Philip Warburton Lee was born in the District of Whitchurch in 1892. He was recorded living with his family in the census of 1901 at Broad Oak, Isycoed, Whitchurch. Head of the household was Joshua Henry Warburton Lee  who was 45 and a Land Agent and Barrister. His wife was Emmaline V 44. Their listed children were Violet W who was 12, Sybil 10, Philip W 8 and Bernard A 5. There was a Governess, 4 female servants and a Visitor- Eleanor Armitage.

Ten years later in the next census the family was still at Broad Oak. Joseph Henry Warburton Lee was 55 , a Land Agent and Barrister at Law who had been born in Isycoed. His wife of 25 years Emmaline Vernon Lee was 54. She had been born in Huddersfield. The census form tells us that she had given birth to 5 children but one had not survived. Their listed children were Philip Warburton Lee who was 18 and a cadet in AMD Woolwich. Bernard Armitage Warburton Lee was 15 and was a Naval cadet. There were 4 servants (housemaid, cook, waitress and scullery maid).

UK Soldiers Who Died in The Great War 1914-19, accessible on www.ancestry.co.uk confirms his regiment as The Royal Field Artillery/ Royal Horse Artillery.  It says his rank was Lieutenant but adds (A Major in brackets). This source tells us he was killed in action. (There is an additional comment that says 3/impdiv Art- which I don’t recognise – possibly 3rd Imperial Division Artillery??? Can anyone help?  His medal index card also on ‘Ancestry lists his three medals. There is a note on the reverse of the card that says ‘M W Lee Esq applies for 1914 Star in respect of his late son.’

There is an index card for Philip W Lee in the Flintshire Roll of Honour at the County Record Office in Hawarden. It gives the address Broad Oak Whitchurch Salop and says that Philip was in the Royal Field Artillery. It says his rank was Captain but in brackets it adds (Acting Major). The card tells us he served from August 1914. In France 1914, in Gallipoli in 1915 and back in France in 1916-17. It says that he was killed in action while commanding his Battery at Passchendaele on 11th October 1917.

Philip Warburton Lee left a will. The England and Wales National Probate Calendar Index of Wills and Administrations states that ‘Lee Philip Warburton of Broad Oak Flintshire Captain in HM Army died 11th October 1917 in France. Administration London 9th January to Joseph Henry Warburton Lee Esq Effects £298′.

NB The Memorial at Isycoed has two names from WW2 added at the bottom of the list of WW1 names. One of those names is Bernard A Warburton Lee the brother of Philip and an Officer in the RN. He was awarded the Victoria Cross