Mr Reginald Robinson Lee

Mr Reginald Robinson Lee was born in Bensington [1], Oxfordshire in 1870, the son of William Lee (schoolmaster) and his wife Jane [2]. He was baptized at the church of St. Helen, Bensington on 19 June 1870.

While the family were living in Bensington a daughter, Agnes, was born. Around 1886 they moved to Hampshire where another son, Herbert, was born and three more daughters followed [3].

In 1881 William was schoolmaster at St. Jude's School, Portsea, Hampshire.

When he signed-on to the Titanic in Southampton on 6 April 1912, Reginald Lee gave his address as 62 Threefold Lane, (Southampton). He had transferred from the Olympic. As a lookout he received monthly wages of £5.

Lee was in the crows nest with Fred Fleet when the iceberg was sighted at about 11.40 p.m. on 14 April 1912. He was rescued in lifeboat 13.

Lee subsequently testified before the board of trade inquiry. He died 6th August 1913 whilst serving aboard the Kenilworth Castle. He is buried at Highland Road Cemetery, Southsea.
 

Notes

1. Commonly known as Benson
2. The 1871 census lists William (23), Jane (22) and Reginald (11m) living at the Schoolhouse and National School in Bensington. William Lee was born in London and Jane (listed as schoolmistress) was born in Leicester.
William Lee died (aged 42) in Southsea on 23 October 1887 (Broncho Pneumonia), he was buried at Highland Road Cemetery on 26 October 1887. His wife Jane Sarah (née Quilter) died (aged 73) on 23 November 1920.
3. Reginald's siblings, as listed in the 1881 census were: Agnes B. (8), Herbert W. (5, born Whitchurch, Hampshire), Irene D. (4), Leonie R. (1), Marion E. (1m), all three born in Southsea, Hampshire.

References and Sources

British Census 1871
British Census 1881
Agreement and Account of Crew (PRO London, BT100/259)
Parish Records of St. Helen's, Benson
Wreck Commissioners' Court, Proceedings before the Right Hon. Lord Mersey on a Formal Investigation Ordered by the Board of Trade into the Loss of the S.S. Titanic
Death Certificates
Highland Road Cemetery

Related Articles and Documents

		REGINALD ROBINSON LEE
	New York Times  (1912)	ALARM FROM LOOKOUT IGNORED, SAILOR SAYS
	(1913)	DEATH CERTIFICATE
	Southern Daily Echo  (1913)	LINK WITH THE TITANIC: DEATH OF LOOK-OUT MAN AT SOUTHAMPTON
	Hampshire Advertiser  (1913)	LINK WITH TITANIC - DEATH OF THE LOOK-OUT MAN AT SOUTHAMPTON
	Chicago Tribune  (1913)	SAILOR, TITANIC SURVIVOR, DIES
	Titanic Research  (2003)	LOOKOUTS
	Titanic Research  (2009)	DEFENDING FLEET AND LEE