| Regimental number | 323 |
| Place of birth | Wanaaring, New South Wales |
| School | South Goulburn Public School, New South Wales |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Occupation | Farmer |
| Address | Bois Chere, Goulburn, New South Wales |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 25 |
| Height | 5' 8.25" |
| Weight | 162 lbs |
| Next of kin | Mother, Mrs R Lees, Bois Chere, Goulburn, New South Wales |
| Previous military service | Served in New Guinea Expeditionary Force 1914. |
| Enlistment date | |
| Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll | |
| Place of enlistment | Sydney, New South Wales |
| Rank on enlistment | Sergeant |
| Unit name | 30th Battalion, A Company |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/47/1 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A72 Beltana on |
| Regimental number from Nominal Roll | Commissioned |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | 2nd Lieutenant |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 30th Battalion |
| Recommendations (Medals and Awards) |
Victoria Cross Recommendation date: Mention in Despatches Awarded, and promulgated, 'London Gazette', second Supplement, No. 29890 (2 January 1917); 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 103 (29 June 1917). |
| Fate | Killed in Action |
| Place of death or wounding | Amiens, France |
| Age at death | 26 |
| Place of burial | No known grave |
| Commemoration details | V.C. Corner (Panel No 1), Australian Cemetery Memorial, Fromelles, France |
| Panel number, Roll of Honour, Australian War Memorial | 117 |
| Miscellaneous information from cemetery records | Parents: William and Rebecca LEES, 'Bois Chere', Goulburn, New South Wales. Native of Wanaaring. Full name John Stanley Havelock LEES |
| Family/military connections | Uncle: 318 Lance Corporal David LEES, 11th Bn, killed in action, 2 May 1915. |
| Other details |
War service: Egypt, Western Front Embarked Sydney, 9 November 1915; disembarked Suez, 11 December 1915. Promoted 2nd Lieutenant, Ferry Post, 12 March 1916. Detailed to attend School of Instruction, Zeitoun, 1 April 1916; rejoined unit, 23 April 1916. Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 16 June 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 23 June 1916. Killed in action, 19 July 1916. Statement, Red Cross File No 1580405, 286 Pte W.F. SCOTT, A Company, 30th Bn (patient, HM Queen Mary's Royal Naval Hospital, Southend, England), 28 July 1916: On or about 19th July, 1916 at Forreaux near Armentieres, he [Lees] was hit through the hand first, standing next to me. He turned to show me his hand, when he was shot through the heart and dropped dead ... At the time we were digging a trench through to the German trenches, it happened about half way between. It was just getting dark at the time.' (Note by interviewer: 'very intelligent, very ill'.) Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal |
| Sources | NAA: B2455, LEES John Stanley
Red Cross file 1580405 |
Postal Address:
Po Box 7916
Canberra BC 2610, Australia
Street Address:
Northcott Drive,
Campbell, ACT 2600
