Other Properties - Australian Groups

Lot 4035    SESSION 10 (9.30AM FRIDAY 27TH NOVEMBER)    Other Properties - Australian Groups

Estimate $2,500
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $2,200

TRIO: Queen's South Africa Medal 1899, (type 3 reverse), - three clasps - Cape Colony, Transvaal, South Africa 1902; British War Medal 1914-18; Coronation Medal 1911 in silver. Lt:Col: J.H.A.Lee, Aus:Com:H: on first medal, Hon-Colonel. J.H.A.Lee. A.I.F. on second medal, last medal unnamed as issued. The first medal engraved and second medal impressed. Swing mounted with last medal first, ribbons damaged, otherwise good very fine - extremely fine.

Major John Henry Alexander Lee, RAE, promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel on 05Jun1902, confirmed on the Regimental Staff of 1st Australian Commonwealth Horse.

Colonel J.H.A.Lee, RAE, Commanding Commonwealth Military Forces, South Australia, confirmed on the list of officers who attended the parade at Buckingham Palace on 30th June 1911.

John Henry Alexander Lee was appointed to commissioned rank with the NSW Engineers on 24Sep1888; promoted to Lt-Col in South Africa to command 1st Bn Aust C'wth Horse 05Jun1902; after service in the Boer War he held various military appointments, including Inspector Rifle Ranges, until his retirement as Colonel on 01Oct1911. He was recalled as a transport officer with the AIF during WWI. Colonel Lee died on 18Dec1927.

The following article was published in The Brisbane Courier, Queensland on Monday 26 December 1927, p13.

The death is announced at Auckland, N.Z. of Colonel John Henry Alexander Lee familiarly known as "Sapper" Lee, and formerly at the Australian regular forces, at the age of 74 years. The name of Colonel Lee will not be confused with that of General George Lee C.M.G., D.S.O., who was commandant in Queensland for several years. The late Colonel Lee was for many years officer commanding the submarine miners in New South Wales.

He first joined the service in 1888, and retired in 1911. He was well known in Sydney and performed valuable work in organising the submarine mining station at Chowder Bay to a high state of efficiency. Some time prior to his retirement he was appointed commandant in South Australia and held that position when he retired with the honorary rank of colonel. He saw service in the South African war and received the Queen's medal with three clasps. He also performed home service during the Great War.