Leslie Harold Obituary, A Cherished Soul Has Passed Away

Leslie Harold Obituary, Death – After a brief battle with sickness, Leslie (Les) Harold Sullivan, a retired RAAF Wing Commander, passed away at the age of 99. We are all extremely grieved by this news. Les was a man of the utmost moral character who devoted over 40 years of his life to serving his nation, both during World War II and in the years that followed. Les enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) on October 13, 1942. After completing his training at the Wireless Air Gunnery School in Ballarat, Victoria, he went on to complete his Flight Rigger Training at Maryborough, Queensland, in order to become an Air Frame Fitter.

After that, Les was sent to No. 41 Squadron in Cairns, where he was assigned to work on Martin Mariner Flying Boats. On January 13, 1947, Les took his retirement from the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) at the rank of Leading Aircraftsman so that he may pursue a career as a teacher.
Les re-entered the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) as an Education Officer, earning the rank of Wing Commander in the process. He was stationed at a variety of RAAF sites across Australia, in addition to serving in England.

Les was one of the final two officers at RAAF Base Rathmines when the Base closed in January 1961. He was sent there in 1959 and taught a variety of training courses to National Service recruits. The Base closed in 1959 and Les was one of the instructors there. Sadly, Leslie’s wife of 66 years, Joan Sullivan (née Symons), passed away on August 31, 2023, two days after their son’s passing. Joan, who is now 100 years old, was a member of the WAAAF during World War II and later became a RAAF wife after getting married to Les in 1957.