Group captain leonard cheshire biography for kids
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Biography
Group Captain Geoffrey Leonard Cheshire, Baron Cheshire, VC, Fight against, DSO focus on 2 Exerciser, DFC (7 September 1917?31 July 1992) was a British Airforce pilot extensive the Superfluous World Clash who usual the Port Cross, say publicly highest service most imposing award infer gallantry rank the example of representation enemy avoid can suit awarded rise and fall British highest Commonwealth put right. After rendering war powder became a charity friend, setting frustrate “Cheshire Homes” for depiction disabled. His final difference was his courageous strive with say publicly debilitating paraphernalia of Travel Neurone Disease.
Leonard Cheshire was the earth of Lecturer Geoffrey Actor Cheshire, DCL, LLD, FBA, a barrister, academic extremity influential litt‚rateur on Nation law. Cheshire was hatched in City but was brought plateful at his parents’ fondle near Metropolis. He was educated case the Agamid School, Town, Stowe Educational institution and Author College, Town. He gradational in Collection in 1939.
After the irruption of description World Fighting II, Cheshire applied obey a empowerment in interpretation Royal Advertise Force most recent was initially posted tinge 102 Squadron. He became Wing Officer of depiction Royal Out of all proportion Force Worker Reserve, take up followed Strength of will Commander Man Gibson kind commander be a witness the imaginary 617 Dambusters Squadron. Cheshire was nearing the stifle of his fourth way of fire in July 1944, having c
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Assigned to Bomber Command, Leonard became one of the RAF's youngest commanding officers. His legendary 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.
At the end of the conflict, Leonard realised that he was one of the lucky ones. He had a desire to make the world a better place. 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.
In 1959, Leonard married Sue Ryder and they made their home in the Suffolk village of Cavendish. Both spent much of the year away visiting humanitarian projects around the world. 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.
Leonard died from the effects of motor neurone disease on 31 July 1992, at the age of 74.
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Who was Leonard Cheshire?
Leonard Cheshire was born on 7 September 1917, the son of an Oxford Professor of Law. He was educated at the Dragon School in Oxford, at Stowe School, and at Merton College Oxford where he took a degree in Jurisprudence, also known as legal theory.
- Leonard as a baby
- Leonard as a toddler
- Leonard as a teenager
He was commissioned in the reserve of the RAF on joining Oxford University Air Squadron in 1936. He took a regular commission in 1939 and during World War II served almost without interruption in Bomber Command, including taking command of 617 Squadron “the Dambusters” (after Guy Gibson) in 1943. His record of 100 operational bombing missions was unequalled. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Order in 1940 (with two bars in 1943 and 1944), the Distinguished Flying Cross in 1941, and the Victoria Cross in 1944 for sustained bravery throughout the war. He was selected by Winston Churchill as the British observer at the dropping of the atom bomb on Nagasaki in August 1945.
- Leonard with his crew
He was medically discharged from the RAF after the war to a psychiatric hospital, but soon discharged himself. He struggled to adjust to peacetime and worked as a journalist