Henry John Lea
Rank:
Private
Serial No:
Serial No. 6863
Regiment:
18th Battalion
Suburb:
Ingleburn
Henry John Lea - Information
Henry John Lea was an English migrant who settled in Ingleburn with his wife, Mary Ann. Here, Henry supported his family working as a farmer. He had gained some military experience working on details at Menangle Park Camp for 14 months. At the age of 44, Henry enlisted in the AIF at Menangle Park on the 12th of June 1917. He was then assigned to the 20th Reinforcements, 18th Battalion as a Private. He departed Sydney on the 16th of June 1917 onboard the HMAT Beltana.
Henry landed in Plymouth in late August, and was marched into the 5th Training Battalion at Rollestone. However, Henry had difficulty completing exercises. He was classified as medically unfit, and sent back to Australia, departing London upon the Borda on the 26th of September 1917. He returned to his family and was discharged in May 1918.