Orders, Decorations and Medals

A Second World War ‘Malta Service’ M.B.E. group of nine awarded to Lieutenant L. A. Creed, Royal Navy

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Military) Member’s 2nd type breast badge, silver; British War and Victory Medals (M.7078 Act. E.R.A.4, R.N.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star; Defence and War Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf; Coronation 1937, mounted as worn, second and third with edge bruising, very fine and better (9) £300-350

M.B.E. London Gazette 30 June 1942 ‘For courage, efficiency and tireless devotion to duty in staff and maintenance work at Malta in spite of continuous heavy air attacks’.

M.I.D. London Gazette 1 January 1940. ‘Mr Leonard Arthur Creed, Commissioned Engineer, H.M. Submarine Triumph. ‘For undaunted courage, steadfastness, coolness and resource in saving ships and life at sea in the face of peril and adversity’.

Leonard Arthur Creed was born in Howden, Yorkshire, on 22 February 1898. He entered the Royal Navy on 22 February 1916 as a Boy and was advanced to Engine Room Artificer 5th Class in January 1918. He served in the latter part of the war aboard the battleship St. Vincent and was promoted to E.R.A. 4th Class in October 1918.

On 23 December 1939, the submarine Triumph was severely damaged by a mine whilst on patrol in the Skagerrack off the coast of Norway. Eighteen feet of the ship’s bows were blown away. With the help of Commissioned Engineer Creed and others she managed to limp back to base. For his services aboard the vessel he was mentioned in despatches. At the same rank, he was later awarded the M.B.E. for his services on the Island of Malta with the 10th Submarine Flotilla. In 1944 Creed was stationed at H.M.S. Cyclops (Chatham) as Engineer Lieutenant for Submarines. Sold with copied service paper and other research.