Peter Vanneck facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sir Peter Vanneck
|
|
|---|---|
.jpg) |
|
| Birth name | Peter Beckford Rutgers Vanneck |
| Born | 7 January 1922 London |
| Died | 2 August 1999 (aged 77) London |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
Royal Navy, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Royal Auxiliary Air Force |
| Years of service | 1940–1949 (RN) 1949–1950 (RAFVR) 1950-after 1967 (RAuxAF) |
| Rank | Air Commodore |
| Service number | 205378 (RAuxAF) |
| Battles/wars | Second World War |
| Awards | Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire (1977) Companion of the Order of the Bath (1973) Air Force Cross (1955) Air Efficiency Award (1954) Knight of Justice of the Order of St John (1959) Commander, Legion of Honour (France) (1981) Grand Officer, Order of the Crown (Belgium) (1983) |
| Relations | Lord Huntingfield (father) Lord Stevenson of Coddenham (son-in-law) |
Sir Peter Beckford Rutgers Vanneck (born January 7, 1922 – died August 2, 1999) was a British officer who served in the Royal Navy and later as a fighter pilot in the Royal Air Force. He was also an engineer, a stockbroker, and a politician. Sir Peter was well-known for helping to improve relations between Britain and France. He achieved this while serving as the Lord Mayor of London and as a member of the European Parliament.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Peter Vanneck was born in London on January 7, 1922. He was the youngest son of Lord Huntingfield. His mother was Margaret Eleanor Crosby, who was from America.
He spent his early childhood in Australia. This was because his father was the Governor of Victoria during the 1930s. Peter attended Geelong Grammar School there. Later, he won a scholarship and returned to Britain. He then continued his studies at Stowe School.
Serving in World War II
Peter Vanneck joined the Royal Navy when World War II began. He trained to become an officer at the Britannia Royal Naval College. From January to September 1940, he was an officer cadet. He then became a midshipman.
Peter served on the battleship HMS King George V. This ship was part of the mission to sink the German battleship Bismarck. He also served on HMS Eskimo. Later, he commanded a special boat called a LCA. He used this boat during operations off the coast of North Africa.
After more training, he was promoted to sub lieutenant. In December 1942, he joined the crew of HMS Wren. This ship was part of the 2nd Escort Group. This group was led by Captain Johnnie Walker. It was very successful at fighting enemy submarines during the war. Peter was promoted to lieutenant in May 1943. From August 1944 until the end of the war, he commanded a Motor Torpedo Boat.
Becoming a Pilot
After the war ended, Peter trained to become a pilot. In September 1945, he joined the 771 Naval Air Squadron. This squadron was based at RNAS Yeovilton. He later moved to the 807 Naval Air Squadron in 1947. He left the Royal Navy in May 1949.
University and Air Force Service
After leaving the Navy, Peter went to Trinity College, Cambridge University in 1949. He still loved flying, so he joined the Cambridge University Air Squadron. He became a flying officer in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.
In 1950, he joined No. 601 (County of London) Squadron of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force. He continued to be a flying officer. He was promoted to flight lieutenant in 1951. Peter earned a Master of Arts degree in engineering from Cambridge. In 1953, he studied at Harvard University in the United States. While there, he flew P-51 Mustang planes with the Massachusetts Air National Guard.
In 1958, he moved to a different unit, No. 3619 (County of Suffolk) Fighter Control Unit. He was promoted to squadron leader. He commanded this unit from 1959 to 1961. He then moved to No 1 (County of Hertford) Maritime Headquarters Unit. In 1962, he was promoted to group captain. He was also appointed as the Inspector of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force. He retired from the Royal Auxiliary Air Force in September 1973.
Business Career
After his military service, Peter Vanneck started a career in business. He worked for an engineering company called Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies in Ipswich. After that, he joined Rowe and Pitman, which was a company of stockbrokers in London.
In 1968, he was appointed to the Council of the London Stock Exchange. This council helps manage the stock market. He became the Deputy Chairman of the Council from 1973 to 1975. He retired from the Council in 1979.
Political Career
Peter Vanneck became involved in local government in the City of London. He was an Alderman for the Cordwainer Ward. He was also a member of several Livery Companies.
Lord Mayor of London
In 1974, he served as a Sheriff of London. Then, in November 1977, he was elected the 650th Lord Mayor of London. This was near the end of Queen Elizabeth II's Silver Jubilee year. At a special event, he gave a speech. He remembered meeting The Queen for the first time. She had visited the Royal Naval College with her father when Peter was a young cadet.
Peter was a very popular Lord Mayor. He once said that even with all his interesting jobs, he wished he could have been a tug-boat skipper on the River Thames. He built strong connections with the Mayor of Paris, Jacques Chirac. He even arranged an official visit to Paris, which was a rare event. Peter loved France and spoke French very well.
Member of European Parliament
After his time as Lord Mayor, Peter Vanneck became a candidate for the Conservative Party. He ran for the European Parliament in the Cleveland area. He won the election in 1979. He enjoyed his time working in the European institutions. He was a vice-chairman of the Political Affairs committee. He also worked on committees related to Energy Resources and Technology. He lost his seat in the 1989 election and then retired from public life.
Later Life
Peter Vanneck was the High Sheriff of Suffolk from 1974 until his death. He continued to enjoy yacht racing. He was a member of the Royal Yacht Squadron and often took part in Cowes Week.
He passed away in London on August 2, 1999.
Honours and Awards
Peter Vanneck received many awards for his service and achievements:
- In 1955, he was given the Air Force Cross (AFC) for his brave flying.
- In 1963, he was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE).
- In 1965, he became a Knight of the Venerable Order of Saint John.
- In 1973, he was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB).
- As Lord Mayor of London, he was promoted to Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire (GBE).
He also served as an aide-de-camp to Queen Elizabeth II from 1963 to 1973. He was a Deputy Lieutenant of the County of London starting in 1970. From 1974 to 1984, he held the honorary position of Inspector-General of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force.
