Former Leeds chairman honoured for war efforts

Former Leeds United chairman Leslie Silver OBE with daughter Hilary Curwen.

However Leslie Silver has received recognition for his exploits in a field far removed from the comfort of the football boardroom.

Leslie, 88, is among the latest recipients of a new award for veterans of the RAF’s Bomber Command campaigns of the Second World War.

He took part in more than 40 operations in Europe as well as 20 in the Far East after volunteering for the air force aged just 17.

And, in typically modest fashion, one of Leslie’s first thoughts on receiving his clasp-style award was for the comrades he lost during the war.

He said: “It brings back memories of some very fine fellows who sadly didn’t get back.”

Talking about his experiences as a young airman, Leslie said: “I had a job to do and had mates that I was very close to. I believed in my capabilities.

“At that time people were basically anti-fascist and wanted to fight back. We were very focused on the job so there was no time for fear.”

Leslie joined Bomber Command in February 1944 as a flight engineer, serving in Halifax bombers. He flew with 138, 161, 291 and 356 Squadrons and was sent into Singapore’s Changi Jail with supplies for prisoners he describes being “in a terrible way”.