Private George Lee

 

George Lee was born on 15 May 1886 at Breagho, Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, the fourth of five children of farmer Richard Lee and his wife Mary Jane (née Dundass). On 12 November 1907 he married Josephine Beatty in Aghavea Parish Church, County Fermanagh. At the time of the 1911 Census they were living at Skeoge, Brookeboro, with their first two children, George working as an agricultural labourer.

Lee enlisted in the 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons Service Squadron between 3 March and 9 April 1915 (No. UD/243). On 6 October 1915 he embarked for France with his squadron, which at the time was serving as divisional cavalry to the 36th (Ulster) Division.

In June 1916 the Inniskilling squadron joined with C and F Squadrons of the North Irish Horse to form the 2nd North Irish Horse Regiment, serving as corps cavalry to X Corps. In August-September 1917 the regiment was disbanded and its men, following training at the 36th (Ulster) Division Infantry Base Depot at Harfleur, were transferred to the Royal Irish Fusiliers, an infantry regiment. Most, including Lee, were transferred on 20 September and posted to the 9th (Service) Battalion – renamed the 9th (North Irish Horse) Battalion – joining it in the field at Ruyaulcourt. Lee was issued regimental number 41127.

He probably saw action with the battalion at the Battle of Cambrai in November and December 1917, and perhaps also during the retreat from St Quentin from 21 to 28 March 1918 and at Kemmel on the Ypres front that April.

Lee was wounded during the Advance to Victory offensive from August to November 1918, probably in early September in Belgium.

On 20 March 1919 he was demobilised and transferred to Class Z, Army Reserve. He was granted a part-pension due to his wounds, his level of disability assessed at 14 per cent in December 1920.

After the war Lee lived with his family in Mill Street, Enniskillen. He died on 24 November 1967.

 

This page last updated 16 June 2023.