POWELL, Leslie John
| Service Number: | 406873 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 28 April 1941 |
| Last Rank: | Flight Lieutenant |
| Last Unit: | No. 156 Squadron (RAF) |
| Born: | Fremantle, Western Australia, 9 December 1919 |
| Home Town: | Armadale, Armadale, Western Australia |
| Schooling: | Armadale Public School, Western Australia |
| Occupation: | Grocer’s Assistant |
| Died: | Flying Battle, Germany, 16 December 1943, aged 24 years |
| Cemetery: |
No known grave - "Known Unto God" Runnymede Memorial,Englefield Green, Runnymede Borough, Surrey, England. Panel 187 Local Roll of Honour- Perth, WA |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, International Bomber Command Centre Memorial, Runnymede Air Forces Memorial |
World War 2 Service
| 3 Sep 1939: | Involvement Flight Lieutenant, 406873 | |
|---|---|---|
| 28 Apr 1941: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Aircraftman 2 (WW2), 406873, No. 5 Initial Training School Pearce | |
| 28 Apr 1941: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Lieutenant, 406873, No. 156 Squadron (RAF) | |
| 29 Dec 1942: | Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Pilot Officer, 406873, No. 12 Squadron (RAF), Air War NW Europe 1939-45 | |
| 14 Jul 1943: | Honoured Distinguished Flying Cross, Air War NW Europe 1939-45 | |
| 14 Jul 1943: | Promoted Royal Australian Air Force, Flying Officer, No. 12 Squadron (RAF) | |
| 23 Sep 1943: | Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Flying Officer, 406873, No. 156 Squadron (RAF), Air War NW Europe 1939-45 | |
| 7 Dec 1943: | Promoted Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Lieutenant, No. 156 Squadron (RAF) |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Graham Padget
Flight Lieutenant Leslie John Powell was the son of Henry James Powell, and of Jean McFarlane Powell, of South Perth, Western Australia.
DFC Citation: Pilot Officer Powell of No 12 Squadron has participated in successful sorties against targets at Essen, Wilhelmshaven, Hamburg, Milan and Berlin, and has at all times displayed great devotion to duty and set an example worthy of attainment.
Lancaster JB216 of 156 Squadron took off from RAF Station Warboys at 1628 hours on 16 December 1943, to carry out a bombing attack on Berlin. At 1845 hours a fix was obtained of the aircraft over North Sea in position 52.22N 002.48E approximately 200 miles from base. No further message received from the aircraft which did not return to base. The aircraft and crew were lost without trace.
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