Leslie Runciman, 2nd Viscount Runciman of Doxford
Encyclopedia
Walter Leslie Runciman, 2nd Viscount Runciman of Doxford (26 August 1900 – 1 September 1989) was a prominent member of a well-known Newcastle ship-owning family.
) and Hilda Stevenson. He was born in Newcastle upon Tyne
and grew up at Doxford Hall. He was educated at Eton College
and Trinity College, Cambridge
. In 1937 he was awarded the Air Force Cross
. He was awarded the OBE
in 1946 for war service. On his father's death in 1949 he succeeded to the title Viscount Runciman of Doxford
(created in 1937).
of the Auxiliary Air Force
from 1930 to 1939. He also partnered with Miss Constance Leathart in forming the Cramlington Aircraft Company, which ran Cramlington
aerodrome as well as producing a primary glider
in the early 1930s. From 1940 to 1943, he was the first Director-General of the British Overseas Airways Corporation
(BOAC). From then until 1946 he was Air Attaché in Tehran. Post-war Runciman served on many business and public organizations mainly related to shipping and air transport. He was a Trustee of the National Maritime Museum
at Greenwich from 1955, acting as Chairman from 1962 to 1972.
in 1923. They were divorced in 1928 and he remarried Katherine Schuyler Garrison in 1932. Their only child, the Hon Walter Garrison Runciman
, later 3rd Viscount Runciman of Doxford was born in 1934.
Background
Runciman was the eldest son of the politician Walter Runciman (later Walter Runciman, 1st Viscount Runciman of DoxfordWalter Runciman, 1st Viscount Runciman of Doxford
Walter Runciman, 1st Viscount Runciman of Doxford PC was a prominent Liberal, later National Liberal politician in the United Kingdom from the 1900s until the 1930s.-Background:...
) and Hilda Stevenson. He was born in Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne is a city and metropolitan borough of Tyne and Wear, in North East England. Historically a part of Northumberland, it is situated on the north bank of the River Tyne...
and grew up at Doxford Hall. He was educated at Eton College
Eton College
Eton College, often referred to simply as Eton, is a British independent school for boys aged 13 to 18. It was founded in 1440 by King Henry VI as "The King's College of Our Lady of Eton besides Wyndsor"....
and Trinity College, Cambridge
Trinity College, Cambridge
Trinity College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. Trinity has more members than any other college in Cambridge or Oxford, with around 700 undergraduates, 430 graduates, and over 170 Fellows...
. In 1937 he was awarded the Air Force Cross
Air Force Cross (United Kingdom)
The Air Force Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the United Kingdom Armed Forces, and formerly also to officers of the other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying, though not in active operations against the enemy"...
. He was awarded the OBE
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
in 1946 for war service. On his father's death in 1949 he succeeded to the title Viscount Runciman of Doxford
Viscount Runciman of Doxford
Viscount Runciman of Doxford, of Doxford in the County of Northumberland, is a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. It was created in 1937 for the Hon. Walter Runciman, a politician whose career included service as a Member of Parliament, President of the Board of Trade and Lord President of...
(created in 1937).
Career
After graduating from Cambridge, Leslie Runciman joined the family shipping business, later becoming chairman of the company. He trained as a pilot and was Commanding Officer of No. 607 (County of Durham) SquadronNo. 607 Squadron RAF
No. 607 Squadron was a squadron of the Royal Air Force. It was formed in 1930 as a bomber unit in the Auxiliary Air Force and changed in 1936 to the fighter role. It fought in that role during World War II on the European front and in Asia...
of the Auxiliary Air Force
Royal Auxiliary Air Force
The Royal Auxiliary Air Force , originally the Auxiliary Air Force , is the voluntary active duty reserve element of the Royal Air Force, providing a primary reinforcement capability for the regular service...
from 1930 to 1939. He also partnered with Miss Constance Leathart in forming the Cramlington Aircraft Company, which ran Cramlington
Cramlington
Cramlington is a town and civil parish in the county of Northumberland, North East England, situated north of the city of Newcastle upon Tyne. The town's name suggests a probable founding by the Danes or an Anglo-Saxon origin, the word "ton" meaning town. The population was estimated as 39,000 in...
aerodrome as well as producing a primary glider
Cramlington Cramcraft
-References:...
in the early 1930s. From 1940 to 1943, he was the first Director-General of the British Overseas Airways Corporation
British Overseas Airways Corporation
The British Overseas Airways Corporation was the British state airline from 1939 until 1946 and the long-haul British state airline from 1946 to 1974. The company started life with a merger between Imperial Airways Ltd. and British Airways Ltd...
(BOAC). From then until 1946 he was Air Attaché in Tehran. Post-war Runciman served on many business and public organizations mainly related to shipping and air transport. He was a Trustee of the National Maritime Museum
National Maritime Museum
The National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, England is the leading maritime museum of the United Kingdom and may be the largest museum of its kind in the world. The historic buildings forming part of the Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site, it also incorporates the Royal Observatory, Greenwich,...
at Greenwich from 1955, acting as Chairman from 1962 to 1972.
Family
Walter Leslie Runciman married novelist Rosamond Nina LehmannRosamond Lehmann
Rosamond Nina Lehmann, CBE , was a British novelist. Her first novel, Dusty Answer , was a succès de scandale; she subsequently became established in the literary world and intimate with members of the Bloomsbury set...
in 1923. They were divorced in 1928 and he remarried Katherine Schuyler Garrison in 1932. Their only child, the Hon Walter Garrison Runciman
Garry Runciman, 3rd Viscount Runciman of Doxford
Walter Garrison Runciman, 3rd Viscount Runciman of Doxford, CBE, FBA , is a leading British historical sociologist, usually known informally as Garry Runciman...
, later 3rd Viscount Runciman of Doxford was born in 1934.