Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

"George Leonard Lee (1860-1939), soldier, was born on 25 June 1860 at West Maitland, New South Wales, son of John Lee, draper and later merchant, and his wife, Mary Ann née Eckford. Educated at Sauchu House School, West Maitland, and Armidale Grammar School, he worked for a while in the family business, John Lee & Sons, West Maitland. He was a well-known horseman and sportsman, keen on polo.

On 4 October 1889 Lee was commissioned in the local troop of the New South Wales Lancers and during the maritime strike of 1890 acted as adjutant of the partially paid cavalry and mounted rifles who were enrolled as special police in Sydney. Next year he was sent to England for training and by October 1892 had qualified in an equitation course at the Cavalry School, Canterbury, at an Army Service Corps school and at the School of Musketry, Hythe; he also trained for several months with the 20th Hussars at Aldershot. After returning home he joined the New South Wales Permanent Military Forces in December 1892 as a captain and from then until June 1902 was adjutant of the New South Wales Lancers. The New South Wales Mounted Brigade's book of confidential reports contains laudatory references to him. During that time he was also acting staff officer, Mounted Brigade, for over two years, and commandant of the Cavalry School. On 2 January 1896 he married Emma Onus Town at St Ann's Anglican Church, Homebush, Sydney; they had no children.

On the outbreak of the South African War in October 1899 the New South Wales Lancers mobilized a draft to go from Sydney to reinforce their squadron which was proceeding to the war from England after training there. Lee, now a major, was in charge of the draft which joined the squadron in South Africa on 6 December. Lee then took command of the Lancer contingent from Captain C. F. Cox. His unit, part of Lieutenant-General French's force, was employed in operations around Colesberg, the relief of Kimberley, and actions at Paardeberg, Poplar Grove, Driefontein, Zand River, Johannesburg, Pretoria, Diamond Hill and in the Transvaal east of Pretoria to 26 October 1900 when the squadron's year of service ended. For his work in South Africa Lee was mentioned in dispatches and awarded the Distinguished Service Order..." - READ MORE LINK (adb.anu.edu.au)

"OBITUARY.  LIEUTENANT-GENERAL G. L. LEE.

Lieutenant-General George Leonard Lee, who died on Thursday night, aged 78, had a distinguished military career. He received his first commission in the New South Wales Lancers in 1889, and was subsequently adjutant of the Lancers for 10 years. After reaching the rank of lieutenant-colonel he was appointed to the administrative instructional staff of the permanent military forces. He was Assistant Adjutant General and Chief Staff Officer in Victoria from 1902 to 1907, Commandant in Tasmania from 1911 to 1912, and Commandant in Queensland from 1912 to 1917. He took part in the South African campaign, and was present at the relief of Kimberley. He was mentioned in despatches in 1901, and received the Distinguished Service Order and the Queen's medal with six clasps. He was created a C.M.G. in 1917.

A well-known sportsman and horseman, in his younger days he won renown in many cross-country rides, winning more than one. Before he was appointed to the permanent staff he was a member of the firm of John Lee and Sons, general providers, West Maitland. He was at one time Commandant of the Cavalry School of Instruction. He was granted the rank of lieutenant-general when he retired from the position of State Commandant in New South Wales 19 years ago." - from the Sydney Morning Herald 15 Apr 1939 (nla.gov.au)