The yr was 1915. World Battle I used to be at its peak in Europe with Nice Britain developing heavy assault from the German forces. The demise toll was rising with each passing day and it included a whole bunch of children who have been enlisted within the military particularly for the warfare. One such military recruit was Harry Lee – a Middlesex cricketer who joined the thirteenth Battalion, a part of the London regiment, and fought within the Battle of Aubers Ridge started on Might 9. He was presumed lifeless within the battle and his dad and mom even held his memorial. Nevertheless, 15 years later after his ‘demise’, Lee went on to play his first Take a look at for England when he took the sector towards South Africa at Johannesburg on February 13, 1931.
Lee was already a cricketer for Middlesex when he was despatched to warfare and though he did maintain a bullet wound on his left thigh, he was miraculously alive. He was taken a hospital in Valenciennes, France by the German forces the place he stayed for nearly six weeks earlier than being handed over to the German Crimson Cross. He acquired permission to return to England began his journey in October.
He was discharged from the Military in December and was honoured with the British Battle Medal, 1914-15 Star, Silver Battle Badge, and Victory Medal. However, throughout his remedy in London, he was knowledgeable that he has suffered muscle demise leading to one leg being be completely shorter than the opposite.
Lee labored as a submitting clerk within the Battle Workplace however didn’t let go of his one true ardour – cricket. He scored a century for Royal Military Service Corps in a match towards Lancing School after which determined to maneuver to India the place he labored as soccer and cricket coach to the Maharaja of Cooch Behar.
Lee lastly made his comeback to first-class cricket in India in March 1918 the place he performed for Maharaja of Cooch Behar XI. He took 5 wickets within the first innings and three within the second however his crew went on to lose the sport by 1 wicket. He continued to play cricket in India and India’s first ever captain in Take a look at cricket – CK Nayudu – even known as him a “very nice bat”.
When the warfare resulted in 1919, county cricket resumed as soon as once more in England and Lee was again to enjoying for Middlesex. He slammed 1223 runs in 19 matches through the 1919 season and adopted it up with 1518 runs in 23 matches at a shocking common of 43.37 through the 1920 season. Within the 16 seasons he performed first-class cricket, he crossed the 1000-run mark on 13 totally different events.
Nevertheless, it was in 1931 the place he lastly bought his first Take a look at call-up for England. Lee was working on the St Andrew’s School and Rhodes College in Grahamstown, South Africa when he was known as up. Percy Chapman’s crew was plagued with accidents with seven gamers out of motion earlier than the third Take a look at match towards South Africa. Lee was known as as a alternative and on February 13, 1931, he made his Take a look at debut almost 15 years after he was declared ‘lifeless’.
The story doesn’t finish there. Regardless of enjoying the match for England, Lee by no means acquired his Take a look at cap. Lee bought right into a dispute with one of many colleges the place he labored in South Africa they usually complained that he left with out an official permission. Because of this, he didn’t obtain the cap or blazer from the MCC however he was given an England touring by Jack Hobbs.
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