Humphrey de Verd Leigh

Wing Commander Humphrey de Verd Leigh, OBE, DFC, AFC (1897–1980) was a Royal Air Force officer.

Humphrey de Verd Leigh
Wing Commander de Verd Leigh
Born26 July 1897
Aldershot, Hampshire
Died6 June 1980(1980-06-06) (aged 82)
Allegiance United Kingdom
Service/branchRoyal Naval Air Service
Royal Air Force
Years of service1915 – 1919
1939 – 1945
RankWing Commander
Battles/warsWorld War I
World War II
Awards Order of British Empire
Distinguished Flying Cross
Air Force Cross

Leigh's idea during World War II for an anti-submarine spotlight for Coastal Command was developed and named the Leigh Light.

Career

Humphrey de Verd Leigh was born at Aldershot, Hampshire on 26 July 1897, and was commissioned in the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) in 1915. He served in Mesopotamia (now Iraq) flying seaplanes for the relief of Kut, and went on to serve in the early Royal Air Force (RAF) 1918–19. Resigning his commission in 1919 Leigh went into business, working for many years in the Sudan in the cotton industry. Upon the outbreak of World War II Leigh rejoined the RAF in September 1939, serving in Personnel and Staff Duties for Coastal Command from 1939 until 1945.

His successful development of the Leigh Light, at his own volition and risk, and without approval of his senior commanders at the time made a significant contribution to the Battle of the Atlantic (1942).

Appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire on 1 January 1943,[1] having been awarded the Air Force Cross on 8 June 1941,[2] in 1954 he resigned his military commission.[3]

De Verd Leigh died on 6 June 1980.

References
  1. "No. 35841". The London Gazette (Supplement). 1 January 1943. p. 14.
  2. "No. 36544". The London Gazette (Supplement). 8 June 1944. p. 2647.
  3. "No. 40234". The London Gazette (Supplement). 20 July 1954. p. 4249.
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