Robert Thomson LEE, D.C.M.,

Sergeant 50463

12th Battalion

The Royal Scots Fusiliers

Cap Badge of the Royal Scots Fusiliers

Cap Badge of the Royal Army Service Corps

Family photograph kindly provided by his grandson, Bob Reid.

ROBERT THOMSON LEE, D.C.M., Sergeant 50463, 12th Bn Royal Scots Fusiliers.
He formerly served as S/4/109897 in the Army Service Corps.

Here is the LEE family history that I have been able to find.

Jane Hynd was born on 18th September, 1869, at 7 Low Russell Street, Wishaw.
Her parents were James Hynd, a Coal Miner, and Jane Hay, who were married at Pather, Wishaw on 16th September, 1859.
Her paternal grandparents were William Hynds, an Ironstone Miner, and Mary Cook.
Her maternal grandparents were William Hay, a Coal Miner, and Elizabeth Campbell.

James Lee, a particularly famous baker from Larkhall, was born on 8th April, 1870, at Crossford.
His parents were Robert Lee, a Coal Miner, and Marion Frame, who were married at Crossford on 27th August, 1869.
His paternal grandparents were James Lee, a Coal Miner, and Martha Thomson.
His maternal grandparents were Walter Frame, a Quarrier, and Agnes Cadzow.

James Lee and Jane Hynd, were married on 29th April, 1892, at Craighead Farm, Blantyre.

Robert Frame LEE was born on 2nd December, 1892, at Broomhill View, Larkhall, but unfortunately died on 6th January, 1893, at Broomhill View, Larkhall, age 1 month old.
Jane Hynd LEE was born on 22nd January, 1894, at Muir Street, Larkhall.
ROBERT THOMSON LEE, D.C.M., was born on 1st September, 1895, at Muir Street, Larkhall.
Marion Frame LEE was born on 12th October, 1897, at Muir Street, Larkhall.
Agnes LEE was born prematurely on 17th May, 1899, at Muir Street, Larkhall, but sadly died 1 hour later.

Jane Hynd or LEE (ROBERT THOMSON LEE's mother) died on 17th May, 1899, at Muir Street, Larkhall. She died as a result of pneumonia and premature childbirth. Reading between the lines, the onset of pneumonia brought about the premature birth and death of Agnes LEE and the subsequent death of Jane.

In the 1901 Census for Larkhall, the LEE family are living at Cameron's Buildings, Muir Street as follows [Note that it was the custom to name the Parish as the Place of Birth]:
James Lee, age 36, Head, Widower, Pastry Baker, b Lesmahagow [Crossford]
Jeanie Lee, age 7, Daughter, Scholar, b Larkhall
ROBERT LEE, age 5, Son, Scholar, b Larkhall
Marion 'Minnie' Lee, age 3, Daughter, b Larkhall
Agnes Lee, age 21, Sister, Housekeeper, b Lesmahagow [Crossford].

On 5th January, 1903, Robert Lee (ROBERT THOMSON LEE's grandfather), age 57, died at Crossford.

On 2nd April, 1906, James Lee, age 35, a master baker of the Albert Bakery, Larkhall, married Janet 'Waddell' McMannus, age 22, at Hotel Osborne, Glasgow. Janet McMannus was born on 22 March, 1884, at 42 Low Pleasance, Larkhall. Her parents were John McMannus, a Coal Miner, and Jane Waddell who were married on 5th May, 1882, at Larkhall.

Agnes Cadzow Frame LEE was born on 19th July, 1906, at the Albert Bakery, Percy Street, Larkhall.

Walter Frame LEE was born on 28th May 1908, at Percy Street, Larkhall.

In the 1911 Census for Larkhall, the LEE family are listed at Percy Street as follows:
James LEE, age 41, Head, Pastry Baker, b Lesmahagow [Crossford]
Janet W LEE, age 28, Wife, b Dalserf
Jeanie LEE, age 17, Daughter, Shop Girl, b Dalserf [Larkhall]
ROBERT LEE, age 15, Son, Apprentice Baker, b Dalserf [Larkhall]
Marion 'Minnie' LEE, age 13, Daughter, Scholar, b Dalserf [Larkhall]
Agnes LEE, age 4, Daughter,  b Dalserf [Larkhall]
Walter LEE, age 1, Son,  b Dalserf [Larkhall].

On 25th July, 1911, Marion Frame or Lee (ROBERT THOMSON LEE's grandmother), age 65, died at Crossford.

On 22nd April, 1914, ROBERT THOMSON LEE, D.C.M., age 18, married Willieminnie Stevenson, age 19, at Glasgow.
Willieminnie Stevenson was living at 83 Miller Street, Larkhall. Her parents were Montgomery Stevenson, a Coal Miner, and Jeanie Johnston.
A daughter Jeanie Whitefield Johnstone Stevenson LEE (ROBERT THOMSON LEE's daughter), was born on 24th September, 1914, at 83 Miller Street, Larkhall.

On 14 September, 1918, his sister Marion 'Minnie' Frame LEE, age 20, died at Violet Bank, Leadhills.
Her death record shows that she was a Baker's Shop-girl and her usual address was Albert Bakery, Larkhall.

ROBERT THOMSON LEE, D.C.M., served as Cpl S/4/109897 with the Army Service Corps then as Sergeant 50463 with the 12th Bn Royal Scots Fusiliers. As a Master Baker, he was a very valuable asset in being able to help feed the troops of his Battalion - see attached photo.
He went to Egypt with his Battalion on 21st June, 1915, and was attached to 74th Division, 229th Brigade. The Battalion left from Alexandria, Egypt, on 1st April, 1918, aboard the H.M.T. KAISAR-I-HIND. They arrived at Marseilles, France, on 7th April, and became part of 31st Division, 94th Brigade.

The Medal Rolls Index Card (MIC) for ROBERT THOMSON LEE, D.C.M. shows that he was awarded:
The 1914-15 Star Medal, The Victory Medal and The British War Medal.
The MIC shows that he went to Egypt on 21st June, 1915, and was de-mobbed on 9th March, 1919.

ROBERT THOMSON LEE, D.C.M. is standing first on the left in the attached photograph.

The London Gazette No 31186 of 14 February, 1919, page No 2418, shows (attached):
50463 Cpl (A/LSgt) R. LEE, 12th Bn R. Sco. Fus. (Larkhall).

The above posting is repeated:
The Edinburgh Gazette No 13406 of 18 February, 1919, page No 972, shows (attached):
50463 Cpl (A/LSgt) R. LEE, 12th Bn R. Sco. Fus. (Larkhall).

The London Gazette No 31726 of 9 January 1920, page No 445, shows the Citation (attached):
50463 Cpl (A/LSgt) R. LEE, 12th Bn R. Sco. Fus. (Larkhall).
"On the 31st October, 1918, during an attack south-west of Audenarde, he displayed marked gallantry and initiative during the advance of his company. Seeing two enemy mounting a machine gun he rushed forward and bayoneted both gunners before they could fire a shot. By putting this gun out of action he was able to surprise and capture a further 17 enemy, and also saved several casualties.".

The above posting is repeated:
The Edinburgh Gazette No 13549 of 9 January 1919, page No 109, shows (attached):
50463 Cpl (A/LSgt) R. LEE, 12th Bn R. Sco. Fus. (Larkhall).

On 4th December, 1922, Janet 'Waddell' McMannus or LEE (ROBERT THOMSON LEE's step-mother), age 38, died at Percy Street, Larkhall.

On 4th December, 1941, ROBERT THOMSON LEE, D.C.M., a baker, age 46, husband of Minnie Stevenson or LEE, died in Hairmyres Hospital, East Kilbride. The death record shows his address as 41 Church Street, Lochwinnoch.

On 24th May, 1956, Minnie Stevenson or LEE (ROBERT THOMSON LEE's wife), age 61, died at Glen Avenue, Larkhall.

On 12th February, 1963, James LEE, (ROBERT THOMSON LEE's father), age 92, a Master Baker and widower of 1) Jane Hynd and 2) Janet 'Waddell' McMannus, died in Law Hospital, Carluke. His 'Usual Residence' is Albert Bakery, Larkhall. The cause of his death was a broken right leg (resulting in him being taken to Law Hospital) which brought about heart failure due to coronary artery thrombosis.

Bob Reid kindly donated photos (attached) of his family's memorabilia.

Bob's nephew Munro Reid provided photos of the actual DCM awarded to ROBERT THOMSON LEE, D.C.M.

Lest We Forget!

Photo of the actual Distinguished Conduct Medal (D.C.M.) on the right side, and the actual British War Medal on the left side, awarded to Sergeant ROBERT THOMSON LEE, D.C.M.

These photos, kindly provided by Munro Reid, show the inscription around the rim of the DCM.

Medal Rolls Index Card (MIC) showing the award of The 1914-15 Star Medal, The Victory Medal and The British War Medal.

It shows he entered Egypt on 21st June, 1915 and was de-mobbed on 9th March, 1919.

MIC showing the award of the D.C.M.

This newspaper clipping was donated by his grandson Bob Reid.

Sgt. Robert Lee, D.C.M., standing first on the left in both photos. 

[The above photo was kindly donated by Nicola Lee.]

A closeup snippet of the above photo.

In The Scotsman newspaper, dated 19th July, 1919, page 1, the attached newspaper clipping names 'Corpl Wm Hill; Sergt Robert Lee; Corpl David Robertson Reid; and Corpl Adam Weir' who were recipients of the Distinguished Conduct Medal (D.C.M.).
It reads:
"The Executive Committee of the Larkhall War Committee met in the Drill Hall, Larkhall, last night to honour recipients of the Distinguished Conduct Medal. County Councillor Lambie, J.P., presided, and presented gold watches and alberts with sums of money to Corpl. Wm. Hill, 5/6th Scottish Rifles, for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty and in bringing down an enemy aeroplane; Sergt. Robert Lee, 12th R.S.F., for capturing two machine guns and 17 prisoners on 2nd November last; Corpl. David Robertson Reid, 1/6th Royal Highlanders, for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in outflanking two enemy machine guns which were holding up the advance; and Corpl. Adam Weir, 9th S.R., who held up the enemy on our retirement in March, 1918, and inflicted many casualtes on them with his machine gun. All the recipients received the present in person except Corpl. Hill, who was killed on 24th October, 1918. His father received the gifts instead".

3 pages taken from The London Gazette No 31186 of 14th February, 1919.

3 pages taken from The London Gazette No 31726 dated 9th January, 1920.

Certificate 'rubber-stamped' by General Herbert Plumer, 2nd Army.

Certificate 'rubber-stamped' by Major-General John Campbell, 31st Division.

Robert Lee, DCM, sitting with his dog. Date unknown, and believed to be at the entrance to the close at Percy Street, Larkhall, though the steps are not a good clue. [The family bakery was through the close and at the rear of the building.]

Willieminnie Lee, Robert Lee's wife. Date unknown. [Willieminnie, is a 'take' on Wilhelmena. Willieminnie was recorded on the marriage certificate.]

A 'Seidlitz Powders' tin, carried during the War by Robert Lee, DCM, containing a 'hard tack' biscuit with a cutout containing a photo of his daughter - Jeanie Whitefield Johnstone Stevenson Lee, born on 24th September, 1914, at 83 Miller Street, Larkhall.

More additional photos kindly donated by grandson Bob Reid.

Robert Lee, DCM, served in Egypt before being transferred to France.

A close-up from the photo above.

[Transciption of the newspaper clipping]

PRESENTATION TO A  D.C.M.

On Tuesday evening a special meeting under the auspices of the Larkhall Ornithological Association was held in Farr's Hall, Charing Cross, to recognise Sergt. R. Lee, R.S.F., in his winning the D.C.M. The town band turned out and escorted Sergt. Lee from his father's home in Percy Street to the hall. Mr James Lee presided, and expressed his pleasure at the large turnout. After an excellent supper, Mr. W. P. Campbell, secretary of the association, presented Sergt. Lee of the 12th Batt. R.S.F. with a piece of silver plate and a cheque for £135, from the members and well-wishers of the Ornithological Association. Mr Campbell referred to the valuable services Sergt. Lee rendered to his country, he had served 3½ years in the Army, being in Gallipoli, Egypt, and Palestine, and was transferred to France in April last year, just in time to take part in assisting to stem the onrush of the enemy. His gallant deed was worthy of the highest praise, and he was recommended for the V.C. by his officer, but owing to the change of command at the time he was only awarded the D.C.M. Mr Campbell further expressed the hope that Sergt. Lee would enjoy long life, and every time he looked on the piece of silver plate it would remind him of the valorous deed , and the well-wishers he had in the town. Sergt. Lee suitably replied, and thanked the Ornithological Association and their many friends for their handsome present. (Applause). Mr J. A. Beattie, C.C., Sergt. Lee's school-master, also supplemented the remarks of Mr Campbell, and said he was ever in the forefront of all school games, and a most enthusiastic leader. Mr Robert Simpson, J.P., P.C.; Mr Wm. Farr, P.C.; and Dr D. L. Stevenson made some remarks on the importance of the occasion, and the fact that they were again doing honour to another of their local soldiers who had won renown in the war. The programme was interspersed with songs, etc., Miss Reme, Swansea; Miss Peggy Meikle, Larkhall; Mr Stewart, Mr A. Meikle, Mr Robt. Russell, Mr J. Niven, Mr George Harris and others all taking part.

[The above newspaper clipping makes reference to "His gallant deed was worthy of the highest praise, and he was recommended for the V.C. by his officer, but owing to the change of command at the time he was only awarded the D.C.M.". I have researched this 'so-called' recommendation for the V.C. but I have found none - and then, who knows what happens in the 'fog of war'. I suspect an over-zealous newspaper reporter who sought to embellish his story. Recommendations for the award of a V.C. are treated very seriously, and any such documentaion is recorded and traceable in The National Archives, London. WO 98 War Office: Correspondence and Papers Concerning the Victoria Cross.]

This photo was taken at the back of the bakery at Lochwinnoch.

This newspaper clipping were kindly donated by his grandson, Bob Reid.

Newspaper clipping taken from the Falkirk Herald, Acknowledgements, page 1, of 13th December, 1941.

This photograph was kindly donated by Nicola Lee.

The photo was taken inside the Lee family bakery shop (Albert Bakery) in Percy Street, Larkhall. The individuals and the date are unknown, though I suspect that the gentleman is the father of Robert Lee, D.C.M..