Leslie Easterman

Leslie Easterman was born in 1920 in Glasgow

Leslie David Easterman was born in Glasgow, Scotland, and grew up in London. His parents were Esther and Alexander Easterman. His father was a journalist, a writer and the political director of the World Jewish Congress.

He joined the Royal Air Force in 1940 and qualified as a pilot in 1941. He was a flight instructor in Canada and then flew Avro Lancaster bombers with 115 and 195 Squadrons, flying 32 bombing missions over Germany. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross and left the service in 1946 as a flight lieutenant.

He moved to Israel in 1949 and joined the Israeli Air Force as an instructor at Ekron. He later commanded Wing 12 and the flight school, and from 1954 to 1956 he commanded Hatzor base.

After leaving the air force he joined El Al. He worked there as a captain, head of the aircrew committee, head of operations, deputy director general and ombudsman. He died in 1998.