Reid, Leonard Stanley (Flight Lieutenant, b.1916 - d.2003)

Collection relating to the Second World War and post war service of O33446 Flight Lieutenant Leonard Stanley Reid, RAAF, 1940-1953. Collection consists of four letters, one partial letter, one cloth covered log book, two flying log books and one parachute log book. Complete letters in the collection were written by Reid to his mother between 1940 and 1942 while he was training in Australia and upon his first posting to England. In these letters he talks about conditions on base in Sydney, learning new flight maneuvers, daily activities and what it was like to be in England. The partial letter (possibly written to his aunt) describes snowy conditions, presumably in the UK. The parachute log book records all inspections of and repairs done to parachute 9292, which was most likely issued to Reid. The first of the log books covers the period between 1940-1943 including Reid's training and time spent with both 504 Squadron and 185 Squadron. The second log book, with a cloth jacket, covers the period between 1943-1953 including time spent with RAAF No.2 Operational Training Unit, 79 Squadron, 452 Squadron and 21 (City of Melbourne) Squadron. The final log book covers the period between 1953-1954 which Reid spent with 21 (City of Melbourne) Squadron. The first two log books contain personalised notes and recount incidents that occurred while Reid was participating in flying missions, including encounters with enemy aircraft and being shot down over the sea. Reid was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in 1942, the year covered by the first flying log book.