Thomas Lee


Thomas Lee's memorial	Gordon Arms

Thomas Lee 1883 - 1917

My name is Thomas Lee. I was the eldest son of Richard and Sarah Lee nee Coltman. At the time of my death my parents were living at the Gordon Arms, Gordon Road, High Wycombe. They married in 1880 and I was born in 1883 in Wycombe. I had seven siblings - four brothers and three sisters, although one of my sisters died when they were only one year old. I worked for some years for Mr Fraser, the plumber in Bull Lane where I got on well with every one I met.

I married Ruth Dean in 1902, in Wycombe, and we had 3 daughters and 1 son (another Thomas). Sadly one of my daughters died in 1907 aged 4. I do hope that my wife and children went on to have happy lives even though I wasn't there to share them with them.

After I got married we moved to Denmark Street. In 1911 my father was working as a licensed victualler living at the Barley Mow, also in Denmark St so my family was living near by. Two of my brothers also served in the Great War and I joined up initially as G/16885 in the Royal West Kent Regiment then only 18 months before my death I became Private 41622 in the 17th Battalion of the Manchester Regiment.

I was to spend just over a year in France and was home on leave little more than three weeks before my death so at least I was able to see my family one last time. I was killed in action, aged 34, on 19th October 1917 near Langemark and was buried in the New Irish Farm Cemetery, Ieper, Belgium, beside several others who had also lost their lives. My grave was given a temporary cross which was later replaced with a white one with the following words: 41622 Private T Lee, Batt Manchester Regiment, Killed in action 19/10/17 RIP

My brother-in-law died only a few weeks before I did so there was much heartache within our family when they heard of my death too.

Researched by Margaret Anderton, Flackwell Local Area History Group and Sally Scagell, Lost the Plot.
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