Lee's first first-class match as an umpire came while he was still a player: he stood in the Somerset match with Cambridge University at Bath in 1947, and then played in the other matches of the Bath cricket festival.
Lee's inaugural first-class umpiring experience took place while he was still active as a player: he officiated the Somerset match with Cambridge University at Bath in 1947 and then played in other matches of the Bath cricket festival.