Early Life.
Samuel John Lamberth was born on the 7th July 1881 at Brickendon. The family name has been recorded as Lambert as much as it has Lamberth.
His father, Arthur Lamberth, married his mother, Mary Berry, in 1865 at Hertford. They had nine children five girls and four boys who were:
1. Mary Louisa (known as Louisa) born in 1865 at Little Berkhamstead.
2. Arthur born in 1867 at Little Berkhamstead he was a Boer War veteran with the Duke of Cambridge Own (Middlesex Regiment).
3. Eliza Georgina (known as Georgina) born in 1868 at Little Berkhamstead.
4. Eliza Emma (known as Emma) born in 1870 at Little Berkhamstead.
5. William Henry born in 1872 at Brickendon.
6. Susan Cockeral Maria born in 1876 at Brickendon.
7. James Richard born in 1879 at Brickendon.
8. Samuel John.
9. Faith born in 1883 at Brickendon.
During the 1881 census the family were living at 4, Andrews New Cottages, Brickendon and Arthur was employed as an agricultural labourer. By the 1891 census Arthur had died, aged 56 years, and the family had moved to 24A, Ivy Passage, West Street, Brickendon their mother, now a widow, worked as a laundress.
Mary married William Aldridge in 1899 at Hertford. In the 1901 census William, a churchyard labourer, and Mary and Samuel, a groom, were still living at Ivy Passage. William died in 1902 leaving Mary a widow for the second time.
By the time of the 1911 census Samuel’s mother and sister Georgina are living alone at the same address. Samuel has left home and joined the Army.
Early Army Service.
Only his service record from the Militia survives. On 11th June 1900 he was attested at Hertford into the Militia as Private 4190 signing up to serve 4 years in the Bedfordshire Regiment. The following information was recorded:
He stated he was born at Brickendon, Hertford, he 18 years 11 months old and he lived at 24A, Ivy Passage, West Street, Brickendon, and had done so for the last 12 months. His employer was Mr. Sworder of Queen’s Hill, Hertford and his occupation was a labourer and gardener. He was not an apprentice, not married, had no children, had never been in sentenced to imprisonment and was not or had been previously in the Military.
He was physically examined on 13th June 1900 at Bedford and the following recorded:
Apparent age: 18 years 11 months, Height: 5 feet 7 4/10 inches, Chest 33 – 34 inches, Complexion: Ruddy, Eyes: Blue, Hair: Reddish brown, Identifying marks: Tattooed ‘SL’ right forearm. Religion: Church of England.
His Statement of Service reads:
On his Attestation he was posted to the 4th Battalion, Bedford Regiment. On the 17th June 1900 he was posted as Private to the 3rd Battalion, Bedford Regiment. On the 2nd September 1900 he was re-posted as Private to the 4th Battalion, Bedford Regiment. On the 13th October 1900 he was Disembodied (discharged) as a Private.
The final entry stated that on the 12th August 1901 he had joined the 1st Dragoons.
Royal Dragoon Guards.
His Service Record has not survived but other sources show that he served for eight years as Private 5192, 1st Royal Dragoon Guards and was discharged on the 11th September 1909. He was later re-engaged in the Section D Army Reserve for four years from 2nd July 1913 expiring on the 1st July 1917.
Police Service.
He wasted little time in joining the Police as he started his Probation Training at R Division at Headquarters, Hatfield on the 14th October 1909. This appears to be unusual as most training was undertaken on Divisions at that time, but it may be that he had been selected, not unsurprisingly, from very early on to be a Mounted Police Officer. He was Appointed Police Constable 212 on the 10th March 1910 and remained at R Division at Headquarters.
Somewhat belatedly General Order 13 of 1st April 1910 announced that PC Lambert 212R is appointed on the strength of the Force on 23/11 per week as from 10th March 1910.
Force Inspection.
General Order 5 of 7th February 1910 announced that the General Annual Inspection for 1910 would be undertaken by His Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary, Captain H.T. Terry. The itinerary was:
“Thursday 17th February 1910 St Albans City Police at 3 p.m.
Friday 18th February 1910 A or Ware Division at Ware Police Station at 11 a.m.
F or Hertford Division at Hertford Police Station at 12 noon.
Saturday 19th February 1910 R or Headquarters Division at Headquarters at 11 a.m.
All men enrolled since last Inspection will parade at Headquarters at 10.30 a.m. except those serving in the A & F Divisions and will produce their journals.
Superintendents will arrange for Police to remain at outstations where necessary for duty and inform this office of the manner of the officers so detailed.
Dress: 1909 Tartan jackets and helmets, fine trousers, white gloves and usual appointments.
Memo: As to carriages if required will be sent in due course.
Every officer in the Force is to be asked if he has any complaint or representation to make to his Majesty’s Inspector, in which case he or they with the Superintendent of Division and Sergeant of Section will parade as above at Headquarters.
The undermentioned officers will parade mounted:
At Ware 11 a.m. 17th February 1910
Sergeant Moles A
PC Pusey A
PC Briden B
At Headquarters at 11 a.m. 19th February 1910
Supt Reed Headquarters
PC Lambert R Headquarters
PC Seward R Headquarters
PC Inwood G Headquarters
PC Hodgskin F Headquarters
PC Huggins C Headquarters
PC Wright C W and M horse
PC Adams D
Dress – Full”
The W and M horse was the Weights and Measures horse. At this time the Police had the responsibility for checking the weights and measures of local traders and there were two horses dedicated for the use of the responsible officers.
General Order 9 of 16th March 1910 were instruction for officers to perform duty at the Puckeridge Hunt Races on the 6th April 1910 which were being held at Cole Green Farm between Brent Pelham and Meesden.
“The following party of Mounted Police will be on duty.
Sergeant 137 Moles A on Ware horse
PC 183 Pusey A on Hoddesdon horse
PC 212 Lambert R on Headquarters horse
PC 199 Briden B on Bishops Stortford horse
The mounted men with the exception of PC Briden would proceed to Buntingford on 5th April and remain there on nights of 5th and 6th April”.
General Order 16 of 20th April 1910 were similar orders for the Harpenden Race Meeting fixed for Thursday 5th May 1910. Samuel was one of seven mounted officers on duty that day.
Proclamation of His Majesty King George V.
General Order 20 of 8th May 1910
“On the occasion of the reading of the Proclamation of His Majesty King George V at Hertford on Tuesday 10th May 1910 at 11 a.m. by the High Sherriff of the County.
The undermentioned force of Police will be detailed for duty in the Borough of Hertford to parade at Hertford Police Station at 10 a.m.
Supt Foster in charge.
F Division as many officers as can be spared.
A Division 1 Supt, 1 Sergeant and 6 Constables.
G Division 1 Sergeant and 6 Constables.
Mounted
Sergeant Moles 137 A on Ware horse.
PC Pusey 183 A on Headquarters horse.
PC Burns 249 B on Bishops Stortford horse.
PC Hodgskin 139 F on Hertford horse.
PC Lambert 212 R on Headquarters horse.
PC Burns to come into Hertford on Monday 9th inst. Supt Foster to arrange for stabling.
Dress.
Mounted men: Tunics, swords with black belts and sword knots, white gloves.
Dismounted men: Cloth jackets, capes, white gloves, capes will be left at Police Station if fine. Supt Foster will decide.”
Samuel was also tasked with performing identical duties at St Albans on 12 May 1910 at 12 noon.
The Assizes.
General Order 20 of 31st May 1910 were Orders for the Policing of the Assizes at Hertford.
“The undermentioned Mounted Detachment will hold themselves in readiness to form an escort for the Right Honourable Lord Alverstone Lord Chief Justice of England G.C.M.G. Justice of the High Court of Justice from 19th June until conclusion of the Assizes.
Sergeant Moles 137 A on Ware horse
PC Inwood 234 G on St Albans horse
PC Maxsom 1 E on Headquarters horse
PC Lambert 212 R on Headquarters horse
PC Hodgskin 139 F on Hertford horse
PC’s Maxsom and Inwood will be at Headquarters from the afternoon of 18th June and will return there each evening. The remainder will return to their stations each evening. Supt Foster will make arrangements for the outstationed horses and the men forming the escort will be under his immediate orders from 19th June until after the Assizes. Swords with black belts and sword knots will be worn but not drawn. Dress: Mounted tunics winter helmets white gloves. The DCC will submit a roll giving names of men who performed duty at the Assizes other than witnesses as soon as Assizes are over”.
General Order 33 of 14th September 1910 informed Samuel that he would receive an increased rate of pay with from 23/11 to 25/8 per week from 25th August 1910.
General Order 38 of 27th October 1910 were Orders for the Policing of the Quarter Sessions at the Autumn Assizes at Hertford. The orders were virtually identical every time except for whom Samuel and six colleagues had to escort. On this occasion it was the Right Honourable Sir William Grantham Knight Justice of the High Court who was sitting from the 7th November 1910.
Royal Visit.
General Order 43 of the 5th December 1910 were instructions regarding a Royal Visit.
“Their Majesties the King and Queen will visit Brocket Park on 12th December 1910 and following days. Inspector Draper C Division will be in charge of the Police detailed for the above duty. His duties so far as the Parliamentary Elections are concerned will be performed by Inspector Domoney. Sergeant Hagger 171G will assist Inspector Draper. Sergeant Hagger’s election duties on 15th December will be performed by Sergeant Steel 12G. The following Mounted Officers will escort their Majesties from the railway station, Hatfield to Brocket Hall on 12th December and on their return journey to Hatfield Station.
Supt Reed on A Division horse
*PC Maxsom on Headquarters horse
*PC Lambert on Headquarters horse
PC Burns on G Division horse
*Will go to Brocket Park daily for duty at and around the park”.
General Order 3 of 7th January 1911 were Orders for the Policing of the Assizes at Hertford. The orders were virtually identical every time except for whom Samuel and six colleagues had to escort. On this occasion it was the Right Honourable Sir Thomas Townsend Buckmill, Knight, Justice of the High Court of Justice and one of the Justices of our Lord the King who was sitting from the 10th February 1911.
General Order 11 of 10th March 1911 were identical orders to those previously regarding the Policing of the Puckeridge Hunt Races on the 31st March 1911 at Cole Green Farm between Brent Pelham and Meesden. Samuel was on a Headquarters horse.
During the 1911 census PC Samuel John Lambert is living in the Police Barracks at Hatfield.
General Order 11 of 13th April 1911 were once again similar orders for the Harpenden Race Meeting fixed for Thursday 4th May 1911. Samuel was one of seven mounted officers on duty that day.
General Annual Inspection 1911.
General Order 14 of 23rd May 1911 were orders for numerous officers regarding the Force General Annual Inspection 1911.
“His Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary, Captain H.T. Terry, will inspect this Force as follows:
1. Thursday 1st June 1911 St Albans City Police at 2.30 p.m.
2. Friday 9th June 1911 B or Bishops Stortford Division at Bishops Stortford Police Station at 10.20 a.m.
3. Wednesday 14th June 1911 The R or Headquarters Division at Headquarters at 11. 45 a.m.
PC’s Seward 7R and Lambert 212R will parade mounted at Headquarters at 11.45 a.m. on 14th June. Full Dress”.
The Coronation of George V And Mary Of Teck.
General Order 19 of 14th June 1911 ordered:
“The undermentioned Officers will be mounted on 22nd June 1911
Name Horse Place of Duty
Sergt Moles 137 A Ware Horse Within Division
PC Wright 20 A Hired Horse Hitchin
PC Bethell 233 A Hired Horse Hertford
PC Briden 199 B Bishops Stortford Horse Within Division
PC Pusey 183 C W & M Horse Within Division
PC Hair 167 C Hired Horse Within Division
PC Huggins 148 C C Division Horse (if
available if not hired) Within Division
PC Grainge 151 C Hired Horse Within Division
PC Sweetland 111 C Hired Horse Within Division
PC Stroud 255 C Hired Horse Within Division
PC Carpenter 27 G St Albans Horse St Albans City 6 p.m.
PC Stevens 61 D Hired Horse Within Division
PC Adams 37 D D or Hired Within Division
PC Maxsom 1 E Hired Horse Within Division
PC Winterbourne 50 E Hired Horse Within Division
PC Inwood 234 G Hired Horse Hitchin
PC Allen 62 F Hired Horse Hitchin
PC Hodgskins 139 D Hired Horse Within Division
PC Lambert 212 R Hired Horse St Albans City 6 p.m.
PC Burns 249 G Hired Horse Within Division
Superintendents are at liberty to detail the Mounted men ordered within their own Divisions to do ordinary other than Mounted Duty if they think fit. The Chief Constable is however, of opinion that on a day like Coronation Day, and with the crowd, one Mounted Constable is worth three on foot, and the Mounted Constable moreover will be in a position to go speedily to any part of the Division or County where any sort of disturbance may occur. As far as possible Territorial or Yeomanry Horses will be hired”.
General Order 40 of 11th November 1911 were Orders for the Policing of the Assizes at Hertford. The orders on this occasion instructed Samuel and five colleagues to escort the Honourable Sir John Compton Lawrence, Knight, Justice of the High Court of Justice and one of the Justices of our Lord the King who was sitting from 20th November 1911.
Samuel John Lamberth married Eveline Janet Morrell on the 24th March 1913 at Linton, Cambridgeshire. Samuel gave his address as The Firs, Bell Bar, Bishops Hatfield. They had two children John Morrell born in 1914 at Hatfield and Cicely Phyllis born in 1917 at Hatfield.
Army Service During The War.
General Order 118 of 21st July 1915 is a list of 96 officers which included the Chief Constable, 43 Constables who were Army reservists who were recalled and 50 Constables and 2 Sergeants who volunteered for military service. Samuel is shown as PC 212 Lambert S.J. R Division recalled to 1st Dragoons on 4th August 1914.
His Medal Roll Index Card and Medal Roll shows that he only received the British War Medal and Victory Medal, so he did not go to France until after 1915. He was an Acting Sergeant 5192 in the 1st Dragoons later transferring, possibly at the expiration of his service on the 1st July 1917, as Acting Sergeant Reg/633 to the Royal Army Veterinary Corps.
Re-joining The Police.
General Order 23 of 25th January 1919 listed 25 Police Officers who having been released from H.M. Army had been re-appointed to the Force. Samuel was shown as:
PC 212 Lambert S.J. R Division at Hatfield from 21st January 1919 on £2/11/0 per week.
Each officer had to be formerly re-attested. The Superintendents concerned had to report to Headquarters the date and place of Attestation and before whom taken.
Samuel and Eveline are listed in the 1920 to 1930 Electoral Rolls as living at Police Cottages, Hatfield.
General Order 50 of 12th March 1920 informed Samuel that he would receive an increased rate of pay from £4/8/0 to £4/10/0 per week from 10th March 1920.
General Order 49 of 14th April 1922 instructed Samuel as one of three Mounted Officers to be on duty at the Puckeridge Hunt Races held near Cole Green Farm, Brent Pelham on Wednesday 19th April 1922.
General Order 70 of 6th June 1922 instructed Samuel as only one of two Mounted Officers to perform duty at the Assizes to be held at the Shire Hall, Hertford at 11 a.m. on Monday 19th June 1922.
General Order 147 of 7th November 1922 again instructed Samuel to be a Mounted Officer on duty for the Assizes to be held at the Shire Hall, Hertford at 11 a.m. on Monday 20th November 1922.
Another Royal Visit.
General Order 154 of 13th November 1922 instructed Samuel to be on duty as a Mounted Officer for the visit of HRH The Prince of Wales.
“His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales will visit the William Baker Technical School, Goldings, Hertford on Friday 17th November 1922 at 12.55 p.m. On leaving Goldings His Royal Highness will proceed to the Hertford County Hospital, Hertford to lay the foundation stone of the Nurses’ Home”.
General Order 156 of 14th November 1922 gave Orders for Mounted Officers to perform duty at various locations in relation to the Declaration of the Poll in the Parliamentary Elections of 1922. Samuel was to be on duty at St. Albans.
The Mounted Establishment Is Formed.
General Order 17 of 31st January 1923 announced the formation of a dedicated Mounted Establishment :
“From the 1st February 1923 the Mounted Establishment of the Hertford County Constabulary will consist of the undermentioned Sergeant and Constables:
Rank & No. Name Division Station
1. PS 35 Reid A. C Watford
2. PC 199 Briden J. A Braughing
3. PC 111 Sweetland G. A Bishops Stortford
4. PC 93 Potton F. B Hertford
5. PC 315 Thurley W.J. B Hertford
6. PC 331 Kimpton G. C Watford
7. PC 282 Eames A. E Kimpton
8. PC 200 Bangs A. E Hitchin
9. PC 212 Lambert S.J. R Headquarters
10. PC 78 Phypers E.W. R Headquarters
11. PC 233 Howe A. R Headquarters
Officers who have Mounted Equipment but are not included in the Mounted Establishment shown above will hand such equipment into stores forthwith”.
General Order 18 of 1st February 1923 again instructed Samuel to be a Mounted Officer on duty for the Assizes to be held at the Shire Hall, Hertford at 11 a.m. on Tuesday 13th February 1923.
General Order 64 0f 3rd April 1923 instructed Samuel once again to be one of three Mounted Officers to be on duty for the Puckeridge Hunt Races being held near Cole Green Farm Brent Pelham on Wednesday 11th April 1923.
General Order 106 of 8th June 1923 ordered Samuel to be one of two Mounted Officers to be on duty for the Assizes to be held at the Shire Hall Hertford at 11 a.m. on Monday 25th June 1923.
General Order 127 OF 21st July 1923 instructed numerous officers to be on duty for the Herts Agricultural Show which was to be held at Hatfield Park on Thursday 26th July 1923. The details of the Mounted Officers were as follows:
“Constable 282 Eames will proceed to Headquarters on morning of 26th July and take over Headquarters horse “Banny Ally”. He will return to his station the same evening. Constable 212 Lambert will rise the Headquarters horse “Greig”. Constables Eames and Lambert will report at the Show Ground at 12 noon”.
General Order 181 of 1st November1923 ordered Samuel to undertake Mounted duty at the opening of the Assizes at the Shire Hall Hertford at 11 a.m. on Thursday 22nd November 1923.
General Order 198 of 4th December 1923 gave Orders for Mounted Officers to perform duty at various locations in relation to the Declaration of the Poll in the Parliamentary Elections of 1923. Samuel was to be on duty at Hertford.
General Order 16 of 26th January 1924 and General Order 91 of 31 May 1924 instructed Samuel to perform Mounted duties at the commencement of the Assizes that would be held at the Shire Hall Hertford at 11 a.m. on Tuesday 12th February 1924 and at 11 a.m. on Thursday 19th June 1924 respectively.
General Order 116 of 20th July 1924 ordered Samuel to report at the Show Ground at 12 noon for the Herts Agricultural Show at Hatfield Park on Thursday 24th July 1924 in respect of Mounted duties.
General Order 169 of 26th October 1924 gave Orders for Mounted Officers to perform duty at various locations in relation to the Declaration of the Poll in the Parliamentary Elections of 1924. Samuel was to be on duty at Hertford.
General Order 172 of 29th October 1924, General Order 10 of 24th January 1925 and General Order 88 of 8th June 1925 gave instructions to Samuel to perform Mounted duties at the Assizes being held at the Shire Hall Hertford at 11 a.m. on 20th November 1924, at 11 a.m. on Monday 16th February 1925 and at 11 a.m. on Wednesday 17th June 1925 respectively.
Yet Another Royal Visit.
General Order 93 of 21st June 1925 with many other Officers Samuel was ordered to perform Mounted duties at the opening of Watford Peace Memorial Hospital by H.R.H Princess Mary Viscountess Lascelles.
“This ceremony will take place at 3 p.m. on Wednesday 24th June 1926 and will be preceded by the Presentation of an Address of Welcome by the Mayor and Corporation of the Borough of Watford at the Market Place at 2.45 p.m.
Command: The detachment of the Hertford County Constabulary on duty will be under the command of: Superintendent E. Maskell.
Movements Mounted: Constables 212 Lambert and 339 Oliver will ride Headquarters Horses and will report at King Street Police Station at 12 noon. Police Sergeant 35 Reid and Constables 93 Potton and 315 Thurley will ride horses to be hired by Superintendent A Division. The hired horses will be taken over by the Police Sergeant and Constables at Stanstead Abbotts at 2 p.m. on Tuesday 23rd instant and will be stabled at Watford on that night. The horses will be returned to Stanstead Abbotts immediately after the Ceremony on the 24th instant.
Escort: The Mounted Detachment under the command of Police Sergeant 35 Reid will meet the motor car conveying Her Royal Highness at Bushey Arches and escort the car during the period it is in Watford until it passes Bushey Arches on the return journey”.
General Order 148 of 28th October 1925, General Order 27 of 8th February 1926 and General Order 81 of 13th June 1926 all instructed Samuel to perform Mounted Duties at the opening of the Hertfordshire Assizes being held at the Shire Hall Hertford commencing at 11 a.m. on Monday 23rd November 1925, at 11 a.m. on Monday 15th February 1926 and at 11 a.m. on Monday 21st June 1926 respectively.
Another Royal Visit.
General Order 99 of 18th July 1926 ordered numerous officers to perform duties in relation to the visit of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales.
“His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales will visit Hemel Hempstead and Watford on Tuesday July 20th, 1926 commencing at Hemel Hempstead at 2.30 p.m. and Watford at 4.10 p.m. and will leave the County Police District about 5.10 p.m.
Movements Mounted: Constables 212 Lambert and 339 Oliver will ride Headquarters horses. Police Sergeant 35 Reid and Constable 82 Saunders will ride horses to be hired by Superintendent A Division. The hired horses will be taken over by Constable 339 Oliver at Stanstead Abbotts at 3 p.m. on Monday 19th instant and will be stabled at Headquarters on that night. The whole of the mounted detachment will march to Hemel Hempstead Police Station on the morning of 2oth July and report at 12 noon. The horses will be returned to Stanstead Abbotts immediately after the ceremony”.
General Order 149 of 3rd November 1926 and General Order 20 of 1st February 1927 instructed Samuel to perform Mounted duties with regard to the opening of the Hertfordshire Assizes being held at the Shire Hall Hertford commencing at 11 a.m. on Friday 19th November 1926 and at 11 a.m. on Monday 14th February 1927 respectively.
Retirement And After The Police.
Nothing else is known about Samuel’s Police Service until his retirement on pension on the 20th December 1933. As he had only served just short of 24 years it is assumed that he must have retired on a medical pension.
In the 1939 Register Samuel and Eveline are listed as living at 16, Clarkes Road, Hatfield, Samuel is shown as a retired Police Constable and General Horseman.
Samuel died on the 17th July 1972 at Hatfield.
Add your comment about this page