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 five children – Harry Edward, Marjorie, Mary Constance, Rosalind Margaret and Derek Samuel.

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. By 1921 they had moved to Rye Bank Villa, Edstaston, Wem, 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.