Sapper William Henry Lee

Thanks to Gary Mitchell for permission to share his Facebook post here on our blog.

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13th December 2021

A Forgotten Digger of The Great War resting at Sandgate Cemetery, Honour and Dignity to be restored.

77 years ago today, on the Wednesday afternoon of the 13th December 1944, Sapper William Henry Lee, 3rd Australian Divisional Signals Company (Reg No-7015), labourer from Regent Street, New Lambton, New South Wales and Catherine Street, Swansea, N.S.W., was laid to rest at Sandgate Cemetery, age 63. METHODIST 4-17. 15.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article134249313 - funeral notice does not state service.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article134262064 - funeral notice again does not state service.

Born at Sydney, New South Wales on the 23rd February 1881 to Maurice Lee and Emma Lee; husband of Mabel Lee nee Bettles (married 1.12.1917 at St Mary's Church, Bedford, United Kingdom, died?), also Julia Lee nee Ford (married 1935, Lambton, N.S.W., died 1974, 30 years a widow, sleeping in an unmarked grave next to William - METHODIST 4-17. 17.), William enlisted October 1916 with the 4th Battalion at Newcastle, N.S.W.

Admitted to hospital 19.7.1917 (otitis media, inflammation located in the middle ear), William returned home September 1919 with his wife Mabel, and was discharged on the 9th November 1919.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article140073105 - welcome home.

Mr. Lee’s name has been inscribed on the New Lambton War Memorial Gates (photos, unveiled on the 11th November 1916, 93 names originally inscribed, 114 names now inscribed, 19 Fallen), and the Lambton and New Lambton Municipal District Roll of Honor.

I located William resting in an unmarked grave, another Forgotten Digger of The Great War, so January 2020 I placed a cross adorned with poppies on the gravesite, taken a photo of the grave and uploaded the photo onto the Northern Cemetery website as a permanent record of his service.

http://sandgate.northerncemeteries.com.au/.../index.php...

I submitted an application to DVA November 2020 asking for a Commonwealth War Graves Plaque, curbing and marble chip, but unfortunately this was declined March 2021.

A Plaque will be placed at the gravesite courtesy of the Forgotten Diggers Headstone Project.

Many thanks to Phil Winney and members of Merewether - Hamilton - Adamstown RSL sub-Branch for the purchase of death certificate.

Lest We Forget.