Humphrey de Verd Leigh


Humphrey de Verd Leigh, OBE, DFC, AFC was a Royal Air Force officer.
Leigh's idea during World War II for an anti-submarine spotlight for Coastal Command was developed and named the Leigh Light.

Career

Humphrey de Verd Leigh was born at Aldershot, Hampshire on 26 July 1897, and was commissioned in the Royal Naval Air Service in 1915.
He served in Mesopotamia flying seaplanes for the relief of Kut, and went on to serve in the early Royal Air Force 1918–19. Resigning his commission in 1919 Leigh went into business, working for many years in the Sudan in the cotton industry. Upon the outbreak of World War II Leigh rejoined the RAF in September 1939, serving in Personnel and Staff Duties for Coastal Command from 1939 until 1945.
His successful development of the Leigh Light, at his own volition and risk, and without approval of his senior commanders at the time made a significant contribution to the Battle of the Atlantic.
Appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire on 1 January 1943, having been awarded the Air Force Cross on 8 June 1941, in 1954 he resigned his military commission.
De Verd Leigh died on 6 June 1980.