John Lea

Vice-Admiral Sir John Stuart Crosbie Lea, (4 June 1923 – 20 May 2015) was a senior Royal Navy officer who served as Director-General, Naval Manpower and Training from 1977 to 1980. Early life John Stuart Crosbie Lea was born on 4 June 1923 in Shimla, India, where his father was serving with the British Indian Army. When he was sent back to the United Kingdom for school at Boxgrove Prep in Guildford and then Shrewsbury School he spoke better Hindustani than English. Lea studied science, mathematics and mechanics at Sixth form and aimed to study at the Royal Naval Engineering College in 1942. Naval career In 1943, during his fifth term at the naval engineering college, Lea joined as part of his sea training. While aboard he stood watch on the bridge and witnessed the bombardment of German positions on the Amalfi coast. He then joined and participated in Operation Stonewall. This operation lead to the Battle of the Bay of Biscay where on 28 December 1943, in rough seas, Glasgow along with engaged German shipping. Three destroyers were sunk and a further four damaged before Glasgow was forced to break off the engagement. On returning to the college he found that although he had participated in two naval engagements he was not entitled to a campaign medal.