The Lord Cheshire | |
|---|---|
 Wing Commander Leonard Cheshire in January 1943 | |
| Born | 7 September 1917 Chester, England |
| Died | 31 July 1992 (aged 74) Cavendish, Suffolk, England |
| Buried | Cavendish Cemetery |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service | Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | 1937–1946 |
| Rank | Group captain |
| Service number | 72021 |
| Unit | No. 102 Squadron RAF No. 35 Squadron RAF |
| Commands | No. 617 Squadron RAF (1943–44) RAF Marston Moor (1943) No. 76 Squadron RAF (1942–43) |
| Battles / wars | Second World War |
| Awards | Victoria Cross Member of the Order of Merit Distinguished Service Order & Two Bars Distinguished Flying Cross Mentioned in Despatches |
| Spouse(s) |
|
| Children | 2 |
| Relations | Geoffrey Chevalier Cheshire (father) |
| Other work | Humanitarian |
Geoffrey Leonard Cheshire, Baron Cheshire, VC, OM, DSO & Two Bars, DFC (7 September 1917 – 31 July 1992) was a highly decorated Royal Air Force (RAF) pilot and group captain during the Second World War. He was also a philanthropist.
Among the decorations Cheshire received as a pilot was the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. He was the youngest group captain in the RAF and one of the most highly decorated pilots of the war.
After the war he founded a nursing home that grew into the charity Leonard Cheshire Disability. He became known for his work in conflict resolution. In 1991 he was created a life peer in recognition of his charitable work.[1] He is under consideration for beatification in the Roman Catholic Church.[2]
- ^ "No. 52563". The London Gazette (Supplement). 15 June 1991. p. 1.
- ^ "1992". Hagiography Circle. 7 September 2017.