Date of birth:

May 5th, 1922 (Vanua Levu/Fiji)

Date of death:

March 22nd, 2010 (Perth/Western Australia, Australia)

Service number:

411790

Nationality:

Australian

At the beginning of the War, Colin Leith was the manager of a sugar-growing estate for the Colonial Sugar Refining Company (CSR).
Leith enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force on 25 May 1941 and was trained in Australia and Canada as a fighter Pilot on the Spitfire.
On 28 March 1942, Leith sailed to England, where he was posted at no. 453 Squadron. Next to flying operational missions he also served as Gunnery Instructor.
On 25 July 1944, after completing successful air operations over Lisieux-Orbec, France, Leith's aircraft ran out of fuel and was forced to land in enemy territory. He spent a month hiding out in safe house 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. He and the squadron then became involved in support of Operation Market Garden and subsequently - with the Spitfire Mark XVI - with attacks on V2 missile launch sites.
His last combat mission of the war was on 25 April, when Leith led 453 Squadron on its last offensive operation in the European theatre of war, escorting Halifaxes and Lancasters for of the attack on the East Frisian island of Wangerooge.
He returned to Australia on 31 August 1945 and was discharged on 15 October 1945.
After the war he returned to his position at CSR, becoming its regional manager in 1970. He retired in 1979 after which he became active in community service. He served on several boards and also played an active role in worker safety. In 1990, he became federal president of the National Safety Council of Australia.

Promotions:
Pilot on 27 February 1942
Flying Officer ?
Flight Lieutenant 15 January 1945

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Acting Flying Officer

Unit:

No. 453 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force

Awarded on:

January 26th, 1945

Citation:
"Flying Officer Leith is now on his second tour of operational duty. He has a splendid record of sorties against enemy shipping and transport and has completed many bomber escorts and fighter patrols. In addition to the destruction of at least 3 enemy aircraft, he had also destroyed a large number of enemy transport vehicles and trains. Flying Officer Leith has always displayed the greatest keenness and skill as a fighter pilot."

Awarded on:

January 26th, 1994

For service to the community, particulary aged people, and to the National Safety Council of Australia

• - https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36910/supplement/581
  - Commonwealth of Australia Gazette Wednesday 26th January, 1994
  - https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/P11068136
  - https://www.rustyleith.com/
  - https://www.radschool.org.au/