Leith, Colin Russell 'Rusty' (Flight Lieutenant, b.1922 – d.2010)

Collection relating to the Second World War service of 411790 Flight Lieutenant Colin Russell ‘Rusty’ Leith, 453 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force, Canada, United Kingdom, France, 1941-1946.

Wallet 1 of 4 – Consists of two folders of hand-written letters [with associated envelopes] by Flight Lieutenant Leith to his father, Mr John Alexander Colin Leith and step-mother Mrs Olive Irene Leith, during his service in Canada and England, dated from October 1941 to July 1942.

Wallet 1 of 4, Folder 1 of 2 contains eight letters by Flight Lieutenant Leith during his training in Canada, dated 18 October to 28 December 1941. In these letters Flight Lieutenant Leith writes about his movements, first observations of Canada, train travel to Camp Borden, befriending Canadian civilian George Ronald (and the Ronald family), food rations and meals, training flights, courses and exams, local weather, meeting various servicemen, requests for Australian paraphernalia, recreational activities, sending and receiving mail and Christmas leave. He also sends regards to friends and family back home.

Wallet 1 of 4, Folder 2 of 2 contains 30 letters by Flight Lieutenant Leith during his training in Canada and England, dated 3 January to 29 July 1942. In these letters Flight Lieutenant Leith writes about New Year’s celebrations, receiving mail and parcels, local weather, his health, listening to and making radio broadcasts, watching picture shows, training flight accidents, spending leave with the Ronald family, seeing fellow servicemen, results of training exams, performing solo flights, food rations and meals, his graduation and Wings parade, movements and relevant postal addresses, observations of New York, a visit to Washington and Congress with the help of Mrs Squire and U.S Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Mr Sol Bloom, sailing to England, site seeing tours of England, pay allotments and banking, visiting family in Somerset and accommodation. He also sends well wishes to friends and family.

Wallet 2 of 4 – Consists of two folders of hand-written letters [with associated envelopes] by Flight Lieutenant Leith to his father, Mr John Alexander Colin Leith and step-mother, Mrs Olive Irene Leith, during his service in the United Kingdom, dated from August 1942 to July 1943.

Wallet 2 of 4, Folder 1 of 2 contains 23 letters by Flight Lieutenant Leith during his service in England and Scotland, dated 2 August to 27 December 1942. In these letters Flight Lieutenant Leith writes about his movements, mail and parcels, pay allocation and banking, seeing fellow servicemen, playing football, latest casualties, an unsuccessful operational flight, watching picture shows, reading newspapers, local weather, a visit to the Edinburgh Evening newspaper office, playing golf at St Andrews, accommodation, visiting family in London and Keynsham, being featured in The Daily Star newspaper, food rations and meals. He also sends well wishes and Christmas greeting to friends and family back home.

Wallet 2 of 4, Folder 2 of 2 contains 26 letters by Flight Lieutenant Leith during his service in England, dated 2 January to 27 July 1943. In these letters Flight Lieutenant Leith writes about his movements, receiving and sending parcels and cables, recording messages and listening to radio broadcasts, New Year’s celebrations, watching picture shows, playing football, local weather, food rations and meals, pay allotment and banking, accommodation and living conditions, visiting family in London and Newcastle, his health, seeing fellow servicemen, a promotion to Flight Sergeant and operational training flights. He also sends well wishes to friends and family back home.

Wallet 3 of 4 – Consists of three folders containing hand-written letters and aerographs [with associated envelopes] by Flight Lieutenant Leith to his father, Mr John Alexander Colin Leith and step-mother, Mrs Olive Irene Leith, during his service in England and France, dated from August 1943 to July 1945.

Wallet 3 of 4, Folder 1 of 3 contains 21 letters by Flight Lieutenant Leith during his service in England, dated 1 August to 28 December 1943. In these letters he writes about meeting fellow servicemen, receiving parcels and cables, pay allotment and banking, exploring various English cities while on recreational leave, local weather, accommodation and living conditions, seeing picture shows, visiting London, meals and food rations, attending a training course, a successful air operation, playing sports, movements, becoming a Pilot Gunnery Instructor for the 57 Operational Training Unit and Christmas celebrations. He also sends well wishes to friends and family back home.

Wallet 3 of 4, Folder 2 of 3 contains 26 letters by Flight Lieutenant Leith during his service in England and France, dated 2 January to 25 July 1944. In these letters he writes about successful flight operations, seeing picture films, attending parties, recreational leave in Newcastle, playing football and soccer, banking, receiving mail and parcels, sending photos and cables, casualties, seeing fellow servicemen, spending leave with relatives, local weather and his health.

Wallet 3 of 4, Folder 3 of 3 contains 47 letters by Flight Lieutenant Leith following his return to unit from an escape from enemy territory in France, dated 30 August 1944 to 1 July 1945. In these letters he writes about his safe return to his Squadron in France, celebrations relating to the French liberation, various details of his escape after a crash landing in enemy territory and the final advances of the Allies in France. These letters also mention receiving mail, sending cables, his promotion to flight lieutenant and award of the Distinguished Flying Cross, 72075 Corporal Jim Ferguson’s 'missing presumed dead' status and safe return, seeing fellow servicemen, local weather, visiting friends and family during leave in England, sending Christmas presents, news of family including his brother 444610 Pilot Officer Ian Stuart Leith, air raids, seeing picture shows, his movements, accommodation and return home.

Wallet 4 of 4 – Consists of two folders of material relating to Flight Lieutenant Leith’s service, award of Distinguished Flying Cross and escape from enemy territory in France, dated from 1942 to 1943.

Wallet 4 of 4, Folder 1 of 2 contains service documents, letters, telegrams, newspaper cuttings and a notebook relating to the service of Flight Lieutenant Leith, dated 1942 to 1943. This folder contains:
1x Identity Card relating to Flight Lieutenant Leith, [undated].
1x Letter from Mrs Ethel Ronald, Toronto, Canada to Mrs Olive Leith, dated 2 March 1942. In this letter Mrs Ronald informs Mrs Leith of Flight Lieutenant Leith’s graduation from flying school and the receipt of his Wings.
1x Card issued by Mr Sol Bloom of the House of Representatives, Washington, USA relating to Flight Lieutenant Leith and Mr Squire, dated 5 May 1942.
1x Letter from Ms Casey [exact identity unknown] to Mr Crawford [exact identity unknown], dated 5 March 1942. In this hand-written letter, Ms Casey informs Mr Crawford of Flight Lieutenant Leith’s day in Washington, USA.
1x Royal Canadian Air Force Record of Kit issued to Flight Lieutenant Leith, dated 25 May 1941.
2x Newspaper cuttings [with associated envelope] from The Daily Star newspaper, dated 23 October and 31 October 1942. These cuttings contain photos of Flight Lieutenant Leith playing card games, relating to articles about pilots passing time playing games whilst on standby.
1x Newspaper cutting from the Toronto Star newspaper, dated November 1942. This cutting contains a group photo of Australian airmen at Camp Borden, Canada, including Flight Lieutenant Leith.
1x Newspaper cutting from the Daily Express newspaper, dated 15 January 1943. This cutting contains an illustration of an English aeroplane crashed into the sea, with the English Air Force roundel enclosed in a wreath of remembrance.
1x Certificate of the Service and Discharge issued by the Royal Australian Air Force relating to Flight Lieutenant Leith, dated 2 May 1943. This certificate contains information of his service, including postings, awards, ranks and special qualifications.
1x Photograph of a group of servicemen [including Flight Lieutenant Leith] from ‘Dead Beat Haven’ on Dutton Hainestall, a Fighter Pilot Rest Home, c June 1943.
1x Telegram [sender unknown], Sydney, New South Wales to Mrs Leith, dated 26 July 1943. This telegram contains information regarding Flight Lieutenant Leith’s broadcast.
1x Photograph portrait of Flight Lieutenant Leith, Ibslay-Hampshire, England, dated 15 August 1943.
1x Notebook relating to Flight Lieutenant Leith’s training in Course 33, dated 2 September 1943. This notebook contains hand-written training notes on sightings, shooting, cleaning and maintenance of flights.
1x Letter from Mr John Leith and Mrs Olive Irene Leith, Rose Bay, New South Wales, to Flight Lieutenant Leith, dated 10 October 1943. Within their typed letters, they congratulate him on his successful air operations published in the local paper, and inform of updates from home and news of friends and family.

Wallet 4 of 4, Folder 2 of 2 contains service documents, telegrams, letters and manuscript relating to Flight Lieutenant Leith’s escape and return from enemy territory in France, and award for the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC), dated 1944 to 1946. This folder contains:

1x Personal Clothing Card issued by the Royal Australian Air Force relating to Flight Lieutenant Leith, dated 14 February 1944.
1x Identity Card issued by the Royal Australian Air Force relating to Flight Lieutenant Leith, dated 19 May 1944. This card contains basic personal information and one portrait of Flight Lieutenant Leith.
1x Letter from 407256 Wing Commander Donald Hamilton Smith, 453 Squadron, London, England to Mr John Leith, dated 26 July 1944. In this letter Wing Commander Smith sends his sympathies and best wishes on behalf of 452 Squadron, in regards to Flight Lieutenant Leith’s missing status.
1x Telegram from Air Force 391, Melbourne, Victoria to Mr John A C Leith, Rose Bay, New South Wales, dated 28 July 1944. This telegram informs Mr John Leith of Flight Lieutenant Leith’s missing status after failing to return from operations in Elbeuf and Lisieux, France on 25 July 1944.
1x Telegram [and associated envelope] from the Royal Australian Air Force, Melbourne, Victoria to Mr John Leith, dated 29 July 1944. This telegram informs Mr John Leith of Flight Lieutenant Leith’s missing status after failing to return from operations in Elbeuf and Lisieux, France on 25 July 1944.
1x Document of a list of contacts for Department of Air’s Causality and Repository sections, c July 1944. This document relates to Flight Lieutenant Leith’s recent missing status.
1x Document ‘Confidential nature of information disclosed to next of kin’ published by the Department of Air, c 1944. This document stresses the importance of confidentiality within information released regarding general operations security, in regards to Flight Lieutenant Leith’s escape from enemy territory in France.
1x Document, c July 1944. This document warns of the delays in receiving information on missing men captured as prisoners of war by Germans.
2x Leaflets, c July 1944. These two leaflets relate to telegrams forwarded relating to Flying Officer Leith’s missing status.
1x Document titled ‘Warning against giving information about your escape or how you evaded capture’, issued by the Air Ministry, dated 24 August 1944. This document outlines the offences in publishing or communicating any information regarding service personnel escapes or evading capture from the enemy.
1x Confidential letter from 125 Wing Headquarters, Royal Air Force, to Royal Australian Air Force Overseas Headquarters, dated 26 August 1944. This letter relates to Flight Lieutenant Leith’s return to his unit, and outlines processes required in his return to service.
1x List of personal effects relating to Flight Lieutenant Leith, c 1944. This list contains various personal and service items belonging to Flight Lieutenant Leith.
1x Urgent telegram from Air Force 391, Melbourne, Victoria to Mr John Leith, dated 29 August 1944. This telegram informs Mr John Leith of Flight Lieutenant Leith’s safe return to his squadron on 25 August 1944.
1x Urgent telegram from Air Force 391, Melbourne, Victoria to Mr John A C Leith, dated 30 August 1944. This telegram informs Mr Leith of Flight Lieutenant Leith’s safe return to his squadron on 25 August 1944.
1x Letter from Flight Lieutenant Leith to Mr Ferguson, dated 6 October 1944. In this letter Flight Lieutenant Leith sends his sympathies for the assumed death of 72075 Corporal Jim Ferguson, and informs of the events that took place leading to his disappearance.
1x Cable Wireless telegram from the Leith family, Rose Bay, New South Wales to Flight Lieutenant Leith, dated 22 January 1945. This telegram sends congratulations on Flight Lieutenant Leith’s decoration.
1x Letter from Wing Commander T E Hilton [thought to be 400249 Toderick Edmund Hilton], Royal Australian Air Force Liaison Officer, London, England to Flight Lieutenant Leith, dated 25 January 1945. In this letter he is congratulated on his receipt of award and decoration.
1x Telegram [with associated envelope] from ‘Dickson’ [exact identity unknown], London, England to Flight Lieutenant Leith, Matlakse-Norwich, England, dated 25 January 1945. In this telegram Dickson sends congratulations to Flight Lieutenant Leith on his award of the DFC.
1x Cable Wireless “Via Imperial” telegram from Meg Gwilliam, Manly, New South Wales, to Flight Lieutenant Leith, dated 25 January 1945. This telegram sends Miss Gwilliam’s congratulations to Flight Lieutenant Leith on his award of the DFC.
1x Letter from Air Vice Marshal Wrigley, Royal Australian Air Force, Kingsway, London, to Flight Lieutenant Leith, dated 25 January 1945. In this letter he sends congratulations on the award of DFC, and forwards a DFC ribbon.
1x Letter from Air Marshal Sir Roderick Hill, Royal Air Force Headquarters, London, England, to Flight Lieutenant Leith, dated 26 January 1945. In this letter he is congratulated on the award of the DFC, and praised for his ‘magnificent record of operations in the air’.
1x Telegram from ‘Leslie Muriel, Bill Coghlan and all’ to Flight Lieutenant Leith, dated 27 January 1945. This telegram sends heartiest congratulations to Flight Lieutenant Leith on his award of the DFC.
1x Telegram from Secretary M C Langslow, Department of Air, Melbourne, Victoria to Mr John Leith, dated 29 January 1945. This telegram relates to Flight Lieutenant Leith’s award of the DFC.
1x Letter from Group Captain Winreke, Director of Personal Services, Royal Australian Air Force, to the Leith family, c January 1945. This letter reports of Flight Lieutenant Leith’s successful air operations.
1x Telegram from Airboard, Melbourne, Victoria to Mr John A C Leith, dated 30 January 1945. This telegram sends congratulations to Mr John Leith for Flight Lieutenant Leith’s award of the DFC.
1x Cable Wireless telegram from the Leith family, Rose Bay, New South Wales to Flight Lieutenant Leith, dated 30 January 1945. This telegram sends congratulations, loving greetings and hopes for a future reunion.
1x Cable Wireless “Via Imperial” telegram from Miss Meg Gwilliam, Manly, New South Wales, to Flight Lieutenant Leith, dated 1 February 1945. This telegram sends Miss Gwilliam’s pride in hearing of his recent decoration.
1x Cable Wireless “Via Imperial” telegram from Ms Jean Cook, Sydney, New South Wales to Flight Lieutenant Leith, dated 4 February 1945. This telegram sends Ms Cook’s hearty congratulations.
1x Cable Wireless telegram from ‘C Coghlan’ [exact identity unknown] to Flight Lieutenant Leith, dated 7 February 1945. In this telegram he is congratulated on his recent promotion and decoration.
1x Cable Wireless telegram from 444610 Pilot Officer Ian Stuart Leith, to Flight Lieutenant Leith, dated 8 February 1945. This telegram sends congratulations to Flight Lieutenant Leith on his award to DFC.
1x Confidential letter from the Secretary of Central Chancery of Orders of Knighthood, London, England to Flight Lieutenant Leith, dated 30 June 1945. In this letter he is invited to attend an Investiture at Buckingham Palace on 10 July 1945.
1x Hand-written document ‘Details from Log Book’, dated from 24 July 1942 to 4 July 1945. This document contains information from Flight Lieutenant Leith’s flights, including aircraft types, hours and miles accumulated over this period.
1x Manuscript titled ‘Australian Spitfire Pilot and the Lisieux-Orbec French Resistance Group, July – August, 1944’, c 1945. This manuscript contains Flight Lieutenant Leith’s personal account of his escape from enemy territory in France from July to August 1944.
1x Statement of Special Forces Deferred Pay and Statement of Account issued by the Royal Australian Air Force, relating to Flight Lieutenant Leith, dated from 6 December 1945.
1x Letter from Mr Robert ‘Bob’ Martin to Mr Stanley ‘Stan’ Canner, dated 27 December 1945. In this letter Mr Martin details his personal experiences leading a French Resistance in Fervaques, including being interrogated and tortured for the safeguarding of missing Allied servicemen (including Flight Lieutenant Leith) in July 1944.
1x Letter from Air Commodore Lewitt, Royal Australia Air Force, Albert Park, Victoria to Flight Lieutenant Leith, dated 14 March 1946. In this letter he receives praise and appreciation for his service in the Air Force, and is wished luck in his future civilian life.
1x Officer’s Certificate of Service issued by the Royal Australian Air Force, relating to Flight Lieutenant Leith, dated 7 February 1946.
1x Safe Conduct pass, [undated]. Written in German and English, this pass relates to a German soldier’s genuine disarmament, requesting safe keeping during imprisonment.
Oversized item 1 of 2 – Consists of one commissioning certificate relating to Flight Lieutenant Leith, dated 1 September 1944. This certificate was issued by the Governor General and Commander-in-Chief on the occasion of commissioning Flight Lieutenant Leith as an Officer of the Citizen Air Force.

Oversized item 2 of 2 – Consists of one cardboard postal tube relating to the commissioning certificate of Flight Lieutenant Leith, dated 1945.

Flight Lieutenant Colin Russel Leith enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force in Sydney, New South Wales on 25 May 1941. He first began training courses in New South Wales, Australia. He continued his training in Camp Borden, Canada where he graduated to Pilot on 27 February 1942. On 28 March 1942, Flight Lieutenant Leith was posted to England, where he served with 453 Squadron. After completing further training he served as a Pilot Gunnery Instructor for the 57 Operational Training Unit from December 1943 to June 1944. On 25 July 1944, after completing successful air operations over Lisieux-Orbec, France, Flight Lieutenant Leith’s aircraft ran out of fuel and was forced to land in enemy territory. He spent a month fleeing toward the Allies, hiding out in safe houses with the aid of French Resistance personnel and civilians, until his liberation by Canadian troops in August. He reported back to the 453 Squadron in England on 25 August 1944, and continued service in France and England until his return to Australia on 31 August 1945. He was award the Distinguished Flying Cross on 26 January 1945. Flight Lieutenant Leith was discharged on 15 October 1945.