Orders, Decorations and Medals

A Boer War relief of Ladysmith operations D.C.M. group of three awarded to Staff Sergeant J. Leonard, Royal Army Medical Corps

Distinguished Conduct Medal, V.R. ([7]649 Serjt. J. Leonard, R.A.M.C.); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 2 clasps, Tugela Heights, Relief of Ladysmith ([7]649 S. Sgt. J. Leonard, R.A.M.C.); Army L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (7649 S. Serjt. J. Leonard, R.A.M.C.), the ‘7’ of the recipient’s number scratched out on the first two, the Q.S.A. with flattened obverse suspension rivet and contact marks, polished overall, thus fine or better (3) £1600-1800

D.C.M. London Gazette 27 September 1901 (AO 15/02).

John Leonard was born in Co. Cork and enlisted in the Medical Staff Corps at Aldershot in January 1887, aged 22 years.

Embarked for Hong Kong in December 1889, he was advanced to Corporal on his return to the U.K. in April 1893 and to Sergeant in August 1896.

Actively employed in South Africa in the period November 1899 to August 1900, he was present in the relief of Ladysmith operations, including actions on the Tugela Heights, and was twice mentioned in despatches (London Gazettes 8 February and 10 September 1901, refer), in addition to being awarded the D.C.M. and advanced to Staff Sergeant in January 1900.

Posted to the Permanent Staff of the Lancashire Fusilier Bearer Company, R.A.M.C. (Volunteer Force) in April 1904, Leonard was awarded his L.S. & G.C. Medal in AO 189 of 1905, and discharged in March 1908. Afterwards employed as an Inspector for the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, he died in Leicester in February 1940; sold with copied attestation and discharge papers.