Code: U27663
By Patrick Thompson Ltd. of Edinburgh. February 1945 dated. A standard pattern four pocket service dress tunic with a lovely padded 'AG' brevet, Flying Officer rank lace, King's crown brass buttons, integral belt with cast brass buckle. The overall appearance is very good, the barathea cloth is quite clean and appears to be free from damage and moth attack. The uniform belonged to Flying Officer David P. Lambert (1823096), an airgunner with 624 and later 148 Squadron dropping supplies and agents to the French resistance. In November 1943 Lambert became a member of the 'Goldfish' club after a sortie to Stuttgart when their Halifax was hit by flak. They got back to Thorney Island but overshot twice and ended up ditching and taking to the aircraft dinghy. During the summer of 1944 with 148 'Special Duties' Squadron, Lambert flew from Brindisi on the southern Adriatic coast of Italy in support of the Warsaw Uprising. Their task to deliver vital food and supplies to the starving citizens in the city, who were cut off by German and Russian forces, involved an almost 15 hour flight, mostly over enemy territory, without fighter escort. Their aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft flak on approach to their 'target' causing flames and smoke within the airframe, but Lambert, tasked with despatching the supplies, managed an accurate drop and they set off for a 5 hour return trip. The crew undertook 2 further successful sorties to Warsaw. Sadly the missions were hampered by the large distances involved, the squadrons' payloads had to be reduced, and insufficient supplies got through to support the Polish rebellion. Nevertheless, Lambert was recognised by the Poles after the war in the presentation of various medals. Comes with a pin backed medal bar with the 39-45 and Italy star and War medal ribbons. This was pinned through a button-hole and appears to have never been attached to the tunic. Lambert died in 2016 at the age of 91. We purchased a few items of kit directly from his son last year. Stock code U27663.
