One of Scotland’s last surviving
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Albert Lamond from Glasgow served as a Royal Navy signalman during the Allied invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944.
Albert was just 18 when he boarded HMS Rowley, a frigate tasked with protecting the battleship HMS Warspite as it travelled to Normandy to shell German troops.
HMS Rowley was to circle Warspite as its first line of defence and, if needed, sacrifice itself to protect the larger ship.
His family have now spoken about their pride for their beloved family member who never claimed himself to be a hero and “believed he was just doing his duty”
Martin Lamond, his nephew, said: “We’re all deeply saddened by Albert’s passing.
“He was a joy to be around and an example to everyone right up to the last.
“He’ll be so greatly missed.
“Not only have Albert’s friends and family suffered a great loss, but everyone has, even if they never had the pleasure of knowing him.
“Albert never thought of himself as a hero.
“He believed he was just doing his duty, and he carried the memory of those who didn’t make it with him throughout his life.
“We are incredibly proud of him and grateful for the time we had.”
Born in Glasgow’s East End, Albert joined the Royal Navy in 1943.
His service extended to the Pacific, where he played a part in the final stages of the war before VJ Day on August 15, 1945, when Japan announced its surrender.
During that time, he helped evacuate Allied prisoners of war from remote islands and transport them to Australia.
Albert, just 19 at the time, described the prisoners as "living skeletons" but recalled how they still managed to smile when rescued.
After leaving the Navy, he returned to civilian life and worked on the railways.
In later years, he lived at McKellar House in the Erskine Veterans Village in Renfrewshire.
Wing Commander Ian Cumming, chief executive at Erskine, said: "Albert represented the very best of his generation.
"He spoke honestly about his service, not to glorify war, but to make sure people understood its cost.
"Throughout his time at Erskine, he was committed to passing on those lessons.
"We won’t forget the ever-present twinkle in Albert’s eye, or his cheeky patter.
"We were truly privileged to care for and support him in later life."
Marking the 80th anniversary of the landings on June 6, 2024, Albert reflected on the importance of remembering those who served and the realities of war.
He said: "It was horrible.
"It lives with you forever.
"If we don’t pass the stories on, people will forget, and we can’t let that happen."
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Erskine paid tribute to him as a long-term resident who contributed to the community by sharing his experiences and reminding others of the real cost of conflict.
He will be laid to rest on Tuesday at Dalnottar Cemetery in Clydebank.
Family, friends and members of the veterans’ community will gather to celebrate his life.
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