British and World Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Private R. A. Lamb, 8th and 14th Battalions, Australian Imperial Force, a Gallipoli veteran who was killed in action at Pozieres in August 1916

1914-15 Star (1767 Pte. R. A. Lamb, 8/Bn. A.I.F.); British War and Victory Medals (1767 Pte. R. A. Lamb, 8 Bn. A.I.F.), mounted as worn by the recipient’s next of kin in incorrect order, but with the 1914-15 Star correctly placed on the right, very fine or better (3) £300-350

Robert Alfred Lamb, a barman from Richmond, Victoria, enlisted in January 1915 and was posted to the 8th Battalion, Australian Imperial Force. Embarked for Egypt in H.M.A.T. Wiltshire in April 1915, he would have witnessed extensive action in the Gallipoli peninsula, not least in the Battalion’s part in 2nd Brigade’s assaults on Krithia and Lone Pine, although in November Lamb was evacuated to Mudros with sickness.

Thence embarked for Egypt, Lamb transferred to the 14th Battalion and was ordered to France in June 1916. Sadly, however, his second stint of active service was short-lived, for he was killed in action during an enemy counter-attack at Pozieres on 7 August, while serving in ‘B’ Company. He was 25 years of age and is buried in the Courcellete British Cemetery.