Others Magazine

Major Colin Leggett was promoted to glory peacefully from his home at Blue Cross, Ivanhoe (Vic.) on Thursday 15 July 2021 surrounded by his loving family. He was 92 years old.

Colin Robert Leggett entered Officer Training College in Melbourne on 4 April 1951 as part of the Ambassadors session of cadets. He had just left his family and girlfriend behind in Adelaide and was excited to find out what the future had in store for him.

His first appointment was to the Box Hill Boys Home (Vic.) for 12 months, and the Nedlands Boys Home in Western Australia. In December 1953, Colin married Lieutenant Norma Scrivenor, and together they were appointed to Point McLeay Aboriginal Reserve in South Australia in 1954. From there they were relocated to Port Augusta (SA) in June 1955, and then Seymour Corps (Vic.) in 1957. In April 1957, after only three months at Seymour, Norma was hospitalised in Melbourne. So their next appointment was to Port Melbourne Centre, and in 1958 to Bayswater Boys Home.

In November 1961, after nearly four years at Bayswater Boys Home, the Leggetts relocated to Auburn Youth Hostel/Lyndon Lodge (Vic.), where they stayed for nine years. In January 1971, they moved to Kent Town Boys Home (SA) where Colin was selected to attend the ICO in London but returned to Victoria in 1972 to take up an appointment at Bayswater Youth Training Centre.

In 1974, the Leggetts accepted a new position, as Probation Officer and Missing Persons Enquiry, Territorial Headquarters, and during this time Colin was appointed to assist with the Darwin relief after Cyclone Tracy.

Norma and Colin travelled overseas in 1976 to take up an appointment at The Salvation Army Men’s Home in Buenos Aires, Argentina. After 18 months in this position, they changed appointments while still in South America East Territory, accepting a position as Assistant Public Relations Department THQ until their return to Australia in March 1979.

On their return, they were temporarily appointed to Alton Court Aged Care before accepting to return to Bayswater Boys Home as Manager in January 1980. After 12 months, they were again on the move to Western Australia, as Superintendent of Hollywood Senior Citizens Village (1981-84).

In 1985, Colin accepted an appointment as Assistant State Social Secretary (Vic.) and then in 1986 also added the appointment of Director for Senior Citizens Services (Vic.) In 1988, he was appointed State Social Services Secretary (SA) and then 22 months later returned to Victoria as Assistant Territorial Social Services Secretary (THQ), his final appointment before retirement on 11 February 1989.

Colin and Norma enjoyed caravanning and spending time with their family in retirement, welcoming 11 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Our love, sympathy and prayers are with Major Norma, Peter, David and Judi, their partners, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, extended family, and friends.

“His master said to him ‘Well done, good and faithful servant.
You have been faithful ... enter into the joy of your master.”
(Matthew 25:23)

The funeral for Major Colin Leggett will be held on Wednesday 21 July at 2pm (as a private funeral due to current COVID restrictions), to be conducted by Major Brian Pratt. The Service will be live-streamed.