Esher Rugby

It is with great sadness that we have to announce, that former President Basil Lambert, has passed away at the grand age of one hundred and two.

In many ways, this brings an end to a great chapter in Esher Rugby Club’s history with our senior generation, many of whom joined the Club following the Second World War. Basil joined Esher in the Summer of 1947 having served in the Japanese campaign in Burma, where he actually met Vera Lynn, who sang to the troops on a visit to Burma. He was demobilised at the end of the campaign, as an Indian Army Captain.

Basil’s rugby career was predominantly in the B XV, starting with a 3 to 0 win at Guildford and Godalming, where he kicked the winning, and only goal!

He went on to be a founder member of the Expendable in 1959. These were the years when the Club started to run many teams on a Saturday, reaching fourteen or fifteen on occasions.

His final game was in 1985 for the Golden Oldies Tournament held at Esher, where Basil wore maroon shorts to signify that he was not meant to be tackled but, as we all know, rugby players either don’t know the laws or just ignore them!

Basil’s first role as an official was as Club Treasurer, between 1954 until 1964/65 and at the young age of fifty, celebrated his birthday in a floodlight game against the Metropolitan Police.

Once fully retired from match activities, Basil became Club President in 1978 to 1980 and again from 1982 to 1984. He was also Club Chairman from 1980 until 1989, as well as being a Life Member of Surrey County RFU.

Among his many contributions to the club, he formed the 200 Club to raise funds for Esher, was involved in the installation of the Club’s first floodlights, that were the first of their kind in rugby circles, resulting in the Esher floodlight sevens, which were attended by all the senior rugby clubs in the area.

In 2023, at the age of one hundred, Basil became joint Honorary President to honour both his, and the Club’s Centenary, culminating in our Centenary Dinner, with guest speaker, Martin Johnson at the All England Club.

His extraordinary life was full of history and golden memories, including appearing with his wife Madge, who he met during the war, on Strictly Come Dancing, where he proudly wore his Esher bow tie!

In his later years he was seen in the 1st XV changing room with the jugs of beer,  but only when they deserved them with a good performance.

A true legend of Esher Rugby Club and the end of an era, of Second World War heroes who defended our country and were the lucky ones to return, to join, support and grow rugby clubs.

Any funeral details will be published as soon as we are aware of them.