Leon Goldsworthy
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Leon Verdi Goldsworthy GC, DSC, GM (19 January 1909 - 7 August 1994), was Australia's highest decorated Naval officer of World War II.
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[edit] Early Life
Leon Goldsworthy was born on the 19th January 1909 at Broken Hill, New South Wales, Australia. Growing up Goldsworthy was a keen amateur wrestler and gymnast. He was educated at Kapunda High School, South Australia, and later went on to Adelaide University, where he worked as a technician in the Physics Department.
[edit] World War II (1939-1945)
Goldsworthy was initially rejected by the navy because of his small stature, but he made a second attempt to enlist in March 1941 and was accepted as a probationary Sub Lieutenant in the Royal Australian Naval Volunteer Reserve. Shortly afterwards he was sent to England to complete his training.
In England, Goldsworthy volunteered for the Rendering Mines Safe Section on HMS Vernon. He quickly proved himself as a skilled officer who was able to use his pre-war training in electricty and physics to great effect. He was oftern required to defuse mines underwater wearing a bulky diving suit that made the slow, steady movements required in this work very difficult.
On 13 August 1943 Goldsworthy defused a German mine in the water off Sheerness using a special diving suit which he and a colleague had helped to develop. In September and October 1943 he defused two mines, one of which had rested at a Southampton wharf for two years and the other in the River Thames. For this he was awarded the George Medal. Then, in April 1944, he disarmed an acoustic mine that had lain in the water off Milford Haven for two and a half years. In September 1944 he received the George Cross for his work in recovering and defusing mines between June 1943 and September 1944.
Before the Allied invasion of France, Goldsworthy was involved in the selection and training of men for port clearance and he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross in January 1945 for his bravery and leadership in clearing Cherbourg Harbour, which was needed urgently to supply Allied troops advancing across France. On one occasion he disarmed a new German 'K' type mine in 15 metres of water under shellfire. After his work in France, Goldsworthy served with the United States Navy in the South Pacific Theatre, helping to defuse Japanese mines in the Philippines and in the Borneo area. He was among the first to enter and search the caves in Correigidor.
By the time the war ended, Goldsworthy held the rank of Lieutenant Commander and was Australia's most highly decorated naval officer, having rendered more than 300 mines safe.
[edit] Later Life
After the war he returned to Perth and became manager of the Rainbow Neon Light Company. In 1991 he became vice-chairman (overseas) of the Victoria Cross and George Cross Association.
Leon Verdi Goldsworthy died in Perth on 7 August 1994.
[edit] Awards
- George Medal; 1944
- Mention in Despatches; 1944
- George Cross; 1944
- Distinguished Service Cross; 1945
