Description
Imperial Service Medal, EIIR, Leslie Biddington Blake, Mechanical Transport Driver in Devonport, who years earlier served in the Royal Air Force during WW1 as a Wireless Operator.
Officially impressed: “LESLIE BIDDINGTON BLAKE”
Mounted as issued on original ribbon and pin brooch.
Announced in the London Gazette, 25th April 1961, The queen has been graciously pleased to award the Imperial Service Medal to the following officers on their retirement: “Home Civil Service, Admiralty, BLAKE, Leslie Biddington, Mechanical Transport Driver, Devonport.”
An interesting 1961 Retirement award of the Imperial Service Medal earned by Leslie Biddington Blake.
Leslie was born on 25th July 1900, in Devonport Devon.
He was almost too young to see war service, but almost as soon as he turned 18 years old he had signed up for service in the Royal Air Force on 10th July 1918, he says he was 18 looks to have been allowed to enlist 2 weeks earlier.
He was noted to be a “Wireless Student” as his occupation before enlistment.
He was graded as Aircraftsman 2nd Class his trade profession in the RAF shown as “Wireless Operator Learner”.
It looks like he never went overseas and as he joined late into the war received no medals for his service.
In 1921 he was shown as a Labourer with the Royal Army Ordnance Corps Depot, HM Gunwharf, Devonport.
His father in law, who he lived with and his 2 brothers all worked “Building and Repairing Ships, HM Dockyard”, his mother worked at home.
Later in 1939 he was living in Plymouth, Devon, noted as a “R-N Ambulance Driver”.
He was awarded this medal on his retirement in 1961.
He died in Plymouth during 1966.
