Robert James Lambert

Bob went to France with the BEF as a member of the 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment. He was involved in the fighting on the retreat to Dunkirk, being wounded at the time. He was awarded the Military Medal for his part in these actions.

Returning to the UK, he was recruited to the Scout Section of Auxiliary Units. He became Corporal in the Section. They were based close to Sandringham and operated on the Royal Estate. The King gave them special permission not to salute Princess Margaret as she liked to jump out and surprise the men making them salute her each time.

In early 1944, along with other members of the section, he was recruited to the SAS. He was at the Curzon Cinema in London with other Auxiliary Units personnel to hear Colonel Paddy Mayne tell them about the SAS. At the end, he told those who wanted to leave and not join they could go without shame. Quite a few of the men left. He was promoted to Sergeant After parachute training he was dropped into France as part of Operation Gain on 4 Jul 1944, part of Major Ian Fenwick's squadron. He later served on Operation Archway in Germany as part of T Troop. He was also in Norway on Operation Doomsday as part of the disarmament of the German occupation force.