Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A scarce Africa General Service Medal for Kenya awarded to Lance Corporal D. V. Leaman, 1st Battalion, The Devonshire Regiment, who died of gunshot wounds received on operations against the Mau Mau, 10 November 1953

Africa General Service 1902-56, 1 clasp, Kenya (22652621 Pte D V Leaman Devons) in named box of issue, a later issue with engraved naming, nearly extremely fine £200-£300

Derek Victor Leaman was a ‘19 year old Torquay soldier serving in Kenya with the 1st Battalion, The Devonshire Regiment... has died in a Military Hospital after receiving gunshot wounds while on active service against Mau Mau terrorists.

A War Officer telegram... told Mr and Mrs E. Leaman, of 36 Starpitten Grove that their son Derek, a lance-corporal with B Company, died at Nyeri Military Hospital on Tuesday.... Before joining the Army, Derek was employed as a market gardener at Stokeinteignhead... Derek, one of a family of eleven... was at 16 years of age, interested in horses and for a time he was apprenticed as a jockey...’ (newspaper cutting included in lot refers)

Lance Corporal Leaman died from a gunshot wound to the pelvis received whilst on operations. He died in Nyeri Military Hospital, 10 November 1953, and is buried in Nairobi Cemetery.

Sold with the following original and contemporary documents: Army Certificate of Education Third Class, dated 20 June 1953; Inventory of Soldier’s Effects, dated 19 January 1954; letter addressed to recipient’s mother regarding photographs of her son’s grave and funeral from Captain and Adjutant J. P. Randle, Devonshire Regiment, dated 4 January 1954; photograph of recipient’s funeral, and grave; newspaper cutting relating to recipient’s death, dated 13 November 1953.