Leslie Douglas JACKSON, ,Squadron Leader,No.75 Squadron,RAAF,D.F.C.

Notes:

On leaving school, Leslie worked briefly in the family business, J. Jackson & Co. Pty Ltd, before purchasing a garage and service station at Surat. He, too, became a pilot. Enlisting in the R.A.A.F. on 6 November 1939, he was commissioned in February 1940 and served with units in Darwin, Singapore and Brisbane. On 28 March 1942 he joined No.75 Squadron. In the defence of Port Moresby he was credited with destroying four enemy fighters and damaging two bombers. Leslie succeeded his brother in command on 29 April. In the battle of Milne Bay (August-September) the Kittyhawks of No.75 and No.76 squadrons played a decisive part in defeating a Japanese invasion force that had been sent with inadequate air support. Jackson accounted for one enemy fighter and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

After leaving the squadron in January 1943, he held staff appointments in Australia. Between December 1943 and November 1944 he led No.78 Wing (as acting wing commander from September 1944) in operations in New Guinea, New Britain and the Netherlands New Guinea. He was awarded a Bar to his D.F.C. for 'determined and successful attacks on enemy installations and shipping'. Having performed instructional duties in New South Wales, he commanded Air Defence Headquarters, Madang, New Guinea, from June 1945. He was demobilized on 8 February 1946 in Brisbane.

Ref:Australian Dictionary of Biography.

Leslie married Cynthia Mary COBB, ,Nee Molle. on 25 Jan 1947 in St Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Southport, Queensland, Australia. Cynthia was born in 1920; died in 1974. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Married:
Cynthia was a widow when she married Leslie.They had three sons

William married Edith Annie GRAYSON on 1 Apr 1907 in Queensland, Australia. Edith (daughter of Francis GRAYSON and Jane BELL) was born in 1884 in Queensland, Australia; died in 1955 in Queensland, Australia. [Group Sheet]

Francis married Jane BELL. Jane and died. [Group Sheet]