Colin Leslie LEAGH-MURRAY DFC

LEAGH-MURRAY, Colin Leslie

    Service Numbers: QX4290, 404616
    Enlisted: 21 October 1939, Brisbane, Queensland
    Last Rank: Flight Lieutenant
    Last Unit: No. 16 Squadron (RAF)
    Born: Devonport, Tasmania, 16 February 1913
    Home Town: Brisbane, Brisbane, Queensland
    Schooling: Not yet discovered
    Occupation: Engineer
    Died: Natural causes (heart disease), Beaudesert, Queensland, 6 October 1992, aged 79 years
    Cemetery: Mount Thompson Memorial Gardens & Crematorium, Queensland
    Cremated 9 Oct 1992
    Memorials:
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    World War 2 Service

    21 Oct 1939: Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, QX4290
    21 Oct 1939: Enlisted Private, QX4290, Brisbane, Queensland
    22 Oct 1939: Involvement Private, QX4290
    15 Jan 1940: Discharged Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, QX4290
    15 Jan 1940: Discharged Private, QX4290, 6th Australian Division
    11 Oct 1940: Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Aircraftman 2 (WW2), 404616, Brisbane, Queensland
    11 Oct 1940: Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Lieutenant, 404616
    11 Oct 1940: Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, 404616, No. 2 Initial Training School Bradfield Park, RAAF training at Bradfield Park, Sydney, NSW. No. 2 Initial Training School was formed as part of the Empire Air Training Scheme. New recruits were posted to an Initial Training School to learn the basics of military life.
    9 Jan 1941: Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, 404616, No. 4 Elementary Flying Training School Mascot , Located Mascot, Sydney, NSW
    6 Mar 1941: Embarked Royal Australian Air Force, 404616, 2 Embarkation Depot, Located Bradfield Park, Sydney, NSW. Embarkation in Sydney for Canada followed on 21 March 1941.
    21 Mar 1941: Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, 404616, Royal Canadian Air Force Training Units, Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, SN 404616, No. 1 Y Depot (Halifax) Service Flying Training School (SFTS) Camp Borden, Ontario Canada. Attached to Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) 21 Mar 1941 to 15 Jul 1941.
    16 Jul 1941: Embarked Royal Australian Air Force, 404616, Royal Canadian Air Force Training Units, No. 1 M Depot (RCAF)
    27 Aug 1941: Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Flying Officer, 404616, Operational Training Units (RAF), Empire Air Training Scheme, 'A' Squadron, located RAF Debden, Essex, England. 52 Operational Training Unit (RAF)
    7 Oct 1941: Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Airman Pilot, 404616, No. 56 Squadron (RAF), Air War NW Europe 1939-45
    24 Dec 1941: Wounded 404616, No. 56 Squadron (RAF), Seriously injured in aircraft accident (Hurricane Z3442) at approx 1930hrs near Saffron Walden, Essex, England - fractured skull involving operation, cuts etc. - Hill End Hospital, St Albans. Ref: NAA:A705, 163/146/94
    3 Aug 1944: Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Lieutenant, 404616, No. 16 Squadron (RAF), Air War NW Europe 1939-45
    10 Apr 1945: Honoured Distinguished Flying Cross, Air War NW Europe 1939-45, Citation: Flight Lieutenant LEAGH-MURRAY has completed a long tour on day and night fighters during which his aircraft was shot down on one occasion and he was badly wounded. Despite this harassing experience, he continued to operate with keenness and efficiency. In January 1945, this officer was detailed to photograph targets in the Bremen and Hamburg areas. On breaking cloud, he sighted one JU88 and, although unarmed, he faced an attack against the enemy aircraft which made a sharp turn and then spun through the clouds, out of control. He then continued with his mission and returned safely to base with excellent photographs. Flight Lieutenant LEAGH-MURRAY's splendid courage, thoroughness and determination have played a most valuable part in the successes achieved by his unit. NAA:A9300, LEAGH-MURRAY C
    11 Nov 1946: Discharged Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Lieutenant, 404616

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