Charles Laverock Lambe

Charles Laverock Lambe’s career represents in microcosm the impact of the Great War on Britain’s armed forces. When the war broke out Lambe was a Commander in the Royal Navy. When it ended he was a Brigadier-General in the Royal Air Force.

Lambe’s career took its decisive turn when he transferred to the Royal Naval Air Service in 1916. In 1917 he was OC RNAS units on the Belgian Coast. After the RNAS and the RFC amalgamated in April 1918 to form the Royal Air Force, Lambe found himself GOC VII Brigade RAF. Later, he was GOC 5th (Operations) Group, charged with the strategic bombing of Germany.

He was Director of Equipment at the Air Ministry from 1919 until 1922, AOC RAF Halton from 1924 until 1928 and AOC Coastal Area from 1928 until 1931, when he retired in the rank of Air Vice-Marshal.