# Yet Soo War Way Lee

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Yet_Soo_War_Way_Lee
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Yet_Soo_War_Way_Lee.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yet_Soo_War_Way_Lee
> Source revision: 1350700693
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

Chinese (Australian) merchant

Yet Soo War Way Lee Born 1853 Guangdong, China Died 1909 (aged 55–56) Adelaide, South Australia Occupation Businessperson

Yet Soo War Way Lee Traditional Chinese 葉繡華 Simplified Chinese 叶绣华 Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Yè Xiùhuá Yue: Cantonese Jyutping Jip6 Sau3 Waa4 Courtesy name Chinese 維利 Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Wéi Lì Yue: Cantonese Jyutping Wai4 Lei6

**Yet Soo War Way Lee** ([Chinese](/source/Chinese_language): 葉繡華維利; born **Yett Soo War**; 6 August 1852[1] - 21 August 1909), also known as **Yett Way Lee** and **Y. S. W. Way Lee**, was a [Chinese-Australian](/source/Chinese_Australians) merchant who lived in [Adelaide](/source/Adelaide), [South Australia](/source/South_Australia).

## Early life and move to Australia

Yett Soo War was born in King Shan ([Chinese](/source/Chinese_language): 京山; [pinyin](/source/Pinyin): *Jīngshān*), a village of [Tungkun](/source/Tungkun), [Guangdong](/source/Guangdong). He was the only child of Yett She Clum, a rice-miller, and Cau She Ho King. His great-grandfather was reportedly an [admiral](/source/Admiral) in the [Imperial Chinese Navy](/source/Imperial_Chinese_Navy).[2][3] As a young man, he married and had a son, Yett King Sum.[2][3] Before his emigration, Yett had adopted the [courtesy name](/source/Courtesy_name) Way Lee, which he used in business, often compounding it with his birth name, using "Way Lee" as a surname in Australia.[4]

Way Lee migrated to Australia in 1874, joining his uncle [Way Kee](/source/Way_Key) on [George Street](/source/George_Street%2C_Sydney) in [Sydney](/source/Sydney), in the [colony of New South Wales](/source/Colony_of_New_South_Wales). He spent the next two years studying, first in Sydney and later [Brisbane](/source/Brisbane), in the [colony of Queensland](/source/Colony_of_Queensland).[5] In 1880, Way Lee settled in [Adelaide](/source/Adelaide), in the [colony of South Australia](/source/Colony_of_South_Australia), taking English classes at the [City Mission](/source/City_Mission) of Adelaide.[3]

## Way Lee & Company

Having maintained work with his uncle, by 1878, Way Lee had established an importing firm, Way Lee & Co. in [Hindley Street](/source/Hindley_Street), Adelaide.[6] The company dealt in tea, [porcelain](/source/Porcelain), fireworks, [Chinese medicines](/source/Traditional_Chinese_medicine) and general [bric-a-brac](/source/Bric-%C3%A0-brac). He expanded its operations across regional Australian with branches in [Wentworth](/source/Wentworth%2C_New_South_Wales) and [Wilcannia](/source/Wilcannia) in New South Wales, [Quorn](/source/Quorn%2C_South_Australia) and [Hawker](/source/Hawker%2C_South_Australia), and further interests in the [Daly River](/source/Daly_River%2C_Northern_Territory), [Northern Territory](/source/Northern_Territory) and [Millicent](/source/Millicent%2C_South_Australia), South Australia.[7]

Way Lee had one of the government contracts to supply the [Ghan](/source/Central_Australia_Railway) railway from [Port Augusta](/source/Port_Augusta) to Hergott Springs/[Maree](/source/Marree%2C_South_Australia).[8] He partnered with several other Chinese merchants, including Hu Ting, to deliver food and other supplies to the expanding railway in the late 1880s.

Way Lee and other Chinese Australian merchants of the time formed the Chinese Empire Reform Association, of which he was president.[9]

## Advocacy

Way Lee was a leader of the [South Australian](/source/South_Australia) Chinese community, actively participating in community events, including hosting [Chinese New Year](/source/Chinese_New_Year) dinners and providing support for disaster relief efforts in China. He advocated for the rights of Chinese residents of Australia, focusing on education, living conditions, and opposing [opium](/source/Opium) trafficking.[10][11]

He and Hu Ting authored at least one [letter to the editor](/source/Letter_to_the_editor) during the height of the anti-Chinese immigration debates in South Australia in the 1880s,[12] and advocated to remove laws or rules that limited the ability of Chinese individuals to travel freely between the colonies.[5][13]

In connection with the [Jubilee Exhibition](/source/Jubilee_Exhibition_Building) of 1887, Chinese Commissioners Wong Yung Ho (Wang Ronghe) and U Taing (Yu Quiong)[14] visited Adelaide and appointed Way Lee, along with three others, including Quong Wing from Melbourne and [Mei Quong Tart](/source/Mei_Quong_Tart) from Sydney, to deliver a memorial from the Chinese community in Australia to the [Beijing Government](/source/Beiyang_government). During the presentation of this document, Way Lee was honoured with the rank of [Mandarin](/source/Mandarin_(bureaucrat)) of the [fourth degree](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fourth_Rank_(Mandarin)&action=edit&redlink=1) [[zh](https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%AD%A3%E5%9B%9B%E5%93%81)].[2][15]

## Personal life

Way Lee became a naturalised citizen of the [colony of South Australia](/source/Colony_of_South_Australia) in 1882 and also joined the [United Tradesmen](/source/United_Trades_and_Labour_Council_of_South_Australia)'s [Masonic Lodge](/source/Masonic_lodge).[5][16] He had also converted to [Presbyterianism](/source/Presbyterianism).[2]

In 1889, Way Lee married Margaret Ann McDonald. They had three children.[2]

## Death and legacy

In 1909, he was appointed Chinese Vice-Consul for South Australia but died before taking up the post,[7] on 21 August 1909, in Adelaide.[2] His cause of death was chronic [nephritis](/source/Nephritis) and [amyloid](/source/Amyloid) disease.[2]

He is buried in [West Terrace Cemetery](/source/West_Terrace_Cemetery), where thousands reportedly attended his funeral, including the [South Australian Chief Justice](/source/Chief_Justice_of_South_Australia), Sir [Samuel Way](/source/Samuel_Way), represented by his associate, W. L. Stuart.[17]

The [Way Lee Building](/source/University_of_South_Australia#Other_City_West_buildings), part of the [University of South Australia](/source/University_of_South_Australia) on [North Terrace, Adelaide](/source/North_Terrace%2C_Adelaide), was named after him.[18][19]

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["A Brief Introduction to Some of Our Members"](https://www.cafhov.com/our-stories/a-brief-introduction-to-some-of-our-members/). *Chinese Australian Family Historians of Victoria*.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:0_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:0_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-:0_2-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-:0_2-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-:0_2-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-:0_2-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-:0_2-6) Gibbs, R. M., ["Way Lee, Yet Soo War (1853–1909)"](https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/way-lee-yet-soo-war-9015/text15877), *Australian Dictionary of Biography*, Canberra: National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, retrieved 16 April 2022

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:3_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:3_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-:3_3-2) Burritt, Roger L.; Walker, Dylan; Carter, Amanda J. (2009). ["Way Lee: 100 years on"](https://chineseancestor.org/public_download/WayLeeMonograph.pdf) (PDF). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-646-51826-8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-646-51826-8).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Yett Way Lee, Chinese Australian"](https://chineseancestor.org/waylee/wl-life-in-australia/wl-yett-way-lee-chinese-australian/). *Chinese Ancestors*.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:1_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:1_5-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-:1_5-2) ["Way Lee, Yet Soo War - Biographical entry - Chinese-Australian Historical Images in Australia"](https://www.chia.chinesemuseum.com.au/biogs/CH00005b.htm). *[Chinese Museum, Melbourne](/source/Chinese_Museum%2C_Melbourne)*. Retrieved 6 December 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["PERSONAL PARS"](http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article166369652). *[Quiz](/source/Quiz)*. Vol. I, no. 10. South Australia. 1 November 1889. p. 2. Retrieved 6 December 2024 – via National Library of Australia.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:2_7-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:2_7-1) ["Way Lee 100 years on"](https://chineseancestor.org/public_download/WayLeeMonograph.pdf) (PDF). *University of South Australia*. 2009.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["DEATH OF MR. WAY LEE"](http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article164687583). *Observer*. 28 August 1909. Retrieved 16 April 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["CHINESE REFORM ASSOCIATION"](http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article5056078). *[The Advertiser](/source/The_Advertiser_(Adelaide))*. Vol. XLIX, no. 15, 081. South Australia. 18 February 1907. p. 6. Retrieved 7 December 2024 – via National Library of Australia.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Gibbs, R. M. (1990). ["'Way Lee, Yet Soo War (1853–1909)'"](https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/way-lee-yet-soo-war-9015/text15877). *[Australian Dictionary of Biography](/source/Australian_Dictionary_of_Biography)*. Vol. 12. National Centre of Biography, [Australian National University](/source/Australian_National_University). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-522-84459-7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-522-84459-7). [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [1833-7538](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/1833-7538). [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [70677943](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/70677943). Retrieved 7 September 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** [Uncovering the remarkable Way Lee, (September 2009), UniSANews](http://w3.unisa.edu.au/unisanews/2009/September/story7.asp) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20190113222349/http://w3.unisa.edu.au/unisanews/2009/September/story7.asp) 13 January 2019 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine). Accessed 7 September 2018

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Correspondence"](http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article94732632). *South Australian Weekly Chronicle*. 31 March 1888. Retrieved 16 April 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["FROM A CHINAMAN'S POINT OF VIEW"](http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article23848380). *[The West Australian](/source/The_West_Australian)*. Vol. 16, no. 4, 593. Western Australia. 24 November 1900. p. 12. Retrieved 6 December 2024 – via National Library of Australia.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["The Chinese Imperial Commissioners, 1887"](https://digitalcollections.anu.edu.au/bitstreams/483237d1-1145-4308-87bc-2c1c9b39821a/download). *The Australian National University*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["DEATH OF MR. WAY LEE"](http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article164687583). *[Observer](/source/The_Observer_(Adelaide))*. Vol. LXVI, no. 5, 243. South Australia. 28 August 1909. p. 40. Retrieved 10 December 2024 – via National Library of Australia.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["DEATH OF MR. WAY LEE"](http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article209672852). *[The Express and Telegraph](/source/The_Express_and_Telegraph)*. Vol. XLVI, no. 13, 789. South Australia. 21 August 1909. p. 1. Retrieved 9 December 2024 – via National Library of Australia.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** ["DEATH OF MR, WAY LEE"](http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article56732098). *[The Register (Adelaide)](/source/The_Register_(Adelaide))*. Vol. LXXIV, no. 19, 587. South Australia. 23 August 1909. p. 6. Retrieved 10 December 2024 – via National Library of Australia.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-wlb_18-0)** ["101 things you may not know about UniSA"](https://web.archive.org/web/20250826093731/https://www.unisa.edu.au/siteassets/about-unisa/docs/101-things_2021-edition_web.pdf) (PDF). *[UniSA](/source/UniSA)*. 2022. Archived from [the original](https://www.unisa.edu.au/siteassets/about-unisa/docs/101-things_2021-edition_web.pdf) (PDF) on 26 August 2025. Retrieved 25 November 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** ["Building WL"](https://i.unisa.edu.au/staff/facilities/space-information/floor-plans/city-west/building-wl---way-lee/). *UniSA*. 21 October 2019. Retrieved 25 November 2025.

## Further reading

- Burritt, Roger L; Way Lee, Yett Soo War; Walker, Dylan; Carter, Amanda J; Monaghan-Jamieson, Patricia (2009), [*Way Lee 100 years on*](http://www.unisa.edu.au/global/business/centres/cags/docs/wayleemonograph(burritt.walker.carter)final1.pdf) (PDF), Centre for Accounting, Governance and Sustainability, University of South Australia, [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-646-51826-8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-646-51826-8)

- [The case of Mr. Way Lee](http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article88558885). (1889, January 11). *Bendigo Advertiser (Vic. : 1855 - 1918)*, p. 2.

Authority control databases: People Trove Australia

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Yet Soo War Way Lee](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yet_Soo_War_Way_Lee) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yet_Soo_War_Way_Lee?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.