Charles Lambert (2 Jul 1963 - 24 Nov 2021)

Charlie, Keith to his family and some friends, was born in 1963 to Doreen and Eric Lambert, joining his sister Kathryn to complete their family unit. He grew up in York, went to school locally and was an active member of the York rowing club until joining HMS Raleigh as a Junior Weapons Engineer Mechanic on 11th September 1979.
When he joined the RN in 1979, he probably did not envision a career spanning 42 years, serving in many establishments, ships, foreign drafts and being part of conflict deployments. After completing his initial training in HMS Raleigh and specialisation training in HMS Collingwood, he was initially drafted to HMS Forest Moor to await his first sea job, eventually joining HMS Leander in 1980. Whilst she was in refit, he was loaned to HMS Minerva where, as he put it, he finally got to experience life and work at sea. Following another stint at HMS Forest Moor, he then joined HMS Andromeda in 1983, where he crossed the equator for the first time and spent time in the Mediterranean. More training followed, both at Collingwood and Forest Moor, before he embarked on his first foreign posting to the Communications Centre in Gibraltar in 1985, receiving his promotion to PO in 1986.
It was whilst serving in Gibraltar that he met his future wife Louise, who he married in the UK in March 1989. In 1989 he also became a father for the first time, welcoming his first daughter Alice in December. During this time he was shoreside, working at Fort Southwick Comcen, before returning to sea in 1990, joining HMS Juno as the communications maintainer. In December 1991, he became a father once again, this time to a son, Charles. In 1992, he was promoted to CPO and worked in the communications section Captain Weapons Trials and Assessments between 1993 and 1996. In 1995, his second daughter, Claire was born. His family was complete and remained his pride and joy throughout the rest of his life.
He joined HMS Iron Duke in 1996 and was awarded a Herbert Lott award in recognition of his engineering work and standards during this posting. In 1999, he was lucky enough to be posted abroad to Gibraltar for a second time, this time in the company of his family. Selected for his Charge Chief Qualifying course whilst overseas, he worked initially as a senior maintainer for the 2 transmitter sites before taking up the post as the Chief of the Station Communications. Whilst serving overseas, he got fully involved: volunteering for the Cubs, he worked as a pool lifeguard and manager and even spent time as a World War 2 tunnel guide leading many a visitor from ships that came alongside through the miles of tunnels inside the Rock. It was whilst working in Gibraltar that he took up Field Gun once more following a ten-year hiatus. Following this, he would go on to compete for many a crew and become heavily involved in maintaining the guns as part of the Field Gun Committee, only pausing when sea postings prevented him from taking part.
Returning to the UK in 2002 to complete his Charge Chief course, Charlie joined HMS Richmond in 2003 as the Sensor Charge Chief and WE department Coordinator. It was during this appointment that he received the rate of Warrant Officer 2, a new rank given to Charge Chiefs in 2004. It was also in 2004 that he received a Commander in Chief Fleet Commendation in recognition of work undertaken during disaster relief efforts on the Island of Grenada.
2005 brought his next and final overseas posting, this time to Naples, Italy. Once again, he was joined by his family, and this posting offered a cherished opportunity for family time. Stationed at Maritime HQ Nissida, he was working for NATO Communications and Information Systems Service Agency. He enjoyed working as part of a multinational team and his work and support to the agency was recognised as he became the recipient of a Commendation from General Woolfe, NATO’s Director of NCSE. Much like he did in Gibraltar, he embraced the community lifestyle, taking on the role of pool manager once more, helping to establish a Napoli Field Gun crew and forming many valued friendships which continue today.
In 2008 he returned to the UK, joining HMS Nottingham in 2009 as WE Department Coordinator as the ship prepared for decommissioning. He also looked after HMS Southampton and HMS Exeter during this appointment as they were controlled by the staff of HMS Nottingham during their final months of service. Following this, he was drafted to HMS Liverpool, once again taking on the role of WE department coordinator and WO2 for the sensor’s equipment. Whilst on HMS Liverpool, he was part of Operation Unified Protector.
Following his deployment on HMS Liverpool, Charlie was drafted to HMS Collingwood and received his promotion to WO1 in 2014. In 2015, he was drafted to the Engineering Training Squadron and his work was once again recognised as the team became recipients of the Herbert Lott award. His final draft was to the Navy Safety Centre in 2018.
Charlie was a dedicated family man, a mentor and a loyal friend. A truly selfless man, he leaves a chasm that cannot be filled.