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647867 Aircraftman 2nd Class Ronald George Lees
647867 Aircraftman 2nd Class Ronald George Lees died on active service, on 15 November 1939, at the age of 20, and was buried in
Sheffield, Yorkshire. He was in “H” Flight 941 Squadron effective 12th October 1939 and was hospitalised with pneumonia and died
on 15th November 1939 and the Squadron was informed of his death sometime after 7.50 p.m. that night.
On 17th November after 10.30 a.m. he was buried at Burngreave Cemetery, Sheffield, with full military honours and a firing party.
He was born at Devonport in 1919. His mother was Ida Frances May Lander before marriage. His father was Squadron Leader Alexander
Lees.
Ronald’s mother Ida was one of four daughters of Francis (1868 – 1955) and Louisa Lander (1868 – 1950). Francis was born in Plymouth
and served in the Royal Navy between 1882 and 1919, hence the connection to Devonport.
Ida sadly died at a young age of approx. 28 yrs. leaving her husband, retired Squadron Leader Alexander Lees, and four children, Alexander,
Terence, Joan and Ronald.
Alexander joined the Royal Navy and was captured by Japanese forces when Hong Kong was invaded during 1941. He lost his life in 1942 whilst
being transported on the Japanese
ship ‘Lisbon Maru’.
Here is a link to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission record: https://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2490661/lees,-alexander/
Terence served in the RAF in North Africa and survived WW2.
Joan emigrated to America and contact was lost between her and Terence, so Terence went to America to find her. No further contact was made
between Terence, Joan and the wider family with whom relations had been very close.
In 1939 he was living at 60 Trafalgar Road, Lancaster and worked as a bricklayer. He was living or lodging with a Mr and Mrs Bennett.
If anyone can add to his story please email me pgarwood@globalnet.co.uk