Leslie Gossage served as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief at RAF Balloon Command from 1940 to 1944.
14 Facts About Leslie Gossage
1.
2.
In 1910, Leslie Gossage was commissioned into the Royal Field Artillery while still a first-year student, a considerable accolade.
3.
Leslie Gossage was commissioned as an officer of the Special Reserve to ensure he would not be mobilised into service until he had completed his studies and his commission was confirmed in 1911.
4.
In 1917 Leslie Gossage was promoted to lieutenant colonel and took command of the Royal Flying Corps' 1st Wing.
5.
On 1 April 1918, the Royal Air Force was founded and Leslie Gossage was transferred to the new Service.
6.
Leslie Gossage was appointed as a Staff officer in the Directorate of Operations and Intelligence.
7.
Leslie Gossage became Officer Commanding of the School of Army Co-operation before moving on to be deputy director of Staff Duties, in the rank of Group Captain, at the Air Ministry in 1928.
8.
Leslie Gossage was then appointed Air Attache in Berlin in 1930, Senior Air Staff Officer at Headquarters Air Defence of Great Britain and, in 1934, Senior Air Staff Officer at Headquarters RAF Iraq Command.
9.
On 1 January 1936, Leslie Gossage had been promoted to the rank of Air Vice-Marshal and in 1937, AVM Leslie Gossage received the CB.
10.
Leslie Gossage served in this role until he stepped down in 1946.
11.
Air Marshal Sir Leslie Gossage retired to Buxted in Sussex, but died only a few years later, in 1949.
12.
The younger son, Peter Leslie Gossage, joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve and became a pilot, like his father.
13.
Leslie Gossage was commissioned as a Pilot Officer and flew Hurricanes with 85 Sqn.
14.
Pilot Officer Peter Leslie Gossage was killed on 31 May 1940 and is buried near his family, in Buxted.