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Auction: 20001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - conducted behind closed doors
Lot: 607

'A rocket exploded over my head. That was probably the worst thing that happened. It really messes you up, you don't know what to do.'

Lance Corporal L. J. Spencer on his time in Iraq to The Post

The Iraq Medal awarded to Private L. J. Spencer, Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment, who aged 23 served alongside his older brother in the 1st Battalion

Iraq 2003-11, no clasp (25103805 Pte L J Spencer PWRR), post a little slack, otherwise nearly extremely fine

Lee J. Spencer, a native of Dagenham, was born in 1981 and educated at Dagenham Priory before enlisting in the British Army in August 2003. He won the 'Best Endeavour' prize in 2 Platoon Imphal Company having displayed the most improvement during the Combat Infantryman's Course, which he passed on 13 February 2004. He was quoted in a local newspaper following the award:

'I chose to join the Army because it has been a dream since childhood. I joined my local regiment as I already have friends serving with them. From all they have told me I can expect an exciting time in the next few years.'

He didn't have to wait long, for he was deployed immediately alongside his older brother Dean with the 1st Battalion to Iraq. Based out of Alamera, south of Basra, the brothers spent 'months dodging bullets and bombs' but returned safely to their family in November 2004. Dean recalls one contact:

'One particular time I was at Cimic doing a route protection for supplies that were coming in. We were waiting at a crossroads when suddenly shots started going off. We didn't think much of it, then it became more constant and we were told blokes were getting shot at. We ran across the road and lined up, but there were trees in our way so we couldn't see where the shots were coming from. These shots were going by and there were a couple of explosions. My boss tried to get on the radio and didn't realise that he was showing himself - shots were missing his legs by inches and we had to drag him in.'

The group saw out the fight for some two and a half hours before support came in:

'We jumped in and sitting to my left was my brother. There were nine of us crammed into the back of this tank with all our kit on and we had to sit there for about 45 minutes while they fired at us'

Lee added:

'It was unusual for us to be in the same tank, they don't normally allow brothers to go together in case the worst happens.'

Having served a further tour in Iraq, Spencer left the Army on 23 May 2008, having been advanced Lance Corporal; sold together with copied Certificate of Service, Combat Infantryman Certificate, a run of 40 payslips, 'Best Endeavour' tankard award, newspaper cuttings and Regimental Journal.

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Sold for
£140

Starting price
£100