L-Cpl Percy Ledsham Lee, 71624, 26th Battalion Royal Fusiliers, received a personal message from Commanding Officer Major-General Sydney Lawford (41st Division) on being awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal.

Major-General Lawford wrote to the 19-year-old: “I wish to place on record my appreciation of your gallant conduct when you were one of an isolated post of the final objective during the advance north of Menin on October 14, 1918.”

Percy Lee was born in Wrexham, North Wales, on March 1st, 1899, a son of Samuel and Caroline Lee. He was brought to Luton as a baby.

By 1911 Samuel was a restaurant proprietor living at 42 John Street, Luton. The family were living at 25 Clarendon Road at the time Percy was awarded his medal. Percy had been in France since Easter 1918.