About John Lea
Lived 1923 – 2015 (aged 91). John Lea was a British military officer.
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 Simla, 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.
Retirement On his retirement, Lea went with his wife to their home on Hayling Island. He and his wife Pat were keen gardeners and also travelled the world in support of the England cricket team.
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Important facts
People in John Lea's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped John Lea's
Frequently asked questions
Who was John Lea?
British officer
When was John Lea born?
John Lea was born on 4 June 1923 in Shimla.
When did John Lea die?
John Lea died on 20 May 2015.
What was John Lea's occupation?
John Lea was a military officer.
What nationality was John Lea?
John Lea was British.
Sources & further reading
· DBpedia: John Lea (Royal Navy officer)
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). John Lea. https://biography.guide/john-lea-military-officer/
MLA: "John Lea." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/john-lea-military-officer/.
Chicago: "John Lea." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/john-lea-military-officer/.
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