Leonard Cheshire VC, OM, DSO & Two Bars, DFC

Leonard Cheshire VC, OM, DSO & Two Bars, DFC

(OD 1931)
RAF Pilot, Philanthropist and Life Peer

Leonard was born in Chester and moved to Oxford at a young age, where he studied at the Dragon and Stowe School. He was later accepted to Merton College, Oxford University, joined the RAF and trained as a pilot.

Assigned to Bomber Command, Leonard become one of the RAF’s youngest commanding officers. His war career included eight months leading No.617 Squadron – the Dambusters. He became the most highly decorated bomber pilot when awarded the Victoria Cross in 1944. Leonard’s decorations also include the Order of Merit – a personal gift of The Queen, limited to 24 members at any one time, the Distinguished Service Order, and the Distinguished Flying Cross.

After leaving the RAF in 1946, Leonard began a series of charitable endeavours, which sought to provide opportunities for ex-servicemen and their families. Many ventures failed until he received a call from a local hospital. An acquaintance was dying and they asked if they could come and live with him. This started a lifetime of humanitarian work with disabled people. Leonard continued to fight injustice and work towards a society in which everyone is equally valued. [1]

“We need to set our sights high, to be satisfied with nothing less than the best, and to commit ourselves totally and unreservedly to participate in the struggle to build a more liveable world.”

In 1959, he married Sue Ryder and they made their home in Cavendish. Leonard was admitted to the Order of Merit in 1981 and made a life peer in the House of Lords in 1991. In memory of his time serving RAF Woodhall Spa, Leonard took the title Baron Cheshire of Woodhall in the County of Lincolnshire.

Photo Credit: (c) National Portrait Gallery, London

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