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Auction: 20003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 238

'I wish to thank you for the many years of devoted service that you have given to the Royal Marines… As a Colour Sergeant and Platoon Weapons Instructor you have made a special contribution to the Corps. You have helped to maintain our high standards and traditions and I wish you every good fortune for the future and continued success.'

Lieutenant-General J. M. C. Garrod's warm send-off for Colour Sergeant Macleod

The impressive B.E.M., Royal Marines M.S.M. group of five awarded to Colour-Sergeant A. H. G. Macleod, 3 Commando Brigade, Royal Marines, who fought in this elite unit in the Falklands War, and was decorated for his outstanding service as its Welfare S.N.C.O. at the height of The Troubles

British Empire Medal, Military Division, E.II.R. (C. Sgt. Alexander H. G. Macleod, R.M/ PO19033M); General Service Medal 1962-2007, 1 clasp, Northern Ireland (PO190033M A.H.G. Macleod Sgt. RM); South Atlantic 1982, with rosette (CSGT A.H.G. Macleod PO19033M); Royal Marines Meritorious Service Medal, E.II.R. (CSGT A.H.G. Macleod po19033M RM); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., E.II.R. (PO19033M Sgt. A.H.G. Macleod RM), mounted as worn, very fine (5)

B.E.M. London Gazette 11 June 1988. The original recommendation states:

'Colour Sergeant Macleod has been the Welfare SNCO for the 3 Commando Brigade HQ & Signal Squadron R.M. since 7 December 1982. It is a job that has demanded the highest levels of personal sacrifice, compassion and efficiency. These standards have been met in a quite outstanding way by CSgt Macleod who has not spared himself whilst seeking the Welfare of others. Responsible for 5 units, both major and minor, in the Plymouth area he is frequently called to assist other units whose welfare NCO's are absent on leave, course or due to illness. He is on constant call and in increasing demand in a Service noted for its turbulence and marital separation. At all times he maintains the interests of the Service whilst providing superb support to its men and dependants.

Personally responsible for the aftercare of families following the tragic deaths of 3 Marines he has also cared for a man who suffered brain damage and another who, after a road accident, became tetraplegic. In all these cases he has single-mindedly kept the welfare of the individual as his highest priority. He substantially eased the bereavement of the widows by helping them through the legal and financial implications of their loss as well as the compassionate counselling of them during their recovery.

He is a constant source of support to the wives be it assistance during bad weather to the placement of children in day care centres during the mother's convalescence or further childbirth. He has eased the administrative burden from the command structure by his detailed counselling of those in financial difficulties including 2 cases of bankruptcy. Sgt Macleod's outstanding achievements lie not merely in his abilities or in his prolific work rate but in the compassion, dedication and good sense with which he deals with the most tragic cases. Without doubt he deserves the full recognition sought which is proffered with the heartfelt thanks of the men he supports.'

Alexander Henry Geddes Macleod was born at Inverness on 28 June 1940. After civilian employment as an apprentice plumber, he attested for the Royal Marines at Deal on 15 September 1959. Within a month he gained qualifications in swimming and P.T., and on 18 June 1960 he was posted to 41 Commando as a Marine 2nd Class. He was promoted to Marine 1st Class on 15 October that year; his Certificate of Service reveals that he got a tattoo of a sea chest on his left forearm.

Transferring to 45 Commando on 24 February 1961, Macleod rose to Lance-Corporal on 1 September 1961. He married on 29 December 1962, and lived with his wife Sheena at 115 Beaumaris Road, Hartley Vale, Plymouth, before serving aboard H.M.S. Tiger from 22 March 1963. Returning to the Infantry Training Centre, R.M. on 16 January 1964, Macleod was promoted to Corporal on 1 April 1964, also qualifying as a Platoon Weapons Instructor on 1 July. He served abroad H.M.S. Protector from 12 March 1965, advanced to Sergeant on 14 July 1968, and joined 40 Commando on 18 December 1972 for service in Northern Ireland (Medal and clasp). He transferred to H.M.S. Diomede on 12 March 1974.

Macleod became a Colour Sergeant on 14 April 1976, serving at this rank aboard H.M.S. Hermes from 10 January 1978. He transferred to 3 Commando Brigade Headquarters and Signal Squadron on 8 September 1981, and remained with this elite unit throughout the Falklands War. He sent a telegram to his wife and children from Port Stanley on 24 June 1982, with the words: 'Darling Sheena and kids, love you all, be home late July.' While there he supervised the construction of 'The Globe and Laurel', the Corps' very own pub.

Following this conflict Macleod undertook a Welfare Counselling Course at Birmingham University as part of his training. This qualification proved invaluable during his outstanding service at Plymouth as 3 Commando Brigade's Welfare S.N.C.O. It was for his exceptional work in this role that he received the B.E.M., as his original recommendation makes clear (see above). Prince Philip sent his personal congratulations to Macleod via telegram.

Macleod was greatly missed by the Staff of the Director of Naval Recruiting after he retired on 4 January 1989. His character throughout his service was described as 'very good', and on being discharged it was described as 'exemplary'. He received three Good Conduct Badges in addition to the Meritorious Service Medal, which he was awarded on 17 October 1986.

Sold with the following archive, comprising:

(i) The recipient's Naval Pay and Identity Book, Certificate of Service, and Kit History Sheet.

(ii) A letter from Lieutenant-General J. M. C. Garrod, Commandant General of the Royal Marines, congratulating Macleod on his B.E.M.

(iii) A photocopy of the tele-message sent by the Duke of Edinburgh to Macleod, with the words: 'Many congratulations on your well deserved honour.'

(iv) Four silver-plated teaspoons made to commemorate the Falklands War, the bowls engraved 'FALKLANDS VICTORY, 14TH JUNE 1982', and each handle terminating in a different themed tip: H.M.S. Ark Royal, H.M.S. Hermes, H.M.S. Sheffield, and a helicopter.

(v) Several photographs of the recipient, some in colour, showing him at various stages of his career.




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Sold for
£2,600

Starting price
£2500