Centenary of the birth of the highly decorated bomber pilot, Leonard Cheshire, is celebrated in Cleckheaton

This year commemorates the centenary of his birth in 1917 and although he died, at the age of 74, on July 31 1992 from the effects of motor neurone disease, his legacy lives on through his namesake charity which supports thousands of disabled people in the UK by offering a wide range of care and support services.

Along with his wife Lady Sue Ryder, another name synonymous with supporting people with complex needs and life-threatening conditions predominantly through her own namesake charity, Leonard Cheshire’s charity continues, as his mission set out - to help others.

So, the centenary of his birth provides a timely and fitting tribute to this remarkable man who, before embarking on his humanitarian role, signed up to fight for his country during the Second World War.

Leonard was assigned to Bomber Command, becoming one of the RAF’s youngest commanding officers. His legendary war career included eight months leading No. 617 Squadron - the Dambusters - and he became the most highly decorated bomber pilot when he was awarded the Victoria Cross in 1944.

His humanitarian work was apparently prompted by a phone call from a local hospital asking if an acquaintance who was dying could come and live with him.

This led to the establishment and development of the homes we are familiar with today. By the mid 1950s there were five homes in the UK but Leonard Cheshire’s homes began to branch out beyond Britain.

The first overseas project began outside Mumbai, India. There was rapid expansion in the Sixties and, by 1970, there were more than 50 services in the UK, five in India and activities in 21 other countries around the world.

Closer to home, a Leonard Cheshire home was set up in Whitcliffe Road, Cleckheaton. The beautiful abode was given to the charity in the summer of 1960 by Sir Alfred Mowat and his sister, trustees of the Sir Gunn Mowatt Trust .

It is here where staff and residents gathered for a special celebration commemorating the centenary of Leonard Cheshire’s birth.

On Saturday September 2 the Mayor of Kirklees, Coun Christine Iredale, attended the launch of the home’s revamped inner garden - an area where residents enjoy sitting.

Jeanette Fullwood, volunteer coordinator at the home, explains a community effort including volunteers from Central Methodist Church, Cleckheaton, Beardsworths Nurseries, Cleckheaton, Zurich Insurance, Leeds-based prosthetic and orthotics firm Steeper and a donation from Tesco’s Bags of Help scheme, have all contributed to improving the outdoor space.

The garden, bearing a tree planted by Leonard on one of his many visits to the Cleckheaton home, provided the perfect location for the get together which raised more than £400.

Jeanette said they also planned to commemorate Leonard’s birthday on September 7 with a Birthday cake.

Nationally, the Leonard Cheshire charity has launched ‘100 Years of Inspiration’ to encourage people to take on a challenge involving 100 - running 100 miles, baking 100 cakes and so on.

She explains how one of the residents has drawn 100 pictures; another sold 100 copies of her poetry book, including a poem dedicated to Leonard Cheshire.

Initially, the Cleckheaton home, known as Kenmore, opened to 16 residents in Autumn 1960. The first two residents were Ernest Whitwam and Gordon Wilkinson.

However, according to the Leonard Cheshire charity, the home appears to have had two openings - the first was on September 24 1960 where speeches were held in the local Grammar school and the signing of the deeds were undertaken by Miss L M Mowat on behalf of her family and witnessed by Leonard Cheshire and guests.

Another opening on January 17 1961 appears to be the home’s birthday celebration with a Residents Committee putting on a party for staff and volunteers. The occasion was subsequently commemorated in a similar way for many years afterwards.

By the end of 1961 Kenmore was at capacity and an appeal, sponsored by the Mayors of Spenborough and Brighouse, was launched to fund an extension.

The target of £10,000 was reached by the summer of 1962. Subsequently, the extensions, officially opened in June 1963 by Princess Mary, Princess Royal and Countess of Harewood, increased the capacity to 30 residents.

On January 12 1966 the home received another special visitor - Leonard Cheshire - to commemorate the home’s fifth birthday.

Development continued in 1979 after staff, volunteers and residents fundraised towards the creation of seven single bedrooms, toilets, a linen room and a physiotherapy room.

Among the fundraising activities were rummage sales and a pottery party. On August 14 a sponsored fancy dress push, wheel and walk, was held on the running track at Princess Mary Playing Fields in Littletown, Liversedge and the Matron at the time appeared as a nurse maid with one of the residents apparently in a pram playing the baby with a bottle potty and nappy!

One mobile resident completed eight laps of the track while another did two laps backwards in their wheelchair raising more than £200 towards the target for the new extension which was built in 1990.

Another memorable moment in the milestones reached at Leonard Cheshire’s Cleckheaton home was the 25th anniversary celebrations held on July 12 1996 during which the founder and guest of honour planted a tree.

“He used to visit the home, he came here three or four times and we have had residents at the home who still remember him so for us his story was ever so remarkable in itself, “ says Jeanette.

WHEN the highly decorated bomber pilot, Leonard Cheshire, completed his war career he made it his mission to make a difference in the world.

This year commemorates his birth in 1917 and although he died, at the age of 74, on July 31 1992 from the effects of motor neurone disease, his legacy lives on through his namesake charity which supports thousands of disabled people in the UK by offering a wide range of care and support services.

Along with his wife Lady Sue Ryder, another name synonymous with supporting people with complex needs and life-threatening conditions predominantly through her own namesake charity, Leonard Cheshire’s charity continues, as his mission set out, to help others.

So, the centenary of his birth provides a timely and fitting tribute to this remarkable man who, before embarking on his humanitarian role, signed up to fight for his country during the Second World War.

Leonard was assigned to Bomber Command, becoming one of the RAF’s youngest commanding officers. His legendary war career included eight months leading No. 617 Squadron - the Dambusters - and he became the most highly decorated bomber pilot when he was awarded the Victoria Cross in 1944.

His humanitarian work was apparently prompted by a phone call from a local hospital asking if an acquaintance who was dying could come and live with him.

This led to the establishment and development of the homes we are familiar with today. By the mid 1950s there were five homes in the UK but Leonard Cheshire’s homes began to branch out beyond Britain.

The first overseas project began outside Mumbai, India. There was rapid expansion in the Sixties and, by 1970, there were more than 50 services in the UK, five in India and activities in 21 other countries around the world.

Closer to home, a Leonard Cheshire home was set up in Whitcliffe Road, Cleckheaton. The beautiful abode was given to the charity in the summer of 1960 by Sir Alfred Mowat and his sister, trustees of the Sir Gunn Mowatt Trust and it is here where staff and residents gathered for a special celebration commemorating the centenary of Leonard Cheshire’s birth.

On Saturday September 2 the Mayor of Kirklees, Coun Christine Iredale, attended the launch of the home’s revamped inner garden - an area where residents enjoy sitting.

Jeanette Fullwood, volunteer coordinator at the home, explains a community effort including volunteers from Central Methodist Church, Cleckheaton, Beardsworths Nurseries, Cleckheaton, Zurich Insurance, Leeds-based prosthetic and orthotics firm Steeper and a donation from Tesco’s Bags of Help scheme, have all contributed to the outdoor space.

Jeanette explains having a tree in the garden which was planted by Leonard Cheshire on one of his many visits to meet residents at the Cleckheaton home, it would be fitting to host a special garden party commemorating the centenary of his birth.

Jeanette said they also planned to have a birthday cake on Thursday September 7 - Leonard’s Birthday. As part of the national charity’s celebrations they have launched a challenge. ‘100 Years of Inspiration’ aims to encourage people to take on a challenge involving 100 - running 100 miles, baking 100 cakes and so on.

She explains how one of the residents at the Cleckheaton home has drawn 100 pictures; another has sold 100 copies of her poetry book which includes a poem dedicated to Leonard Cheshire.

Initially, the Cleckheaton home, known as Kenmore, opened to 16 residents in Autumn 1960. The first two residents were Ernest Whitwam and Gordon Wilkinson.

However, according to the charity, the home appears to have had two openings - the first was on September 24 1960 where speeches were held in the local Grammar school and the signing of the deeds were undertaken by Miss L M Mowat on behalf of her family and witnessed by Leonard Cheshire and guests.

Guests were given a tour of the home and returned to the school for tea and to watch a film. Another opening on January 17 1961 appears to be the home’s birthday celebration with a Residents Committee putting on a party for staff and volunteers. The occasion was subsequently commemorated in a similar way for many years afterwards.

By the end of 1961 Kenmore was at capacity and an appeal, sponsored by the Mayors of Spenborough and Brighouse, was launched to fund an extension.

The target of £10,000 was reached by the summer of 1962 and the creation of the extensions increased the capacity to 30 residents.

In June 1963 Kenmore received a Royal visit when Princess Mary, Princess Royal and Countess of Harewood performed the official opening of the new extensions.

On January 12 1966 the home received another special visitor - Leonard Cheshire - to commemorate the home’s fifth birthday.

Development continued in 1979 after staff, volunteers and residents fundraised towards the creation of seven single bedrooms, toilets, a linen room and a physiotherapy room.

Among the fundraising activities were rummage sales and a pottery party. On August 14 a sponsored fancy dress push, wheel and walk, was held on the running track at Princess Mary Playing Fields in Littletown, Liversedge and the Matron at the time appeared as a nurse maid with one of the residents apparently in a pram playing the baby with a bottle potty and nappy!

One mobile resident completed eight laps of the track while another did two laps backwards in their wheelchair raising more than £200 towards the target for the new extension which was built in 1990.

Another memorable moment in the milestones reached at Leonard Cheshire’s Cleckheaton home was the 25th anniversary celebrations held on July 12 1996 during which the founder and guest of honour planted a tree.

“He used to visit the home, he came here three or four times and we have had residents at the home who still remember him so for us his story was ever so remarkable in itself, “ says Jeanette.

Here we look back at Leonard Cheshire’s legacy through our gallery of photos, some of which have been taken during events at the Cleckheaton home and sourced from our archive by our nostalgia writer and researcher, Odele Ayres.