Humphrey de Verd Leigh

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Humphrey de Verd Leigh
26 July 1897 – June 6, 1980 (aged 82)
Place of birth Aldershot, Hampshire, England
Allegiance Flag of the United Kingdom United Kingdom
Service/branch Royal Naval Air Service
Royal Air Force
Years of service 1915-1919
1939–1945
Rank Wing Commander
Awards OBE, DFC, AFC

Wing Commander Humphrey de Verd Leigh OBE, DFC, AFC (1897-1980) was a Royal Air Force officer, during the Second World War his idea for an anti-submarine spotlight for Coastal Command was developed and named the Leigh Light after him.

Humphrey de Verd Leigh was born in Aldershot, England on 26 July 1890. He entered the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) in 1915, serving 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 in 1919 he went into business, working for many years in the Sudan in the Cotton industry. On the outbreak of World War II he rejoined the RAF in September 1939 and served on 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 made a significant contribution to the Battle of the Atlantic, in 1942.

de Verd Leigh was appointed an Officer in the OBE on 1 January 1943.[1] He was awarded the Air Force Cross on the 8 June 1941[2]. In 1954 he relinquished his wartime commission.[3] He died on 6 June 1980.

[edit] References

  1. ^ London Gazette, Issue 35841, Supplement 1 January 1943, Page 14
  2. ^ London Gazette, Issue 36544, Supplement 8 June 1944, Page 2647
  3. ^ London Gazette, Issue 40234, Supplement 20 July 1954, Page 4249
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