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Harry Lee was born on this day, 1890.
Few cricketers – Test cricketers, at least – has had a life as eventful, full of bizarre events, which included him playing Test cricket after his memorial was conducted.
Yes, you read that right.
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Few cricketers – Test cricketers, at least – has had a life as eventful, full of bizarre events, which included him playing Test cricket after his memorial was conducted.
Yes, you read that right.
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Harry, eldest of the three cricket-playing Lees of Marylebone, had managed scandalise Plum Warner by *asking for* his Middlesex cap.
Perhaps out of confusion, Warner obliged.
Fast forward to World War 1, 1915.
Lee was fighting in the Battle of Aubers Ridge.
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Perhaps out of confusion, Warner obliged.
Fast forward to World War 1, 1915.
Lee was fighting in the Battle of Aubers Ridge.
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The 13th Battalion lost 499 of their 550 men.
Lee was presumed dead.
His parents held his memorial service.
In reality, he was lying near-unconscious for three days in no-man’s land, a bullet having fractured his left femur.
Early stages of gangrene had set in.
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Lee was presumed dead.
His parents held his memorial service.
In reality, he was lying near-unconscious for three days in no-man’s land, a bullet having fractured his left femur.
Early stages of gangrene had set in.
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The Germans sent him to Valenciennes in a cattle train, where every single compartment (barring the OFFICERS ONLY one) was closed.
Wounded soldiers were crammed inside.
A single bucket was provided as a communal toilet.
There was no food.
Several died during the journey.
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Wounded soldiers were crammed inside.
A single bucket was provided as a communal toilet.
There was no food.
Several died during the journey.
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Lee lay on a sack of straw in excruciating pain before they transferred him to a French Red Cross train at Lille.
Six weeks later he was handed over to the German Red Cross at Hannover.
This time the train journey was on wooden bench with just a blanket.
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Six weeks later he was handed over to the German Red Cross at Hannover.
This time the train journey was on wooden bench with just a blanket.
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His leg was put on an iron case.
No food was provided on the first day.
Lee decided to risk complications.
He acquire permission to return home.
Once back, he was discharged, and was honoured with the Silver War Badge, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, and Victory Medal.
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No food was provided on the first day.
Lee decided to risk complications.
He acquire permission to return home.
Once back, he was discharged, and was honoured with the Silver War Badge, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, and Victory Medal.
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Unfortunately, the leg never healed.
One of his legs stayed permanently shorter than the other.
Surely he would not play cricket?
Wrong.
He scored a hundred for Army Service Corps against Lancing College in the next year.
By 1917 he was playing full-fledged cricket.
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One of his legs stayed permanently shorter than the other.
Surely he would not play cricket?
Wrong.
He scored a hundred for Army Service Corps against Lancing College in the next year.
By 1917 he was playing full-fledged cricket.
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His friend Frank Tarrant, employed in India, insisted Lee joined them in Calcutta.
But Lee had lost his mother, and had to look after his younger brothers, Jack and Frank (who also became cricketers).
When he was finally ready, he was supposed to take the Nyanza to Bombay.
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But Lee had lost his mother, and had to look after his younger brothers, Jack and Frank (who also became cricketers).
When he was finally ready, he was supposed to take the Nyanza to Bombay.
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Instead, he boarded the Nagoya (a last-moment decision) that sailed directly to Calcutta.
About 32 km after it set sail from Plymouth, the *Nyanza* was torpedoed, resulting in the death of 49.
What happened to the Nagoya, in which Lee was travelling?
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About 32 km after it set sail from Plymouth, the *Nyanza* was torpedoed, resulting in the death of 49.
What happened to the Nagoya, in which Lee was travelling?
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It was part of a convoy that was attacked en route.
Another ship sank, but the Nagoya survived.
Lee played till almost 43, scored over 20,000 First-Class runs, and got 401 wickets, mostly for Middlesex.
He played a crucial role in their famous title triumph of 1920.
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Another ship sank, but the Nagoya survived.
Lee played till almost 43, scored over 20,000 First-Class runs, and got 401 wickets, mostly for Middlesex.
He played a crucial role in their famous title triumph of 1920.
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He became a popular in South Africa, where he spent his winters.
When England toured South Africa in 1930-31, a string of injuries forced them to summon him as an emergency.
He did well in the tour matches and finally got a Test cap. He scored 18 and 1 and never played again.
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When England toured South Africa in 1930-31, a string of injuries forced them to summon him as an emergency.
He did well in the tour matches and finally got a Test cap. He scored 18 and 1 and never played again.
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Note: Bradman had also scored 18 and 1 on debut.
But this was Lee, so something unusual had to follow.
MCC received a complaint from Grahamstown College.
To attend national duties, Lee had broken a clause in his coaching contract.
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But this was Lee, so something unusual had to follow.
MCC received a complaint from Grahamstown College.
To attend national duties, Lee had broken a clause in his coaching contract.
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MCC could not expunge his record, but Lee did not get to keep his Test cap or blazer.
Hobbs gave him a tour tie.
Even then, playing Test cricket over 15 years after one's memorial was no mean achievement.
But there was one final thing.
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Hobbs gave him a tour tie.
Even then, playing Test cricket over 15 years after one's memorial was no mean achievement.
But there was one final thing.
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Remember the bit about the three brothers?
Jack and Frank Lee both played for Somerset, and had reasonable careers.
On June 15, 1933, Harry was caught by Frank off Jack at Lord's.
Jack and Frank Lee both played for Somerset, and had reasonable careers.
On June 15, 1933, Harry was caught by Frank off Jack at Lord's.
