Remembering Blackpool’s unsung war hero: Sgt Leonard Briggs

I’m proud to share some long-overdue recognition for a remarkable but often overlooked group of World War II heroes – the RAF’s Photographic Reconnaissance Units (PRU). These were the unarmed airmen who flew alone, deep into enemy territory, to gather vital intelligence that helped win the war. Among them was one of Blackpool’s own – Sgt Leonard Briggs.

Leonard was the son of Thomas and Mary Briggs, who lived at 54 London Road, Blackpool. A young man with his whole life ahead of him, Leonard answered the call of duty by joining the RAF Volunteer Reserve at the very start of the war. He was soon posted to No. 1 Photographic Reconnaissance Unit, where he flew Spitfires on highly dangerous solo missions to photograph enemy ports, shipyards and weapons sites.

On 2nd December 1941, Leonard took off on a mission to photograph the heavily fortified German port of Brest. After crossing the English coast and heading out to sea, he was never seen again. He was just 21 years old. To this day, Leonard remains missing in action – one of countless wartime sacrifices quietly made by our communities.

Despite the critical role of the PRU in delivering intelligence that led to D-Day, the Dambusters Raid and tracking enemy vessels like the Bismarck and Tirpitz, these brave individuals have never had a dedicated national memorial. That’s finally changing.

The government has confirmed that a national memorial to the PRU will be built near the entrance to the Churchill War Rooms in London, just metres from where much of their intelligence was received and acted upon. The memorial will honour both the pilots and the photographic interpreters, many of whom were women, whose work helped change the course of the war.

Blackpool also played a vital part in this extraordinary story. RAF Squires Gate, now Blackpool Airport, was the home of the RAF Photographic School from 1941 until the end of the war. As part of their training, many PRU pilots passed through Squires Gate before heading to operational units. It was here that they learned the specialist reconnaissance skills they would need to carry out their dangerous missions.

I am proud to support this effort because I believe it is our duty to remember those, like Leonard, who gave everything under the most perilous conditions, without fanfare or public recognition.

If you are related to Sgt Leonard Briggs, knew his family, or have any information at all about him or others who served in the PRU, please come forward. Your memories can help bring their stories to light.

If you have information please email chris.webb.mp@parliament.uk