Flight Lieutenant Colin Russell Leith

Service number 411790
Birth Date 05/05/1922
Birth Place Pacific Islands: Fiji
Death Date 22/05/2010
Death Place Australia: Western Australia, Perth, Claremont
Final Rank Flight Lieutenant
Service Royal Australian Air Force
Unit No. 453 Squadron
Places
Conflict/Operation Second World War, 1939-1945
Description

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.

Rolls

Timeline

Date of birth 05/05/1922
Date of enlistment 25/05/1941
Date of discharge 15/10/1945
Date of death 22/05/2010