LEE Noel, V.D. Mentioned in Despatches, Brigadier-General, 6th, Manchester Regiment. Commanding Manchester Brigade, 42nd Division. Died of his wounds, 22nd June 1915, aged 48 years. He was the son of Sir Joseph Cocksey Lee, and husband of Lilian Lee, of Horsley House, Tilford, Surrey.
Noel Lee was the first Territorial to be promoted Brigadier General in WWI and to command the Manchester Brigade of 42nd Infantry Division. Old Etonian and pre-war commanding officer of the 6th Territorial Battalion of the Manchester Regiment. In civilian life a director of the Manchester textile company Tootal Broadhurst Lee. A man of great vision and understanding he was severely wounded in the great battle of Krithia on 4th June 1915, later dying in the Blue Sisters' hospital in Malta.
Brigadier General Lee was commanding the 127th (Manchester) Brigade when he was wounded in the throat by shrapnel on 4 June 1915 at Krithia Nullah and died from a haemorrhage when the wound reopened on Malta.
His son Noel Esmond LEE. Captain, 8th King’s Royal Rifle Corps died 24 August 1917 aged 20. Son of Mrs. Lilian Lee, of Horsley House, Tilford, Farnham, Surrey, and the late Brig. Gen. Noel Lee (Manchester Brigade, T.F.) who also fell in action. Commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium.
At rest in Plot XXV, Grave 4, Pieta Military Cemetery, Malta.
He is commemorated on St Bartholomew's Church War Memorial, Wilmslow, Cheshire.
Manchester Evening News - Saturday 26 June 1915
DEATH OF BRIGADIER NOEL LEE.
The " Manchester Guardian" correspondent at Malta telegraphs: Military funerals are always impressive, and alas, witness many these times, but the funeral of Brigadier General Noel Lee, which took place yesterday, surpassed them all in solemn grandeur. Brigadier Lee was wounded June 4, but was so far convalescent when hemorrhage occurred that he was able to walk about hospital. The tragedy his death was heightened the fact that his wife was hastening from Lancashire nurse him in his illness, and had arrived at Marseilles when he expired, giving his life for his country, like so many other heroes. An immense gathering of people witnessed the funeral ceremony. The gun-carriage bearing the coffin was drawn by six horses, and minute guns were fired. The Governor was the chief mourner, and many officers of all ranks from the army and navy and English, and French residents attended. All the spectators were deeply moved. Brigadier General Lee commanded the Manchester Infantry Brigade (Territorials) in the Dardanelles.
At rest in Pieta Military Cemetery, XXV.4
