Herbert William Lee (1875 - 1921)

Born 28 Aug 1875 in Whitchurch, Hampshire, England, United Kingdom

Husband of Mabel Frances Finch (Davis) Lee — married 5 Jul 1902 (to 27 Feb 1921) in Southsea, Hampshire, England, United Kingdom

Died 27 Feb 1921 at age 45 in Fremantle, Western Australia, Australia

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Biography

Jimmie Lee was born in the Town of Whitchurch, Hampshire, England.

Jimmie Lee migrated from England to Western Australia.

Herbert "Jimmie" William Lee was born on the 28 August 1875 (but wasn't registered until the 8 October 1875) in the Town of Whitchurch, on the River Test, in the borough of Basingstoke and Deane, 12 miles (19 km) north of the City of Winchester in Hampshire, England^[1]. His baptism took place on the 17 October 1875 at the Parish Church of All Hallows, Church Street, in the Town of Whitchurch, Hampshire, England^[2]. He is the son of National School Master, William Lee (1845-1887) and Sarah Jane "Quilter" Jackson (1847-1920), who married on the 25 June 1869 at the Parish Church of Saint Elli, Bridge Street, in the Market Town of Llanelli, in the County of Breconshire (now Carmarthenshire), Wales. The couple were both single with William living in South Petherton, in Somerset, and Jane in Llanelly. William's father was recorded as being Bookbinder, William (Lee) and Jane's, Charles Henry (Jackson), an Upholsterer. They were married after Banns by Curate Daniel (Lewis) in the presence of witnesses George Hugh (Strong) and Annie (Jackson)^[3][4].

In 1881, five year old scholar, Herbert lived with parents School Master, William (35) and School Mistress, Jane (32); siblings Reginald (10), Agnes (8), Irene (4), Leonie (1) and Marion (1 month) and aunt, Annie L. (Jackson) (27). They lived at St. Judes School, Portsea, in the City of Portsmouth, Parish of Portsea on Portsea Island, in Hampshire, England^[5]. However, by 1891, Herbert (15) had lost his father, William and lived with widowed mother, Jane (41) and siblings, Clerk in Royal Navy, Reginald (20), Beatrice (18), Irene (14) and Marion (10). Herbert worked as a Clerk in a Brewery and they lived at 43 Worthing Road, Portsea, City of Portsmouth, Portsea Island, Hampshire, England^[6].

According to his Obituary, Herbert joined No. 2 Battery Field Artillery in 1897 and served in the Boer War, fighting with the West Australian Mounted Artillery (5th W.A. contingent). Then, Herbert (26) married Mabel Francis Finch Davis (24) on the 5 July 1902 at the Parish Church of Saint Simon's, corner of Waverley Road and St. Ronan's Road, Southsea, City of Portsmouth, Parish of Portsea, on Portsea Island, in the Solent, Hampshire, England. Herbert was a Sergeant Major in the West Australian Mounted Infantry and lived at 43 Worthing Road, in Portsmouth. His father, William (Lee) (dec.) was recorded as being a Schoolmaster. Mabel lived at 41 Inglis Road, in Portsmouth and her father William (Davis) was a Lieutenant in the Royal Navy but at the time of the marriage was also deceased. They were married by Licence, by Curate, G. Walter (Crook) in front of witnesses P. S. (Allen), Elizabeth (Gaul) and Alice Finch (Finch)^[7][8].

MARRIAGES. LEE—DAVIS. St. Simon's Church, Southsea, by the Rev. Walter Crook, Herbert William Lee, second son of the late William Lee and Mrs. Quilter Lee, of Ellerslie, Worthing Road, to Mabel Frances Finch Davis, youngest daughter of the late Lieut. Walter Davis, R.N., and Mrs. Davis, of Fronwen, Brecon, South Wales^[9]

Six (6) children were born to them during their marriage, all in Fremantle, Western Australia:--

1. Frederick Herbert Edward Lee (1903-1955)^[10][11].;
2. Bruce William Frances Lee (1905-1995)^[12][13];
3. Gwenyth Mary Quilter Lee (1905-1915)^[14][15];
4. John Herbert Lee (1907-2001)
5. Edward Tudor Lee (1910-1992)^[16]; and
6. Henry Gordon Lee (1912-1983 in N.S.W.)^[17].

Shortly after his marriage, Herbert and new bride, Mabel, emigrated to the State of Western Australia where their first child was born in 1903. When the Great War broke out, still a Soldier, he again tried to enlist in the Australian Imperial Forces (Army), but was rejected. However, on the 3 December 1917, at the age of 42 years old, he was accepted, enlisting at Fremantle, in Western Australia. He was given the Service number of 7253 and attached to 22/24 Reinforcements at Blackboy Hill, in Greenmount, Western Australia. At the time, Henry was described as being 5 feet 9 inches with a florid complexion, blue eyes and brown hair.

He embarked at Fremantle aboard the "Ormonde" on the 13 March 1918, landing in the Port of Suez on the 30 April 1918. Just a month later, he was once again on board the "Indarra", due to injuries he'd sustained whilst on duty with the 28th Battalion. He had been riding a bicycle and fell off, fracturing 2 ribs and injuring his face. The "Indarra" left Alexandria on the 24 May 1918, arriving at the Port of Southhampton on the 5 June 1918. Henry was in hospital for eleven weeks due to his fall. His return to Australia, as an Invalid, took place on the 6 October 1919 aboard the "Pakeha", which arrived on the 16 October 1919. On the 19 November 1919, he was discharged from the Army at 5th Military District in the City of Perth, Western Australia^[18].

Just two years after his return from service, at the age of 45, Herbert passed away on the 27 February 1921, at his home, "Drill Hall", Queen Street, in the port Town of Fremantle, Western Australia^[19]. His burial took place in the Anglican portion, Section MON AA; gravesite 930 of the Fremantle Cemetery and Crematorium, Carrington Street & Leach Highway, Palmyra, near the Town of Fremantle, Western Australia^[20][21]

FUNERAL NOTICES. LEE.—The Friends of the late Mr. Herbert William Lee, of the Drill Hall, Queen-street, Fremantle, late of the Henderson Naval Base, Cockburn Sound, and formerly sergeant, 8th Battalion, AI.F., are respectfully invited to follow his remains to the place of interment, the Church of England Cemetery, Fremantle. The Funeral will leave St. John's Church. Adelaide-street. Fremantle, THIS (Monday) AFTERNOON, at the conclusion of a service which will commence at 3.45 o'elock, arriving at the cemetery at 4.30 p.m. ARTHUR E. DAVIES and CO., Undertakers^[22]

VALE. Sergeant-Major Jimmie Lee. There passed away on Sunday last one of Fremantle's popular identities —Herbert William ("Jimmie') Lee, who for over twenty years served as a soldier in this State. He first joined No. 2 Battery Field Artillery in 1897, and after serving a number of years in the same, until the Boer War broke out, he enlisted and went away with the 5th W.A. contingent and fought right through the war until peace was declared. After returning from South Africa be again carried out his military duties; being then a Sergeant Major in tbe A.G.A., and when the late war broke out he again offered his services, but was rejected, and was placed on the Instruction Staff at Blackboy Hill, in which be trained many hundreds of men for the late war. After repeated requests to go away to the front be was not allowed to go until 1916. He embarked with the 28th Battalion, and after serving with them for a couple of years be was invalided home. He was to have been presented with the long service medal during the Prince of Wales visit to this State, but unfortunately it did not arrive. The late sergeant-major having served 20 years with the military of this State he was connected with several lodges, and out of respect to the Buffalo Lodge, L.L.E. 34, at their last meeting, rose in a body and stood in silence for one minute out of respect to their late brother, who was beloved by all. He leaves a large circle or friends and a widow and six children to mourn their loss. He died as he lived — a soldier and a man, and has answered the last roll call. — By One Who Knew Him^[23]

Sources

1. ↑ England & Wales Births 1837-2006 : General Register Office (GRO) Southport; FindMyPast & Brightsolid Online Publishing Ltd; Reference: (October-December 1875); Herbert William LEE; Mother: --; Registration District: Whitchurch (Hampshire); County: Hampshire; Volume: 2C; Page: 193; Record Link: https://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/
2. ↑ "England, Hampshire Parish Registers, 1538-1980", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QR3Y-8X2M : Sat Mar 09 01:23:41 UTC 2024), Entry for Herbert William Lee and William Lee, 17 Oct 1875
3. ↑ England & Wales Marriages 1837-2005 : General Register Office (GRO) Southport; FindMyPast & Brightsolid Online Publishing Ltd; Reference: (April-June 1869); William LEE & Jane JACKSON; Registration District: Crickhowell; County: Breconshire; Volume: 11B; Page: 175; Record Link: https://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/
4. ↑ Breconshire Marriages And Banns : Welsh Archive Services / Gwasanaethau Archifau Cymru & FindMyPast; Reference: (Marriage Year-1869); William LEE & Jane JACKSON; Registration Parish: Saint Elli Llanelli; Record number: 216; Page number: 8; Record Link: https://archives.wales/
5. ↑ 1881 England, Wales & Scotland Census : The National Archives of the UK (TNA) Kew & FindMyPast; Reference: Herbert W. LEE; Registration District: Portsea Island; Sub District: Landport; County: Hampshire; Archive Reference: RG11; Enumeration district: --; Piece number: 1160; Folio: 44; Page: 27; Schedule: 312
6. ↑ 1891 England, Wales & Scotland Census : The National Archives of the UK (TNA) Kew & FindMyPast; Reference: Herbert W. LEE; Registration District: Portsea Island; Sub District: Landport; County: Hampshire; Archive Reference: RG12; Enumeration district: 64; Piece number: 876; Folio: 38; Page: 26; Schedule: 185
7. ↑ England & Wales Marriages 1837-2005 : General Register Office (GRO) Southport; FindMyPast & Brightsolid Online Publishing Ltd; Reference: (July-September 1902); Herbert William LEE & Mabel Frances F. DAVIS; Registration District: Portsmouth; County: Hampshire; Volume: 2B; Page: 1129; Record Link: https://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/
8. ↑ Hampshire, Portsmouth Marriages : Portsmouth History Centre & FindMyPast; Reference: (Marriage Year-1902); Herbert William LEE & Mabel Frances Finch DAVIS; Registration Parish: St. Simon Southsea; Archive Reference Number: CHU 50/1C/2; Year Range: 1896-1910; Record Link: https://librariesandarchives.portsmouth.gov.uk/archive-service-and-history-centre/
9. ↑ Lee-Davis Wedding Notice Thursday 10 July 1902 The Portsmouth Evening News p. 2.
10. ↑ Birth record : W.A. Government. Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, Perth. Frederick Herbert Edward Lee LEE; Father: Henry William Lee; Mother: Mabel Frances Finch Davis. Registration numbers: 2460/1903. Place: Fremantle; District: --; Record Link: https://www.wa.gov.au/organisation/department-of-justice/online-index-search-tool
11. ↑ "Australia Births and Baptisms, 1792-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XT88-6X4 : 31 January 2024), Frederick Herbert Edward Lee, 1903; Image 156 of 207; Page number: 58
12. ↑ Birth record : W.A. Government. Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, Perth. Bruce William Frances LEE; Father: Henry William Lee; Mother: Mabel Frances Finch Davis. Registration numbers: 2700075/1905. Place: Fremantle; District: Fremantle; Record Link: https://www.wa.gov.au/organisation/department-of-justice/online-index-search-tool
13. ↑ "Australia Births and Baptisms, 1792-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XT88-NXR : 31 January 2024), Bruce William Fanncis Lee, 1906; Image 160 of 207; Page number: 62
14. ↑ Birth record : W.A. Government. Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, Perth. Gwenyth Mary Quilter LEE; Father: Henry William Lee; Mother: Mabel Frances Finch Davis. Registration numbers: 2700074/1905. Place: Fremantle; District: Fremantle; Record Link: https://www.wa.gov.au/organisation/department-of-justice/online-index-search-tool
15. ↑ "Australia Births and Baptisms, 1792-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XT88-NXB : 31 January 2024), Gwenyth Mary Quilter Lee, 1906; Image 160 of 207; Page number: 62
16. ↑ Birth record : W.A. Government. Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, Perth. Edward Tudor LEE; Father: Henry William Lee; Mother: Mabel Frances Finch Davis. Registration numbers: 2700717/1910. Place: Fremantle; District: Fremantle; Record Link: https://www.wa.gov.au/organisation/department-of-justice/online-index-search-tool
17. ↑ Birth record : W.A. Government. Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, Perth. Henry Gordon LEE; Father: Henry William Lee; Mother: Mabel Frances Finch Davis. Registration numbers: 2700381/1912. Place: Fremantle; District: Fremantle; Record Link: https://www.wa.gov.au/organisation/department-of-justice/online-index-search-tool
18. ↑ Records Search : National Archives of Australia (NAA) Canberra; Reference: LEE, Henry William; Service Number: 7253; Contents Range: 1914 - 1920; Series Number: B2455; Item ID: 8198095; Record Link: https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=8198095
19. ↑ Death record : W.A. Government. Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, Perth. Herbert William LEE; Father: William Lee; Mother: Jane Quilter Jackson. Registration number: 2700071/1921. Place: Fremantle; District: Fremantle; Record Link: https://www.wa.gov.au/organisation/department-of-justice/online-index-search-tool
20. ↑ Find a Loved One : Metropolitan Cemeteries Board (MCB) Karrakatta; Reference: (Burial Year-1921); Herbert William LEE; Record Link: https://portal.mcb.wa.gov.au/name-search/ns-detail/?id=74ea5ab9-f61c-ec11-b6e7-00224814cbaf
21. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/66477423/herbert_william-lee: accessed May 10, 2024), memorial page for Sergeant Herbert William Lee (28 Aug 1875–27 Feb 1921), Find a Grave Memorial ID 66477423, citing Fremantle Cemetery, Palmyra, Melville City, Western Australia, Australia; Maintained by Rob S. (contributor 49489304).
22. ↑ Funeral Notices Monday 28 February 1921 The West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 - 1954), p. 1.
23. ↑ Obituary of Herbert William Lee Sunday 6 March 1921 The Sunday Mirror (Perth, WA : 1920 - 1921), p. 1.