Leslie Court

Sergeant Leslie Simpson Court (born 1897, date of death unknown) was a World World aerial observer who was credited with eight aerial victories while serving as an observer/gunner in the Royal Aircraft Factory FE.2bs of 25 Squadron.

Court began his victory string while piloted by Lancelot Richardson; on 26 June 1916, the duo were credited with destruction of a German Fokker Eindekker. On 15 July, Court was credited with the destruction of a second Eindekker. Five days later, Court was again teamed with Richardson, and at 1830 hours, they destroyed an Eindekker and drove a second one down out of control, for two victories apiece. Richardson being wounded and sidelined because of this sortie, Court was then assigned to a newly arrived pilot, Corporal Thomas Mottershead for Mottershead's familiarization flights and rookie combat missions. On 5 August, Court and Second Lieutenant W. H. Rilett, while crewing FE.2b Serial No. 6932, were shot down, crash landing just behind friendly lines and then having the wrecked plane shelled by German artillery. Just over a month later, on 9 September, Court was teamed with Noel Webb, when they drove a German two-seater out of control, making Court an ace. He was subsequently promoted to Sergeant. On 27 September, Court flew with Second Lieutenant Victor William Harrison; in that day's dogfight, they shot down, and were shot down by, a German two-seater crew of Albert Dossenbach and Hans Schilling. All hands survived. Court went on to two final wins while flying observer for fellow ace James Leith Leith, one the destruction of a German fighter plane on 22 October, the other a Fokker fighter driven down out of control on 9 November 1916. Court was awarded the French Medaille Militaire on 1 May 1917.