A rare Northern Ireland ‘Ardoyne’ B.E.M. for gallantry awarded to Sergeant Anthony R. Leak, Light Infantry

British Empire Medal, E.II.R., Military Division, with gallantry emblem (23668269 Sgt. Anthony R. Leak. L.I.) with Royal Mint case of issue, nearly extremely fine £800-1000

B.E.M. for Gallantry London Gazette 18 September 1973.

Sold with copies taken from The Silver Bugle, Journal of The Light Infantry, Spring and Winter 1973 editions, which include a photograph of recipient and from which the following extracts are taken:

‘Ulster Awards: We were all delighted to read of Lieutenant Downward’s M.C. awarded for outstanding leadership in Ardoyne, and Sergeant Leak’s B.E.M. awarded for gallantry while commanding 3 Platoon, also in Ardoyne.’

‘The Ardoyne: Successes: The highlight of our tour occurred on the 1st November. A carefully planned search of a known Republican club in the Old Ardoyne by platoons from all the companies arrested eleven men of whom six were officers in the Provisional I.R.A. One of these six was Leo Morgan an I.R.A. Battalion Commander. He has subsequently been charged with murder. On another occasion the Ardoyne I.R.A. Company Commander was arrested in a different pub. The tally at the end of our four months was nineteen I.R.A. officers, three of them Battalion Commanders. A further thirty four lawbreakers were arrested and charged for criminal offences.’