Leon Goldsworthy
Encyclopedia
Leon Verdi Goldsworthy GC
, DSC
, GM
(19 January 1909 – 7 August 1994) was a distinguished Australia
n bomb and mine specialist in the Second World War, and a recipient of the George Cross
, the highest gallantry award for actions which are "not in the face of the enemy" that can be awarded to people of British
or Commonwealth
nations. He was awarded the GC for defusing four German ground mines, three magnetic mines and one acoustic mine
under harrowing circumstances over a period of ten months.
Upon the conclusion of war, Goldsworthy had achieved the rank of lieutenant commander
and was Australia's most highly decorated naval officer. He returned to his home in Perth, Western Australia
and became involved in an electrical sign business.
, the son of Alfred Goldsworthy and Eva Jane Goldsworthy (née Riggs). Growing up he was a keen amateur wrestler and gymnast. He was educated at Kapunda High School, South Australia
, and later went on to the Adelaide School of Mines before attending Adelaide University, where he worked as a technician in the Physics Department. After graduating, he moved to Western Australia
and went into the electrical sign business. On 4 November 1939, Goldsworthy married Maud E. Rutherford; the pair later had a daughter, Pamela.
due to his small stature, but he reapplied and was accepted as a probationary sub lieutenant in the Royal Australian Naval Volunteer Reserve on 24 March 1941. Two months later he arrived in England
to complete his training.
Completing his basic training, Goldsworthy volunteered for the Rendering Mines Safe Section on HMS Vernon
. He quickly proved himself as a skilled officer who was able to use his pre-war training in electricity and physics
to great effect. He was often required to defuse mines underwater wearing a bulky diving suit that made the slow, steady movements required in this work very difficult. During this period, he was tasked with disposing of German acoustic mines in a number of British harbours.
On 13 August 1943, Goldsworthy defused a German mine in the water off Sheerness using a special diving suit which he and a colleague had helped to develop. On 17 September, in conjunction with another Australian, Lieutenant Commander Geoffrey Cliff, he removed a two year old mine from the Coal Barge Wharf at Southampton. A very similar operation was carried out in the River Thames at Tate & Lyle's Wharf, Silvertown, London, on 7 October. For the later two actions, Goldsworthy was awarded the George Medal
which was published in a supplement to the London Gazette
on 14 April 1944, before receiving a Mention in Despatches in August of the same year.
He then engaged in a series of recoveries between 12 June 1943 and 10 April 1944, during which time he defused four German ground mines, three magnetic mines and one acoustic mine
. During the defusal of the acoustic mine, which had lain in the water off Milford Haven Wales
for two and a half years, Goldsworthy struck his head on the foot of a ladder while underwater and injured his back while trying to get clear. He, nonetheless, had still managed to extract the fuse and primer. He was awarded the George Cross
in September 1943 for his work in recovering and defusing mines during this period; he was also promoted to lieutenant commander.
Before the Allied invasion of France
, Goldsworthy was involved in the selection and training of men for port clearance. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross
in January 1945 for his bravery and leadership in clearing Cherbourg Harbour, which was needed urgently to supply Allied troops advancing across France. On one occasion he disarmed a new German 'K' type mine in 15 metres of water, whilst under shellfire.
After his work in France, Goldsworthy was posted to the South West Pacific Theatre for service with the United States Navy
's Mobile Explosive Investigation Unit. This involved work on Japanese mines and booby-traps during the invasion of the Philippines
, and later in connection with the landings in the Borneo
area; he was among the first to enter and search the caves in Correigidor.
By the time the war ended, Goldsworthy held the rank of lieutenant commander and was Australia's most highly decorated naval officer, having rendered more than 300 mines safe. He received his [eorge Cross from King George VI
at Buckingham Palace
on 26 February 1946, and was discharged on 24 May.
. Leon Goldsworthy died in Perth, Western Australia on 7 August 1994; he was one of only eight individuals who were awarded both the George Cross
and the George Medal
. The Leon Goldsworthy ward at Hollywood Private Hospital
has been named in his honour.
George Cross
The George Cross is the highest civil decoration of the United Kingdom, and also holds, or has held, that status in many of the other countries of the Commonwealth of Nations...
, DSC
Distinguished Service Cross (United Kingdom)
The Distinguished Service Cross is the third level military decoration awarded to officers, and other ranks, of the British Armed Forces, Royal Fleet Auxiliary and British Merchant Navy and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries.The DSC, which may be awarded posthumously, is...
, GM
George Medal
The George Medal is the second level civil decoration of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth.The GM was instituted on 24 September 1940 by King George VI. At this time, during the height of The Blitz, there was a strong desire to reward the many acts of civilian courage...
(19 January 1909 – 7 August 1994) was a distinguished Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n bomb and mine specialist in the Second World War, and a recipient of the George Cross
George Cross
The George Cross is the highest civil decoration of the United Kingdom, and also holds, or has held, that status in many of the other countries of the Commonwealth of Nations...
, the highest gallantry award for actions which are "not in the face of the enemy" that can be awarded to people of British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
or Commonwealth
Commonwealth of Nations
The Commonwealth of Nations, normally referred to as the Commonwealth and formerly known as the British Commonwealth, is an intergovernmental organisation of fifty-four independent member states...
nations. He was awarded the GC for defusing four German ground mines, three magnetic mines and one acoustic mine
Acoustic mine
An acoustic mine is a type of naval mine which monitors audio activity in its vicinity. Depending on its design, it will either actively send out audio pulses, not unlike a sonar, listening to the speed at which the echo returns to it or passively listen to its environment, depending only on the...
under harrowing circumstances over a period of ten months.
Upon the conclusion of war, Goldsworthy had achieved the rank of lieutenant commander
Lieutenant Commander
Lieutenant Commander is a commissioned officer rank in many navies. The rank is superior to a lieutenant and subordinate to a commander...
and was Australia's most highly decorated naval officer. He returned to his home in Perth, Western Australia
Perth, Western Australia
Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia and the fourth most populous city in Australia. The Perth metropolitan area has an estimated population of almost 1,700,000....
and became involved in an electrical sign business.
Early life
Goldsworthy was born on 19 January 1909 at Broken Hill, New South WalesNew South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
, the son of Alfred Goldsworthy and Eva Jane Goldsworthy (née Riggs). Growing up he was a keen amateur wrestler and gymnast. He was educated at Kapunda High School, South Australia
South Australia
South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...
, and later went on to the Adelaide School of Mines before attending Adelaide University, where he worked as a technician in the Physics Department. After graduating, he moved to Western Australia
Western Australia
Western Australia is a state of Australia, occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Great Australian Bight and Indian Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east and South Australia to the south-east...
and went into the electrical sign business. On 4 November 1939, Goldsworthy married Maud E. Rutherford; the pair later had a daughter, Pamela.
Second World War
Goldsworthy was initially rejected by the Royal Australian NavyRoyal Australian Navy
The Royal Australian Navy is the naval branch of the Australian Defence Force. Following the Federation of Australia in 1901, the ships and resources of the separate colonial navies were integrated into a national force: the Commonwealth Naval Forces...
due to his small stature, but he reapplied and was accepted as a probationary sub lieutenant in the Royal Australian Naval Volunteer Reserve on 24 March 1941. Two months later he arrived in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
to complete his training.
Completing his basic training, Goldsworthy volunteered for the Rendering Mines Safe Section on HMS Vernon
HMS Vernon (shore establishment)
HMS Vernon was a shore establishment or 'stone frigate' of the Royal Navy. Vernon was established on 26 April 1876 as the Royal Navy's Torpedo Branch and operated until 1 April 1996, when the various elements comprising the establishment were split up and moved to different commands.-Foundation...
. He quickly proved himself as a skilled officer who was able to use his pre-war training in electricity and physics
Physics
Physics is a natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through spacetime, along with related concepts such as energy and force. More broadly, it is the general analysis of nature, conducted in order to understand how the universe behaves.Physics is one of the oldest academic...
to great effect. He was often required to defuse mines underwater wearing a bulky diving suit that made the slow, steady movements required in this work very difficult. During this period, he was tasked with disposing of German acoustic mines in a number of British harbours.
On 13 August 1943, Goldsworthy defused a German mine in the water off Sheerness using a special diving suit which he and a colleague had helped to develop. On 17 September, in conjunction with another Australian, Lieutenant Commander Geoffrey Cliff, he removed a two year old mine from the Coal Barge Wharf at Southampton. A very similar operation was carried out in the River Thames at Tate & Lyle's Wharf, Silvertown, London, on 7 October. For the later two actions, Goldsworthy was awarded the George Medal
George Medal
The George Medal is the second level civil decoration of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth.The GM was instituted on 24 September 1940 by King George VI. At this time, during the height of The Blitz, there was a strong desire to reward the many acts of civilian courage...
which was published in a supplement to the London Gazette
London Gazette
The London Gazette is one of the official journals of record of the British government, and the most important among such official journals in the United Kingdom, in which certain statutory notices are required to be published...
on 14 April 1944, before receiving a Mention in Despatches in August of the same year.
He then engaged in a series of recoveries between 12 June 1943 and 10 April 1944, during which time he defused four German ground mines, three magnetic mines and one acoustic mine
Acoustic mine
An acoustic mine is a type of naval mine which monitors audio activity in its vicinity. Depending on its design, it will either actively send out audio pulses, not unlike a sonar, listening to the speed at which the echo returns to it or passively listen to its environment, depending only on the...
. During the defusal of the acoustic mine, which had lain in the water off Milford Haven Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
for two and a half years, Goldsworthy struck his head on the foot of a ladder while underwater and injured his back while trying to get clear. He, nonetheless, had still managed to extract the fuse and primer. He was awarded the George Cross
George Cross
The George Cross is the highest civil decoration of the United Kingdom, and also holds, or has held, that status in many of the other countries of the Commonwealth of Nations...
in September 1943 for his work in recovering and defusing mines during this period; he was also promoted to lieutenant commander.
Before the Allied invasion of France
Operation Overlord
Operation Overlord was the code name for the Battle of Normandy, the operation that launched the invasion of German-occupied western Europe during World War II by Allied forces. The operation commenced on 6 June 1944 with the Normandy landings...
, Goldsworthy was involved in the selection and training of men for port clearance. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross
Distinguished Service Cross (United Kingdom)
The Distinguished Service Cross is the third level military decoration awarded to officers, and other ranks, of the British Armed Forces, Royal Fleet Auxiliary and British Merchant Navy and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries.The DSC, which may be awarded posthumously, is...
in January 1945 for his bravery and leadership in clearing Cherbourg Harbour, which was needed urgently to supply Allied troops advancing across France. On one occasion he disarmed a new German 'K' type mine in 15 metres of water, whilst under shellfire.
After his work in France, Goldsworthy was posted to the South West Pacific Theatre for service with the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
's Mobile Explosive Investigation Unit. This involved work on Japanese mines and booby-traps during the invasion of the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
, and later in connection with the landings in the Borneo
Borneo
Borneo is the third largest island in the world and is located north of Java Island, Indonesia, at the geographic centre of Maritime Southeast Asia....
area; he was among the first to enter and search the caves in Correigidor.
By the time the war ended, Goldsworthy held the rank of lieutenant commander and was Australia's most highly decorated naval officer, having rendered more than 300 mines safe. He received his [eorge Cross from King George VI
George VI of the United Kingdom
George VI was King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth from 11 December 1936 until his death...
at Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace, in London, is the principal residence and office of the British monarch. Located in the City of Westminster, the palace is a setting for state occasions and royal hospitality...
on 26 February 1946, and was discharged on 24 May.
Later life
Goldsworthy returned to Perth upon demobilisation, and became the Production Manager of Neon Signs (W.A.) Pty Ltd, Perth in 1963. After his wife's death, he re-married Georgette Johnston in 1968, and in 1991 he became Vice-Chairman (overseas) of the Victoria Cross and George Cross AssociationVictoria Cross and George Cross Association
The Victoria Cross and George Cross Association is made up of holders of the Victoria Cross, Britain's highest military award for bravery in the field, and the George Cross, the equivalent award for civilians and military personnel who have displayed conspicuous bravery but not in action.Holders of...
. Leon Goldsworthy died in Perth, Western Australia on 7 August 1994; he was one of only eight individuals who were awarded both the George Cross
George Cross
The George Cross is the highest civil decoration of the United Kingdom, and also holds, or has held, that status in many of the other countries of the Commonwealth of Nations...
and the George Medal
George Medal
The George Medal is the second level civil decoration of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth.The GM was instituted on 24 September 1940 by King George VI. At this time, during the height of The Blitz, there was a strong desire to reward the many acts of civilian courage...
. The Leon Goldsworthy ward at Hollywood Private Hospital
Hollywood Private Hospital
Hollywood Private Hospital is an acute-care private teaching hospital situated in the Perth suburb of Nedlands, in Western Australia. The hospital has 474 beds for in-patients and day stays and provides care for private patients, including the privately insured, entitled veterans and the...
has been named in his honour.
External links
- Australian War Memorial - Timeline of Goldsworthy's Life
- Digger History - The George Cross