More about John Lee

John has no known grave but is remembered on the Tower Hill Memorial. The S.S. Redesmere was on a voyage from Barry to Southampton with a cargo of Coal when she was torpedoed and sunk by German Submarine UB-40, six miles WSW of St. Catherine’s Point on 28 Oct. 1917. 19 lives were lost.

John Lee   Captain   SS Redesmere

DUNDEE CAPAIN DROWNED AT SEA.

The intimation has been received by his relatives in Dundee that Captain John Lee has been drowned at sea.

Captain Lee, who was engaged sailing between Manchester and Hamburg previous to the war, was in the latter port on the outbreak of hostilities, and was interned.  Owing to a breakdown in health he was afterwards included in a draft of exchanged prisoners after being held captive for fully a year.

On his return to Scotland his condition improved, and he was once again able to take up his vocation.  Miss Lee, who resides at 1 Forebank Terrace, Dundee, has been informed that the Captain was drowned at sea.

Dundee Courier 6th November 1917

John Lee lived at 1 Forebank Terrace, Dundee and was born in Broughty Ferry. The Redesmere was a Hired Collier torpedoed by the German submarine UB-40 in English Channel six miles south west of St Catherine’s Point on the Isle of Wight. She was en route from Barry to Southampton with a cargo of coal. Eighteen crew were killed in the sinking. John Lee’s name is listed on the Tower Hill Memorial in London. The Chief Engineer of the Redesmere, Donald Bain, from Broughty Ferry, was also lost in the sinking.