Cheshire Close
In honour of : Leonard Cheshire
Full Real Name : Wing Commander Geoffrey Leonard Cheshire, Baron Cheshire, VC, OM, DSO & Two Bars, DFC
Born in Chester, Cheshire on 7th September 1917
Died in Cavendish, Suffolk on 31st July 1992
Buried in Cavendish Cemetery, Suffolk
Leonard Cheshire was the youngest Group Captain in the RAF (promoted to this rank at the age of 25) and one of the most highly decorated pilots of the Second World War - amongst his honours he received the Victoria Cross on 13th November 1945 which is the highest award that can be given to someone in the British and Commonwealth forces. The Victoria Cross is awarded for gallantry in the face of the enemy. The citation for his VC is extensive but concludes:
"What he did in the Munich operation was typical of the careful planning, brilliant execution and contempt for danger which has established for Wing Commander Cheshire a reputation second to none in Bomber Command"
Inn 1942 he was promoted to Wing Commander and given command of No 76 Squadron RAF, a Halifax Bomber squadron based at RAF Linton-on-Ouse.
During his time here he was responsible for the 'redesign' of the Halifax Bomber allowing it to fly higher to avoid enemy flak.
Whilst there he formed "The Plumbers Club" with his ground crews where they could meet and discuss any problems they might have. Their motto was "You Bend 'em, We Mend 'em".
In 1943 having completed three 'Tours' Cheshire was grounded and not allowed to fly any more sorties which was a huge frustration for him. During this time he wrote his first book which became a national bestseller. The book, Bomber Pilot, describes how he flew his badly damaged bomber (N for Nuts) back to RAF Driffield where he was based at the time.
He was medically discharged from the RAF in January 1946 and went on to form the Leonard Cheshire Disability Charity in 1948. Originally based at Le Court near Petersfield, Hampshire this charity continues to support disabled people around the world.
In 1959 he married Sue Ryder and they set up the Ryder-Cheshire Foundation.
In 1991, just a year before he died, he was created a Life Peer in recognition of his charitable work.
References:
https://www.biographyonline.net/military/leonard-cheshire.html
hitps://www.leonardcheshire.org/about-us/our-history
https://rewind.leonardcheshire.rg/spotlight/history-le-court-house
https://en/wikipedia.org/wiki/Leonard_Cheshire
Leonard Cheshire was the youngest Group Captain in the RAF (promoted to this rank at the age of 25) and one of the most highly decorated pilots of the Second World War - amongst his honours he received the Victoria Cross on 13th November 1945 which is the highest award that can be given to someone in the British and Commonwealth forces. The Victoria Cross is awarded for gallantry in the face of the enemy. The citation for his VC is extensive but concludes:
"What he did in the Munich operation was typical of the careful planning, brilliant execution and contempt for danger which has established for Wing Commander Cheshire a reputation second to none in Bomber Command"
Inn 1942 he was promoted to Wing Commander and given command of No 76 Squadron RAF, a Halifax Bomber squadron based at RAF Linton-on-Ouse.
During his time here he was responsible for the 'redesign' of the Halifax Bomber allowing it to fly higher to avoid enemy flak.
Whilst there he formed "The Plumbers Club" with his ground crews where they could meet and discuss any problems they might have. Their motto was "You Bend 'em, We Mend 'em".
In 1943 having completed three 'Tours' Cheshire was grounded and not allowed to fly any more sorties which was a huge frustration for him. During this time he wrote his first book which became a national bestseller. The book, Bomber Pilot, describes how he flew his badly damaged bomber (N for Nuts) back to RAF Driffield where he was based at the time.
He was medically discharged from the RAF in January 1946 and went on to form the Leonard Cheshire Disability Charity in 1948. Originally based at Le Court near Petersfield, Hampshire this charity continues to support disabled people around the world.
In 1959 he married Sue Ryder and they set up the Ryder-Cheshire Foundation.
In 1991, just a year before he died, he was created a Life Peer in recognition of his charitable work.
References:
https://www.biographyonline.net/military/leonard-cheshire.html
hitps://www.leonardcheshire.org/about-us/our-history
https://rewind.leonardcheshire.rg/spotlight/history-le-court-house
https://en/wikipedia.org/wiki/Leonard_Cheshire
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