Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of John Lee, a stocking maker, born on the 23rd February 1850 in Stoke Golding, Leicestershire and baptised on the 24th March 1850 in the Church of St. Margaret of Antioch, Stoke Golding (son of John Lee, 1825-1908 and Elizabeth Farmer, 1830-1905) and his wife Matilda Lee (nee Towers, married on the 5th September 1876 in the Church of St. Margaret of Antioch, Stoke Golding), born on the 4th January 1852 in Stoke Golding (daughter of William Towers, 1822-1901 and Ann Farmer, 1824-1881). Ernest was born in the January quarter of 1879 in Stoke Golding and baptised on the 25th May 1884 in the Church of St. Margaret of Antioch, Stoke Golding, his siblings were Joseph, born in the July quarter of 1877 and baptised on the 18th May 1884 in the Church of St. Margaret of Antioch, Stoke Golding and Rose Annie, born in the January quarter of 1881 and baptised on the 25th May 1884 in the Church of St. Margaret of Antioch, Stoke Golding, both his siblings were born in Stoke Golding, in April 1881 the family home was at 6, Hinckley Road, Stoke Golding. In April 1891 Ernest was employed as an agricultural labourer and was residing in the family home at Stoke Golding, together with his father, a shoe maker, his mother and siblings, Rose, a schoolgirl, John William, a schoolboy, born in the January quarter of 1883 and baptised on the 25th May 1884 in the Church of St. Margaret of Antioch, Stoke Golding, Sarah Elizabeth, a schoolgirl, born on the 29th October 1886 and baptised on the 30th December 1888 in the Church of St. Margaret of Antioch, Stoke Golding, Violet Ethel, born on the 4th November 1888 and baptised on the 30th December 1888 in the Church of St. Margaret of Antioch, Stoke Golding and Lilian Alice, born on the 19th October 1890 and baptised on the 14th January 1894 in the Church of St. Margaret of Antioch, Stoke Golding, the latter four siblings were all born in Stoke Golding. In March 1901 Ernest was employed as a general labourer and was residing in the family home at 267, Saffron Lane, St. James’, Leicester, together with his wife, Bertha Lee (nee Badcock, married on the 4th December 1900 in the Register Office, Leicester), born on the 29th December 1876 in Coalville, Leicestershire (daughter of George Badcock and Sarah Wragg). In April 1911 Ernest was employed as a gas works labourer and was residing in the family home at 52, Grace Road, Leicester, together with his wife a laundry worker and their children, John William, born on the 16th August 1901, and baptised on the 11th September 1901 in St. James’ Church, Aylestone Park, Leicester Ernest, born on the 9th May 1903, Joseph, born in the January quarter of 1905, Ethel Alice, born in the April quarter of 1906 and Thomas George, born on the 15th December 1907, all the children were born in Leicester.
FAMILY NOTE: Ernest also had the following younger siblings, Thomas George, born in the January quarter of 1893 and baptised on the 14th January 1894 in the Church of St. Margaret of Antioch, Stoke Golding and Amelia May, born on the 5th October 1895 and baptised on the 1st November 1895 in the Church of St. Margaret of Antioch, Stoke Golding, both siblings were born in Stoke Golding.
Ernest’s wife’s mother, Sarah Wragg, had previously been married on the 6th April 1874 in Coalville, to George Badcock, George died in the October quarter of 1883 and she then married Charles Wilcox in 1886 in Coalville.
Ernest enlisted/attested into the Army Reserve (Special Reservists) on the 12th April 1915 in Leicester, and was allotted the regimental service number 20399. He gave his place of birth as Stoke Golding, near Nuneaton and age as 39 years 1 month. His marital status was given as married and his trade or calling as Corporation labourer.
He confirmed that he had previously served with the 4th Bn. Warwickshire Regt.
His medical history was compiled during an examination that took place in [not recorded] on the [not recorded] and recorded his birthplace as Stoke Golding, Leicestershire, declared age as 40, trade or occupation as gas worker, that he was 6-feet 1½ inches in height, weighed 15 stone, had a chest measurement of between 42 and 43 inches, his physical development was described as [not recorded], his vision was described as R.E.-V=[not recorded] L.E.-V=[not recorded]. Enlisted at Leicester on the 9th April 1915. Joined on enlistment 3/4th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Regimental No. 20399. Transferred to 21st (Midland) Bn. Rifle Brigade. Regimental No. 646. 203934
He gave his religion as Church of England.
He was certified as fit for service in the 3/4th Supernumerary Company, Leicestershire Regt. Date 12th April 1915. Place Leicester.
He gave his next of kin as Bertha Lee, 28, Lothair Road, Leicester.
The compilation of events that occurred during his period of military service are taken from the following sources: - Casualty Form – Active Service (B.103). Statement of the Services of. Military History Sheet.
Joined. At Leicester. 12/4/15.
Posted. To 2/4th Bn. Leicestershire Regt., 3rd Supernumerary Company. Pte. 12/4/15.
Embodied service commenced. 12/4/15.
Transferred. To 21st (Midland) Bn. Rifle Brigade. – Territorial Force. Pte. 25/9/15.
Allotted. Regimental service number 646.
Embarked. From Devonport. 30/12/15.
Disembarked. At Alexandria. 14/1/16.
Appointed. Lance Corporal (acting). Egypt. 3/4/16.
Under the Army Council Instruction (A.C.I. 2414/1916), published on the 23rd December 1916, that promulgated a new numbering system for all Territorial Force units, Ernest was allotted the regimental service number 203934.
Embarked. At Suez. For India – Escort duty. 8/2/17.
Rejoined. 21st Bn. Rifle Brigade. Egypt. 6/4/17.
Reclassified for Proficiency Pay Class I. Egypt. 9/4/17. Amended to read. 12/4/17.
Appointed. Lance Corporal (paid). Egypt. 22/4/18.
Mentioned in Despatched by Sir E. N. H. Allenby, G.C.M.G., K.C.B., General Officer Commanding and Commander in Chief of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force for “Distinguished and gallant services and devotion to duty.” (London Gazette 14/6/18 Page 7054). 11/6/18.
Embarked. From Suez. 18/9/18.
Disembarked. At Bombay. 1/10/18.
Present with the 21st Bn. Rifle Brigade. Faizabad. 15/12/18.
Admitted. To Stationary Hospital Faizabad. 29/4/19.
Discharged. From Stationary Hospital, Faizabad. 6/5/19.
Embarked. From Bombay per H.T. Canberra, invalided home as unfit. 12/5/19.
Died at sea from pneumonia. 19/5/19.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 12/4/15 – 29/12/15. 262 days.
Egyptian Expeditionary Force. 30/12/15 – 17/9/18. 2 years 262 days.
India. 18/9/18 – 19/5/19. 244 days.
Total Service. 4 years 38 days.
He was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal with Oak Leaf.
On the 18th November 1919 Ernest’s widow, Bertha Lee, of 28, Lothair Road, Aylestone Park Leicester, was awarded a weekly Army Dependant’s Pension of fifty shillings and two pence for herself and her three children, commensurate on the 1st December 1919.
SERVICE RECORD NOTE: In September 1940, as the result of a fire caused by an incendiary bomb at the War Office Record Store in Arnside Street, London, approximately two thirds of 6.5 million soldiers’ documents for the First World War were destroyed. Those records which survived were mostly charred or water damaged and unfit for consultation and became known as the “burnt documents.” As a consequence, the content and condition of the surviving records can range from good to extremely poor. The hand written information is, in some instances barely legible, and the number of pages that should comprise a full record, in some cases are either badly damaged or missing entirely, however where possible the available information has been transcribed so that it may at least offer the reader a little descriptive insight into some, if not all of the events and background information surrounding the period of service.
On Tuesday May 19th, 1925, The Leicester Daily Mercury published the following article on page 10, under the heading. – BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS. – IN MEMORIAM. – LEE. – In loving memory of L.-Cpl. E. Lee, who died at sea, May 19th, 1919. Today recalls sad memories. – From All at 28, Lothair-road, Son Joe (India).
[recognitum V-VII-MMXXIII]