Lees, William

William Lees was born in 1855. He was a company representative for a Nottingham lace manufacturer. At some point before the outbreak of war in 1914, he moved to Lille in Northern France. He remained in the town for the duration of the war and correspondence in this collection reveals that he was still living there in 1936. During the German occupation of Lille, Lees appears to have been active in the resistance movement, recording details about German activities, and collecting printed ephemera of their stay. Lille was bombarded by German guns during an offensive 10-12 October 1914. Following four years of strict policing, requisitioning goods and accommodation from the inhabitants, and using local factories, the Germans retreated peacefully from Lille in October 1918 as the allies advanced.

From the guide to the Papers of William Lees (1855-fl 1936) of Nottingham relating to the First World War German occupation of Lille, 1914-1936, 1914-1936, (The University of Nottingham)

...