This Sunday, cadets in Sudbury will gather at the graves of a Second World War hero and his philanthropist wife in a ceremony paying tribute to their memory and service. 

Group Captain Leonard Cheshire and his wife, Lady Sue Ryder, are buried together at St Mary’s Church in Cavendish. 

Both of them spent their lives serving others, and their contributions were of national importance. 

Group Captain Cheshire was a highly decorated Royal Air Force Officer pilot during WWII and was awarded the Victoria Cross for his bravery.  He was the youngest Group Captain to serve in the Royal Air Force.  

After leaving the RAF, he founded a nursing home that became the Leonard Cheshire Disability and in 1991, he became a Life Peer in recognition of his charity work.  Meanwhile, Lady Ryder was awarded both an OBE and CMG (Companion of St Michael and St George) and established the Sue Ryder Foundation in 1953. 

East Anglian Daily Times: The cadets will gather at the graves on Sunday for a dedicated commemoration ceremony. Image: 2470 (Sudbury) Sqn The cadets will gather at the graves on Sunday for a dedicated commemoration ceremony. Image: 2470 (Sudbury) Sqn (Image: 2470 (Sudbury) Sqn)East Anglian Daily Times: The cadets have been working hard to restore the graves for some time. Image: 2470 (Sudbury) Sqn The cadets have been working hard to restore the graves for some time. Image: 2470 (Sudbury) Sqn (Image: 2470 (Sudbury) Sqn)East Anglian Daily Times: The gravestone of Group Captain Leonard Cheshire and Lady Sue Ryder. Image: 2470 (Sudbury) Sqn The gravestone of Group Captain Leonard Cheshire and Lady Sue Ryder. Image: 2470 (Sudbury) Sqn (Image: 2470 (Sudbury) Sqn)

The foundation provides expert care to people with neurological conditions, and those on end-of-life care. 

In recent years, it was noticed that the couple’s graves were looking neglected. 

Mindful of the couple’s connection to the RAF, the local Air Cadet unit in Sudbury was approached to look at tending the grave. 

Staff and cadets from the 2470 (Sudbury) Squadron spent a number of parade evenings tidying up the site, along with those of Polish Officers laid next to them and a nearby Commonwealth War Grave. The project has also now extended to look at the service records of the Polish Officers. 

A dedication ceremony will take place at Cavendish Cemetery on Sunday, which will be attended by the couple's daughter, Hon. Dr Elizabeth Cheshire, along with Bomber Command veteran WO(Retd) Ray Parke and representatives from the Royal British Legion. 

Andy Kubat, Commanding Officer of 2470 (Sudbury) Squadron, Flying Officer, said: “I am honoured that the Squadron was asked to support this effort to clean up the grave of Group Captain Cheshire and Lady Sue. The Squadron has risen to the task and have worked hard over a number of parade evenings and taken it upon themselves to research the history of the Polish Officers laid next to the Group Captain.  

“This has shown the Cadets’ dedication to the Air Cadet Organisation, and to the memory of not only Group Captain Cheshire, but all those members of the armed forces that made the ultimate sacrifice.”