William Leggatt

Sir William Leggatt
DSO, MC
Member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly
for Mornington
In office
8 November 1947  3 February 1956
Preceded by Alfred Kirton
Succeeded by Roberts Dunstan
Personal details
Born (1894-12-23)23 December 1894
Malekula, New Hebrides
Died 27 November 1968(1968-11-27) (aged 73)
Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia
Resting place Springvale Botanical Cemetery
Nationality Australian
Political party Liberal and Country Party
Spouse(s) Dorothy Meares Andrews (m. 1926)
Alma mater University of Melbourne
Profession Barrister and solicitor
Military service
Allegiance Australia
Service/branch Australian Imperial Force
Citizens Military Force
Years of service 1915–1919
1934–1946
Rank Lieutenant Colonel
Commands Sparrow Force
2/40th Battalion
Battles/wars First World War
Second World War
Awards Knight Bachelor
Distinguished Service Order
Military Cross
Mentioned in Despatches (2)

Sir William Watt Leggatt DSO, MC (23 December 1894 – 27 November 1968) was an Australian soldier, lawyer and politician. He served as commanding officer of the 2/40th Battalion and later Sparrow Force during the Second World War, fighting in Timor against the Japanese invasion in 1942. He was captured by the Japanese and sent to Changi Prison in Singapore. Following the war, he was based in Melbourne in charge of war crimes investigation until 1946. In 1948 he was elected to the Victorian parliament. He died in 1968 and was accorded a state funeral.

References

Victorian Legislative Assembly
Preceded by
Alfred Kirton
Member for Mornington
1947–1956
Succeeded by
Roberts Dunstan
Diplomatic posts
Preceded by
John Lienhop
Agent-General for Victoria
1956–1964
Succeeded by
Horace Petty


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