Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Ernest Edgar Lambert born Wednesday 8 March 1893 at Towitta, the 4th child and son of Samuel Lambert and Harriet Bywaters.
Ern attended the Towitta school

Ern was 14 when the family moved from Towitta to Galga in late 1907. The Galga area was new land released by the Government. The Lamberts were one of the first families into the area.

Ern served in World War 1 in the 43rd Battalion D Company Regimental No. 714. On enlistment: Age 22 years 11 months, height: 5 feet 8 inches, weight 134lbs. Chest Measurement: 32 ½ - 35 inches. Fresh Complexion, Blue eyes and dark hair. Religious Denomination: Congregational. Occupation: Farmer. He embarked from Outer Harbour on 9 June 1916 and was ill on-board, arriving Marsulles on 20 July 1916. On the same ship was his brother Leslie and cousins David and Edward Lambert. This was the beginning of much illness during his time abroad. He was sent to hospital in England on 18 November 1916. He went to France on 20 December 1916. We was wounded in action on 4 July 1917 and seriously wounded in action on 1 September 1918 with gunshot wounds to arm and right thigh, which the latter gave him problems for the rest of his life. Sent to England to recuperate. He returned to Australia, arriving 18 February 1919 and discharged on 27 April 1919 after 3 years 69 days service, of which 2 years 255 days were served overseas.

From the book “The Galga Story” ”All enlisted boys from Galga were given a farewell in the form of a dance in the Galga Hall. On their homecoming each soldier was given a "Welcome Home" and each presented with a suitcase and money.”

At the age of 28, Ern married Eileen Pulham on Wednesday 27 July 1921 at the Eastern Well Congregational Church. Between June 1922 and September 1926, they had five children.
Eileen died 17 August 1927 age 28 of Pneumonia leaving Ern with five children, with the eldest child aged five years 2 months and the youngest 11 months old.
The children were separated from their father, split up and brought up by Eileen’s sisters. Ern never remarried.

After Ern returned from the war he bought uncleared land belonging to his father. The droughts of the late 1920’s hit the area and the farm was sold in 1928. It is not known if Ern sold his farm whilst he could and before he “went under” or had to walk off the land ? During his lifetime Ern had many jobs, from working in the Riverland to farm work in Mallala, worked for Forster’s Skin Co and in 1954, aged 60 retired from being a cleaner at the Railways.

Ern had a life long interest in horses, especially trotting horses. He loved old style dancing and went dancing several times a week even into his 80’s.

Ern died in his sleep on Thursday 5 April 1990 at the age of 97 years 1 month and buried with his wife at West Tce Cemetery, Adelaide.

Ern’s name is on the Galga War Memorial, which was unveiled 25 April 2012.


Relatives who served in WW1 and WW2
Leslie Samuel Lambert (brother) WW1
David Amos Lambert (cousin) WW1
Edward George Lambert (cousin) WW1
Stanley Roy Angel (cousin) WW1
Ernest Edward Lambert (son) WW2
Howard Frank Lambert (son) WW2

Acknowledgments
Australian War Memorial
National Archives
AIF project
SA Genealogy Scty