LEE, Henery, service number 3490999, Private, Co. M, 101 Infantry, US Army. enlisted at Waynesboro, Tennessee 10 June 1918, served in the American Expeditionary Forces from 30 July 1918 to 24 May 1919, was discharged at Fort Oglethorpe Georgia on 10 June 1919. He was described as having brown eyes, brown hair, fair complexion, 5’11” tall and a farmer at the time he entered service.

Henery LEE was born in Wayne County, Tennessee on 20 March 1894 the son of Solon E. LEE (27 June 1854 – 18 Sep 1928) and Bettie Elizabeth RIGSBEE, who was born in Texas on 16 Aug 1857 and died 14 June 1922. Both parents are buried at Bethlehem Cemetery, Wayne Co., Tennessee. Solon E. LEE was the son of Captain Henry Newton Lee (Co. A, 10th Tennessee Infantry, USV, Civil War) and Polly Ann MORRISON.

Henery LEE’s siblings were Eulis LEE, James A. “Jim” LEE, Benton LEE, Collie LEE KILBURN, Roxie LEE SMITH, and Minnie LEE FRANKLIN.

Henery married Bethel HILL on 2 December 1917. She was born 24 Feb 1892 in Wayne Co., Tennessee. They were the parents of eight children, three of whom died as infants. Children: Lillie Lucille, Velma Lurlean, Lillis Oneida, James Lawrence, and Rubby Lois.

Henery Lee died 31 Dec 1967 and was buried at McGlamery Cemetery, Collinwood, Tennessee.

LEE, Cliford, service number 186478, Private, Company H, 128^th Infantry. Born Allens Creek, Tennessee and was 21 years old at enlistment and a farmer. Enlisted 2 Oct 1917, Waynesboro, TN. Described with brown eyes, light hair, fair complexion and was five feet, 10 inches in height. Discharged at Camp Zachary Taylor, KY on the 28^th of February 1919. Was a member of the American Expeditionary Force from 6 April 1918 until 23 Nov 1918, having served in the Chateau Thierry Campaign.

Cliford LEE was the son of Henry and Martha Jane CREECY LEE. He was born December 29, 1895 at Allens Creek in Wayne County, TN. He had four brothers: Cullie, Homer, Hobert and Arthur; two sisters: Delia and Ida; and a foster sister, Artie KEETON. He was farmer and was married to Rosie RAY. They were expecting their first child when he received his call to go to the army. He was inducted on October 2, 1917 at the age of 21.

On April 6, 1918, Cliford entered the trench warfare in France at Chateau Thierry as a member of the A. E. F. He was engaged there until November 23, 1918. During this time, he suffered almost unbelievable hardships and dangers. He was reluctant to discuss this time, especially before his children. He said it was too awful to recall. But occasionally he did describe some of the events. One of his daughters and a cousin listened in as much as they could. Some of these accounts recalled follow.

At one time, he spent six weeks in a trench without changing clothes. His socks were stuck to his feet. The trenches would fill with water and human waste. Dead bodies could not be removed immediately and the odor was strangling at time. Once, after firing had stopped and it was quiet, his buddy decided to peep out of the trench and he was shot immediately. His body could not be removed for four days. Cliford helmet was grazed. Trucks would unload food, which was hard tack or black biscuits, on the ground. The soldiers would have to wait for a time to go to the pile, and many times they were molded. They were so hard that Cliford front teeth were worn off from gnawing on them. As they had a chance, they would wade through the dead bodies, removing their identification tags and driving them between the teeth so as many of the bodies as possible could be identified later.

Poison gas was introduced during the time Cliford was over there and he was gassed. When he returned his hair was soon white and he suffered a type of seizure as a result for the rest of his life.

After peace was signed, he was sent back to Camp Zachary Taylor, Kentucky where he was honorably discharged on February 28, 1919, receiving a bonus of $60. His discharge states this his character was excellent.

He returned to his family in Wayne County, where his baby son, Clyde, who was born soon after he left, was afraid of him for a time. He and Rosie settled down on Fishtrap to a life of farming and raising a family of thirteen children. There were five boys, Clyde, Barney Ray, James Edward, Marshall and Frank; and eight girls, Lillie Mae, Bertha, Mamie, Kathryn, Dello, Rachel, Pauline and Mattie Marie. As of today, November 29, 1990, only seven survive. They are Bertha, Mamie, Kathryn, Dello, Rachel, Mattie Marie and Frank.

Cliford died on April 1, 1892 at the age of eighty-six and was buried at Fishtrap Cemetery. Rosie died on March 7, 1989 and was buried beside him.