LEE, Robert Augustus
| Service Number: | 317 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 7 September 1914, Enlisted in Sydney. |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 1st Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Pyrmont, New South Wales, Australia, 11 July 1877 |
| Home Town: | Mascot, Botany Bay, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Tram "Pitman" [maintenance] |
| Died: | Killed in Action, Gallipoli, Turkey, 11 May 1915, aged 37 years |
| Cemetery: |
4th Battalion Parade Ground Cemetery |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Haymarket NSW Government Railway and Tramway Honour Board, Mascot War Memorial |
World War 1 Service
| 7 Sep 1914: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 317, 1st Infantry Battalion, Enlisted in Sydney. | |
|---|---|---|
| 18 Oct 1914: | Involvement Private, 317, 1st Infantry Battalion, ANZAC / Gallipoli, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '7' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Afric embarkation_ship_number: A19 public_note: '' | |
| 18 Oct 1914: | Embarked Private, 317, 1st Infantry Battalion, HMAT Afric, Sydney |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by John Oakes
Robert Augustus LEE (Service Number 317) was born on 11th July 1877 at Pyrmont. He commenced working for the NSW Tramways as a labourer at the electric tram depot at Ultimo in July 1908. He relocated to Waverley in 1911 and returned to Ultimo in 1912 as a pitman’s assistant. In this role he relocated to Rozelle in April.
He was released to join the Expeditionary Forces on 7th September 1914 and enlisted at Sydney the same day. He was unmarried and nominated his sister Amy as his next of kin. He claimed 12 years’ service with the Australian Rifle Regiment, with which he was still serving. He was allotted to the 1st Australian Infantry Battalion. He embarked at Sydney on HMAT ‘Afric’ on 18th October 1914.
Being with the 1st Battalion he probably landed at Gallipoli on Anzac Day, 25th April.
He was killed in action on 11 May 1915.
At first, he was buried in an isolated grave in a sap from Bridges Road, round McLaurin’s Hill, about ½ mile E of Anzac Cove. After the war his remains were exhumed and re-interred in the 4th Battalion Parade Ground Cemetery, about ½ mile E of Anzac Cove.
The distribution of medals and mementoes was difficult. Lee had nominated one of his sisters, Amy, as next of kin and legatee of his estate. Unfortunately, she died in 1921 before the distribution of all the medals. It then became a matter of dispute between the foster-mother of the dead sister, and another surviving sister.
Sometime later in 1921, Alice Leafe wrote to the military authorities:
‘Re Memorial Plaque No. 301509
No 317. Pte R.A. Lee 1st Btn.
I beg to advise that Miss. A. Lee the Next of kin of above soldier died on 8 June 1921, leaving a will under which I am entitled to all her real and personal estate. Under a will by the soldier, Miss A. Lee, his eldest sister received all the moneys and medals which were due to him.
The late soldier has another living sister, but no brothers or parents living. I am not at present aware of the married name of the living sister, or her address.
As legatee of Miss. A. Lee. To whom the soldier bequeathed in his will, all his medals, I request that the above memorial plaque be issued to me. Both wills can be produced if necessary.
I was foster-mother of Miss A. Lee from the age of 10 years to 51 years. She was a cripple and unable to move outside without assistance. Her sister would have nothing to do with her, during her lifetime, and was refused admission to her deathbed.
Yours Faithfully,
Sgd. ALICE LEAFE’
The sister, Carrie Moat, disputed these facts insisting that she and her sister were the best of friends, and that Miss Leafe was nothing more than the landlady. At the time, the only item not yet issued was the Victory Medal and it was issued to Mrs Moat. The other medals and the plaque were already with Alice Leafe.