Private WILLIAM LEE 22121. Born 1897 in Meaux, Beverley, the only son of Jonathan Lee and Rosana Lee, living at Park Cottage Leconfield (1911 Census), 62, Norwood Grove, Beverley and later the Almshouses, Tickton, Beverley (War Pension addresses). His parents were born in Norfolk and married there. William’s father was a Shepherd by trade and the family lived and worked on farms in both Meaux and Leconfield during his childhood. His parents also shared their home with Joseph Cocksworth who had married William’s elder sister, Rosa, and worked on the same farm.
William however was not destined for the farmyard. He joined up when he came of age, and was with the 10th Battalion East Yorkshire’s as they faced Oppy Wood on a clear moonlit night and prepared to attack those heavily defended trenches through trees wired together and massed with waiting machine guns. William Lee was killed in action on May 3rd 1917 aged just 20. He is buried at Orchard Dump Cemetery, Arleux-en-Gohelle.
Oppy Wood battle – see https://ww1hull.com/oppy-wood/
