Topic: BW - NSW - NSWCBC
72 Trooper David Lees, NSW Citizens' Bushmen
On Monday, 29 January 1900, David Lees turned up with his saddle to Randwick Race Track in Sydney and enrolled with the NSW Citizens' Bushmen. After a couple days rigorous testing which involved a medical, a shooting test and a riding test.
David Lees after attestation and allotment to "A" Squadron
At the end of the month, on 28 February 1900, the men of the contingent boarded the SS Atlantian from Cowper Wharf where they remained for the next 24 hours. The next day, following Admiralty rules, on 1 March 1900, the ship departed Sydney Heads for South Africa.
David Lees was born 1867 at Goulburn, NSW. A sheep overseer by trade, Lees enlisted in the NSW Citizens' Bushmen becoming 72 Trooper David Lees and allotted to "A" Squadron. Lees is recorded in Murray, p. 77. Lees was promoted to Corporal on 19 August 1900. The next year, Lees was invalided to Australia, and arrived at Sydney, 18 May 1901. Lees was awarded the Queen's South African Medal with the 1901 bar.
Great War Service
318 Lance Corporal David Lees, 11th Battalion, "C" Company
David Lees, a brief military biography from The AIF Project:
David LEES
Regimental number 318
Place of birth Goulburn, New South Wales
School Goulburn Public School, New South Wales
Religion Presbyterian
Occupation Engine driver
Address Kununoppin, Western Australia
Marital status Single
Age at embarkation 45
Next of kin Sister, Mrs J Lees, Boischere, Goulburn, New South Wales
Previous military service Served in the Citizens Bushmens Contingent, Boer War - South Africa 1900.
Enlistment date 2 September 1914
Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll 22 August 1914
Rank on enlistment Private
Unit name 11th Battalion, C Company
AWM Embarkation Roll number 23/28/1
Embarkation details Unit embarked from Fremantle, Western Australia, on board HMAT A11 Ascanius on 2 November 1914
Rank from Nominal Roll Lance Corporal
Unit from Nominal Roll 11th Battalion
Other details from Roll of Honour Circular He was at the landing at Gallipoli April 25th 1915.
Fate Killed in Action 2 May 1915
Place of death or wounding Gallipoli, Turkey
Date of death 2 May 1915
Age at death 46
Age at death from cemetery records 45
Place of burial Shell Green Cemetery (Artillery Road Plot 12), Gallipoli, Turkey
Panel number, Roll of Honour, Australian War Memorial 63
Miscellaneous information from cemetery records Parents: William and Margaret LEES. Native of Goulburn, New South Wales
Family/military connections Uncle to Lt J Lees killed in France.
Other details
War service: Egypt, Gallipoli
Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal
Until The Day Dawns
And The Shadows Flee Away
Lest We Forget
Citation: 72 Tpr David Lees
