Cyril LEE

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.