6th Inniskilling Dragoons (Service Squadron) - Gallery - In memoriam

In memoriam

Private Mark Lee

Mark Lee was born on 8 September 1897 at Drumcullion, County Fermanagh, the youngest of four children of agricultural labourer Thomas Lee and his wife Elizabeth (nee Edwards). At the time of the 1911 Census he was living at Rossahilly, Ballycassidy, County Fermanagh, with his parents and two of his siblings.

Lee enlisted in the 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons Service Squadron at Enniskillen between 13 and 19 October 1914, aged 17 (No.UD/42). He embarked for France on 6 October 1915 with his squadron, which was then serving as divisional cavalry to the 36th (Ulster) Division.

In June 1916 the squadron joined with C and F Squadrons of the North Irish Horse to form the 2nd North Irish Horse Regiment, which worked as corps cavalry to X Corps until August the following year. In September 1917 the 2nd Regiment was dismounted and most of its officers and men were transferred to the 9th (Service) Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers – which was renamed the 9th (North Irish Horse) Battalion. Lee was transferred to the new battalion between 24 October and 26 November. He was issued a new regimental number – 41642 – and posted to B Company.

The War Office Daily Casualty List of 13 March 1918 reported that Lee had been wounded, though the date and circumstances are not known at present. The injury must not have been severe, as he was back with his battalion soon after.

He was one of the many reported as missing following the battalion's fighting retreat from St Quentin during the German spring offensive. His death was later accepted, but the date and circumstances are not known, only that it took place between 21 and 28 March.

Having no known grave, Private Lee is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial, Ovillers-La-Boisselle, Somme, France, panel 77.

This page last updated 5 February 2023.