Category: Military
Rank: Gunner
Regiment or Ship: Royal Field Artillery
Service Number(s): 1864; 289740; T/906274
Occupation: Farmer
Date of Birth: 1877
Place of Birth: North Tawton, Devon
Date of Death: 1959
Place of Death: Chichester, Sussex
Address: Alfred Villas, St Johns Road, Bexhill on Sea
Photos and newspaper articles
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Family Information
Parents: George (1828) and Maria (1852) Lee. George was a farmer of 260 acres in 1881 in Newton Abbot.
Siblings: George (1860); Anna (1862); Isabel (1864); Thomas (1891); Francis (1893)
Richard married Agnes Rowland (1881) on 30th September 1905 and, as far as we can ascertain, they had three children – Agnes (1906-1980); Gladys, born 1909; and Hilda, born 1911
In 1911 Richard was farming at Wyckham Farm, Steyning, Sussex.
First World War Experience
Richard enlisted on 10th January 1916 – when he was 39 years and 4 months old. He had previously served with the Devon Yeomanry for seven years. He was 5’ 9½” tall with a chest of 40” – expansion 2” and was a member of the Church of England.
On 28th January 1919 Agnes wrote a letter to the relevant authorities saying:
“Dear Sir
On January 10th I received a telegram saying that 906,274 R. Lee, RFA was dangerously ill at Bagdad (sic) suffering from “para typhoid”. That is 18 days ago and still I have not received any further news.
Please let me know if you have any further particulars or any more information about my husband it is a king time to wait please let me know by return if possible. I thank you.
Yours…”
Unfortunately, no reply has survived but, as Richard did not die until 1959, we know he did survive.
Richard was discharged on 3rd June 1919 and was awarded the Victory Medal and the British War Medal.