William Edward Lea was the son of Alfred and Beatrice Lea of Sedgwick Street, Jacksdale.  William was a very popular young man, being a member of the Church Boy’s Club and a regular worshipper at St Mary’s, Westwood.  His peacetime employment was at the brickworks of Messrs. James Oakes and Co. 

In December 1939, William married Elsie (nee White, formerly of New Brinsley)  and they set up home at Plainspot, Brinsley.  In January 1940, less than two months after the wedding, William was called up.   

About six months later, during the Summer of 1940, the Eastwood & Kimberley Advertiser reported that Private W Lea was missing.  It was the first report of soldier coming from Brinsley being reported as missing.  Private Lea was believed to be a member of the B.E.F. on active service prior to the Dunkirk evacuation.  

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission records William Lea’s date of death as Sunday 2^nd June 1940, at age 22.  He is commemorated on the Dunkirk Memorial, Nord, France. The memorial commemorates over 4,000 men of the British Expeditionary Force who fell in the campaign of 1939 – 1940 and have no known grave.  William Lea was also remembered by his fellow workmates on the James Oakes & Co (Riddings Collieries) Ltd – Clayworks Department Roll of Employees Serving With H.M. Forces who had made “The Supreme Sacrifice”.   The Roll of Honour hung in the work’s canteen for many years after the war, right up to the late 1960s.  Luckily the Roll of Honour was rescued by an employee when the pit closed.  

William Lea’s name was also inscribed upon a brass plaque situated in the Chancel of the church at nearby Stoneyford.  The church, which was a tin tabernacle, has since been moved intact and re-erected at the Butterley Railway Museum, Ripley. The plaques were taken to Ironville’s, Christ Church.

Last updated 2^nd July 2002