Clifford Lees

Lieutenant Clifford Lees was a member of University College Nottingham OTC and was gazetted in 1915. He served with the 3rd Battalion West Riding Regiment, later attached to the 5th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers. (See 'Extra information', Mansfield Reporter, 15 November 1918)

He was awarded the Military Cross: 'Clifford Lees, Lieutenant, West Riding Regiment. London Gazettes: 31266/2 April 1919; 31680 10 December 1919 (C) Att 15th Bn Lancashire Fusiliers. MC at Happegarbe, south of the Forest of Mormal.

Having served in West and East Africa in 1916 and 1917 respectively, Clifford served in France from 18 September 1918. He died on 5 November from wounds received in action the previous day; his parents had the news of his death the day following the Armistice. According to a newspaper report of his brother Gerald's death in January the following year, Clifford died while leading his company in an attack on Landrecies near St Quentin. He is buried Premont British Cemetery, France (grave ref II.E.17).

He qualified for the British War Medal and Victory Medal.

CWGC history of Premont British Cemetery (extract): the village of Premont is about 19.5km from Cambrai. 'Premont village was captured by the 30th American Division on the 8th October 1918. Premont British Cemetery was made and used by four Casualty Clearing Stations (the 20th, 50th, 55th and 61st), which came to Bohain in October 1918, and it was closed in the following December. Some years later 165 graves were added to it from the following sites [listed].'(www.cwgc.org)

Two of Clifford's brothers, Roland Victor and Norman Samuel, also served in the Great War. Roland served with the Rifle Brigade (3242 Company Quarter Master Sergeant, Lance Sergeant) and then as Acting Captain, later Captain, in the Northumberland Fusiliers. He was awarded the Military Cross while serving with the Northumberland Fusiliers (London Gazette, 30188, 18 July 1917). Norman served as Second Lieutenant, later Captain, also in the Northumberland Fusiliers.

CWGC Additional information: Son of Thomas Godfrey Lees and Elizabeth Lees, of Newstead House, Newstead, Nottingham

CWGC headstone personal inscription: 'A ray of sunshine gone from our home Thy will be done'

Family headstone Nottingham General Cemetery: 'In loving remembrance of Lieut. Clifford Lees, M.C. 3rd Duke of Wellington’s Rgt, who died of wounds received in action November 5th 1918, and was buried at Premont, France. Aged 22 years. He gave his life for us.’

Derbyshire Advertiser & Journal, ‘Marriages’, 30 June 1911: ‘Lees-Hinson. On June 20th at St Giles’ Church, Old Normanton, Derby, by the Rev. GEA Pargiter, MA, vicar, Gerald Thomas Lees, eldest son of Mr and Mrs T Godfrey Lees, Newstead House, Newstead, Notts, to Lillie, youngest daughter of the late Walter Hinson, of Mansfield.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)

Mansfield Reporter, 15 November 1918: ‘Lieut. Clifford Lees Killed. Notice was received on the 12th inst., by Mr and Mrs Lees, Newstead, that their son Lieut. C Lees had died in France on the 5th inst., from wounds received in action. An attempt was made by the transfusing of blood from a soldier who volunteered to help to save this officer’s life but it was unavailing. Lieut. Lees was trained in the Nottingham OTC under Captain Trotman, and was gazetted in May, 1915, joining the 3rd Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, and was on Coast defence on the NE coast for some time. In July 1916 he sailed for West Africa, and was attached to the W.A.R. at Sierre Leone, and was engaged in training native troops. He returned to England in August, 1917, and in the following December he went out to East Africa, but his services were not required, and he returned to England and has since been in France, attached to the 15th Lancashire Fusiliers, and was wounded on the 4th inst., whilst attacking with the 32nd Division. He was educated at Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School, and took great interest in sports. His brothers, Corpl. [Captain] RV Lees, MC, and Captain NS Lees, who have both been wounded earlier in the war (April, 1917), are still serving.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)

Mansfield Reporter, ‘Deaths’, 15 November 1918: ‘Lees. On the 5th inst., Lieut. Clifford Lees, 3rd Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, dearly beloved son of Mr and Mrs TG Lees, Newstead, who died of wounds received in action in France. Aged 22. Thy will be done, O Lord.’ (www,britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)

Mansfield Reporter, 22 November 1918: ‘In our announcement in our last issue of the death of Lieut. Clifford Lees, an error crept into the description given to one of the deceased officer’s brothers, Corpl. RV Lees MC, should have been Captain Lees, MC.’ (www,britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)

Probate: Lees. Clifford of Newstead House Newstead Colliery Nottinghamshire lieutenant HM Army died 5 November 1918 in France Administration London 5 July to Thomas Godfrey Lees esquire. Effects £217 7s. 5d.

Mansfield Reporter, 17 January 1919: ‘Death of Mr Gerald T Lees. Manager of Newstead Colliery. The death occurred on Monday last at his residence, 11, Tennyson-street, Mansfield, of Mr Gerald T Lees, mining engineer, manager of Newstead Colliery. Although suffering from a chill, he was at the colliery on the previous Monday and did not realise the serious nature of the attack for a few days. Influenza with pneumonia developed rapidly, and despite the best of medical advice and nursing, he passed away on the 13th inst. He was educated at Brunts Technical Schools, and took up mining engineering as a profession at the age of 16, and joined the staff at Newstead Colliery, and also attended mining classes at Nottingham University College … It is a particularly grievous trial for his parents, Mr and Mrs TG Lees, of Newstead, as their son, Lieut Clifford Lees, was killed in France on November 4th-sic last, whilst leading his company in the attack on Landrecies near St Quentin, just before the armistice.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)

Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 27 March 1936: ‘Lees. On the 25th inst., at Lynwoods, Libby, Thomas Godfrey Lees, MIMinE, in his 75th years. Interment General Cemetery, Nottingham (Derby-rd. Entrance), Saturday, 2.30.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)

Probate: Lees. Thomas Godfrey of Lynwoods Linby Nottinghamshire died 25 March 1936 Probate Nottingham 3 June to Roland Victor Lees bank manager and Norman Samuel Lees colliery salesman. Effects £2586 10s. 8d.