Corporal Leonard D Baines

{ Basher }

  • General Service Medal Clasp (1962 onwards) medal
  • South Atlantic Medal with Rosette
  • United Nations Medal, Cyprus

I joined the Army cadets, 145 PARA ACF in New Addington (Surrey), in about 1972 and left having achieved the rank of L/Cpl.

I then joined 2 Coy 10 PARA (TAVR) in early 1976, leaving in order to join the regular Army in October 1976 and went on to serve 12 years, following Depot PARA (433 Platoon, Lt McFall, Sgt Mick Wright, Cpl Atkinson).

Most of my time was served with 3 PARA, starting in a rifle section (Section Commander Cpl K McCarthy KIA Mount Longdon 1982). As 'Joe Crow' you always got a bit of the heavy kit and I got the 84mm 'Charlie G', until the radio operator fell on his head during a night tank stalk in Germany, then I got promoted to radio operator; the radio kit was heavier than the 84! 

As  I showed I could use it I ended up on a signals course, and was eventually taken into the Signal Platoon, where I stayed for the remainder of my service.  I completed various signals and infantry courses (Battalion tactics cadre with Cpl McKay, later Sgt VC, KIA Mount Longdon 1982) ending up as Corporal (Local Sergeant on SNCO course). 

I served in Germany, 2 tours of Northern Ireland (Op Banner: 1978, 1980-81), Canada, Norway, Op Corporate (Falklands), USA (1982, 1986), Belize in 1984 (where I got malaria), Cyprus 1986 (UN Tour) and 1987.

In the Falklands I commanded a Rebroad cast station as a Private in charge of two L/Cpls from the Royal Signals for 11 days and survived two Blue on Blue contacts, before joining A Coy Sigs Det for the Battle of Mount Longdon, my Detachment Commander Cpl S Hope was KIA, resulting in my promotion to L/Cpl.

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Service History

Decorations

  • General Service Medal Clasp (1962 onwards) medal GSM
    GSM, clasp Northern Ireland
  • South Atlantic Medal with Rosette
  • Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal (Police)
  • Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal (Police)
  • Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (Police)
Leonard  D Baines

Group photos_2

  • Pte Baines Signals Platoon 3 PARA with 40 Sigs Rear Link and Cpl Lance Preston REME, Ascension Island 1982

    Pte Baines Signals Platoon 3 PARA with 40 Sigs Rear Link and Cpl Lance Preston REME, Ascension Island 1982

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Solo photos_1

  • Pte Len Baines on Mount Longdon looking towards Port Stanley, morning of 12 June 1982.

    Pte Len Baines on Mount Longdon looking towards Port Stanley, morning of 12 June 1982.

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