Taken at Alexandria with my pal, Charlie Lee, of Selby, Yorkshire, May 1943. He was missing in action at Sicily but there is no trace of Charlie in public records. See the diary extract in the blog below. Do you know anything about him?
Lee, Charlie, Good pal of Dad’s. Killed in Sicily, 1943 - MIA. Hard to trace this lad, who came from 185 Elm St, Balby Road, Selby, Yorkshire. His army number is 4537192.
Lee, Charlie, Good pal of Dad’s. Killed in Sicily, 1943 - MIA. Hard to trace this lad, who came from 185 Elm St, Balby Road, Selby, Yorkshire. His army number is 4537192.
Why is there no public record of MIA's who died for their country? OK, some may have gone AWOL but many were blown to bits in action and it seems wrong that their death is not on public record. Charlie Lee is a perfect example - he existed - dad had his home address in his diary - he's on the photo - yet I can't find any trace elsewhere!
ReplyDeleteHi and new here, so have just read through various postings and thought I might have a smidgen to add for you...
ReplyDeleteThe Service Number seres you have for Charlie Lee was a block issued to West Yorkshire Regiment as you have been informed. Probably 2nd Battalion, as there are 2 casualties in the CWGC Debt of Honour with close numbers...
001 KALE J 4537191 2ND BN 23/08/1942 WEST YORKSHIRE REGIMENT (PRINCE OF WALES'S OWN)
002 NEEDHAM H 4537197 2ND BN 21/01/1941 WEST YORKSHIRE REGIMENT (PRINCE OF WALES'S OWN)
I have also checked the Army WW2 PoW records and there is no corresponding Service Number amongst the various C Lees that were captured, none West Yorks or whatever.
There is no CWGC entry for him under that Service Number, so the good news is that likely Charlie got separated from his unit for a while, perhaps wounded so in hospital and easy to lose touch. His wounds may have needed attention back in the UK and he may have been posted elsewhere once recovered. As to why he never got back in touch, well so long ago who knows, perhaps he owed your Dad some fags and defaulted on the debt!! lol!!!
Of course, there is the possibility that Charles may not have been his first Name, or Lee might be "Leigh"...??
What I can say is that there is no CWGC entry for that Service Number! Is it correct?
There is no CWGC entry for a C Lee that ties any of them to Sicily...
If you know his birthday details or if he had a middle name, that might help locate any Death Registration after the War... there are some in Yorkshire well after the War...
Hope that clarifies, if not any actual help!!
Courtesy of Kevin at Geneology forum - http://www.british-genealogy.com/forums/showthread.php/64205-Charlie-Lee-MIA-mystery!?p=467949&posted=1#post467949