Gordon Cleaver
Encyclopedia
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, but is best remembered for the role he played in developing artificial lenses to restore sight.
, 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. In the same race was Roger Bushell
, of Great Escape fame, who finished in 14th place.
, 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
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 retaining the rank of squadron leader
.
. 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.
Squadron Leader
Squadron Leader is a commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence. It is also sometimes used as the English translation of an equivalent rank in countries which have a non-English air force-specific rank structure. In these...
Gordon Neil Spencer 'Mouse' Cleaver, DFC
Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force and other services, and formerly to officers of other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against...
RAF was a World War II Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
fighter pilot during the Battle of Britain
Battle of Britain
The Battle of Britain is the name given to the World War II air campaign waged by the German Air Force against the United Kingdom during the summer and autumn of 1940...
. Cleaver was scored a total of 7 kills during the Second World War, but is best remembered for the role he played in developing artificial lenses to restore sight.
Early life
Gordon Cleaver was born in StanmoreStanmore
Stanmore is a suburban area of the London Borough of Harrow, in northwest London. It is situated northwest of Charing Cross. The area is home to Stanmore Hill, one of the highest points of London, high.-Toponymy:...
, Middlesex
Middlesex
Middlesex is one of the historic counties of England and the second smallest by area. The low-lying county contained the wealthy and politically independent City of London on its southern boundary and was dominated by it from a very early time...
and was educated at Harrow School
Harrow School
Harrow School, commonly known simply as "Harrow", is an English independent school for boys situated in the town of Harrow, in north-west London.. The school is of worldwide renown. There is some evidence that there has been a school on the site since 1243 but the Harrow School we know today was...
. Cleaver was the inaugural winner of the Hahnenkammrennen
Hahnenkamm, Kitzbühel
The Hahnenkamm is a mountain in Austria, directly south of Kitzbühel, in the Kitzbühel Alps. The elevation of its summit is above sea level.The Hahnenkamm is part of the ski resort of Kitzbühel, and hosts the annual World Cup alpine ski races, the Hahnenkammrennen...
in 1931, and is the only British skier to win the event. In the same race was Roger Bushell
Roger Bushell
Squadron Leader Roger Joyce Bushell RAF was a South African-born British Auxiliary Air Force pilot who organised and led the famous escape from the Nazi prisoner of war camp, Stalag Luft III. He was a victim of the Stalag Luft III murders. The escape was used as the basis for the film The Great...
, of Great Escape fame, who finished in 14th place.
Air Force Career
Cleaver joined the Auxiliary Air Force in 1937 serving with No. 601 Squadron RAFNo. 601 Squadron RAF
No. 601 Squadron was a squadron of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force, based in London. The squadron battle honours most notably include the Battle of Britain and the first Americans to fly in World War II were members of this squadron.-History:...
, also as "The Millionaires' Squadron".
On 15 August 1940, Cleaver was shot down during combat over Winchester
Winchester
Winchester is a historic cathedral city and former capital city of England. It is the county town of Hampshire, in South East England. The city lies at the heart of the wider City of Winchester, a local government district, and is located at the western end of the South Downs, along the course of...
. The perspex canopy of his Hurricane
Hawker Hurricane
The Hawker Hurricane is a British single-seat fighter aircraft that was designed and predominantly built by Hawker Aircraft Ltd for the Royal Air Force...
was shattered and the perspex fragments shattered into his face and both eyes. Cleaver baled out and using his parachute landed Lower Upham
Lower Upham
Lower Upham is a village in Hampshire, England.-Governance:The village is part of the civil parish of Upham and is part of the Owslebury and Curdridge ward of the City of Winchester non-metropolitan district of Hampshire County Council....
outside Southampton
Southampton
Southampton is the largest city in the county of Hampshire on the south coast of England, and is situated south-west of London and north-west of Portsmouth. Southampton is a major port and the closest city to the New Forest...
. On arrival at Salisbury
Salisbury
Salisbury is a cathedral city in Wiltshire, England and the only city in the county. It is the second largest settlement in the county...
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
Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force and other services, and formerly to officers of other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against...
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.
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 retaining the rank of squadron leader
Squadron Leader
Squadron Leader is a commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence. It is also sometimes used as the English translation of an equivalent rank in countries which have a non-English air force-specific rank structure. In these...
.
Eye Operations & Later Life
Following the flying incident, Cleaver was sent to Moorfields Eye Hospital. He was operated on by Sir Harold RidelyHarold Ridley (ophthalmologist)
Sir Nicholas Harold Lloyd Ridley was an English ophthalmologist who pioneered artificial intraocular lens transplant surgery for cataract patients.-Early years:...
. 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
Intraocular lens
An intraocular lens is an implanted lens in the eye, usually replacing the existing crystalline lens because it has been clouded over by a cataract, or as a form of refractive surgery to change the eye's optical power. It usually consists of a small plastic lens with plastic side struts, called...
transplant surgery for cataract
Cataract
A cataract is a clouding that develops in the crystalline lens of the eye or in its envelope, varying in degree from slight to complete opacity and obstructing the passage of light...
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.