British and World Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A scarce Royal Navy Long Service pair awarded to Fleet Chief Petty Officer Writer Derek Leonard, Royal Navy

Royal Naval Meritorious Service Medal, E.II.R. (FCWTR M769178T RN); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C.,, E.II.R., 2nd issue, with Second Award bar (MX.769178 P.O.Wtr., H.M.S. Tamar) extremely fine (2) £900-1000

Derek Leonard was born in Salisbury, Wiltshire, on 21 January 1929. A Clerk by occupation, he joined the Royal Navy on 31 July 1946, serving as an Ordinary Seaman on H.M.S. Raleigh. He was ranked as a Probationary Writer when on Victory in February 1949 and was confirmed in that rank in August the same year when on Implacable.

He was advanced to Leading Writer in December 1952 when on Victory; Petty Officer Writer in August 1955 when on Mercury, and Chief Petty Officer Writer in January 1964 when on Tamar. Leonard was awarded the Royal Navy L.S. & G.C. on 11 October 1963. During February 1969-June 1971 he was stationed in the British Embassy at Moscow.

Attaining the rank of Fleet Chief Petty Officer Writer in September 1971 when on Drake, he was awarded the clasp to his L.S. Medal on 15 November 1978 and the Royal Navy M.S.M. in March 1980 when on Drake. Fleet Chief Petty Officer Writer Leonard was Pensioned on 30 October 1980.

His Certificate of Qualifications states: ‘Mr Leonard has served with distinction in almost every possible type of Writer billet, including running the pay offices of H.M.S. Ark Royal and H.M.S. Drake (R.N. Barracks, Devonport), and service in the Embassy in Moscow. Over the last 21 years, his efficiency has never been assessed less than “Superior”, and since 1973 it has been “Exceptional”. He has been a Warrant Officer since the re-introduction of that rank in 1971. .....’

With named card boxes of issue for the M.S.M. and clasp to the L.S. & G.C.; original Royal Navy Certificate of Service; copied Certificate of Qualifications; copied Certificate of Service, copied Warrant, and two photographs - one at the presentation of his clasp, the other at the presentation of his M.S.M.