Charles Lee
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
He was the son of William and Sarah Ann Lee (formerly Read). William and Sarah were married in 1886 (Jan/Feb/Mar). His mother had at least two children by a previous marriage or relationship; William Henry Read and Mabel Gertrude Read. Sarah had six children from her marriage to William Lee of whom only five were still alive at the time of the 1911 census. Five children are named on the census between 1901 and 1911; Charles, William, Herbert, Leonard and Florence Fanny. In 1901 William and Sarah were living at 7 Haywood Street, Nottingham, in the ecclesiastical parish of St Albans. William was a carter on his own account. Their five children were in the household on the night of the census; Charles (15), William (13), Herbert (12), Leonard (6) and Florence (4). Also in the home were William's stepchildren, William (20) a drayman, and Mabel Gertrude (18) a lace hand. Sarah had been widowed by the time of the 1911 census and it is likely that William died in 1910 (Jan/Feb/Mar) age 56. At the time of the census Sarah was living at 28 Kingsley Road, Sneinton, with her five children by William who were all unmarried. Charles was a drayman, William and Leonard were carters and Herbert a packer (chemist) while Florence was an errand girl. Mabel Gertrude Read had married Ernest Alfred Sylvester in 1904 and by 1911 William Henry Read was also married and living with his wife, Adelaide, and two sons, Vincent Edmund (2) and Henry (11 months) at 4 Whittier Road, Sneinton. Mabel Gertrude died on 17 October 1952 (22 Dale Grove, Sneinton Dale). Charles married Ellen Ballard after the 1911 census. Charles' younger brothers Herbert and Leonard also served in the war; at the time of Charles' death, Herbert was serving in India and Leonard in Mesopotamia.
Formerly 25504 Royal Lancaster Regiment. He was reported missing on 8 May 1917 but his death was not confirmed until March the following year. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial (Bay 3). He qualified for the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Nottingham Evening Post notice (abridged), 16 March 1918: ‘Lee. Private Charles Lee, age 31, missing May 8th 1917, now reported dead, husband and son. Wife, mother, sister, Herbert in India and Len in Mesopotamia. Son in law of Mr and Mrs Ballard, 70 Sneinton Dale.’ Nottingham Post notice (abridged), 18 March 1918: 'Lee. Private Charles Lee, died of wounds, May 8th 1917. His half-brother and sister, Mr W Read and Mrs Sylvester.' Register of Soldiers' Effects: His wife, Ellen, was his sole legatee.
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