171498 Private David Lamb was born 14 December, 1872 in Dundee Scotland where he served 12 years in the Volunteer Army. He was married to Georgina Reid, they had three children. David emigrated to Canada in 1910, the family following a few years later.
A member of the 10th Royal Grenadiers, and stating his age as 36 when he was in fact 42, he attested into the 83rd Battalion (Queen’s Own Rifles) Canadian Expeditionary Force 9th August 1915 in Toronto. Sailing from Halifax on the S.S. Olympic on 28 April 1916 Lamb arrived in England 7th May 1916. By 8th January 1917 he was transferred to 1st Canadian Labour Battalion, (see below) and proceeded overseas where by November 1917 he was awarded a good conduct badge. By December 1917 he was admitted to hospital with Nephritis. He was transferred back to England and remained there until he returned to Canada in 1918 and was discharged. His brother 171497 Private James Lamb also served with the 83rd Bn CEF. Following the war, David was a Vetcraft Worker at Christie Street Veteran’s Hospital in Toronto.
Lamb died 21 January, 1936 due to Nephritis which, according to Canada War Graves, was attributable to his service. He is buried in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Toronto, Plot 8-6261.
1st Canadian Labour Battalion
Organized at Shoreham in December 1916 under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel H. A. C. Machin. Arrived in France 11 January 1917.
Strength: 13 officers, 1010 other ranks.
Worked mainly on broad gauge railways, roads, light railways, water services, trench cables and salvage. Redesignated as 1st Canadian Infantry Works Battalion on 28 March 1918. The 1st Canadian Infantry Works Battalion formed the 1st and 3rd Canadian Infantry Works Companies in September 1918.
Lamb’s Personnel Records can be found at Library and Archives Canada:
The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada Regimental Museum and Archive 