After leaving school, James worked as a miner at Fair Lady Colliery at Heath Hayes, Staffordshire

 

 

Fair Lady Colliery (*2)

 

 

James on holiday in Blackpool 27th June 1914 (*3)

 

Of the 17 children of Jonas and Lucy LEES, three of their sons, Albert, James and Jonas fought in the First World War. When war was declared, Jonas LEES was in Australia and joined the Australian Army. He was badly gassed and lost his power of speech but survived the war. Albert lost his life in the war.

 

On the 12th February 1915, James enlisted at Lichfield. He joined first the 5th Staffordshire Regiment and then the 10th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment as Private No 40076 and made Lance Corporal.

 

 

James and Albert LEES (*4)

 

On the 20^th September 1917 aged 26, Lance Corporal James, died fighting in the third battle of Ypres. His body was never recovered and he has no known grave.

 

His name is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial Zonnebeke, West-Vlaanderen Belgium.

 

         

 

     Tyne Cot Cemetery (5*)                                             Tyne Cot Cemetery Plan (*6)

 

The Tyne Cot Memorial is located 9 kilometres north east of Ieper town centre, on the Tynecotstraat, a road leading from the Zonnebeekseweg (N332). The names of those from United Kingdom units are inscribed on Panels arranged by Regiment under their respective Ranks. His name can be found on Panel 75 to 77.

 

On the 5th October 1917, a tribute to James appeared in the Lichfield Mercury. It read:-

 

 

James is commemorated on the Roll of Honour in Lichfield Cathedral.

 

                            

 

                          South Staffordshire Regiment Memorial Stone (*7)             South Staffordshire Regiment Roll of Honour (*8)

 

James brother Albert LEES died on 27th July 1917 less than 2 months earlier.