Leigh Vial
Leigh Grant Vial (28 February 1909 – 30 April 1943) was an Australian patrol officer and coastwatcher in Papua New Guinea during the Second World War. His calm, clear voice earned him the nick name "Man With the Golden Voice".
Leigh Vial | |
|---|---|
 Flight Lieutenant Leigh Vial in 1942 | |
| Born | 28 February 1909 Camberwell, Victoria |
| Died | 30 April 1943 (aged 34) Benabena, Papua New Guinea |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance | Australia |
| Service/ | Royal Australian Air Force |
| Years of service | 1942–1943 |
| Rank | Flight Lieutenant |
| Service number | 253939 |
| Unit | Coastwatchers |
| Battles/wars | Second World War |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Cross (United States) |
When war broke out with Japan in late 1941 Vial was an Assistant District Officer stationed in Rabaul.[1]
While a patrol officer he became the first white person to climb Mount Wilhelm, the highest mountain in Papua New Guinea. Vial was killed in a plane crash in 1943, the year after he had been awarded the American Distinguished Service Cross for his "extraordinary heroism" in New Guinea.[2] He is buried in Lae War Cemetery.[3]
References
- Piper, Bob (August 1993). "Lonely Vigil". Wings (Australia): 9–12.
- Gammage, Bill (2002). "Vial, Leigh Grant (1909–1943)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. 16. Melbourne University Press. ISSN 1833-7538. Retrieved 23 July 2017 – via National Centre of Biography, Australian National University.
- "Vial, Leigh Grant". Casualty Details. Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Retrieved 23 July 2017.
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