Victoria Cross awarded to L/Cpl Josh Leakey, Parachute Rgt
Discussion
DJFish said:
Thoroughly well deserved & throws the tribulations of your own daily grind into sharp relief.
Without wishing to take anything away from the chap or derail the thread, I was watching the bbc footage and was wondering why the guys & girls getting their gongs were wearing working attire, surely dress uniform is more appropriate for the palace?
Also noticed he got a hug from the boss in the shiny hat, didn't think they did that in the army?
The aircrew in his growbag looked like a complete scruff! What's that all about? The RAF economising on No2 uniform?Without wishing to take anything away from the chap or derail the thread, I was watching the bbc footage and was wondering why the guys & girls getting their gongs were wearing working attire, surely dress uniform is more appropriate for the palace?
Also noticed he got a hug from the boss in the shiny hat, didn't think they did that in the army?
Kermit power said:
No problem. My favourite knowledge when it comes to decorations of any nation is the knowledge that I can take the family to the Tower of London for free whenever I want to since my great aunt donated my great grandfather's MM to the Royal Fusiliers' Regimental museum, which is conveniently located inside the place! 
That sounds good, your relatives good service has a payback even today , family wise. I have collected OD&M for more years than I care to think, many have fascinating stories behind them . Was it a WW1 award, the MM? Have you been able to find out what is was awarded for, the citation? Unfortunately most WW1 MM's had no specific citation , so always great when one can be found.
UK Medals in (rough) order of priority (IMO). Also, I have to say I do like the US principle of all military, of whatever rank, saluting the MoH; should be applied in the UK to the VC/GC.
VC
GC
CGC
DSC
MC
DFC
KG
KT
GCB
KCB
When I read the honours list every year I wonder where guys who have really earned their honours (as opposed to Sir Whateverhisnameis for services to middle/senior management in HM Civil Service) are recognised. That said, those guys probably wouldn't want them..
VC
GC
CGC
DSC
MC
DFC
KG
KT
GCB
KCB
When I read the honours list every year I wonder where guys who have really earned their honours (as opposed to Sir Whateverhisnameis for services to middle/senior management in HM Civil Service) are recognised. That said, those guys probably wouldn't want them..
hidetheelephants said:
The aircrew in his growbag looked like a complete scruff! What's that all about? The RAF economising on No2 uniform?
Actually yes, the RAF No2 uniform was discontinued in the 90s and since then they've only had the No1 SD uniform and the various working dress. Army No2 = RAF No1 and Army No1 = RAF Mess Dress.Vocal Minority said:
...hardcore. A Victoria Cross is always amazing - they have always been difficult to win of course, but these days it is virtually impossible to win one (and live to tell the tale is even more so - he is the first in three medals awarded for action in Afghanistan able to do so).
Always a remarkable read - you win one of them, you don't need anything else.
You dont "win" an award for bravery etc, surely your awarded one. Always a remarkable read - you win one of them, you don't need anything else.
pointedstarman said:
brian394 said:
He no-longer has to salute officers, officers have to salute him... Going to be interesting when he goes near the officers mess now...
Didn't realise that was the rule. Made my evening thinking about it. 
king cool is that!I'll be betting he'll be finding any excuse to visit HQ from now on.
valiant said:
pointedstarman said:
brian394 said:
He no-longer has to salute officers, officers have to salute him... Going to be interesting when he goes near the officers mess now...
Didn't realise that was the rule. Made my evening thinking about it. king cool is that!I'll be betting he'll be finding any excuse to visit HQ from now on.
However I did notice when going up today the COS started his salute before the ,Lcpl which struck me as strange but the above explains it thanks.
Cheese Mechanic said:
That sounds good, your relatives good service has a payback even today , family wise. I have collected OD&M for more years than I care to think, many have fascinating stories behind them .
Was it a WW1 award, the MM? Have you been able to find out what is was awarded for, the citation? Unfortunately most WW1 MM's had no specific citation , so always great when one can be found.
No citation, sadly, but we do know that both he and his brother won one, and although they were for different actions, they were awarded them together in September 1916. It looks like my great grandfather probably received his for action during action at Vermelles in March, but he was wounded in April and didn't return to his batallion until later. His brother probably received his for actions during the battle of the Somme in July or August that year. I think, from memory, that my great grandfather was in the 8th Batallion, Royal Fusiliers, and his brother the 9th.Was it a WW1 award, the MM? Have you been able to find out what is was awarded for, the citation? Unfortunately most WW1 MM's had no specific citation , so always great when one can be found.
brian394 said:
He no-longer has to salute officers, officers have to salute him... Going to be interesting when he goes near the officers mess now...
Sorry, but that's a myth nothing in QRs to suggest he, or the medal, should be saluted. It's the Queen's commission you salute at the end of the day, not the recipient. If you decide to show him respect that's a purely personal position.
One I would whole heartedly endorse by the way.
Kermit power said:
No citation, sadly, but we do know that both he and his brother won one, and although they were for different actions, they were awarded them together in September 1916. It looks like my great grandfather probably received his for action during action at Vermelles in March, but he was wounded in April and didn't return to his batallion until later. His brother probably received his for actions during the battle of the Somme in July or August that year. I think, from memory, that my great grandfather was in the 8th Batallion, Royal Fusiliers, and his brother the 9th.
Both awarded the MM? Looks like sticking their necks out was in the family 
As regards records, if their papers have not survived (service records)then its possible that any surviving battalion war diaries may give clues as to what actions the medals were awarded for. Not an exact science though, the depth of the diaries content can and does vary greatly.
Do you know where your Gt Uncles medals are?
Cheese Mechanic said:
Both awarded the MM? Looks like sticking their necks out was in the family
As regards records, if their papers have not survived (service records)then its possible that any surviving battalion war diaries may give clues as to what actions the medals were awarded for. Not an exact science though, the depth of the diaries content can and does vary greatly.
Do you know where your Gt Uncles medals are?
The battalion war diaries only show the date of the awards and their names/numbers, unfortunately, and my great, great uncle's medals were lost at some point in the past, as were their father's, for service on the Indian North West frontier. He joined the RA in 1888, apparently to avoid being jailed for a fight with a policeman. He was part of the relief of Chitral in 1895. Based on the extract from a book about this action below, I can't help wondering whether he regretted not taking the prison sentence!As regards records, if their papers have not survived (service records)then its possible that any surviving battalion war diaries may give clues as to what actions the medals were awarded for. Not an exact science though, the depth of the diaries content can and does vary greatly.
Do you know where your Gt Uncles medals are?
W G Benyon in 1896 said:
Nothing, I think, can be said too highly in praise of this splendid achievement. Here were some two hundred and fifty men, Hindus and Musselmans, who, working shoulder to shoulder, had brought two mountain guns, with their carriages and supply of ammunition, across some twenty miles of deep, soft snow, across a pass some twelve thousand three hundred and twenty feet high, at the beginning of April, the worst time of the year. It must also be remembered that these men were carrying also their own rifles, greatcoats and eighty rounds of ammunition, and wearing heavy sheepskin coats; they had slept for two nights in the snow, and struggled from dawn till dark, sinking at every step up to their waists, and suffering acutely from a blinding glare and bitter wind.’
Chitral is only 250 miles from Kabul... Over a century later, and we've still got brave young men risking everything in the same neck of the woods. Somehow, you would've hoped we would've moved on by now. 
Kermit power said:
Chitral is only 250 miles from Kabul... Over a century later, and we've still got brave young men risking everything in the same neck of the woods. Somehow, you would've hoped we would've moved on by now.
The action you quote concerns Kelly's Force http://www.britishbattles.com/north-west-frontier-...The siege and releif of Chitral was a great Victorian melodrama . Our gallant upstanding chaps cut off and outnumbered in the fort at Chitral, many many miles from help. The journey of Kelly's Force was held up by the Victorians as a great example of pluck countering adversity. Its unlikely your relative would have been on that march though, as apart from the Officers , the men were almost exclusively Indian Army.
Your relative, would most likely have been with Lowe's force which took a longer more conventional route to Chitral. As said though, Kelly's march was an exemplary achievement and rightfully lauded by the Victorian public. I am lucky to have a somewhat scarce medal to a man who was in the locally raised Hunza levy. He was with Kelly's force , I wish that simple piece of silver could talk.
As regards your relatives medals, if of interest, If you could furnish their details, full name, rank(s) regiment and serial numbers , I could put them out over the collector circuit to see if anyone has them or has seen them. Obviously, in real terms, the possibility is fairly slim, but it does happen, I've witnessed it numerous times. Some remarkable stories to relate.
Cheese Mechanic said:
As regards your relatives medals, if of interest, If you could furnish their details, full name, rank(s) regiment and serial numbers , I could put them out over the collector circuit to see if anyone has them or has seen them. Obviously, in real terms, the possibility is fairly slim, but it does happen, I've witnessed it numerous times. Some remarkable stories to relate.
Ooh, that would be nice, thanks! I've got names, ranks and regiments, but not serial numbers. I'll see if I can find those from relatives, and then drop you a PM. Gassing Station | News, Politics & Economics | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff