Rank: Major
Regiment: Royal Marines
Unit: No. 46 R.M. Commando.
Awards: Military Cross
Post Nominals: L.L.B.
Died: 25th August 1944
Age: 32 years old.
Born in Prestwich, Lancashire on the 9th August 1912, John was the son of John Joseph Lee and Mabel C. Lee (née Croydon). He had an older sister Mary and in 1921 the family lived at "Briarfield" Glebelands Road, Prestwich where they employed two servants. John's father was a Merchant who had his own business in Deansgate, Manchester supplying road material.
John studied at a University in Cambridge and in 1937 passed his final exams and qualified as a Solicitor. He became a partner in a firm of Manchester Solicitors.
In 1937 he married Joan Isobel Collingwood Cary and they had a daughter Susan. They made their home at "West Holme", Wilmslow Road, Alderley Edge and employed two domestic servants.
A member of the Manchester Reform Club and former captain of Manchester Rugby Football Club John also played for Lancashire. He loved golf and played at Wilmslow.
During the war, John served with No. 46 Royal Marine Commandos. During the successful Normandy landings, he was awarded the Military Cross in the field by Field Marshall Bernard Montgomery 'for gallant and distinguished service during earlier operations at Le Hamel'. The recommendation for the award read:
"This officer was given the task of leading the assault of two forward troops during the attack on Le Hamel 9472 on 11 June. The assault had to move over 400 yards of open ground including the crossing of two obstacles. The forward troops were under fire particularly from the flanks. The success of the assault was largely due to the magnificent leadership shown by Major Lee who moved in front of the main wave. In the subsequent street fighting Major Lee was always in front, he showed sound judgement and enterprise".
In August 1944 he was Second-in-Command when he was killed during operations at Beuzeville. He was originally buried there but on the 17th October 1945 was re-interred in Ranville War Cemetery. The personal inscription in Latin at the bottom of his headstone reads " Fidelis Ad Mortem" and means 'Faithful unto Death'.
John is also commemorated on the War Memorial in Alderley Edge, Cheshire.
(Sources: CWGC, Ancestry, Find My Past, newspaper Archives, Commando Veterans Archives, London Gazette)
(Bio: Woose)
Rank: Major
Regiment: Royal Marines
Unit: No. 46 R.M. Commando.
Awards: Military Cross
Post Nominals: L.L.B.
Died: 25th August 1944
Age: 32 years old.
Born in Prestwich, Lancashire on the 9th August 1912, John was the son of John Joseph Lee and Mabel C. Lee (née Croydon). He had an older sister Mary and in 1921 the family lived at "Briarfield" Glebelands Road, Prestwich where they employed two servants. John's father was a Merchant who had his own business in Deansgate, Manchester supplying road material.
John studied at a University in Cambridge and in 1937 passed his final exams and qualified as a Solicitor. He became a partner in a firm of Manchester Solicitors.
In 1937 he married Joan Isobel Collingwood Cary and they had a daughter Susan. They made their home at "West Holme", Wilmslow Road, Alderley Edge and employed two domestic servants.
A member of the Manchester Reform Club and former captain of Manchester Rugby Football Club John also played for Lancashire. He loved golf and played at Wilmslow.
During the war, John served with No. 46 Royal Marine Commandos. During the successful Normandy landings, he was awarded the Military Cross in the field by Field Marshall Bernard Montgomery 'for gallant and distinguished service during earlier operations at Le Hamel'. The recommendation for the award read:
"This officer was given the task of leading the assault of two forward troops during the attack on Le Hamel 9472 on 11 June. The assault had to move over 400 yards of open ground including the crossing of two obstacles. The forward troops were under fire particularly from the flanks. The success of the assault was largely due to the magnificent leadership shown by Major Lee who moved in front of the main wave. In the subsequent street fighting Major Lee was always in front, he showed sound judgement and enterprise".
In August 1944 he was Second-in-Command when he was killed during operations at Beuzeville. He was originally buried there but on the 17th October 1945 was re-interred in Ranville War Cemetery. The personal inscription in Latin at the bottom of his headstone reads " Fidelis Ad Mortem" and means 'Faithful unto Death'.
John is also commemorated on the War Memorial in Alderley Edge, Cheshire.
(Sources: CWGC, Ancestry, Find My Past, newspaper Archives, Commando Veterans Archives, London Gazette)
(Bio: Woose)
Inscription
Major
J. Lee MC. L.L.B.
Royal Marines
No 46 R.M. Commando
25th August 1944 Age 32
(Cross)
Fidelis Ad Mortem
Family Members
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