Gordon Cleaver

Squadron Leader Gordon Neil Spencer 'Mouse' Cleaver 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.

Early life
Gordon Cleaver was born in Stanmore, 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.

Air Force career
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.

On 15 August 1940, Cleaver was shot down during combat over Winchester. The perspex canopy of his Hurricane was hit by cannon shells and the perspex fragments shattered into his face and both eyes. Cleaver baled out and landed by parachute near 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 "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 was released on medical grounds from the RAF on 9 November 1943, retaining the rank of squadron leader.

Eye operations and later life
Following the flying incident, Cleaver was sent to Moorfields Eye Hospital. He was operated on by Sir Harold Ridely. 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.

Legacy
The organizers of Hahnenkamm named a cup after Cleaver, first presented in 2006.