George Edwin LAMBLE

LAMBLE, GEORGE EDWIN (b. Ballarat, Vic, 19 Feb 1877; d. Melbourne, Vic, 4 June 1939). Anglican clergyman.

The oldest son of George Robert Lamble, a headmaster, and Catherine Mary (née Mullens). George Edwin Lamble grew up at Kew and was educated at Scotch College. He was ordained deacon 10 June 1900, priest 2 June 1901. He m. Louisa Clark on 22 Oct 1904. Lamble played an important part in the formative years of the diocese of Wangaratta, being registrar 1903-7 and warden of St Columb's Hall until 1910. On his return to Melbourne, he was incumbent of St Barnabas', South Melbourne and from 1912-25, rector of St Stephen's, Richmond where he became involved in the difficulties faced by people living in industrial suburbs. This ministry was interrupted by World War One when he was a chaplain in the AIF from Oct 1916, serving in France from March 1917 to March 1918. His wife died on 8 August 1919 and on 22 Sept 1921 he married Winifred Jessie Bainbridge.

Lamble's most significant work was that of missioner of the Mission of St James and St John 1925-39. He expanded the Mission's policy to include 'homes for the homeless' and 'means for the reclamation of the fallen'. He established a chain of homes which cared for unmarried mothers and their children through the stages of babyhood, infancy, and childhood. He died at East Melbourne on 4 June 1939 and was buried at the Burwood cemetery, being survived by his second wife and the six children by his first marriage. Abp Head described him as 'a true man of God, a forceful leader with a wonderful capacity for organisation'. He had strong evangelical convictions.

Keith Cole, Commissioned to Care (Melbourne, 1969); ADB 9

KEITH COLE