Robert Lamb

Post date: Aug 07, 2013 5:25:54 PM

Robert (Bob) Lamb

15 July 1925 – 4 August 2013

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Bob Lamb.

Bob started his career in shipping in November 1950, joining Mackinnon Mackenzie (part of the P&O Group responsible for its Far East shipping) after reading law at Trinity Hall, Cambridge. He grew up and was schooled in Cambridge, England enjoying three years as an evacuee in Pitlochry, Scotland when his school (The Leys) had to give up its buildings to the war effort during 1940 – 1943. In 1943 he joined the RAF whilst in Scotland, and was sent off for training, he joined the RAF properly in April 1944.

Bob was keen to be a pilot and spent several years with the RAF and was sent to learn to fly the RAF’s ‘Tiger Moth’. When the war ended, Bob was invited to sign up for three years at the RAF College Cranwell. With great reluctance he declined the position as he had been offered a place at Trinity Hall Cambridge, starting in 1947. This was a big regret in his life, as he would have loved to have done both.

After graduation, Bob’s first position with Mackinnon Mackenzie was a short stint in India in 1950. However, by March 1951, Bob was posted to Singapore. There followed 16 happy years with Islay Kerr & Co., where he made most of his life long friends. In 1967, Bob was transferred to P&O’s Head Office in London as a General Manager of P&O Lines, which was responsible for the operation of the company’s passenger and cargo ships, mainly to Australia and the Far East.

During a period of change in the carriage of general cargo and the advent of containerisation, P&O, together with three other British shipping companies, formed Overseas Containers Ltd (OCL). Bob was appointed General Manager of the Far East trade division of OCL in 1971, in preparation for the service commencing the following year.

In December 1971, Bob married Jean Francis (nee MacNeece Foster). They lived in Barnes then Cambridge before Bob was posted to Cape Town, South Africa in 1980 as MD for OC(SA)L. This position lasted until Bob retired in 1985 and moved back to England, settling in Kirtlington, Oxfordshire.

It is true to say that Bob and Jean enjoyed much travelling during the following 25 years, visiting New Zealand, Australia and America and many countries in between.

Bob was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2012. He leaves Jean, his daughter Kirsten and son John, step-daughters Caroline and Deborah and nine grandchildren.

Bob's funeral will will take place on Tuesday 13th August in Oxford.

Date: Tuesday 13th August

Time: 2:30pm

Location: St. Peter's Church , Wolvercote, Oxford

Then, 3:45pm @ Oxford Crematorium, for the Cremation. This is a 5min committal service.

Address of Church:-

St.Peter's Church

Wolvercote

First Turn, Upper Wolvercote,

Oxford, OX2 8AQ

Website: www.stpeterswolvercote.org

Parking unfortunately is very limited.

John has also said that instead of flowers, if anyone would like to give a donation to the Princess Alice Hospice, West End Lane, Esher, Surrey, KT10 8BR, that would be lovely.

Belinda McCormack

SCARA Hon.Sec.