Kenneth Malise St. Clair Graeme Leask

Name:

Country:

England

Rank:

Captain

Service:

Royal Flying Corps
Royal Air Force

Units:

41, 42, 84

Victories:

Born:

30 October 1896

Place of Birth:

Southsea, Hampshire, England

Died:

24 April 1974

Place of Death:

Kenneth Malise St. Clair Graeme Leask served with the 11th Devonshire Regiment before he transferred to the Royal Flying Corps in May 1916. 2nd Lieutenant Leask received Royal Aero Club Aviator's Certificate 3673 at Central Flying School, Upavon on 20 July 1916. Having gained combat experience as a two-seater pilot, he was posted to 84 Squadron as a flight commander. Returning to France in September 1917, Leask claimed eight enemy aircraft and flew more than 100 sorties. He survived being shot down three times -- once behind enemy lines, once in "no man's land" and once behind his own lines. When the war ended, he remained in the Royal Air Force, later serving as Director General of the Air Ministry and attaining the rank of Air Vice-Marshal. Leask and his wife were killed in an automobile accident.

Great Britain, Royal Aero Club Aviators' Certificates, 1910-1950

Military Cross (MC)

2nd Lt. (T. /Capt.) Kenneth Malise St. Clair Graeme Leask. Devon. R. and R.F.C.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in leading offensive patrols against superior numbers of the enemy. His patrol twice engaged more than double their own numbers and drove the enemy back into their own lines. He drove down three enemy machines, which, were seen to be destroyed, and accounted for eleven in all. He showed splendid determination and initiative.

Supplement to the London Gazette, 24 August 1918 (30862/9914)

Military Cross (MC) Bar

2nd Lt. (T./Capt.) Kenneth Malise St. Clair Graeme Leask, M.C., Devon. R., and R.F.C.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He attacked a formation of five enemy scouts, one of which he destroyed. Later, he carried out a very valuable reconnaissance at a height of 100 feet in order to locate the enemy's position. While thus engaged he observed a large column of enemy troops advancing along a road. He dived down to a height of about 30 feet and attacked and scattered them, and held up their advance for a considerable time. He has done splendid work in attacking enemy troops from a low altitude, showing great courage and determination under heavy fire.
(M.C. gazetted 26th March, 1918.)

Supplement to the London Gazette, 22 June 1918 (30761/7399)

Victories

	Date	Time	Unit	Aircraft	Opponent	Location
1	21 Oct 1917	1440	84	S.E.5a (B4874) ¹	C (OOC)	E of Roulers-Menin Road
2	21 Oct 1917	1500	84	S.E.5a (B4874)	Albatros D.V (OOC)	Roulers
3	31 Oct 1917	1540	84	S.E.5a (B579)	Albatros D.V (OOC)	Menin
4	30 Nov 1917		84	S.E.5a	C (DES)	SE of Bouzeaucourt
5	30 Jan 1918	1145	84	S.E.5a (B637)	Albatros D.V (OOC)	Villers Outreaux
6	06 Mar 1918	0940	84	S.E.5a (B637)	Albatros D.V (DES)	Renansart
7	18 Mar 1918	1130	84	S.E.5a (B637)	Albatros D.V (OOC)	Wassigny
8	23 Mar 1918	1655	84	S.E.5a (B637)	Albatros D.V (DES)	NE of Ham

1	Shared with John Ralston

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