Leslie Rogers - Record of Service

Leslie Rogers’ career in the RAF began as an Aircraft Apprentice in Manton, England, in 1927 and ended with his retirement in 1960 with the rank of Squadron Leader working for Air Ministry. During 33 years of service he was posted to several countries including Iraq, India, Germany, and Southern Rhodesia.

The first entry in his Leading Aircraftman’s flying logbook begins with ten minute local flight in a Westland Wapiti (J9848 – pilto F/Lt Hawkings) on the 5th November 1934 in Iraq. The final entry is for a flight on 3rd October 1959 during which he was a passenger aboard a Douglas DC-6 operated by Hunting-Clan Air Transport, returning from an establishment review in Cyprus. That journey, from Nicosia to London Airport, took eight and a quarter hours. Later entries in the same logbook list several holiday flights he enjoyed during his retirement.

1927 – 1930 Aircraft Apprentice, Manton
1930 – 1934 Fitter AA School, Eastchurch
1934 – 1937 Fitter AG 55 Squadron, Hinaidi, Iraq
1937 – 1939 Corporal Fitter No 1 Indian Wing, Kohat, India
1939 – 1940 Corporal Fitter 108(B) Squadron, Bassingbourn and Bicester
1940 – 1941 Sergeant Fitter 18 OTU, Bicester
1941 – 1943 Flight Sergeant-in-Command “A” Flight 18 OTU, Bicester, Hinton, Finmere
March – April 1943 Officer Cadet, Officers School, Cosford
May 1943 Supernumery Acting Pilot Officer No 10 OTO, Abingdon, Stanton Harcourt
June – July 1943 Officers Engineering Course, Cosford
August 1943 Pilot Officer No 86 NU, Sundridge, Barham
January 1944 Plying Officer No 86 NU, Barham
April 1944 Flying Officer No 86 NU Detachment, Manston
April 1945 Acting Flight Lieutenant 8801 (AD) Wing, Norway
January 1946 Acting Flight Lieutenant 8301 (AD) Wing, BAFD
March 1946 Acting Flight Lieutenant attached 312 STC, BAFD
May 1946 Acting Flight Lieutenant attached 422 AFAP, BAFD
November 1946 Flight Officer posted 33 Squadron, BAFD
June 1947 Flight Lieutenant MTR&I 140 Wing, BAFD
November 1947 Flight Lieutenant 30 MU, Sealand
November 1949 Flight Lieutenant OEC Henlow
June 1950 Flight Lieutenant 85 of TT Weeton
October 1950 Flight Lieutenant 3 Air Navigation School, Thornhill, Southern Rhodesia
January 1951 Flight Lieutenant 5 Flyting Training School, Thornhill, Southern Rhodesia
June 1953 Acting Squadron Leader 85 of TT Weeton
July 1954 Squadron Leader 85 of TT Weeton
November 1956 Squadron Leader Air Ministry (O Est 5)
July 1960 Squadron Leader Retired