GRIST, Leonard Leslie
| Service Number: | 415138 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 21 July 1941 |
| Last Rank: | Sergeant |
| Last Unit: | No. 8 Squadron (RAAF) |
| Born: | Collie, Western Australia, 25 May 1913 |
| Home Town: | Collie, Collie, Western Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Not yet discovered |
| Died: | Accidental, Canberra Aerodrome, ACT, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia, 3 May 1943, aged 29 years |
| Cemetery: |
Woden (Canberra) Public Cemetery, ACT R.S.L. Plot. Row D. Grave 16, Woden Cemetery, Woden, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Donnybrook War Memorial |
World War 2 Service
| 3 Sep 1939: | Involvement Sergeant, 415138 | |
|---|---|---|
| 21 Jul 1941: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force | |
| 21 Jul 1941: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Sergeant, 415138 | |
| 3 May 1943: | Involvement No. 8 Squadron (RAAF) |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by David Barlow
Son of Clive Dudley Grist and Mary Grist of Collie, WA
Husband of Edith Edna Grist of Kalgoorlie, WA
RAAF Beaufort aircraft A9-258 of Number 8 Squadron crashed at Canberra Aerodrome, ACT killing Sergeant (Pilot) Leonard Leslie Grist 415138 & Flying Officer (Observer) Owens McAlister Howden 408845
The aircraft overshot the runway whilst attempting a forced landing due to engine failure. A re-take-off was attempted but the aircraft stalled, crashed and burnt.
Three other crew members were injured:
Corporal George Leonard Morris 19803 - discharged 20 Nov 1945 from Number 1 Operational Training Unit
Sergeant Edgar Joseph Daly BEM 405903 - discharged 27 Aug 1945 from Number 37 Squadron as a Flying Officer
Sergeant Bryon Veitch MacLean BEM 414053 - Killed in Action 15 Nov 1943 over Rabaul with 8 Squadron
Both Sergeant Daly and Sergeant MacLean were awarded with the British Empire Medal (BEM) for their actions following the crash of Beaufort A9-258 in rescuing a crewmate from the blazing wreckage.
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