Cheshire’s Gift

Leonard Cheshire VC, OM, DSO**, DFC, Baron Cheshire of Woodhall, was awarded the Victoria Cross for his heroic service during World War 2, becoming one of the youngest commanding officers in the RAF. Cheshire led the 617 Squadron, the Dambusters, for eight months.
 
On 25th June 1944, Wing Commander Cheshire navigated his RAF Mk 3 Mustang above the German V1 storage and launch site at Siracourt in Northern France, marking the site for the accurate delivery of the 12,000 lbs Tallboys payload of 17 Avro Lancasters from 617 Squadron before returning home to RAF Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire.