Airey Neave: Difference between revisions
CSV import |
CSV import Tags: mobile edit mobile web edit |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{Infobox person | [[File:Airey Neave memorial plaque.jpg|thumb]] [[File:Airey Neave Memorial Window at Fryerning Church, Fryerning, Essex.JPG|thumb]] {{Infobox person | ||
| name = Airey Neave | | name = Airey Neave | ||
| birth_date = 23 January 1916 | |||
| birth_date = | |||
| birth_place = Knightsbridge, London, England | | birth_place = Knightsbridge, London, England | ||
| death_date = | | death_date = 30 March 1979 | ||
| death_place = Westminster, London, England | | death_place = Westminster, London, England | ||
| nationality = British | | nationality = British | ||
| occupation = Politician, | | occupation = Politician, Soldier, Lawyer | ||
| known_for = Escape from Colditz | | known_for = Escape from Colditz, Member of Parliament, Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland | ||
}} | }} | ||
'''Airey Middleton Sheffield Neave''' (23 January 1916 – 30 March 1979) was a British soldier, | '''Airey Middleton Sheffield Neave''' (23 January 1916 – 30 March 1979) was a British soldier, lawyer, and politician. He is best known for his daring escape from Colditz Castle during World War II, his work as a Member of Parliament, and his role as Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. | ||
== Early Life and Education == | == Early Life and Education == | ||
Airey Neave was born in | Airey Neave was born in Knightsbridge, London, into a prominent family. He was educated at [[Eton College]], where he excelled academically and in sports. He went on to study at [[Merton College, Oxford]], where he read [[Jurisprudence]]. Neave was called to the Bar in 1938, becoming a barrister at [[Inner Temple]]. | ||
== Military Career == | == Military Career == | ||
With the outbreak of [[World War II]], Neave joined the [[British Army]] and was commissioned into the [[Royal Artillery]]. He was sent to France with the British Expeditionary Force and was captured by German forces in 1940 during the [[Battle of France]]. | |||
In 1942, Neave became the first British officer to successfully escape from Colditz. He made his way across Germany and into | === Escape from Colditz === | ||
Neave was held as a prisoner of war and was eventually sent to [[Colditz Castle]], a high-security prison for Allied officers who had repeatedly attempted to escape. In January 1942, Neave became the first British officer to successfully escape from Colditz. He made his way across Germany and into Switzerland, eventually reaching England. His escape was celebrated and he was awarded the [[Military Cross]] for his bravery. | |||
== Post-War Career == | |||
After the war, Neave worked at the [[Nuremberg Trials]], where he served as a war crimes investigator. He was instrumental in the prosecution of major Nazi war criminals. | |||
== Political Career == | == Political Career == | ||
Neave entered politics as a member of the [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party]]. He was elected as the Member of Parliament for [[Abingdon (UK Parliament constituency)|Abingdon]] in a by-election in 1953. Neave was known for his strong anti-communist stance and his support for the [[European Economic Community]]. | |||
Neave was | === Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland === | ||
In 1974, Neave was appointed as the Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland by [[Margaret Thatcher]], the leader of the Conservative Party. He was a key figure in shaping the party's policy on Northern Ireland, advocating for a tough stance against the [[Irish Republican Army (IRA)]]. | |||
== Assassination == | == Assassination == | ||
On 30 March 1979, Airey Neave was assassinated by a car bomb planted by the [[Irish National Liberation Army | On 30 March 1979, Airey Neave was assassinated by a car bomb planted by the [[Irish National Liberation Army (INLA)]] in the car park of the [[Palace of Westminster]]. His death was a significant blow to the Conservative Party and to Margaret Thatcher personally, as he was a close advisor and ally. | ||
== Legacy == | == Legacy == | ||
Airey Neave is remembered for his courage during the war and his dedication to | Airey Neave is remembered for his courage during the war, his contributions to British politics, and his dedication to the cause of peace and security in Northern Ireland. His life and career have been the subject of numerous books and documentaries. | ||
== Also see == | == Also see == | ||
* [[Colditz Castle]] | * [[Colditz Castle]] | ||
* [[Nuremberg Trials]] | |||
* [[Conservative Party (UK)]] | |||
* [[Margaret Thatcher]] | * [[Margaret Thatcher]] | ||
* [[Irish National Liberation Army]] | * [[Irish National Liberation Army]] | ||
{{DEFAULTSORT:Neave, Airey}} | {{DEFAULTSORT:Neave, Airey}} | ||
| Line 44: | Line 47: | ||
[[Category:1979 deaths]] | [[Category:1979 deaths]] | ||
[[Category:British Army personnel of World War II]] | [[Category:British Army personnel of World War II]] | ||
[[Category:Conservative Party (UK) MPs | [[Category:Conservative Party (UK) MPs for English constituencies]] | ||
[[Category:People educated at Eton College]] | [[Category:People educated at Eton College]] | ||
[[Category:Alumni of Merton College, Oxford]] | [[Category:Alumni of Merton College, Oxford]] | ||
[[Category:Recipients of the Military Cross]] | |||
[[Category:Assassinated British politicians]] | |||
Latest revision as of 15:22, 9 December 2024
Airey Middleton Sheffield Neave (23 January 1916 – 30 March 1979) was a British soldier, lawyer, and politician. He is best known for his daring escape from Colditz Castle during World War II, his work as a Member of Parliament, and his role as Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.
Early Life and Education[edit]
Airey Neave was born in Knightsbridge, London, into a prominent family. He was educated at Eton College, where he excelled academically and in sports. He went on to study at Merton College, Oxford, where he read Jurisprudence. Neave was called to the Bar in 1938, becoming a barrister at Inner Temple.
Military Career[edit]
With the outbreak of World War II, Neave joined the British Army and was commissioned into the Royal Artillery. He was sent to France with the British Expeditionary Force and was captured by German forces in 1940 during the Battle of France.
Escape from Colditz[edit]
Neave was held as a prisoner of war and was eventually sent to Colditz Castle, a high-security prison for Allied officers who had repeatedly attempted to escape. In January 1942, Neave became the first British officer to successfully escape from Colditz. He made his way across Germany and into Switzerland, eventually reaching England. His escape was celebrated and he was awarded the Military Cross for his bravery.
Post-War Career[edit]
After the war, Neave worked at the Nuremberg Trials, where he served as a war crimes investigator. He was instrumental in the prosecution of major Nazi war criminals.
Political Career[edit]
Neave entered politics as a member of the Conservative Party. He was elected as the Member of Parliament for Abingdon in a by-election in 1953. Neave was known for his strong anti-communist stance and his support for the European Economic Community.
Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland[edit]
In 1974, Neave was appointed as the Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland by Margaret Thatcher, the leader of the Conservative Party. He was a key figure in shaping the party's policy on Northern Ireland, advocating for a tough stance against the Irish Republican Army (IRA).
Assassination[edit]
On 30 March 1979, Airey Neave was assassinated by a car bomb planted by the Irish National Liberation Army (INLA) in the car park of the Palace of Westminster. His death was a significant blow to the Conservative Party and to Margaret Thatcher personally, as he was a close advisor and ally.
Legacy[edit]
Airey Neave is remembered for his courage during the war, his contributions to British politics, and his dedication to the cause of peace and security in Northern Ireland. His life and career have been the subject of numerous books and documentaries.
