Leonard Trent
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Leonard Henry Trent VC DFC |
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|---|---|
 |
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| Born |
14 April 1915 Nelson, New Zealand |
| Died | 19 May 1986 (aged 71) Takapuna, New Zealand |
| Allegiance |
 United Kingdom
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| Service/branch |
 Royal Air Force
|
| Years of service | 1938–65 |
| Rank | Group Captain |
| Unit | No. 487 Squadron RNZAF |
| Awards | Victoria Cross, Distinguished Flying Cross |
Group Captain Leonard Henry Trent VC DFC (14 April 1915 – 19 May 1986) was a New Zealand recipient of the Victoria Cross, the most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
Trent was born in Nelson, New Zealand on 14 April 1915, the son of a dentist. In 1919 the family moved to Takaka, where three years later, after taking a short ride in a Gipsy Moth aircraft, Trent became captivated by flying. He was educated at Nelson College and boarded at the school between 1928 and 1934.
After induction training at Taieri near Dunedin, he undertook Royal New Zealand Air Force flight training in Christchurch, gaining his wings in May 1938. A month later he sailed for Britain to join the Royal Air Force.
In September 1939 Trent went to France as part of No. 15 Squadron RAF, flying Fairey Battles on high-level photo-reconnaissance missions over enemy territory. The squadron returned to England in December to convert to the Bristol Blenheim IV. Trent flew numerous combat missions after Germany invaded the Low Countries and France in May 1940.
In July 1940 he received the DFC for his outstanding contribution to the Battle of France. Posted as a training instructor, he married Ursula Elizabeth Woolhouse on 7 August 1940 at Holborn, London. He also test flew the Douglas DB-7 Boston, which he strongly recommended to the RAF.
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Wikipedia