Brief profile of John Lees by Don Ambrose

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Player:

J Lees

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LEES, John.
Amateur.
Born at Ashton-under-Lyne, Lancashire, 5th September 1861.
Died at The Knowle, Brenchley, Kent, 20th December 1934.
The son of Samuel Lees, of Park Bridge, Ashton-under-Lyne, Lancashire, iron manufacturer, he was educated at Uppingham School, where he was a member of the cricket eleven 1878-80, being captain in his last year, and of the rugby fifteen 1878-79. He went up to Jesus College, Cambridge, and won his blue for rugby in 1883, rowed for his college 1883 and 1884, and played one first-class cricket match the University in 1881. He gained his B.A. 1883. He played for Lancashire in a non-first-class match in 1884. In 1885 he joined the Army with the West India Regiment and played for Jamaica in non-first-class cricket and in 1886 toured the USA with a West Indian team. He took part in the Expedition up River Gambia against Fodey Kabba, 1891-2 (medal and clasp). He later exchanged, as captain, to the Royal Canadian and the Royal West Kent Regiments (mentioned in despatches 1917). He had retired from the Army in 1903 and had started farming before recall for the First World War.
In the 1881 Census he is with his father, Samuel Lees, aged 49, iron manufacturer employing 350 hands, and his mother Sarah aged 46. His two brothers Gilbert aged 21 and Maurice aged 19 are in the family business and, aged 19, he is a Cambridge undergraduate. There are three domestic servants.

 

(Article: Copyright © 2003 Don Ambrose)