Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Pair: Marine M. L. Gilligan, Royal Marines

South Atlantic 1982, with rosette (Mne 1 M L Gilligan PO41002Y RM); General Service 1962-2007, 1 clasp, Northern Ireland (Mne M L Gilligan PO41002Y RM); together with two Pewter Tankards, the first inscribed ‘Senior Naval Officer, Northern Ireland Staff’, and engraved ‘Mne M Gilligan PO41002Y 14 July 1984 - 12 December 1984’; the second bearing an embossed Royal Marine Crest and inscribed with the names and dates of 65 ‘Epic Battles of the Royal Marines’, from ‘1704 Gibraltar’ to ‘1982 Falkland Islands’, and engraved ‘From Mum & Dad. Mne M. L. Gilligan M. Coy. 42 Cmdo. R.M.’ slight dent to first tankard, otherwise good condition, the medals nearly extremely fine (4)
£800-1200

Mark Leslie Gilligan was born in Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, on 3 July 1963, and enlisted in the Royal Marines on 8 September 1980. Posted to 42 Commando on 12 May 1981, he served ‘J’ Company during the Falklands War, where he ‘landed at San Carlos and then yomped through the night to Goose Green to help 2 Para, arriving at 5:00 a.m. Then onto Mount Wall with 11 Troop Forward Observation overlooking Mount Harriet, spending 6-7 days calling fire on the Argentine positions, before putting in a dummy attack on Mount Harriet to draw the enemy fire.’
From 1982 to 1985 Gilligan served with Commachio Group, Royal Marines, and saw active service in Northern Ireland, at Warrenpoint and Carlingford Lough, and was involved in close protection work, acting as the bodyguard to the Senior Naval Officer, Northern Ireland. In 1985 he undertook a Signalling Course, and spent the next five years as a Signaller with both 42 Commando and with the Amphibious Beach Unit in H.M.S. Intrepid, before taking his discharge on 2 July 1990. He subsequently served in the Royal Fleet Reserve from 3 July 1990 to 7 September 1992.

Sold with the recipient’s original Parchment Certificate of Service; a potted history of his Royal Marine career; and a large number of photographs of the recipient on active service.