Four: Major N. A. G. Leadbitter, Durham Light Infantry

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 2 clasps, Cape Colony, South Africa 1902 (Lieut. N. A. G. Leadbitter Smith, Durham L.I.); 1914-15 Star (Capt. N. G. Leadbitter, Durh. L.I.); British War and Victory Medals (Major N. G. Leadbitter), note variation in name and initials, good very fine (4) £180-220

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals to the Durham Light Infantry and associated units.

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Nicholas Augustine Graham Leadbitter-Smith was born on 27 April 1880, the son of Lieutenant-Colonel Matthew Edward Leadbiiter-Smith of Flass Hall, Co. Durham. He was educated at St. Cuthberts, Ushaw, Co. Durham. He entered the Army as a 2nd Lieutenant in the 4th Battalion Durham Light Infantry on 16 November 1901 and served with them in the Boer War from 1 February to 31 May 1902. Promoted to Lieutenant on 20 June 1903 and Captain on 28 April 1906, he resigned his commission in May 1908. In 1913 he changed his name by Deed Poll to ‘Leadbitter’. With the onset of war he regained his commission, becoming a Captain in the 3rd Battalion D.L.I. and enterering the France/Flanders theatre of war in May 1915. He was seconded to the Staff on 27 May 1915 and employed as an officer to the Chinese Labour Corps on 4 May 1917 and held the rank of Temporary Major in the Labour Corps from 26 February 1918. He resigned his commission on 21 February 1920 and was granted the Honorary rank of Major. For his service with the Chinese Labour Corps, he was awarded the Chinese Order of the Striped Tiger 4th Class (London Gazette 17 February 1920). He died on 12 August 1959. Sold with copied research.