The Airmen's Stories - P/O P G Leggett

Percival Graham Leggett was born on 14th February 1921. He joined the RAFVR about June 1939 as an Airman u/t Pilot.

Called up on 1st September 1939, he completed his training and arrived at 5 OTU Aston Down in September 1940 to convert to Hurricanes. On the 18th he crashed at Oldbury-on-Severn, Gloucestershire but was unhurt.

He joined 245 Squadron at Aldergrove on the 28th and then to 46 Squadron at Stapleford on 18th October. He claimed a Fiat BR20 probably destroyed and shared in the destruction of another on 11th November.

Leggett was possibly posted to 145 Squadron in late November 1940 and then to 96 Squadron, when it was formed at Cranage on 18th December 1940.

In late June 1941 Leggett joined 249 Squadron in Malta. He claimed a Mc200 destroyed on 17th July. He was shot down by enemy fighters on 21st December 1941, baled out and was admitted to hospital with slight abrasions.

He then joined 73 Squadron in North Africa in October 1942, serving with them until August 1943.

Back in the UK, Leggett was appointed Adjudant at RAF Kirton-in-Lindsey after which he served in Ceylon.

Staying in the RAF postwar, in 1949 he became CO of 32 squadron, flying de Havilland Vampires from Cyprus.

He was station commander Dyce 1956/57.

He retired from the RAF on 23rd May 1958 as a Squadron Leader.

Leggett died on 26th May 2013.