Larry L'Estrange facts for kids

Larry L'Estrange MBE (born November 12, 1934 – died March 29, 2007) was a brave British paratrooper and a skilled rugby player. He was known for his exciting life, which included serving in the military, playing sports, and even a funny mix-up while traveling.

Larry L'Estrange's Early Life

Larry L'Estrange was born in Lytham St Annes, a town in England, in 1934. His father was a diplomat, which means he worked for the government to represent his country in other nations. Larry went to school in different places, including Blackrock College in Dublin, Ireland, the University of Chicago in the United States, and the Sorbonne in Paris, France.

Military Service and Adventures

After his studies, Larry joined the military for his National Service. He became a paratrooper in the Parachute Regiment. This meant he was trained to jump out of airplanes! He was sent to Suez during the 1956 crisis, a big event in history. He rose through the ranks to become a lieutenant colonel, which is a high leadership position. After his military career, he returned to Ireland to study history and political science at Trinity College Dublin.

Rugby Career Highlights

Larry L'Estrange was also a talented rugby player. He played for a team called London Irish. In the 1963–64 season, he was recognized for his excellent performance as a "Backs" player. He also played for teams in Sussex and the Territorial Army.

Playing for Ireland

In 1962, Larry had the honor of playing for his country, Ireland, in a rugby match against England. This big game took place at Twickenham stadium. It was a special day because nine players, including Larry, were making their first appearance for the national team. During the match, Larry dislocated his finger, which sounds painful! People said he had a "ghastly" (meaning very bad) game, but it was still a huge achievement to play for Ireland.

Later Life and Achievements

Larry L'Estrange's father, Lawrence L'Estrange, was also a notable person. He served as the Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Honduras from 1969 to 1972.

In 1972, Larry L'Estrange was awarded the MBE. This is a special honor given by the British monarch to people who have made a great impact in their work or community.

A Trip to Greece

In 1984, Larry made headlines for an interesting reason. He was mistakenly stopped from entering Greece because his passport had a visa from North Cyprus, which Greece did not recognize at the time. After he complained to the Greek Embassy in London, they apologized fully. They even gave him a free return plane ticket and a two-week holiday in Greece as an apology!

Larry worked as a partner at a company called Tustain and L'Estrange, which was a stockbroker firm in London. Later, he became an insurance broker.

Larry L'Estrange's Passing

Larry L'Estrange passed away on March 29, 2007, at the age of 72. He had been in the hospital for a broken hip in Condom, France.