John Loverseed facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Eric Loverseed
MP AFC
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|---|---|
| Born | 4 December 1910 Downham, Norfolk, England |
| Died | 24 November 1962 (aged 51) Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, England |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
 Royal Air Force Republican Spanish Air Force |
| Years of service | RAF 1929–1935 RSAF 1937–1938 RAF 1939–1943 |
| Rank | Flying Officer Warrant Officer |
| Service number | 907964 |
| Unit |
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| Battles/wars | |
| Awards | Air Force Cross |
| Relations |
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| Member of Parliament for Eddisbury |
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| In office 7 April 1943 – 5 July 1945 |
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| Preceded by | Richard Russell |
| Succeeded by | John Barlow |
| Majority | 486 |
John Eric Loverseed (born December 4, 1910 – died November 24, 1962) was a brave pilot and a politician. He flew with the Royal Air Force (RAF) in the 1930s. He also flew for the Republican side during the Spanish Civil War in 1937 and 1938. Later, he returned to the RAF and fought in the Battle of Britain during World War II. In 1943, he became a Member of Parliament (MP) for the Common Wealth Party. He also helped start the Fellowship Party, which was a group that believed in peace.
Contents
Early Life and Military Service
John Loverseed was born in Downham, Norfolk, England. His father, John Frederick Loverseed, was also a politician. John went to Sudbury Grammar School for his education.
Joining the Royal Air Force
In 1929, John joined the RAF. He started as a probationary Pilot Officer, which means he was still being tested. By October 1930, he was promoted to Flying Officer. He served in the Middle East and was stationed in Heliopolis, Egypt, in 1931. His son, Bill, was born there in 1932. John left the active RAF in 1935 but remained in the RAF reserve.
Flying in the Spanish Civil War
From December 1936 to February 1937, John flew as a pilot in the Spanish Republican Air Force. This was during the Spanish Civil War. He was injured in January 1937. Because he joined another country's air force, he was removed from the RAF reserve in December 1937.
Family Life
John Loverseed was married five times. He had several children, including sons and daughters, from different marriages.
World War II Service
John rejoined the RAF in November 1939, at the start of World War II. He joined as a non-commissioned officer, which is a rank below an officer.
Target Practice and France
After a quick flying refresher course, he was sent to No. 1 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit (AACU) in May 1940. This unit helped train anti-aircraft gunners by towing targets for them to shoot at. The very next day, he was moved to 501 Squadron. This squadron was in France, helping the British army.
On May 31, 1940, his Hawker Hurricane plane crash-landed, and he was injured. He was sent back to a hospital in England. By the time he recovered in July 1940, his squadron had also returned to England because France had been taken over by the enemy.
Battle of Britain Hero
John Loverseed flew six missions during the famous Battle of Britain. This was a major air battle where the RAF defended Britain from German attacks. On August 19, 1940, he was sent back to the AACU. By January 1943, he had been promoted to Warrant Officer and received the Air Force Cross for his bravery.
Political Career
In April 1943, John Loverseed decided to run for politics. He became a candidate for the Common Wealth Party in a special election in Eddisbury.
The Common Wealth Party
The Common Wealth Party was a new political group formed in 1942. It had left-wing ideas and wanted big changes in society. During World War II, the main political parties (Conservative, Labour, and Liberal) had agreed not to fight against each other in elections. But the Common Wealth Party did not agree with this and put forward its own candidates.
John Loverseed won the election in Eddisbury by a small number of votes. He was discharged from the RAF so he could serve as an MP. He was the first person from the Common Wealth Party to win an election.
Later Political Changes
In November 1944, John left the Common Wealth Party. He became an independent MP, meaning he didn't belong to any party. In May 1945, he joined the Labour Party. However, he lost his seat in the 1945 general election. He was then expelled from the Labour Party in July 1945.
In May 1955, he ran for election again in South Lewisham. This time, he ran as an independent Pacifist, someone who believes in peace and is against war. He did not win. In June 1955, he helped start the Fellowship Party, a group focused on peace and the environment. This party existed until 2007.
His Son, Bill Loverseed
John's son, Raymond Eric William Loverseed, was born in Egypt in 1932. Bill also joined the RAF in 1952.
Flying with the Red Arrows
Bill Loverseed was a pilot for the famous Red Arrows display team in 1965 and again in 1970. He became the leader of the Red Arrows in 1971 after the previous leader was injured. Sadly, four Red Arrows pilots died in an accident in January 1971 when two planes crashed. Bill was promoted to Squadron Leader in July 1971 but left the RAF in May 1972.
Later Flying Incidents
Bill Loverseed had several flying incidents later in his life. In 1984, a transport plane he was flying crash-landed at the Farnborough Air Show. In 1987, a smaller plane he was flying crashed in Newfoundland due to severe ice. He died in 1998 while piloting a test flight over Devon.
