Leonard Henry Trent
Squadron Leader, Royal New Zealand Air Force
- Register No.
- 1229 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Squadron Leader all Squadron Leaders →
- Unit
- Royal New Zealand Air Force (register: No. 487 Squadron RNZAF) all No. 487 Squadron RNZAF VCs →
- Date of action
- 3 May 1943 on this day → all of 1943 →
- Conflict / campaign
- Second World War
- London Gazette
- the 1st March 1946 on this day → all of 1946 →
- Born
- 14th April 1915 at Nelson, New Zealand
- Died
- 18th May 1986 at Auckland, New Zealand
- Memorial / grave
- North Shore Crematorium, Auckland, New Zealand
- Medal held by
- the Royal Zealand Air Force Museum, based
Digest of citation
Whilst on a daylight raid on Amsterdam power-station on 3rd May 1943, Squadron Leader Trent's attacking force, which consisted of 11 Venturas, was met and attacked by the superior number of enemy fighters. By the time they reached the power station, only three Venturas remained and one of these was destroyed. When Squadron Leader Trent's bombs had been released, the other aircraft had also disappeared. Almost immediately his own aircraft began to break-up, going into a spin throwing the Squadron Leader and his Navigator clear as they bailed out. In the face of overwhelming odds, he had shown great courage and had remained cool. They were both taken prisoner. Air Force
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
TRENT, Leonard Henry. (reg No. 1229).
Squadron Leader. Royal New Zealand Air Force. * London Gazetted on the 1st March 1946.
VC Medal's Custodian is the Royal Zealand Air Force Museum, based at Wigram, Christ Church, New Zealand.
Born on 14th April 1915 at Nelson, New Zealand.
Died on 18th May 1986 at Auckland, New Zealand.
Memorial at North Shore Crematorium, Auckland, New Zealand.
Digest of Citation reads: Whilst on a daylight raid on Amsterdam power-station on 3rd May 1943, Squadron Leader Trent's attacking force, which consisted of 11 Venturas, was met and attacked by the superior number of enemy fighters. By the time they reached the power station, only three Venturas remained and one of these was destroyed. When Squadron Leader Trent's bombs had been released, the other aircraft had also disappeared. Almost immediately his own aircraft began to break-up, going into a spin throwing the Squadron Leader and his Navigator clear as they bailed out. In the face of overwhelming odds, he had shown great courage and had remained cool. They were both taken prisoner.
* At the Time of deed he was serving with 487 Squadron, Royal Air Force.
Additional information:. *Group Captain Trent VC., DFC., transferred and served with the Royal Air Force in England, becoming Aide-De-Camp to the Queen from 1962-65. He was a prisoner of war in Stalag Luft III. He was one of many prisoners who, in March 1944, attempted a mass escape from captivity, albeit unsuccessful. Squadron Leader Trent was recaptured outside the tree-line of the camp after he'd been found lying in the grass. He stood up and surrendered.
Additional information
*Group Captain Trent VC., DFC., transferred and served with the Royal Air Force in England, becoming Aide-De-Camp to the Queen from 1962-65. He was a prisoner of war in Stalag Luft III. He was one of many prisoners who, in March 1944, attempted a mass escape from captivity, albeit unsuccessful. Squadron Leader Trent was recaptured outside the tree-line of the camp after he'd been found lying in the grass. He stood up and surrendered.
* At the Time of deed he was serving with 487 Squadron, Royal
at Wigram, Christ Church, New Zealand.
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: North Shore Crematorium, Auckland, New Zealand
Map links open a search for the place name Alf recorded; please check opening times and exact locations before travelling. Many VC graves have since been restored by the Victoria Cross Trust.
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