Leonard James Brennan

Forenames

Leonard James AWMM

Surname

Brennan AWMM

Service number

• NZ413020 AWMM
• WWII 413020 AWMM

Gender

Male AWMM

Birth

10 Nov 1921 RNZAF Biographies (R17845608)

Date of birth

10 November 1921

Public - Jane - Other relative - 7 January 2021 - Family papers

Place of birth

Onehunga, Auckland

Public - Jane - Other relative - 7 January 2021 - Family

Birth notes

Son of Francis Michael and Elizabeth Sarah (nee Simmons)
Brennan

Public - Jane - Other relative - 7 January 2021 - Family papers

Next of kin

• Mr F.M. Brennan (father), Onehunga, Auckland, New Zealand AWMM
• WW2 Parents: Mr. & Mrs, F. M. Brennan of Auckland AWMM

Relationship status

Single/WWII AWMM

War

World War II, 1939-1945 AWMM

Campaign

• Europe (Air) AWMM
• Europe (Air) AWMM

Armed force / branch

Air Force AWMM

Service number

• NZ413020 AWMM
• WWII 413020 AWMM

Promotions/ Postings/ Transfers

Royal Air Force, No. 692 Squadron AWMM

Branch Trade Proficiency

Pilot

Public - Antonio - Researcher - 28 June 2026 - https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/159691

Embarkation details

• WW2 Royal New Zealand Air Force AWMM
• He enlisted in the Royal New Zealand Air Force at the age of 19 and left New Zealand in November 1941 for service overseas.
  
  His sister Peggy recalls:
  
  When my brother Leonard went overseas in World War II our family was allowed on to the wharf to see the men leave and as the ship pulled away the boys all sang "Bless 'em All". Little did we think we would never see them again. (extract from "The Murdochs are Here!)
  Public - Jane - Other relative - 7 January 2021 - From the book - The Murdochs are Here.

Medical notes

Killed on Active Service, Cause of Death AWMM

Last rank

Flying Officer/Military AWMM
Royal Air Force, No. 692 Squadron AWMM

• Leonard Brennan was the son of Francis Michael Brennan and of Elizabeth Sarah Brennan (nee Simmons) of Onehunga, Auckland, New Zealand.
  
  Attended Auckland Grammar School (Source: RNZAF Biographies (R17845608)). AWMM
• Leonard was educated at St Josephs Convent in Onehunga and Auckland Grammar School. Len was a keen sportsman and was active in cycling and gymnastics.
  Public - Jane - Other relative - 7 January 2021 - Family

Death

26 Sept 1944 AWMM
Age  22 AWMM

Cause of death

Killed on Active Service AWMM

Cemetery

Mignault Communal Cemetery, Le Roeulx, Hainaut, Belgium AWMM Grave 1. AWMM

Memorial name

• Auckland War Memorial Museum, World War 2 Hall of Memories AWMM
• Auckland Grammar School War Memorial, New Zealand AWMM
• Onehunga War Memorial Swimming Pool, Jellicoe Park (off Quadrant Road), Park Gardens, Onehunga, Auckland, New Zealand AWMM

Related objects

External links

• Commonwealth War Graves Commission record
  https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/2254581
  Sources Used
• RNZAF [Royal New Zealand Air Force] Biographies of Deceased Personnel 1939 - 1945 (Bound Volumes) - Bo - Cl. Archives New Zealand (R17845608)
  https://collections.archives.govt.nz/web/arena/search/#/entity/aims-archive/R17845608
  Sources Used
• New Zealand War Graves Trust
  https://www.nzwargraves.org.nz/
  Further Reference
• Aviation Safety Network:
  https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/159691
  Public - Antonio - Researcher - 28 June 2026 - Internet research
• Aircrew Remembered:
  https://aircrewremembered.com/brennan-leonard-james.html
  Public - Antonio - Researcher - 28 June 2026 - Internet research

References

• Martyn, E. (1998-2008). For Your Tomorrow (Vols. 1-3). Christchurch, N.Z.: Volplane Press.
• RNZAF [Royal New Zealand Air Force] Biographies of Deceased Personnel 1939 - 1945 (Bound Volumes) - Bo - Cl. Archives New Zealand (R17845608) - Former archives reference: AIR118
• List of RNZAF [Royal New Zealand Air Force] Personnel - List of Personnel Killed or Missing in Various Theatres, 1940 - 1945. [Missing - But Presumed Dead on Lapse of Time - Officers, Airmen]. Archives New Zealand (R17845743)
• Please note that the 11 volumes of the "RNZAF [Royal New Zealand Air Force] Biographies of Deceased Personnel 1939-1945" held at Archives NZ (formerly known as AIR118) should be used in conjunction with Errol Martyn's "For Your Tomorrow". FYT reflects detailed examination of all of the AIR118 bios which contain many inaccuracies and omissions.
• List of RNZAF [Royal New Zealand Air Force] Personnel - Embarkation Lists, November 1940 - July 1942. Archives New Zealand, Wellington (R17845762).
• Auckland Museum. Roll of Honour, Auckland Province, 1939 - 1945. Auckland War Memorial Museum Library. MS 93/139.