- Gordon Cleaver
-
Gordon Neil Spencer Cleaver Nickname Mouse Died 1994 Allegiance 
United KingdomService/branch 
Royal Air ForceYears of service 1937-1943 Battles/wars World War II
Awards Distinguished Flying Cross Squadron Leader Gordon Neil Spencer 'Mouse' Cleaver, DFC RAF was a World War II Royal Air Force fighter pilot during the Battle of Britain. Cleaver was scored a total of 7 kills during the Second World War,[1] but is best remembered for the role he played in developing artificial lenses to restore sight.[2]
Contents
Early life
Gordon Cleaver was born in Stanmore, Middlesex and was educated at Harrow School. Cleaver was the inaugural winner of the Hahnenkammrennen in 1931, and is the only British skier to win the event.[3] In the same race was Roger Bushell, of Great Escape fame, who finished in 14th place.
Air Force Career
Cleaver joined the Auxiliary Air Force in 1937 [4] serving with No. 601 Squadron RAF, also as "The Millionaires' Squadron".
On 15 August 1940, Cleaver was shot down during combat over Winchester. The perspex canopy of his Hurricane was shattered and the perspex fragments shattered into his face and both eyes. Cleaver baled out and using his parachute landed Lower Upham outside Southampton. On arrival at Salisbury Hospital it was discovered that he had been blinded in his right eye and had seriously reduced vision in the left. This ended his flying career.
Cleaver was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross
Flying Officer Gordon Neil Spencer CLEAVER (90135), Auxiliary Air Force.
This officer has been engaged on operational flying since December, 1939. He participated in numerous offensive patrols during operations in France and the Dunkirk evacuation. Flying Officer Cleaver has now destroyed seven enemy aircraft and possibly another two. In August, 1940, whilst his base was being subjected to intense bombing, he led his- section with great determination and courage and after destroying one of the attacking aircraft he was severely wounded in both eyes. Despite this, he refused to abandon his aircraft and effected a successful landing. He has displayed great determination and devotion to duty.[5]Despite his injuries, Cleaver was able to remain in the RAF. He officially transferred to the Administrative Branch on 27 May 1941. He retired on 9 November 1943[6] retaining the rank of squadron leader.[7]
Eye Operations & Later Life
Following the flying incident, Cleaver was sent to Moorfields Eye Hospital. He was operated on by Sir Harold Ridely.[8] Cleaver had 18 operations on his eyes and face. It was during the course of this treatment that Ridley noticed that the perspex itself caused no inflammation in the eye. Ridley based his research on this, and resulted in the development of artificial intraocular lens transplant surgery for cataract patients.
Later in life, Cleaver suffered a traumatic cataract in his remaining eye as a result of his original injuries. In the 1980s, he had the cataract removed and received an artificial implant. His sight was restored thanks to research on his own eye 40 years earlier and with an implant based on the perspex which had caused the blindness.
Legacy
The organizers of Hahnenkamm named a cup after Cleaver,[9] first presented in 2006.[10]
References
- ^ "English / British & Other RAF Aces of WW2". acesofww2.com. http://www.acesofww2.com/UK/UK.htm.
- ^ "The vital part played by a Battle of Britain pilot in developing artificial lenses that have restored the sight of millions of people". Battle of Britain Monument. http://www.bbm.org.uk/FightforSight.htm.
- ^ "Austrians name cup after pioneer British ski ace". The Daily Telegraph (London). 16 January 2006. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/expat/expatfeedback/4198777/Austrians-name-cup-after-pioneer-British-ski-ace.html.
- ^ http://www.bbm.org.uk/news-2006.htm
- ^ http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/34945/pages/5488
- ^ http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/36258/supplements/5140
- ^ http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/35503/pages/1396
- ^ http://www.opticianonline.net/Articles/2010/09/24/26325/Stamp+of+gratitude.html
- ^ http://www.redbull.com/cs/Satellite/en_INT/Article/10historicalfiguresfromtheHahnenkammrennen-021242948830261
- ^ http://www.natives.co.uk/do/ecco.py/view_item?listid=9&listcatid=61&listitemid=901
Categories:- Royal Air Force officers
- British World War II flying aces
- British World War II pilots
- The Few
- Recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)
- 1994 deaths
- Old Harrovians
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