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Cyril LEE

Main CPGW Record

Surname: LEE

Forename(s): Cyril

Place of Birth: Cononley, Yorkshire

Service No: 265938

Rank: Sergeant

Regiment / Corps / Service: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)

Battalion / Unit: 2/6th Battalion

Division: 62nd (2/West Riding) Division

Age: 26

Date of Death: 1917-05-15

Awards: ---

CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: IV. B. 24.

CWGC Cemetery: BOULOGNE EASTERN CEMETERY

CWGC Memorial: ---

Non-CWGC Burial: ---

Local War Memorial: CONONLEY, YORKSHIRE

Additional Information:

Cyril Lee was the son of Frederick and Miriam Lee, née Fitchett. Frederick was born at Cononley and Miriam at Bingley, Yorkshire.

1901 Cononley, Yorkshire Census: 24, Club Row - Cyril Lee, aged 9 years, born Cononley, son of Miriam Lee, widow.

1911 Cononley, Yorkshire Census: 24, Aire View - Cyril Lee, aged 19 years, born Cononley, son of Miriam Lee, widow.

Cyril was married to Lily Dobson in 1914.

British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Sgt Cyril Lee, 265938, W. Rid. R.

British Army WW1 Medal and Award Rolls: Sgt Cyril Lee, 265938, 2/6 W. Rid. R. D. of W. 15.5.17.

Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects: Sgt Cyril lee, 265938, 2/6th Bn W. Riding. Date and Place of Death: 15.5.17. No 3 Can[adian]. G. Hos. To whom Authorised/Amount Authorised: Widow and Sole Legatee - Lily. £23 9s. 7d.

Data Source: Craven’s Part in the Great War - original CPGW book entry

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Entry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record:

LEE, Sergeant Cyril, [Cononley], West Riding Regiment, died of wounds, France, 1916.

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Sergeant Cyril LEE

Sergeant Cyril LEE

Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)

Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)

Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 62nd (2/West Riding) Division

Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 62nd (2/West Riding) Division

Data from Soldiers Died in the Great War 1914 - 1919 Records

Soldiers Died Data for Soldier Records

Surname: LEE

Forename(s): Cyril

Born:

Residence:

Enlisted: Keighley, Yorks

Number: 265938

Rank: Sergt

Regiment: Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment)

Battalion: 2/6th Battalion

Decorations:

Died Date: 15/05/17

Died How: Died of wounds

Theatre of War: France & Flanders

Notes:

Data from Commonwealth War Graves Commission Records

CWGC Data for Soldier Records

Surname: LEE

Forename(s): Cyril

Country of Service: United Kingdom

Service Number: 265938

Rank: Serjeant

Regiment: Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment)

Unit: 2nd/6th Bn.

Age: 26

Awards:

Died Date: 15/05/1917

Additional Information: Son of the late Frederick and Miriam Lee, of Cononley, Keighley; husband of Lily Lee, of 24, Valley Rd., Barnoldswick, Colne.

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Boulogne Eastern Cemetery

Boulogne Eastern Cemetery

CWGC Headstone

Courtesy of Colin Chadwick, Harrogate

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Craven Herald and Wensleydale Standard Logo

18 May 1917

CONONLEY – THE FIRST VOLUNTEER KILLED: Sergeant Cyril Lee

On Wednesday, Mrs. Cyril Lee received an official telegram stating that her husband, Sergeant Cyril Lee, Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, had succumbed to gunshot wounds in hospital in France. From information previously received it was feared that fatal results would follow. Sergt. Lee was the first Cononley boy to enlist voluntarily in September 1914, and he was followed by three brothers: one of whom has been since discharged. The other two are still in the Army, and one, Ernest, has been wounded twice.

Sergt. Lee passed his school life at Cononley National School, and was noticed there as a particularly sharp boy, which may account for his early promotion in November 1914 to Sergeant. He was formerly a member of the Primitive Methodist Chapel choir and also for several years played in the Cononley Brass Band. He was the Secretary to the Cononley Football Club, and his popularity was evidenced by a present from the members on his marriage to one of the daughters of Mr. Dobson, engineer, at Airedale Mills, and special constable for the village. Previous to enlisting he was employed by Messrs. Barker and Billsborough, Airedale Mills, Cononley. Much sympathy is expressed on all sides for the widow and little child, his mother and family, in their sad loss.

15 June 1917

CONONLEY – MEMORIAL SERVICE

A service in memory of the late Sergeant Cyril Lee, of the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, who died from wounds received in action in France, was held in the Primitive Methodist Chapel on Sunday afternoon. The Rev. Geo. Chun of Skipton officiated, and special hymns were sung. The preacher paid a fine tribute to the memory of the brave fellows who had laid down their lives for their King and Country, and especially to the one whose sad and early death they were met that afternoon to mourn. After all, he said, they, and particularly his widowed mother and family, had much for which they ought to be thankful. He had up to the declaration of war always been a regular attendee at that chapel, had passed through their Sunday School, and had been a member of the choir. He was the first Cononley boy to voluntarily enlist from the village in September 1914, thus setting a fine example to his fellows. He was an athlete, taking an active part in both the cricket and football clubs, and it was doubly sad that a young man should be so suddenly cut off at the beginning practically of his career. He asked for the sympathy and prayers of all for his widow and child and his mother and family in their sad trouble.

27 July 1917

CONONLEY – DEATH OF SERGEANT CYRIL LEE

Sergeant Lee took part in the charge at Bullecourt and was early seriously wounded on the right leg. On account of the heavy bombardment by the German lines he was left out in the open four days and five nights before he could be rescued from his precarious position, and removed to a dressing station. There, it was found necessary to at once amputate the right leg, but unfortunately, on account of his long exposure pneumonia set in, and he died on May 15th. Previous to enlisting in the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, Sergt. Lee was employed by Messrs. Barker and Bilsborough at Aireside Mill, Cononley.

03 August 1917

SERGEANT C. LEE, OF CONONLEY

The above is a portrait of Sergeant Cyril Lee of Cononley, Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, who died on May 15th in France. He was formerly employed by Messrs. Barker and Bilsborough, Aireside Mill, Cononley.

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18 May 1917

LEE – Died of wounds in France, Sergt. Cyril Lee, of the Duke of Wellington’s West Riding Regiment, husband of Mrs. Lee, of Cononley.

18 May 1917

CONONLEY MAN DIES FROM WOUNDS

On Wednesday Mrs. Cyril Lee received an official telegram stating that her husband, Sergt. Cyril Lee, Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, had succumbed to gunshot wounds in hospital in France. From information previously received it was somewhat feared that fatal results would follow. Sergt. Lee was the first Cononley man to enlist voluntarily in September, 1914, and he was followed by three brothers, one of whom has since been discharged, the other two being still in the army, and one, Ernest, having been wounded twice. Sergt. Lee passed his school life at Cononley National School, and was noticed there as a particularly sharp boy, which may account for his early promotion in November, 1914, to sergeant. He was formerly a member of the Primitive Methodist Chapel choir, and also for several years played in the Cononley Brass Band, afterwards joining the Kildwick Band. He was secretary to the Cononley Football Club, and his popularity was evidenced by a present from the members on his marriage to one of the daughters of Mr. Dobson, engineer at Aireside Mills, and special constable for the village. Previous to enlisting he was employed by Messrs. Barker and Bilsborough, Aireside Mills, Cononley. Much sympathy is expressed on all sides for his widow and little child, and his mother and family, in their sad loss.

15 June 1917

CONONLEY

A MEMORIAL SERVICE – A service in memory of the late Sergt. Cyril Lee, of the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, who had died from wounds received in action in France, was held in the Primitive Methodist Chapel on Sunday afternoon. Rev. Geo. Chun, of Skipton, officiated, and special hymns were sung. The preacher paid a fine tribute, in his address, to the memory of the brave young fellows who had laid down their lives and health and strength for their King and country, and especially to the one whose sad and early death they were met that afternoon to mourn. After all, he said, they and particularly his widow, mother and family had much for which they ought to be thankful. He had up to the declaration of war always been a regular attender at that chapel, had passed through their Sunday-school, and had been a member of the choir. He was the first Cononley boy to voluntarily enlist from that village in September, 1914, thus setting a fine example to his fellows. He was a keen athlete, taking an active part in both the Cricket and Football Clubs, and it was deeply sad that such a young man should be so suddenly cut off at the beginning, practically, of his career. He asked for the sympathy and prayers of all for his widow and child and his mother and family in their sad trouble.

27 July 1917

CONONLEY – DEATH OF SERGEANT CYRIL LEE

Sergt. Lee, whose death was reported in our issue of May 18th, took part in the charge at Bullecourt and was early seriously wounded in the right leg. On account of the heavy bombardment by the German lines he was left out in the open four days and five nights before he could be rescued from his precarious position and removed to a dressing station. There it was found necessary to at once amputate the right leg, but unfortunately on account of the long exposure pneumonia had set in, and he died on May 15th. Previous to enlisting in the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, Sergt. Lee was employed by Messrs. Barker and Bilsborough, Aireside Mill, Cononley.

10 May 1918

In loving memory of our dear son and brother, Sergt. Cyril Lee, who died May 15th, 1917, from wounds received in action May 3rd.

If those who caused this awful war
Were the only ones to fight,
A brighter world this would have been
For aching hearts to-night.

Not gone from memory or from love,
But to our Father’s home above.

From Mother, Sisters, and Brothers (on active service). Aire View, Cononley.

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