Private William Clarence Lea

Born on 8 July 1888 in Petrolea, Ontario - husband of Mabel Lea, St. Thomas, Ontario - son of Charles Henry and Clara Elizabeth Lea, St. Thomas, Ontario - at the time of his enlistment in 1916: present address same as wife; trade as plasterer; married (with one child); no current or previous military service; Baptist; height of 5 feet 5 inches; chest of 35 inches fully expanded; fair complexion; grey eyes; black hair.

Joined the 91st Battalion, CEF, in St. Thomas, Ontario, on 31 January 1916 (number 189935) - taken on the strength of the 38th Battalion, CEF, on 20 or 21 August 1916 - killed in action on 18 November 1916 - name inscribed on the Vimy Memorial, France.

(Updated with a photo of Pte Lea's inscription on the Vimy Memorial that I took in August 2012).

(sources: Library and Archives Canada (www.collectionscanada.gc.ca), online attestation papers; Canadian War Museum, 19740281-001, Manu 58F 2 3, 207th Canadian Infantry Battalion and 38th Canadian Infantry Battalion, Nominal Roll; The Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa Regimental Museum, A400-0007, Master Personnel List for the 38th Canadian Infantry Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force; Commonwealth War Graves Commission, "Debt of Honour" register, www.cwgc.org)