Leigh Vial Explained

Leigh Vial
Birth Date:28 February 1909
Birth Place:Camberwell, Victoria
Death Place:Benabena, Papua New Guinea
Placeofburial:Lae War Cemetery
Allegiance:Australia
Branch:Royal Australian Air Force
Serviceyears:1942–1943
Servicenumber:253939
Rank:Flight Lieutenant
Unit:Coastwatchers
Battles:
Awards:Distinguished Service Cross (United States)

Leigh Grant Vial (28 February 1909 – 30 April 1943) was an Australian patrol officer and coastwatcher in Papua New Guinea during the Second World War. His calm, clear voice earned him the nickname "Man With the Golden Voice".

When war broke out with Japan in late 1941 Vial was an Assistant District Officer stationed in Rabaul.[1]

While a patrol officer he became the first white person to climb Mount Wilhelm, the highest mountain in Papua New Guinea. Vial was killed in a plane crash in 1943, the year after he had been awarded the American Distinguished Service Cross for his "extraordinary heroism" in New Guinea.[2] He is buried in Lae War Cemetery.[3]

Notes and References

  1. Piper. Bob. August 1993. Lonely Vigil. Wings (Australia). 9–12.
  2. Bill. Gammage. Bill Gammage. Vial, Leigh Grant (1909–1943). 16. 2002. vial-leigh-grant-11923. 23 July 2017.
  3. Web site: Vial, Leigh Grant. Casualty Details. Commonwealth War Graves Commission. 23 July 2017.