Harry Lee

An Acting Skipper Lieutenant with H.M. Motor Mine Sweeper 1012, Harry died on 30th of December 1945 aged 39. 

Harry was born at Barnby on 12 June 1906, a son of Dick Alfred and Louisa Jane Lee. In 1911 they lived at Back Lane, Barnby, and this was still their address in 1921 when Harry was a dairy man for A. Barwood at Mutford. In 1939 Harry’s parents lived at Ebenezer Cottage, Mill Lane, Barnby.

On 23 December 1934 Harry married Lily Hocking at Saint Peter’s Church, Newlyn, Cornwall. In 1939 their home was at Cairnlea, Walmer Road, and Harry was a skipper. In December 1945 Lily lived at 14 Essex Road, Lowestoft. 

Harry was awarded his certificate of competency as a skipper in 1937.

On 6 September 1939 he became a Temporary Skipper with the Royal Naval Reserve, service number W.S. 2988 and later 107 T.S. In November 1939 he served with the requisitioned trawler Remola and in December joined the Badger for training and, after minesweeper training, joined the Go Ahead to take command of that vessel. In June 1940 he was given command of the Sanson and, in December 1940, joined the Milford Princess. On 26 January 1941 he joined the Ben Brachie. In November 1941 Harry took command of the Gaston Riviere.

In January 1944 Harry attended a minesweeping unit operations course and on 6 January he was promoted to Temporary Chief Skipper. In April 1944 he joined the Lephreto and was also a Group Officer. He took command of Motor Mine Sweeper 102 on 4 February 1945.       

Harry was Mentioned in Despatches on 1 January 1941. 

On 23 October 1945 Harry was admitted to the Royal Naval Auxiliary Hospital Sherborne. He was found to have a malignant growth on his liver and placed on the dangerously ill list. He died from carcinoma of the liver which was considered to be attributable to his naval service.