Jean Longstaff has submitted the following:-

Born in Sunderland on 3rd June 1878, Joseph Allan was the fourth son of Stockton born marine engine fitter Thomas Pratt Lee and his wife Elizabeth Catherine (nee Stephenson) from Tow Law. When he was born the family consisting of John George, James William and Thomas Henry were living in North Thomas Street, Southwick. By 1891 they had moved to Wayman Street, Monkwearmouth and Joseph had three younger siblings Walter, Ellen and Emily Jane; ten years later the family were living in Devonshire Street and Joseph had found work as a house joiner.

September 1902 saw Joseph marry Clara Gilchrist, and in February 1905 their son Stanley was born. Four months later Joseph sailed from Liverpool to Quebec on the SS Canada making for Assiniboia, Saskatchewan, Canada and a job as a carpenter. Clara and Stanley joined him at their new home on 4th Avenue East, Prince Albert, Saskatchewan in July 1906, and the family grew with the birth of Edith in 1907, Phyllis in 1910 and finally Alida in 1912.

Clara died on 26th June 1915, and when Joseph enlisted in the CEF six months later he entrusted the guardianship of his four children to Norwegian immigrant farmers John and Olivia Vald in Prince Albert.

Joseph enlisted on 9th November 1915 as Private 886195 in the 188h Battalion, but in December was transferred to Area Recruiting Depot C in Saskatoon, and his separation allowance which had been payable to John Vald was cancelled as he was doing home service only.

The 188th Battalion sailed for England from Halifax, Nova Scotia, in October 1916, and in the weeks previous to this all the men wrote out their wills, in Joseph’s case he left everything to his son Stanley, and underwent medical examinations. It was during these medicals tests that Joseph Lee was found to have leukaemia and he was recommended for medical discharge.

Transferred to hospital in Halifax on 10th October 1916, Private Joseph Allan Lee died ten days later and was buried in a war grave at Fort Massey, Halifax.

Stanley, Edith, Phyllis and Alida returned to Sunderland to live with their grandparents in January 1917.

Joseph Allan Lee is remembered in Sunderland on S140.048 part 9 page 201

In Canada he is remembered on their Virtual War Memorial and in their Book of Remembrance, and on the Saskatchewan Virtual War Memorial.

Canadian Book of Remembrance
Canadian Virtual Memorial
The CWGC entry for Private Lee