 13th Lambert went to Cranfield for a twin-engine conversion course.

He was still serving with 25 Squadron at the beginning of the Battle of Britain. On 16th August 1940 Lambert was attached to the AFDU at Northolt. From 3rd September he was attached to RAF Biggin Hill for special duties.

In the early evening of 15th September he was flying Beaufighter R2067 with F/O MJ Miley and LAC JP Wyatt as crew.

The aircraft crashed near Layhams Farm, NW of Biggin Hill at 6.20 pm and all three men on board were killed. It has never been established whether the crash was an accident or the result of enemy action. On that day Feldwebel Neuhoff of JG53 claimed a Blenheim destroyed but none was reported lost on the 15th.

It is possible that he may have mistaken the Beaufighter for a Blenheim, if indeed he did shoot it down.

Lambert was cremated at Henley Road Crematorium, Reading.