Whitney Willard Straight
| Whitney Willard Straight | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Personal details | |
| Born |
6 November 1912 New York, United States |
| Died |
5 April 1979 (aged 66) Fulham, London, England |
| Spouse(s) | Lady Daphne Margarita Finch-Hatton |
| Relations |
Henry H. Straight (grandfather) William Collins Whitney (grandfather) Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney (cousin) Leonard K. Elmhirst (stepfather) Guy Finch-Hatton, Earl of Winchilsea (father-in-law) |
| Children | Camilla Caroline Straight Amanda Straight Barney Barnato Walker |
| Parents |
Willard Dickerman Straight Dorothy Payne Whitney |
| Education | Dartington Hall School |
| Alma mater | Trinity College |
| Known for | Chairman Royal Aero Club Managing Director and CEO British Overseas Airways Corporation Deputy Chairman Rolls-Royce |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |
 United Kingdom
|
| Service/branch |
 Royal Air Force
|
| Years of service | 1939–1945 |
| Rank | Air Commodore |
| Unit | No. 601 Squadron RAF |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards |
Commander of the Order of the British Empire Military Cross Distinguished Flying Cross |
Air Commodore Whitney Willard Straight CBE, MC, DFC (6 November 1912 – 5 April 1979) was a Grand Prix motor racing driver, aviator, businessman, and a member of the prominent Whitney family of the United States.
Born in New York City, Whitney Straight was the son of Major Willard Dickerman Straight (1880–1918) and heiress Dorothy Payne Whitney (1887–1968). He was almost six years old when his father died in France of influenza during the great epidemic while serving with the United States Army during World War I. Following his mother's remarriage to British agronomist Leonard K. Elmhirst (1893–1974) in 1925, the family moved to England. They lived at Dartington Hall where he attended the progressive school founded by his parents. His education was completed at Trinity College, Cambridge.
While still an undergraduate at Cambridge, he became a well known Grand Prix motor racing driver and competed at events in the UK and Europe. He competed in more Grands Prix than any American until after World War II. Straight started competing in 1931 with a Brooklands Riley competing at Shelsley Walsh, Southport and Brooklands circuit.
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