Gordon Cleaver
|
Gordon Neil Spencer Cleaver DFC |
|
|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Mouse |
| Born | Stanmore, Middlesex, |
| Died | 1994 |
| Allegiance |
 United Kingdom
|
| Service/branch |
 Royal Air Force
|
| Years of service | 1937-1943 |
| Rank | Squadron Leader |
| Service number | 90135 |
| Unit | No. 601 Squadron RAF |
| Battles/wars |
World War II |
| Awards | Distinguished Flying Cross |
World War II
Squadron Leader Gordon Neil Spencer 'Mouse' Cleaver DFC was a British RAF fighter pilot and flying ace (with 7 confirmed "kills") during the Battle of Britain in the Second World War. After the war he played a role in developing artificial lenses to restore sight.
Gordon Cleaver was born in Stanmore, Middlesex and was educated at Harrow School. Cleaver was the inaugural winner of the Hahnenkammrennen Combined in 1931, and is the only British skier to win at Kitzbühel. In the same race was Roger Bushell, of Great Escape fame, who finished in 14th place.
Cleaver joined the Auxiliary Air Force in 1937, serving with No. 601 Squadron RAF, also known as "The Millionaires' Squadron".
Cleaver went with the squadron to Merville, France on 16 May 1940. On 18 May, Cleaver, with F/L Archibald Hope, brought down a Do-17 of 2/KG 76 west of Mons, the crew being captured. The next day, Cleaver's Hurricane was hit by debris from a He-111 that attacked over Douai and he force-landed near Lille. 601 Squadron was then transferred back to the UK.
On 27 May, he claimed two Bf 110s destroyed over Dunkirk. Cleaver next claimed a Ju-87 destroyed and a He-111 'probable' on 11 July, a Bf 109 destroyed on 26 July, a Bf 109 and a Bf 110 both probables on 11 August and a Bf 110 probably destroyed on 13 August.
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Wikipedia