Success as family of brave Southsea Royal Marine killed in the war is found after Canadian town's plea

Southsea Marine William Walter Lambard was among 69 Britons killed during the Battle of River Plate on December 13, 1939.

The 20-year-old had been serving in the light cruiser HMS Ajax when he was fatally wounded during the battle against German ‘pocket battleship’ Graf Spee.

Years later, the Canadian town of Ajax was formed as a tribute to all those killed, with streets named after men who served on Ajax – including William, whose road is called Lambard Crescent.

Last month a plea went out from politicians in Ajax to try and trace Mr Lambard’s surviving family and invite them to a rededication ceremony of his street in May.

And following an appeal published by The News, and the efforts of Southsea woman Clare Ash, the town was able to speak to the former Commando’s second cousin, Ken Lambard, and invite the 81-year-old to the service.

Speaking to The News, Ken, of Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, said: ‘This is a real honour. I just wish I had the flipping money to go out and represent the family.

‘I couldn’t believe it when the letter came through. I knew there was a town named Ajax but didn’t know anything about it this ceremony. It was a real surprise.

‘I then called the Canadians and spoke to them all about it. It was really nice. As a family we’re so proud of Will.’

Former army Corporal Mr Lambard was tracked down by Clare Ash, who scoured online records to hunt out the Marine’s remaining relatives.

It’s not the first time Clare has helped to track people down. She is known affectionately by her friends and family as a ‘super sleuth’ after successfully finding 33 of her old primary school pals for a reunion.

She said: ‘I’m a bit of a boy scout. I like helping people. When people post things up saying “I haven’t seen some classmate in 30 years and I don’t know how to contact them” that’s my thing and what I do.

‘The Canadians had been searching for Mr Lambard’s family for a couple of decades – I was able to find them in a couple of hours.

‘It is really gratifying to know that I have done something to help.’

Ajax Town Council had previously tried, and failed, to locate Marine Lambard’s family during the original tree planting ceremony in 2000.

Brenda Kriz, records and freedom of information co-ordinator with the authority, was ‘thrilled’ by the result of the latest search and said: ‘I am positive that without the paper running the story we would again have had no luck.

‘It is still too early to know if any of the family will be able to travel from England to Ontario to attend the event, but at least they are now aware that William will be forever remembered for his service in the town of Ajax.’