3rd Viscount Leverhulme

Hon Philip William Bryce Lever was born on 1 July 1915, the son of W H Lever, 2nd Viscount Leverhulme of Thornton Manor, Wirral. He was the grandson of William Hesketh Lever who founded Lever Brothers and was created 1st Viscount Leverhulme in 1911. Philip was educated at Eton and Trinity, Cambridge. He joined the Cheshire Yeomanry as a 2nd Lieutenant on 24 Aug 1939 and served with them in WW2. He succeeded to the title of Viscount Leverhulme on 27 May 1949 and in that year was appointed Lord Lieutenant of Cheshire, until 1990. He was best known as a keen supporter of horse racing, riding and owning many winners; becoming senior steward of the Jockey Club and chairman of Chester Racecourse. He was appointed Honorary Colonel of the Queen’s Own Yeomanry from 1979 to 1981 of which the Cheshire Yeomanry (from 1971) comprised C Squadron. He was a Knight of the Garter from 1988. In 1937 he married Margaret Moon and they had three daughters. Viscount Leverhulme died at the age of 85 on 4 July 2000. The photo shows him with Colonel Geoffrey Sparrow at the guidon presentation ceremony on 8 July 1961.

Regimental Details | Cheshire Yeomanry Soldiers