S/L Leslie Worsdell RIP

Kyt · Mar 3, 2008

Squadron Leader Leslie Worsdell obituary - Times Online

The first apprentice flying instructor trained before the Second World War by Marshall of Cambridge, Leslie Worsdell played an important part in the company’s contribution to both RAF and civilian flying training. He also flew as a Beaufort torpedo bomber pilot during the battle for Malta. As Marshall’s chief test pilot after the war, he was involved in the introduction of that ubiquitous workhorse the Lockheed C130 Hercules aircraft to RAF service in 1967.

Born in 1917, Leslie Victor Worsdell was destined for the family haulage and bus company. He had other ideas and at 18 learnt to fly with the RAF Reserve. He then applied to Marshall’s Flying School, and was given a check flight by the chairman’s son Arthur Marshall (obituary March 21, 2007), a master instructor of the Guild of Air Pilots whose ideas on flying training were to revolutionise it.

Worsdell soon demonstrated Marshall’s theory — that selected ab initio pupils would make the best flying instructors, in contrast to the accepted RAF practice that only experienced pilots could perform this role. He ran a team that trained pupils at the Cambridge and university flying clubs operated by Marshall, as well as training members of the Civil Air Guard. For the RAF Marshall’s set up No 22 Elementary and Reserve Flying Training School. It has been esimated that by the outbreak of war 200 more desperately needed reserve pilots were available than would have been the case under a conventional training system.

Mobilised in September 1939, Worsdell was a flying instructor before going operational with a Beaufort unit. Based at Malta with 39 Squadron, he was engaged in strikes on Axis shipping, designed to disrupt the supply lines to Rommel in North Africa.

In August 1942 Worsdell’s was the third aircraft to attack, in a low-level strike by nine Beauforts against a 5,000 ton tanker. As he came in hard and low he saw the second torpedo strike the tanker, causing a huge explosion and fires. Since torpedoes were a precious commodity and the ship was clearly wrecked he decided to conserve his, though he was committed to his run and had to fly with it through smoke, fire and a hail of debris over the tanker at something like 50ft.

In September the squadron attacked four motor vessels escorted by 11 destroyers. The convoy’s strong fighter escort assailed the Beauforts which, however, fought back robustly, their gunners and the Beaufighter escort shooting down three of the enemy. Worsdell won an immediate DFC.

Demobilised as a squadron leader, he rejoined Marshall as chief test pilot and was at the heart of the company’s expansion over the next ten years, finally retiring in 1987. Worsdell held the Air Efficiency Award and was appointed OBE in 1980.

He is survived by his wife Isabel and by their daughter.

Squadron Leader Leslie Worsdell, OBE, DFC, AE, flying instructor, wartime torpedo bomber pilot and test pilot, was born on January 6, 1917. He died on January 24, 2008, aged 91
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Antipodean Andy · Mar 3, 2008

RIP and a man I should remember reading about very recently but can't which is shameful. Will see if I can dig anything up tonight and will post if I do.

Kyt · Mar 4, 2008

DFC Citation
Gazette published 29 September 1942

Flying Officer Leslie Victor WORSDELL (84694), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 39 Squadron.
This officer has participated in several successful attacks on enemy shipping. In September, 1942, he led a formation against a convoy of 4 merchant vessels, escorted by n destroyers and a number of aircraft. Despite this formidable opposition, the objective was attacked from close range. Afterwards, when his aircraft was attacked by enemy fighters, Flying Officer Worsdell, by skilful tactics, prevented them from causing damage to his aircraft. On a previous occasion, following an attack when enemy shipping was sunk, Flying Officer Worsdell saw one of his fellow pilots in difficulties with engine trouble. Despite the presence of enemy fighters, Flying Officer Worsdell remained to protect his comrade and escorted him back to base. This officer has displayed great courage and inspiring leadership which have won the confidence of all with whom he has flown.
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