John Walter Lee
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
John was born in Huthwaite in 1896 and was the son of Walter a colliery mine examiner and Hannah Hill Lee née Boot , his father Walter had been born in 1869 in Teversal, Derbyshire and his mother Hannah Hill was born in 1870 in Huthwaite , they married in Decemeber 1890 in the Mansfield Registration district. They went on to have 8 children , however sadly 3 died in infancy prior to 1911, their children were:- William Obadiah b1891, John Walter b1896, Mary Hannah b1903, Margaret Amy Ellen b1907 and Francis Henry b1910 , all the children were born in Huthwaite. In 1911 census the family can be found living at the School House, Blackwell Road Huthwaite, and are shown as Walter Lee 42 yrs a colliery mine examiner ,he is living with his wife Hannah Hill 41 yrs and their children , William Obadiah 20 yrs, a coal miner, John Walter 15 yrs a pony driver underground, Mary Hannah 8 yrs, Margaret Amy Ellen 4 yrs and Francis Henry 1 yr.
John enlisted in September 1914 at Sutton in Ashfield and served in C Company 1/8th battalion Sherwood Foresters. His medal index cards shows he first entered a theatre of war in France on 2nd March 1915. He was killed in action on 4th August 1915 at the age of 19 yrs. He has no known grave, his name is commemorated on the Ypres , Menin Gate memorial.
Notts Free Press – August 1915. The war has claimed two more Huthwaite young men as victims. They are Private John Walter Lee, second son of Mr. and Mrs. W. Lee, of Blackwell road, and Private George Henry Starkey, son of Mr. J. Starkey, Sutton road. The former was only 19 years of age and the latter 21, and both enlisted early in September last. The father of Private Lee is well known in the town as a strenuous Parish Church worker and churchwarden for many years. The news of both fatalities has been sent to Huthwaite by regimental chums of both heroes. The following has been received by Private Lee's family from Private W.H. Oscroft, 2403, C. Company, 8th Battalion Notts. and Derby, a Sutton man who enlisted after the war broke out:- "Just a few lines to let you know that I am in good health and spirits, but I am sorry to tell you the sadness of your son Walter getting killed. We have had a good many jokes with one another since we have been out here, and I am very sorry to tell you we have lost a good lad. He was always ready to do anything, and was always well respected by our Company officers and men. We have lost a lot of men since we came out to France, and I want ot let you know that Walter died a hero, and anyone who writes to you will say the same. We have been in the thick of it lately, and we never know how long we are going to be before it is our turn; we are well one minute and gone under the next. So please accept by greatest sympathy, and I send the same to all at home." The letter is dated August 6th. Another letter received locally mentions Private Lee's death, and states that he suffered no pain. Mansfield Advertiser – 20th. August, 1915. MEMORIAL SERVICE AT HUTHWAITE On Sunday evening in Huthwaite Parish Church, a memorial service was held in honour of Private J.W. Lee, 8th. Notts and Derbyshire, and G.H. Starkey, 2nd. Lincolns, both of whom have been killed in action. There was a large congregation, and the military element was represented by the Sutton Citizen Army (under Mr. C.O. Wright) Sutton Cadet Corps (Lieutenant Wilson and Sergeant-Major Robinson) and Huthwaite Scouts, Boys’ Brigade, and Cadets (Sergt.-Major Hall). The Rev. Beswick conducted the service. HUTHWAITE TERRITORIAL’S DEATH Private W. Lee, of the 8th. Batt. Sherwood Foresters, was killed in action “somewhere in France” on August 5th. Private Lee was only 19 years of age, and prior to the war resided with his parents at the Old Schoolhouse, Blackwell Road, Huthwaite.
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