Group Captain Sir Leonard Cheshire VC, OM, DSO and two bars, DFC (1917 - 1992) was a British RAF pilot, famous for his service in the Second World War and subsequent work for charity.
He was wing commander of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, and followed Wing Commander Guy Gibson as commander of the legendary 617 Dambusters Squadron. He flew 100 missions over Germany. On his 101st mission, he was official British observer of the nuclear bombing of Nagasaki, an event which profoundly altered his thinking regarding war, so much so that he dedicated the rest of his life to working for disabled people.
In 1948, he founded the Leonard Cheshire charity, which continues his work, and runs homes for disabled people throughout the world. It is described on its factsheet as "the UK’s leading voluntary sector provider of support services for disabled people" [1].
In 1959, he married Sue Ryder, also the founder of a charity.