An East and West Africa ‘Benin 1897’ and British War Medal Pair to Chief Petty Officer Frederick Leek, Royal Navy, comprising: East and West Africa, 1887-1900, single clasp, Benin 1897 (F. Leek, P.O. 2 Cl. H.M.S. Theseus.); British War Medal, 1914-1920 (143449 F. Leek. C.P.O. R.N.); Pair loose, toned very fine (2) Chief Petty Officer Frederick leek was born on 27 October 1872 at Aston, Warwick, enlisting for service with the Royal Navy at Devonport as Boy 2nd Class on 1 November 1887. After service aboard the ships H.M.S. Shannon, Agamemnon, Colossus, Cambridge, Defiance, Rupert and Thunderer he came aboard H.M.S Theseus at the rank of Leading Seaman for service during the Benin Expedition of 1897 (roll confirms). Promoted swiftly to Petty Officer 1st Class, he continued to serve until 24 October 1912 when he was pensioned and joined the Royal Fleet Reserve. He remained in the R.F.R. during the Great War, being finally ‘demobbed’ on 23 August 1919 (entitled to a Great War trio, 1914-15 Star and Victory Medals absent).

Estimate: GBP 240-280