Personal Details

Born: 3 January 1871 in Whitchurch, Shropshire and baptised on 7 May the same year in St. Alkmund’s Parish Church, Whitchurch. He was also known as Samuel Humphreys.

Family: He was the second of five children born to Isaiah Lea, a fruiterer, and his wife Elizabeth Humphreys. He married Margaret Elizabeth Griffiths on 9 October 1901 in Atcham, Shropshire and together they had four children – Harry Edward, Marjorie, Mary Constance and Rosalind Margaret.

Residence: His family were living at 12 Yardington, Whitchurch at the time of his baptism; they continued to live there until at least 1881. In 1911 he was living with his wife and children at 1 Mayfield Terrace, Mountfields, Shrewsbury, Shropshire. At the time of his death he was living at the Castle Hotel, Wem, Shropshire.

Employment: In 1889 he was a labourer; in 1910 he was a clerk. In 1911 he was a school attendance officer.

Died: 2 April 1929 in Wem, aged 58.

Military Details

Regiment: King’s Shropshire Light Infantry

Rank: Quartermaster Sergeant

Service Number: 3041

Date of Enlistment: 28 September 1914

Date of Discharge: 8 April 1919

Reason for Discharge: Not known

Other Information: Samuel had previously served in the King’s Shropshire Light Infantry (number 3024) between 3 June 1889 and 2 June 1910, including serving in the Boer War.