A Royal Marine 'Bootneck Cameleer' Abu Klea 'Gordon Relief Expedition' campaign medal pair: Private  Joseph Leonard, Royal Marine Light Infantry late Guards Camel Regiment

- Egypt Medal 1882-89. Undated 2 x clasps 'The Nile 1884-85' & 'Abu Klea' (Pte. J. Leonard. R.M.L.I.)
- Egypt (Khedivate): Khedives Star. Obverse dated 1884-6

Medals & Clasps Verification: Both medals verified as entitled, and the recipients full service medal entitlement, per below cited medal roll & service sheet sources:

- Egypt & Sudan Medal 1882-89 2 x clasps 'Nile 84-85' & 'Abu Klea': ADM 171/43, sent 21/12/86
- Egypt (Khedivate): Khedives Star. Obv dated 1884-6: Recorded on service sheet ADM 159/63/1757
 
Joseph William Leonard was born in Bristol, England, 26 July 1860. By trade a 'Labourer' he enlisted in the Royal Marine Light Infantry at Bristol on his 18th birthday, 26 July 1878, and joined the Recruit Depot at Walmer the same day. Throughout his career, with the Royal Marines, his extant service sheet bears testimony to numerous run-ins with authority, resulting in a catalogue of periods spent 'In Cells' & 'Gaol'. Evidently a 'Hard-Man' he was marked for active service, when in 1884, he found himself 'chosen' with just 92 'All-Ranks' of the Royal Marines destined for the Sudan and the 'Gordon Relief Expedition' for service as mounted 'Cameleers' with the Guards Camel Regiment. He took part in the Nile Expedition to relieve Khartoum and was present at the Camel Corps action at Abu Klea fought on 17th January 1885. At Abu Klea the Royal Marines formed part of the right face of the defensive square. The charge of the Mahdists resulted in a break in the square, the attackers entering the centre of the square, they were prevented from reaching the rear ranks of the opposing faces by the camels. The rear rank of the Mounted Infantry in the front face and Foot Guards and Royal Marines of the Guards Camel Regiment in the right face turned about and opened a devastating fire on the Mahdists. After a few tense moments those that had entered the square were shot down and the charge died away, 9 x Royal Marines were killed, and others wounded

After the Battle of Abu Klea, Joseph joined the base and training ship H.M.S. Revenge until she was paid off in August 1887. Joseph was invalided out of the service on 11 May 1888. At the time of the compilation of the 1891 National Census for England and Wales, Joseph records him working at the 'Lead Works', and residing at 13 College Street, St. Augustine, Bristol, where he lived with his wife, Charlotte. By 1911, Joseph had re-married and was then employed as a 'Docker'. He is recorded to have died in Bristol, England in June 1921 

The recipient's service sheet is extant and accessible at The National Archives

An extremely scarce and desirable campaign medal pair to a Royal Marines 'Cameleer Bootneck'

The Egypt Medal with only a few light pit marks from contact wear

Condition: Egypt medal toned. The pair about GVF 

Code: 26181