Sir Arthur James (Mert) LEE MC*, MC

Sir Arthur James (Mert) LEE MC*, MC Update Details

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LEE, Arthur James

Service Number:	SX2917
Enlisted:	22 May 1940
Last Rank:	Lieutenant Colonel
Last Unit:	2nd/9th Infantry Battalion
Born:	Adelaide, 30 July 1912
Home Town:	Berri, Berri and Barmera, South Australia
Schooling:	Glenelg Primary School, St Peter's College
Occupation:	Hotel Manager
Memorials:	Berri Oval "Diver" Derrick VC Memorial Grandstand & Roll of Honour, Hackney St Peter's College WW2 Honour Roll

World War 2 Service

3 Sep 1939:	Involvement Lieutenant Colonel, SX2917
3 Sep 1939:	Involvement
1 May 1940:	Promoted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Lieutenant, 2nd/27th Infantry Battalion
22 May 1940:	Enlisted Australian Army (Post WW2), 2nd/27th Infantry Battalion
3 Jul 1941:	Promoted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Captain, 2nd/27th Infantry Battalion
30 Jun 1943:	Promoted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Major, 2nd/16th Infantry Battalion
12 Aug 1944:	Promoted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Lieutenant Colonel, 2nd/9th Infantry Battalion
25 Oct 1945:	Discharged
Date unknown:	Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Lieutenant Colonel, SX2917
Date unknown:	Honoured Military Cross and bar, Syria - Operation Exporter
Date unknown:	Honoured Military Cross, Kokoda - Papua

Help us honour Arthur James Lee's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.

Biography contributed by Kathleen Bambridge

He took up a position on the committee at Glenelg Sub Branch in 1946 and found himself elected to the State Board in 1947 to 1954 as a Vice President. From 1955 to 1960 he served as State President of RSL, while still holding that position he was appointed National President. This made him the first WW2 returned serviceman to be appointed to the position. He served on the Commonwealth Immigration Advisory Council and Chairman of the WW2 Services Welfare Fund (SA). Regional Chairman of Services Canteen Fund (SA). He was a member of the Committee of the War Veterans Home, Myrtle Bank and a Trustee of the Services Cemetery Trust of SA and also served on the Poppy Day Trust Fund. In 1959 he was made a Companion of the British Empire. and was Knighted in 1966. For his services to the RSL he was awarded its top honour of Life Membership in 1962. He came from a well known family of hoteliers and sportsmen. With this background he created the A J Lee Cup which was awarded to the Women's Auxiliary which raised the most money for the War Veterans Home each year.

Biography contributed

Biography written by Olivia De Anglis, St Ignatius College, SA attached as a document. Winning entry for 2022 Premier's Anzac Spirit School Prize.

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