Have You a Tiger In Your Family?

Rank : Captain

Unit : 9th Bn

Biography :

Educated at Deytheur Grammar School (Montgomeryshire) and at Oundle School (where he was in the OTC), Audley Lee went up to Lincoln College, Oxford, in October 1914. There he joined the OTC and was commissioned in The Leicestershire Regiment on 28.12.1914. He was posted to 9th Bn, and served in A Company. He went to France in October 1915 and fought through the Somme Battles in 1916. For his good work in the battle of Bazentin Ridge in July 1916 he was awarded the M.C. (L.G. 1.1.1917) (he is mentioned in 9th Bn's War Diary for 16 July at Mametz Wood: he had led a patrol forward – "they endeavoured to find Lieut. Sargeant’s party but failed."). He was promoted Captain in October 1916. He was Killed in Action on 1.10.1917, aged 22, while leading his company forward to repulse a heavy German attack at Polygon Wood near Ypres, in the same engagement as his CO, Lt Col P E Bent DSO, was killed and awarded a posthumous V.C. "The full weight of the assault fell on Captain Lee’s A Coy. The attack was repulsed but he was a casualty. The Adjutant of his company wrote to his parents, "Your son led his company forward and succeeded in beating off two attacks. He was killed bravely leading his men and died instantaneously. It was a brave and fine act which undoubtedly led to a brilliant victory. We feel his loss more than words can express, for he was beloved by all ranks and his memory will live forever in this battalion. It was a glorious end to a brilliant career."
His body not having been able to be recovered, his name is recorded on the Tyne Cot Memorial. He is also commemorated on war memorials at St Oswald’s Church, Penrhos Church, Deytheur, on Cae Glas Park Memorial Gates, Oswestry, and at Oundle School and Newport Pagnell.

Date of Birth : 3.4.1895

Place of Birth : Llansantffraid, Montgomershire

Date of Death : 1.10.1917

Place of Death : Polygon Wood, nr Ypres, Belgium

Period of Service : 1914-17

Conflicts : WW1

Places Served : France and Flanders