224573 Cpl. John Lea MM.British Army 5th Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers from:Leyland, Lancashire John Lea (or Jack as he was known), was awarded the Military Medal for bravery in the face of enemy fire, after he was asked to venture out into no-mans land to repair a vital communication wire that had been broken during heavy bombardment. During this task he was hit in the leg by a bullet. However, he successfully restored communications and made it back to his line.
All this took place when his unit was serving in Gallipoli. He never talked much about the war, and still having painful memories he eventually sold all his medals to a calling salesman back in the late 70s for the measly sum of £50. He kept active and was still riding his bicycle when he was in his 70s. He died at the ripe old age of 94. Sadly I have no photo of him.
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