Serjeant John Lamont of Raceview, Broughshane, Co. Antrim was possibly the first serving soldier from Northern Ireland to die during the Second World War.
Serjeant
6977978
Serjeant John Lamont (6977978) served in 2nd Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers during the Second World War. He was the son of Hugh Lamont and Ellen Lamont of Raceview, Broughshane, Co. Antrim.
In civilian life, John was employed at the scutch mill of Mr. R. White at Kenbally, Broughshane, Co. Antrim. He enlisted in the British Army in 1934 and served in Palestine before returning to England in 1937. When home on leave, John would attend Ballymena Baptist Church, Ballymena, Co. Antrim along with his parents.
Possibly the first Ulster soldier to lay down his life for his country in the present war is Serjeant John Lamont, a despatch rider attached to a regiment, which for censorship purposes we cannot yet reveal.
John died on 19th September 1939 aged 22 years old as a result of an accident. His parents in Co. Antrim received notification by telegram on 26th September 1939. Subsequent letters from the Adjutant of the battalion and the regimental Chaplain state that a funeral took place on 21st September 1939 but there was no further information on the accident.
A poignant feature is that on Friday, the day after his parents had been notified of his death, came a letter from him – the last one he ever wrote. In it he stated that he was going to France, and that if it was the will of God that he should lose his life he hoped to meet his father and mother in heaven.
Serjeant Lamont’s grave is in Plot 38, Row B, Grave 1 of Le Mans West Cemetery, Le Mans, Pays de la Loire, France. He was a posthumous recipient of the France and Belgium Campaign 1939-1940 Medal. His name is on the Broughshane War Memorial, Broughshane, Co. Antrim and his headstone in France bears the inscription:
Lord, teach me to live that when my days are ended I’ll be met at the gate by my darling son.