10th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (British Army)
Date Of Birth:
10/04/1891
Died:
01/07/1916 (Killed in Action)
Age:
25
Summary
James Lee was the son of James and Margaret Lee. James Lee was born on 10th April 1891 in Ballynacrea, County Londonderry (tbc). James was one of eight children. The family lived in Moneyguiggy, Carnamoney, County Londonderry. Moneyguiggy lies just west of Tobermore. All the family worked on their farm. Private James Lee was serving with the 10th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he was killed in action on the first day of the Battle of the Somme on Saturday 1st July 1916. His brother William, also with the 10th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, was also killed that day..
Further Information
James Lee was the son of James and Margaret Lee. James Lee married Margaret Boyd on 12th October 1880 in the district of Magherafelt.
James Lee was born on 10th April 1891 in Ballynacrea(?), County Londonderry. James was one of eight children.
Family: James L Lee, Margaret Lee, Robert Lee (born 24th June 1881), Thomas Lee (born 22nd February 1883), Mary Minnie Lee (born 4th March 1885?), William Lee (born 10th September 1885?), Maud Margaret Lee (born 12th December 1888), James Lee (born 10th April 1891), Alexander Lee (born 16th July 1893), Samuel Lee (born 16th October 1895).
The 1901 census lists James as age 10 living with the family at house 24 in Moneyguiggy, Carnamoney, County Londonderry. Moneyguiggy lies just west of Tobermore. His father was a farm labourer.
Thomas Lee emigrated to Philadelphia in 1903 to his cousin Robert Stockman at 82 Moore Street.
Robert Lee emigrated to Philadelphia in 1904 to his cousin Thomas Stockman at 82 Moore Street.
The 1911 census lists James as age 20 living with the family at house 10 in Moneyguiggy, Carnamoney, Londonderry. All the family were working on their farm.
James Lee enlisted in Coleraine.
James’ brothers William and Thomas also enlisted.
Private James Lee was serving with the 10th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he was killed in action on the first day of the Battle of the Somme on Saturday 1st July 1916. He was 25 years old.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 5th August 1916: Tobermore
Mrs James Lee has also received official notification that her son James was wounded on the same date, but whether of a serious nature, the communication does not disclose. The sympathy of the town goes out to both families in their anxiety and trouble.
His brother William, also with the 10th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, was also killed that day, aged 30.
Their brother Thomas survived the war.
Private James Lee has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, like his brother.
The CWGC record Private James Lee as the son of Margaret Lee of Tobermore, County Londonderry, and of the late James Lee.
All images courtesy of Sam Hudson, Desertmartin. Information provided here is courtesy of the excellent research donated by Mr Sam Hudson
