Personal Details

Born: In 1872 in Whitchurch, Shropshire and baptised 6 April 1873 at St Alkmund’s Parish Church.

Family: He was the son of Isaiah Lea, a greengrocer, and Elizabeth Humphreys. He married Annie Jones in 1905 in Whitchurch. On the Civil Registration of Marriage his name is recorded as Isaiah Humphreys Lea. The couple had four children, Annie, Elizabeth, William and Sydney. His wife already had a child, Violet, before her marriage to Isaiah.

Residence: In 1881 Isaiah`s family were living at 12 Yardington, Whitchurch. Ten years later their address was 4 Folly Lane, Whitchurch. By 1911 and now married, Isaiah and his family were living at 6 Railway Inn Yard, Station Road, Whitchurch. The address given for him on the 1919 Absent Voters` list was 2 Railway Inn Yard; this was where he was living at the time of his death in 1920.

Employment: He was a painter`s labourer in 1891 but by 1911 he was a bricklayer`s labourer. On his 1914 Attestation Record his occupation was recorded as a gardener.

Died: In 1920 in Whitchurch, Shropshire, aged 46, and was buried in Whitchurch Cemetery on 1 July the same year.

Military Details

Regiment: King’s Shropshire Light Infantry 

Rank: Corporal

Service Number: 31974 (previously 11453)

Date of Enlistment: 31 August 1914

Date of Discharge: 9 February 1920

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation

Other information: Isaiah enlisted 31 August 1914 but was discharged as no longer physically fit. However, he must have been reinstated as he continued to serve in the army in the UK until he was demobilised in 1920. He had previously served in The Shropshire Light Infantry, enlisting 5 August 1892 and serving for 12 years 8 months before joining the Reserves.