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Auction: 19003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 344

A poignant M.M. group of five awarded to Lance-Sergeant F. Lee, The Welch Regiment; decorated for gallantry at Welsh Valley during the Somme Offensive, he was killed in action near Ypres on 12 March 1918

Military Medal, G.V.R. (1117 L. Cpl. F. Lee. 2/Welsh R.); 1914 Star (1117 Pte F. Lee. 2/Welsh R.); British War and Victory Medals (1117 Cpl. F. Lee. Welsh R.); Russia, Imperial, St. George Medal for Bravery, 4th Class, the reverse stamped 'No. 901662', this mounted Russian style, extremely fine (5)

M.M. London Gazette 1 September 1916.

St. George Medal for Bravery (4th Class) London Gazette 15 February 1917.

Frederick Lee was born at Newport, Monmouthshire on 25 June 1894. Frederick was the second son of Anthony Lee, a dockyard worker who, according to a local newspaper report, had been fined 5s for drunk and disorderly behaviour two years previously (Western Gazette, 26 February 1892). The 1901 census gives his residence as 35 Mill Parade, Newport, and he was educated at Bolt Street Boys School. He enlisted into the 2nd Battalion, The Welch Regiment, disembarking at Le Havre on 13 September 1914. Over the next two months the Battalion defended trenches on the Beauline Ridge, Aisne. The Regimental History records that by 14 November, it had suffered 5 officers and 197 other ranks killed, 16 officers and over 400 other ranks wounded. One officer and 45 other ranks had been taken prisoner. A further 124 casualties were sustained before Christmas; only one of the Battalion's original officers remained unwounded.

No fewer than 32 Military Medals were awarded to the 2nd Battalion for prolonged fighting during the Somme Offensive. On 16 July 1916 it attacked 'Welsh Valley', a communication trench running north-east to the Switch Line. Proceeding to Albert, the Battalion relieved the 1st Gloucesters in the front line north-east of Pozieres on 25 July, suffering 399 casualties over a one-month period. Private Lee was awarded the M.M. for bravery in the field, also receiving promotion to Corporal. His award of the Russian St. George Medal for Bravery, 4th Class featured in the North Wales Chronicle (16 February 1917). The Regimental Medal Roll (AO 266) records that Lee was subsequently attached to 183 Tunnelling Company, Royal Engineers.

Fred Lee was killed in action near Ypres on 12 March 1918. He is buried in Grave I.C. II, Minty Farm Cemetery; sold with copied research and roll confirmation.



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Estimate
£1,800 to £2,200

Starting price
£1200