Mark Lee

Mark Lee, born in 1921, was the son of Frederick William & Constance Mary Lee. Mark served as a Pilot Officer in 217 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, service number 89826.

He was aged 21 years when he was killed on 9th December 1941.

Pilot Office Lee is buried at Ameland (Nes) General Cemetery, Friesland, Holland, plot reference D. Row 15. Grave 4.

Report from “The Kibworth News” Spring Number 1942

A Personal Tribute
A correspondent writes…..

The death by enemy action of Pilot Officer Mark Lee, R.A.F.V.R. came as a very bitter blow to those who knew and loved him, – his parents, Capt. and Mrs. Frederick Lee, of Low Ash, of whom he was the only and very dearly beloved son, – his sister Vivienne (W.A.A.F.) and many others.

Mark had only just attained his majority; but in his short life he had proved himself a fine sportsman, a good scout and a true friend. It can be said of him that his make-up was such that he just could not help making friends. At home, at school, at college and amongst his fellow-officers, he was loved by all. If one word could describe Mark it was “modesty”. Excelling as he did at all games, cricket, rugger, hockey, squash and athletics, it was a pleasure to be in a team with him, and one felt proud to be beaten by him. Completely conscientious, he treated his flying training as his job in life, and well indeed has he served his country.

When at his Prep School at Nevill Holt he became Captain of the Cricket XI, Vice-Captain of the Rugger XV, Captain of the Hockey XI, Captain of the School and a King’s Scout. At Bryanston, his Public School he played for the school in the Rugger XV and Squash Team, and was a successful long-distance runner. I believe he was the first boy to get his colours for cricket, hockey, rugger and athletics. From Bryanston he was chosen to attend the Duke of York’s Camp. From Bryanston he went to Cambridge.

He was selected to play in the Fresher Rugger Trials and played cricket, hockey, rugger and squash for his college, being captain of the hockey XI and cricket team. During the first year at Cambridge he was elected to the Wanderers Club and was strongly fancied for his Hockey Blue, which I think he would have secured had he stayed his third year. He was a Rover Scout, and attended the International Moot in Scotland. He took his degree in English, was a lover of poetry and a collector of books. He played rugger for Leicester Stoneygate R.F.C. in the vacation.

Straight from Cambridge, knowing his country’s need, Mark, in his second year chose to spend the early part of 1940 in flying training. Called up in July 1941 he trained on the South Coast and Scotland, secured his wings at Cranwell and then went to Canada for six months. At the time of his death (December 1941), he was a Captain in the Coastal Command. His machine was hit in the engine. His two fellow Pilots were decorated for their part in the attack, which was successful.

He was just 21 years of age. His social and public interests were too numerous to mention in detail, for it can be said that he was interested in everything around him.

Mark has joined our Roll of Honour. We will try to live up to the tradition he has established and to his glorious memory.

“I hold
That it becomes no man to nurse despair,
But in the teeth of clenched antagonisms
To follow up the worthiest till he die.”