King Lionel Lear

Story:
King Lionel Lear was born in Kington Magna, Dorset, during 1897 and baptised there on 7 Nov 1897 the son of Thomas Lear and Emma Lear (nee Bastable). He spent all his early life at Nylands Farm, Kington Magna. He had enlisted with the Dorset (Queen's Own) Yeomanry as a Private (Service No. 1007). He had served in Egypt from 23 Apr 1915 during which time he had been awarded the Military Medal. His unit was absorbed in time with the Corps of Hussars (Service No. 230353). He was discharged on 13 Mar 1919 and further awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1915 Star. By the 1921 Census he was living with his father at Nylands Farm where he was employed as a Cowman. On the 3 Aug 1922 he set sail for Australia aboard the SS Suevic. It is known he married at some time after arrival as the 1949 Electoral Register shows him living at Mitchell, Booty Hill, New South Wales, Australia, with his wife, Ivy Gladys Lear. He died on 14 Feb 1958 and was buried at St. Mary's General Cemetery, Penrith City, New South Wales, Australia. His brothers, Loftus Harold Lear and Richard John Humphrey Lear, also served in the conflict.