J. Lee
Service no. PW/1826
Private, Middlesex Regiment, 19th Battalion
Born in Haywards Heath, Sussex; enlisted in Lambeth; lived in Stockwell
Killed in action on 3 October 1916 aged about 41.
Remembered at Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France

Information from the 1911 census

John Lee was born in Hayward’s Heath, Sussex. In 1911, aged 35, he worked as a road labourer. He lived in 2 rooms at 30 Lingham Street with his wife, Edith Lee, who was from Walworth. They had 2 children: Edith Lee, 3, and John Lee, 1, both born in Stockwell.

Information from British Army WWI Service Records 1914-1920

John Lee, a chimney sweep aged 40, enlisted at Lambeth on 19 April 1915. He left behind his wife Edith (née Milne) and four children aged  between 7 and 1. Another child was born in 1916. He gave his address as 94 Lingham Street, Stockwell.

At 5 foot 7½ inches and 11 stone, with a 40 inch chest (which he could expand by 3 inches), Lee was better built than many recruits and his physical development was judged to be “good.”

Lee was killed in action at the Somme. He had served 1 year and 168 days. The Army sent on his effects: letters, a purse and some photos.