Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lance-Sergeant

Unit:

1st Battalion Rifle Brigade, British Army

Awarded on:

December 21st, 1944

"On 2 Aug[ust] [19]44 at BREUIL 7752 L/Sjt Lee was ordered to lead a patrol of three to locate enemy positions in the wooded area 781525 which were holding up the advance.

On reaching the area of the woods L/Sjt Lee found the road mined and the area strongly held by enemy machine guns and mortars. Undeterred he advanced stealthily to the edge of the wood. Then he surprised a party of enemy and shot them up, killing several and capturing fourteen prisoners. The patrol was then engaged from a house nearby. L/Sjt Lee left the prisoners in charge of his two men and, singlehanded, destroyed the enemy post, capturing three more Germans.

By this time very heavy fire was being directed on the patrol from the wood. With complete calm and disregard for his own safety L/Sjt Lee formed up his party of prisoners and doubled them smartly down the road under the very noses of their comrades. Two prisoners were seriously wounded and had to be abandoned. The two Riflemen of the patrol were slightly wounded, but were able to reach our lines.

Without any doubt, this excellent patrol and the discomfiture of the enemy played a large part in the successful attack on this area later in the day."

6 Aug 44

Posthumously awarded