Kenneth Edward Wright LEIGH

LEIGH, Kenneth Edward Wright

Service Number: 422646
Enlisted: 22 May 1942
Last Rank: Pilot Officer
Last Unit: No. 6 Service Flying Training School Mallala
Born: Chatswood, New South Wales, Australia, 21 October 1920
Home Town: Sydney, City of Sydney, New South Wales
Schooling: Not yet discovered
Occupation: Bank clerk
Died: Accidental (training flight), Ontario, Canada, 21 April 1944, aged 23 years
Cemetery: Riverside Cemetery, Dunnville, Ontario, Canada
Plot 845, Grave 7
Memorials: Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour
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World War 2 Service

3 Sep 1939: Involvement Pilot Officer, 422646
22 May 1942: Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Aircraftman 2 (WW2), Sydney, New South Wales
22 May 1942: Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Pilot Officer, 422646
21 Apr 1944: Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Pilot Officer, 422646, No. 6 Service Flying Training School Mallala, Empire Air Training Scheme

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Biography contributed by Paul Trevor

"Roll of Honour.

LEIGH.—April 21, 1944, result of aircraft crash at Willow Grove, Canada, Kenneth Edward, Pilot Officer Instructor, R.A.A.F., beloved only son of Mr. and Mrs. T. Leigh and brother of Lorn of 16 Barrack Street, Sydney. His life's ambition now fulfilled." from The Sydney Morning Herald 24 Apr 1944 (nla.gov.au)

"On Active Service.

LEIGH.—In loving memory of our son and brother, Pilot-Officer Kenneth Leigh, 422646 (flying instructor), attached R.C.A.F., killed
aircraft accident near Dunnville, Canada, April 21, 1944. A tribute to his pupil, L.A.C. Kendall, of Ottawa. Sadly missed by his parents and sister, Lorna.

LEIGH.—In loving memory of my grandson Pilot-Officer Kenneth Leigh, No. 422646, killed April 21, 1944, in Canada. Always remembered by his nana, Mrs. E. E. Wright.

LEIGH.—In memory of Pilot-Officer Ken. E. W. Leigh, killed in Canada while doing his part in world upheaval, April 21, 1944. Inserted by boys of the bank.

Return Thanks.

The FAMILY of the late PILOT OFFICER LEIGH wish to acknowledge with appreciation the efforts of the Ladies Committee of Dunnville Ontario Canada in caring for the graves situated at Riverside Cemetery, Dunnville. Truly a great job of work being done unheralded." from The Sydney Morning Herald 21 Apr 1945 (nla.gov.au)

AIRCREWS FACED DEADLY PERIL IN DUNNVILLE SKIES.

Apr. 21: Harvard 3230, 4 miles west of Willow Grove at 0040 hrs. For some unknown reason student and instructor unable to maintain equilibrium by instruments or sensory aids, losing control and crashing. 2 fatalities.

P/Officer Kenneth Edward Wright Leigh 422646, age 24, from Chatswood NSW, R.A.A.F.,Pilot and Clyde Crosby Kendall R214213, Pilot Trainee, aged 24, from Toronto, killed. Burial for P/O Leigh took place in the Military Plot in Riverside Cemetery, Dunnville. Burial for LAC Kendall took place in Park Lawn Cemetery, Toronto. SOURCE (www.rcafmuseum.org)

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