PAUL, Lea Roy
| Service Number: | 2645 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 12 July 1916, Singleton |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 36th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Patricks Plains, New South Wales, Australia, 14 August 1886 |
| Home Town: | Singleton, Northumberland, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Gouldsville via Singleton, New South Wales, Australia |
| Occupation: | Labourer |
| Died: | Killed in Action, Messines, Belgium, 21 July 1917, aged 30 years |
| Cemetery: |
No known grave - "Known Unto God" Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Flanders, Belgium |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Menin Gate Memorial (Commonwealth Memorial to the Missing of the Ypres Salient), Singleton War Memorial, Warkworth Public School Roll of Honour |
World War 1 Service
| 12 Jul 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 2645, 36th Infantry Battalion, Singleton | |
|---|---|---|
| 9 Nov 1916: | Involvement Private, 2645, 36th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '17' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Benalla embarkation_ship_number: A24 public_note: '' | |
| 9 Nov 1916: | Embarked Private, 2645, 36th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Benalla, Sydney | |
| 21 Jul 1917: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 2645, 36th Infantry Battalion, Battle of Messines |
Help us honour Lea Roy Paul's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Michael Silver
The Singleton Argus reported on 16 April 1918 that …… “A good deal of uncertainty has existed as to the fate of Private Roy Paul, of this district, he having been reported missing after the fighting at Messines in July of last year, and later he was reported as being a prisoner of war. Since then nothing had been heard of him, and much anxiety was felt by his family as to his condition.
The fate of the soldier is now definitely known, the Rev. Mr Herford of Jerry's Plains having received an official message stating that he was killed in the battle when reported missing. The deceased, who was about 30 years of age, was a son of Mr and Mrs J. Paul, of Gouldsville, and for a long time prior to enlisting was in the employ of Mr John Hayes of Bulga. The late Private Paul was a very promising young fellow, and his many friends in this district will learn of his death with very much regret. Flags in Singleton were half-mast yesterday as a token of respect to his memory.”
Biography contributed by Evan Evans
From Gary Mitchell, Sandgate Cemetery
Awaiting memorialisation at Sandgate Cemetery.
103 years ago today, on the 21st July 1917, Private Lea Roy Paul, 36th Battalion, labourer from Gouldsville, New South Wales, fell at Messines, Belgium, age 30.
https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R1655465
See Red Cross Wounded and Missing - https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R1473664
Born at Gouldsville, New South Wales on the 14th August 1886 to John and Elizabeth Paul; eldest brother William Henry (born 26.10.1869, Rixs Creek, N.S.W., died 1929, Bourke Street, Mayfield, N.S.W.) and sister-in-law Gertrude Adelaide Eliza Paul (died 1961), Lea enlisted July 1916 at Singleton, N.S.W.
Originally reported as being a Prisoner of War (http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article80709456), a court of inquiry concluded that Lea had been killed in action (http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article80711800), his remains were not located, and so his supreme sacrifice has been inscribed on The Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial (Panel 25), Belgium.
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article80711851
Mr Paul’s name has also been inscribed on the Singleton War Memorial and the Bulga Memorial Gates Honour Roll (photos, unveiled on the 16th October 1920 - http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article80773349
There is no memorial inscription at the gravesite of elder brother William Henry Paul, and I am unable to erect a Memorial Cross, so I have placed poppies to honour the service and supreme sacrifice of Lea for God, King and Country. ANGLICAN 2-142. 55.
http://sandgate.northerncemeteries.com.au/index.php/war-heroes/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=51&aso=exact&s_f=id&data_search=16282#2
Many thanks to Lorrene Davidson and Gillian Halliday (Great Niece's) for the notification, photos, information and their Eternal Love for Great Uncle Lea Roy Paul.
Lest We Forget.
Click images to start slideshow.