Leslie John (Jock) Powell DFC

Leslie John (Jock) Powell DFC

Personal Information
Date of Birth	9 Dec 1919
Place of Birth	Fremantle, Western Australia
Death	16 Dec 1943
Place of Death	Europe
Age at Enlistment	21 years, 4 months
Description	5'10" (1.78m) tall ; 138lbs 62.596 kg ; dark complexion ; hazel eyes ; dark brown hair ; large scar left knee
Religion	Presbyterian
Address	Cnr Fifth & Fremantle roads, Armadale
Next of Kin	Mother , Mrs Jane McFarlane Powell
Military Information
Reg Number	406873
Date of Enlistment	28 Apr 1941
Rank	Flight Lieutenant
Unit/Formation	No. 156 Squadron RAF
Military Movement
1st Departure from Australia
Journey Dates	30 Mar 1942 ‒ 11 May 1942
Transport Details	unknown Sydney to England
Post War Details
Fate	Missing in air operations from the UK Killed in Action
Monument(s)	Armadale War Memorial
Australian War Memorial	Australian War Memorial
Medals	Distinguished Flying Cross 1939-45 Star Air Crew Europe Star War Medal 1939-45 Australian Service Medal 1939-45

Pre War

Prior to enlisting Jack had attended the Armadale Public School, and then worked for J. Harrison as a grocer's assistant in Armadale for 5 years. He was active in local sporting teams and was engaged to a local girl Mavis Susan Grover. He had been a Private in the 16th Battalion (Cameron Highlanders Regiment) in the CMF from April 1938 until he enlisted in the RAAF. Jock's father Mr HJ Powell was killed during ww1.

War Service

Jock enlisted at No. 4 Recruiting Centre in Perth on 28 Apr 1941 and was sent to join the No 5 Initial Training School at Pearce Airbase with the base rank of Aircraftman level 2. On completion of the course he was promoted to Leading Aircraftman and sent to the No 1 Wireless Air Gunners School in Ballarat, Victoria on 26 Jun 1941 to train as an Air Gunner. This was followed with attendance at the No 2 Bombing & Air Gunnery School at Port Pirie in South Australia. Australian based training completed he was promoted Sergeant and was awarded his air badge . On 10 Feb 1942 he was back in Perth at the No 5 Embarkation Depot, but was sent east again and on 16 Mar 1942 he was at the No 2 Embarkation Depot at Bradfield Park in New South Wales. From 30 Mar 1942 Jock was attached to the RAF.

On arrival in England on 11 May 1942 he was sent to the No 3 Personnel Reception Centre at Bournemouth to await a posting, and on 26 May 1942 he was posted to the No 27 Operational Training Unit at RAF Lichfield to train as a member of a night bomber crew using Vickers Wellingtons. On 9 Jul 1942 Jock was promoted Temporary Flight Sergeant. Training finally concluded, he was posted to No. 12 Squadron RAF on 17 Aug 1942 where on 29 Dec 1942 he was commissioned to the rank of Pilot Officer on probation.

On 14 Mar 1943 Jock was posted to No. 1662 Conversion Unit, and between 17 Jun and 14 Jul 1943 he attended the No. 61 Gunnery Leaders Course before becoming a Gunnery instructor. Awarded the DFC on 14 Jul 1943. Probationary appointment to commissioned rank was confirmed on 29 Jun 1943 and he was promoted the same day to Flying Officer.

On 23 Sep 1943 he was posted to No. 156 Squadron (Pathfinders) who were by then flying Avro Lancaster heavy bombers, operating out of RAF Warboys in Cambridgeshire. On 7 Dec 1943 Jock was promoted to acting Flight Lieutenant, and on 20 Dec 1943 awarded the Path Finder Force Badge.

Award Citation

"Pilot Officer Powell 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."

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  Runnymede Memorial
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  Location of Jock's name
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  West Australian article 20 May 1943 page 2
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  West Australian article 20 May 1943 page 7