LEE, Oliver Matthew
| Service Number: | 439 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 20 August 1914, 4 yrs in LHR |
| Last Rank: | Lieutenant |
| Last Unit: | No. 1 Squadron, Australian Flying Corps |
| Born: | Mole Creek, Tasmania, Australia, May 1886 |
| Home Town: | Mole Creek, Meander Valley, Tasmania |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Storekeeper |
| Died: | Mole Creek, Tasmania, Australia, 27 September 1966, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: | Not yet discovered |
| Memorials: | Ballarat Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial, Deloraine War Memorial |
World War 1 Service
| 20 Aug 1914: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Sergeant, 439, 3rd Light Horse Regiment, 4 yrs in LHR | |
|---|---|---|
| 20 Oct 1914: | Involvement Sergeant, 439, 3rd Light Horse Regiment, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '1' embarkation_place: Hobart embarkation_ship: HMAT Geelong embarkation_ship_number: A2 public_note: '' | |
| 20 Oct 1914: | Embarked Sergeant, 439, 3rd Light Horse Regiment, HMAT Geelong, Hobart | |
| 25 Jan 1916: | Transferred AIF WW1, Sergeant, Camel Corps | |
| 1 Jan 1917: | Promoted AIF WW1, Second Lieutenant, Camel Corps | |
| 5 May 1917: | Promoted AIF WW1, Lieutenant, Australian Flying Corps (AFC) | |
| 3 Dec 1917: | Transferred AIF WW1, Lieutenant, No. 1 Squadron, Australian Flying Corps, as an observer | |
| 19 Mar 1918: | Imprisoned He went out on a Bristol fighter (Captain R. A. Austin, MLU., pilot), as escort to a bomb raid on a Turkish railway station at Kutran (east of the Dead Sea), and did not return. On the 24/4/1918, he was officially reported as POW in Constantinople | |
| 30 Aug 1918: | Honoured Military Cross, For consistant and valuable work as an aerial observer. His reports have been valuable, accurate and detailed despite being subjected to the heaviest fire and interference. | |
| 28 Apr 1919: | Discharged AIF WW1, Lieutenant, No. 1 Squadron, Australian Flying Corps | |
| 17 Jun 1919: | Honoured Mention in Dispatches |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Evan Evans
From Sue Guinan, Tasmania in the Great War 1914-1918
LEE, OLIVER MATTHEW. MC
The son of George and Jane Lee (nee Appleby) of Mole Creek a 28 year old storekeeper he embarked with the 3rd Light Horse and the rank of Sergeant. He was commissioned whilst overseas and returned to Australia 25th December 1918. In 1919 he married Bessie Victoria Howe and died 27th September 1966 in Mole Creek.
A PRISONER IN GERMANY. A TASMANlAN AVLATOR. Mr. and Mrs. George Lee, and family of "Mountain View House," Mole Creek, have lad their anxiety concerning the whereabouts of their son and brother, Lieut. Oliver M Lee, MC., allayed, by receipt of the following letters from Major Williams, commanding No. 1 Squadron, Australian Flying Corps April 1, 1918-Dear Madam,-I regret having to advise you that your son, 'Lieut. O. M Lee, of this unit, has been missing since the 19th of March, and is now, apparently, a prisoner of war with the Turks. He went out on a Bristol fighter (Captain R. A. Austin, MLU., pilot), as escort to a bomb raid on a Turkish railway station at Kutran (east of the Dead Sea), and did not return. The day was cloudy, and the machine was not seen by others to go down. I have delayed writing to you in the hope or getting some news, and a refugee from Kutan today reports that our machine landed to pick up another pilot who had a forced landing, and that they were unable to get off again, and so burnt their machines and were taken prisoners. Our experience has been that the Turks treat officer prisoners very well indeed, and think you have no cause to worry. While Lieut. Lee was with this unit he proved himself to be a most keen and reliable observer, and his loss is keenly felt." Writing again to Mrs. Lee a week later Major Williams says:-"I am pleased to be able to advise you that the Military Cross has been awarded to your son, Lieut. O. M. Lee, for his work with this unit. This decoration was recommended prior to his being taken prisoner." Mr. and Mrs. Lee 'have also had a cablegram from a Mr Simmons, retired solicitor, London, whose guest Lieut Lee was when on furlough intimating that the latter was now a prisoner in Constantinople, and there was no need to worry.
Examiner Launceston 21st June 1918
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