Richard Stanley Lea (1904 - 1945)

Birth Certificate of Richard Stanley Lea. Birth in the Sub-District of Saint Mary, Shrewsbury in the County of Salop, 1904.

Entry Number 223, 9th Feb 1904
Where: 38, Saint Michael’s Street, Shreswbury.
Name and Surname of Father: Joseph Lea
Name and Surname of Mother: Harriot Lea formerly Morgan.
Rank or Profession of Father: Carter
Certificate number: 309004

Richard Stanley Lea of 38 St Michael’s Street, Shrewsbury are hereby appointed Assistant Scoutmaster of the St. Michaels Troop with in the Area of the Shrewsbury Local Association in the County of Shropshire.
Dated: 5th Janurary 1923
Signed by: Robert Baden Powell Chief Scout.

Resigned Date: 15th October 1925
Certificate Number: 26289

The Boy Scouts Association

Richard Stanley Lea of 38 St. Michael’s Street, Shrewsbury are hereby appointed Assistant Scoutmaster of the 1st Shrewsbury (Earl of Shrewsbury) Troop within the Area of the Shrewsbury Local Association in the county of Shropshire.
Dated: 16th October 1925
Signed by: Robert Baden Powell, Chief Scout.
Certificate Number: 45792

Farewell Dinner and Presentation to Mr R. S. Lea, who is leaving for Australia. This was held at Old Slipper Inn, Barker Street, Shrewsbury on Monday, February 22nd, 1926. Host – Mr A E Williams. Chairman – Councillor J. C. Bowdler.
Signatures on back - O.E. A. Williams, Old Slipper Inn, Barker St. Shrewsbury 22.2.1926

Menu plus a programme: Toast to the King, proposed by the Chairman. Song Humorus by J. Rollings. Song (Tenor) by C. Tanswell, Song Selected, F. Darlington, Song (Bass) by W. Rogers, Song Humorous, LLew Jones, Song Selected, P.Young, Violin Solo by O’Brien, Song by F. Page, Song Selected, A. Ward. Presentation by G. Willocks, Esq., Quartette, J.Rollings,G.Ward, C.Tanswell, W.Rogers. Response to Presentation by Mr. R. S. Lea. Song Humorous, LLew Jones, Duett – W. Rogers & G. Ward, Song Selected – P. Young, Song – F. Page, Glee – The Party. God Save the King. Accompanist – Harold Webb.

Menu: Joints – Roast Beef, Horseradish Sauce, Roast Port, Apple Sauce.
Vegetables – Potatoes, Cabbage, Parsnips
Sweets – Jellies, Custard
Biscuits, cheese, Celery.

Farewell Dinner Invitation. Old Slipper Inn, Barker Street, Shrewsbury. Host – Mr A. E. Williams. Farewell Dinner and Presentation to Mr. R. S. Lea, who is leaving for Australia.
Monday, February 22nd, 1926 at 6.30pm
Tickets : 3/- each.

Card: The Rev. F. Keith Lawrence
24, Richmond Road. Handworth St. Michael’s Church
Richard Stanley Lea
Scout Master, England
Before immigrating to Australia.

Will of Richard Stanley Lea
2/11 Field Coy R.A.E
Grovely Queensland Australia
Dated: 6th September, 1940
By: Australian Military Forces.

Hand written letter to Nana Lea (Amelia) from Les Holt who was in the POW with Richard Stanley Lea sending his condolences to her and the family on Richards’s death, June 27th 1945. Talks about how the Japanese treated the prisoners etc. This was written on March 17th ?

Letter written to Nana Lea (Amelia), regarding the whereabouts or circumstances of her husband Number QX16410, Lance Corporal Richard Stanley Lea, 2/11 Field Company A.I.F.
Signed by : Officer in Charge Records. P. D. Jones Major.
Dated : 15th May 1942.

Telegram from the Minister for the Army. Lance Corporal Lea Prisoner Of War. I regret to inform you that QX16410, Lance Corporal Richard Stanley Lea previously reported missing is now reported Prisoner Of War, stop. The Minister fro the Army and the Military extend sincere sympathy.
Nana Lea (Amelia) was living Canaga Street, Chinchilla Q Australia.
Office of Origin: Warwick
Words: 55/1
Time Lodged: 12.45pm
16th May 1942

This is where Richard Stanley Lea is buried. Ambon War cemetery, Amboina, Indonesia. The note says: Ambon,
( in Moluccas 580 miles from Australia. There Commander Lt. col. W. J.R. Scott.

Letter written on 24th June, 1946 to Nana Lea (Amelia) informing her that Richard Stanley Lea has been reburied. He now rests in the Galala War Cemtery, Ambon, Plot K, Row C, Grave 6.
Signed by : J. H. Chapman, Director. Nana was living at Kingston Park Estate, Kingston Q Australia.
Quote in Reply A.G. 14/RB8279

A drawing done by Richard Stanley Lea when POW.

Letter from Richard to Amelia written 9th January, 1942.

Death Extract for Richard Stanley Lea

Letter fro Northern Command Accounts Office, 157-163 Ann Street, Brisbane
To: Mrs Amelia Edith Lea, Kingston Park Estate, Kingston Q Australia
“Herewith please find cheque in your favour for 421/18/9 ( 421 pounds, 18 shillings and 9 pence), for the following service :- final payment of deceased’s Estate.
Date: 8/11/1945
From: W. Sandeman, Lieutenant, Paymaster, District Accounts Office, Queensland Australia.

Metal off coffin?
Pte. Lea R. S. “Lost life while P.O.W.” 27-6-1945
QX16410
2/11 R.A.E 8th Div.
A I F

A poem written by Richard Stanley Lea to George, Gladys and Stanley Lea ( His brother, sister-in-law & Nephew). From Millie, (Nana-Amelia), Dick (Richard), Betty and George. 1932.

Life

England dear England, so beautiful & true
A sad heart is longing far o’er the sea for you
Sometimes I wonder how long it will be
Before your dear shores I ever shall see

The dearest of pals become my lover & wife
To share joys & sorrows all through my life
She is the one who has made life worth while
And has borne up in trouble with a wonderful smile

My heats not alone in its longing for you
My lover she longs for sight of you too
In the fire light flicker our faces beam
As we talk of our vision-our homecoming dream

Out here in the bush we’ve lived & we’ve learned
That God has everyone’s gratitude earned
He has taught us to fight in the battle of life
And not to give way to our enemy – strife.

When fortune deserts us, should we feel sorry?
No! God often says wait, but never says worry
When the spider’s web breaks does he stop to cry?
No! he just buckles in & has one more try

The dull pangs of hunger we have sometimes felt
And to fill up the gap, we just tighten the belt
But still we are thanking our lucky star
That we are not as unfortunate as some people are.

Heaven has blessed us with two children dear
May they never have cause to shed one bitter tear,
But may fortune lend them a kindly hand
And not let them flounder in some far off land.

Friends we have found are few & far between
But those we have got have trusted friends been,
In times of need they have come to our aide
And when fortune smiles on us they will be repaid.

A dear grey-haired old Mother is sad & alone,
Thinking of loved ones who strayed far from home,
Wishing them back to her side once again
So they’ll get to the turning of that long, long lane.

Many hours we have here in solitude spent,
Whilst thousands have been on pleasure bent
We dream of the parties you have at home
And ponder & wonder what made us roam.

The river flows on and the time rolls by,
As we dream of Old England and her twilight sky,
Of her winter’s mantle of frost & snow
And the cheerful old home in the Yule-log glow.

Now when we return to that glorious shore,
These far off lands we will roam no more
For now we have found the true value & worth
Of the land we love – the land of our birth.

R. S. Lea July 1932.

Attestation Form for Richard Stanley Lea

Medical Examination for Richard Stanley Lea

Service and Casualty Form for Richard Stanley Lea

Death Certificate of Richard Stanley Lea issues by Japanese when he was a Prisoner of War camp Tan Toey Galala, Amboina, Indonesia.

Marriage Certificate of Richard Stanley Lea & Amelia Edith Monk (known as Collins). Birthplace for Amelia (Nana) Hammersmith England? Has her father’s name as Jack Collins who was deceased at the time of her marriage.


Letter to Richard Stanley Lea, from Police Station, Baralaba, D.V.Line, 6th June 1933
Mr. R.S.Lea,
Jandewae,
Dear Sir/
In reply to your letter of the 23rd April last, re death of your son, Richard George Lea.
I have to advise that there is no number or peg on the grave, as none of the graves at Baralaba are numbered or marked.
A copy of the death Certificate may be obtained at this Office, and the cost of same will be 3/- (3 shillings). Medical Certificate of the cause of death, and the Certificate of death, are attached herewith.
If you desire I will place a number or other distinction mark on your Son’s grave, so that same may always be distinguishable.
I have forwarded the attached Certificates as you may be waiting for same.
Signed by Officer In Charge.

. Final: Cardiac Failure.

The "Slipper " was the place that Richard was given a going away party at before he immigrated to Australia. This party was hosted by the publician at the time. Many were invited to this gathering. Richard was one of the first Scout Leaders in Shrewsbury, Shropshire and he worked under Lord Batten Powell who started the Scout movement.

Rowley's.
Summary
A recently refurbished town centre pub opposite Rowleys Mansion appealling to young people of all ages.Address Barker Street.
Shrewsbury
County Shropshire
Telephone 01743 246496
Website www.historicalhostelries.co.uk
Brewery Website Banks`s
licencee Glenda & Nick Pugh
Opening Hours Mon - Wens 10 - 11. Thurs - Sat 10 - 12 Sun 12.00 - 10.30

Real Ales No
Beers Banks`s + guests, Mansfield Smooth, Fosters + cold, Carsberg + cold,Guinness + cold . Hoegarden Starhoven, Strongbow and Woodpecker.
Wines and Spirits Bolttles Cocktails and shooters.
Customers Young people of all ages
Accomodation Non available at present.
Recommendation An entertaining place. Clubbers start here on the way to the nightclubs closeby. Major sports events can be viewed on the Big screen and other plasma screens and Live music and live D J s and Nicks Bottle flaring complete the package.
This inn has had several changes of name during its long history. It was first recorded as the Slipper in 1780, the Hope and Anchor between 1828 and 1835 and the Oddfellow's Arms from 1851 to 1856 but had reverted back to the Old Slipper Inn by 1868. The old inn stood in front of the present building but was demolished in the 1930s to widen Barker Street. In 1900 the old inn consisted of twelve rooms, seven private and five for public use. There was also overnight accommodation for six people in two bedrooms. The owner and landlord was John Palmer who was reported to be a well-organised man who managed his business well. He had a good outdoor trade and his customers were mainly the residents of Barker Street, which at this time was densely populated. In Court One that ran to the side and rear of the inn there were ten houses in a very cramped area.

The new inn was opened in 1939 and was reported to have a fine sign over the door showing a man known as the "Slipper" unleashing a greyhound at a hare-coursing match. Unfortunately by the 1970s this had been replaced by one depicting an oriental type shoe with a large pompom on the toe!

In recent years the inn has changed its name several times as it has been altered and has changed its image. In the mid 1990s it closed for refurbishment and was opened in1998 as Jackson's. In 2002 it became known as the Merchant Stores until the end of 2004 when it was renamed Rowley's, taking its name from the rich merchants who had built the fine timber-framed house and mansion across the road.