Leslie John Nicholls

A Leading Aircraftman with the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Leslie died on 23rd of March 1944 aged 32. 

Leslie was born at Lowestoft on 29 December 1911, a son of Alfred and Agnes Nicholls of Cyprus Cottages, Camps Heath.

In 1938 Leslie married Lilian Mercy Kent. In 1939 they lived at 44 Hamilton Road, Felixstowe, and Leslie was a civilian high-frequency direction finding wireless operator working for the Royal Air Force at Felixstowe. 
Leslie joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve after October 1941. In March 1944 he was serving with 24 Air-Sea Rescue Marine Craft Unit. 

On 23 March Leslie was serving on board Air-Sea Rescue launch HSL 2706 carrying our rescue duties off the Ditch coast. The launch was attacked by two United States Army Air Force P-47 fighters, of 356 Fighter Group, in a friendly-fire incident. The launch sank and Leslie was killed. Two other crew were rescued. 

WITH THANKS TO: Malcolm Barrass