William Leggatt

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.

For the British Army officer and cricketer of the same name, see Bill 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
Branch/service	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)

See also

• Battle of Timor

References

• Leggatt, Sir William Watt (Bill) (1894 – 1968) - Australian Dictionary of Biography

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