Leonard Leslie GRIST

GRIST, Leonard Leslie

Service Number: 415138
Enlisted: 21 July 1941
Last Rank: Sergeant
Last Unit: No. 8 Squadron (RAAF)
Born: Collie, Western Australia, 25 May 1913
Home Town: Collie, Collie, Western Australia
Schooling: Not yet discovered
Occupation: Not yet discovered
Died: Accidental, Canberra Aerodrome, ACT, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia, 3 May 1943, aged 29 years
Cemetery: Woden (Canberra) Public Cemetery, ACT
R.S.L. Plot. Row D. Grave 16, Woden Cemetery, Woden, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
Memorials: Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Donnybrook War Memorial
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World War 2 Service

3 Sep 1939: Involvement Sergeant, 415138
21 Jul 1941: Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force
21 Jul 1941: Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Sergeant, 415138
3 May 1943: Involvement No. 8 Squadron (RAAF)

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Biography contributed by David Barlow

Son of Clive Dudley Grist and Mary Grist of Collie, WA

Husband of Edith Edna Grist of Kalgoorlie, WA

 

RAAF Beaufort aircraft A9-258 of Number 8 Squadron crashed at Canberra Aerodrome, ACT killing Sergeant (Pilot) Leonard Leslie Grist 415138 & Flying Officer (Observer) Owens McAlister Howden 408845

The aircraft overshot the runway whilst attempting a forced landing due to engine failure. A re-take-off was attempted but the aircraft stalled, crashed and burnt.

Three other crew members were injured:

Corporal George Leonard Morris 19803 - discharged 20 Nov 1945 from Number 1 Operational Training Unit

Sergeant Edgar Joseph Daly BEM 405903 - discharged 27 Aug 1945 from Number 37 Squadron as a Flying Officer

Sergeant Bryon Veitch MacLean BEM 414053 - Killed in Action 15 Nov 1943 over Rabaul with 8 Squadron

Both Sergeant Daly and Sergeant MacLean were awarded with the British Empire Medal (BEM) for their actions following the crash of Beaufort A9-258 in rescuing a crewmate from the blazing wreckage.

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