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Auction: 22133 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 899

The Russian Medal for Zeal pair awarded to Petty Officer Motor Mechanic L. G. Ireland, Royal Naval Air Service (Armoured Car Division), for his service at Kuiskala, Topolul and Galatz, who was later killed in a motorcycling accident

British War Medal 1914-20 (F.2936 L. G. Ireland. P.O.M. R.N.A.S.), Russia, Imperial, Medal for Zeal, the second without loop and with heavy contact wear, good fine (2)

Leslie George Ireland was born at Birmingham on 10 March 1891. Moving to London for work Ireland lived at 16 Springfield Road, Kingston-on-Thames and worked as a Mechanical Engineer. Engaged on 4 January 1915 as Petty Officer Mechanical Engineer he was stationed in Britain from 1915 until 1 October 1916 when he was posted to Russia with the British Armoured Car Division under Commander Locker-Lampson.

While in the east Ireland served mainly on detached service, first on the Caucasian Front at Kuiskala between August-September and later Dobrudsla in the Topolul action. By the end of the year he was in Braila, Romania as the fighting on that front drew to a close. Promoted Leading Petty Officer Motorcyclist on 8 December 1916 he was again sent of detached service to Galatz. Awarded the Russian silver Medal for Zeal on 2 April for 'Hard work whilst serving with the Russian Army in the Caucasus & Roumania'.

Ireland continued to serve at Galatz for the rest of the month until he was riding his bike out from Galatz on 29 April and struck a horse drawn carriage. The crash caused a fracture at the base of his skull and despite being brought into the base hospital he died at 03:00 from a failure of respiration. He is buried at Slobozia Military Cemetery, Romania; sold together with copied service records, medal rolls and medical reports.

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Sold for
£700

Starting price
£70