Croker, Leonard

Leonard Francis Croker (known as Jimmy) was born 23 March 1916 in New Plymouth, the son of Frederick William and Marion Louisa Croker. After leaving NPBHS he trained as an electrician and worked in various New Plymouth businesses. He was very involved in the St John Ambulance Association and Scouts and was the Scoutmaster of the Central (New Plymouth) Troop.

In about 1934 Jimmy designed and presented the F W Sandford Scout Shield which was awarded annually (up until 1964) to the best all round patrol leader in the New Plymouth Central Scout Group. The shield is now part of the Puke Ariki collection.

Jimmy enlisted with the RNZAF in May 1941 and began aircrew training in Levin before being mustered as an Air Observer in November that year. He was sent to Canada in December 191 for further training where he served as an air bomber. He was then posted to No 11 Operational Training Unit, Westcott, Buckinghamshire, England, where he trained on Wellington Bomber aircraft.

He was killed in a crash landing of a training flight in a Wellington bomber near Ashley Market, Harborough, Leicestershire on 7 February 1943, aged 26. He is buried in the Parish Church Cemetery, North Luffenham, Leicestershire, England.

The L F Crocker Memorial Shield was donated by Jimmy's parents and was presented for the first time at the Central Scout Group's birthday on 21 July 1944 to A. Symonson and Les Hine. It was awarded to the best scout in the troop every six months until 1966. The shield is now part of the Puke Ariki collection.

Books

Lest we Forget, a tribute by New Plymouth Boy's High School, New Plymouth, to the 227 men of the School who died while serving their Country during the Second World War, 1939-1945, by Jack West, TRCT940.5467 WES