Eric Crankshaw

Sir Eric Norman Spencer Crankshaw (1 July 1885 – 24 June 1966) was an English cricketer, military officer and civil servant. He worked closely with Winston Churchill during both world wars.

Early life Crankshaw was born 1 July 1885 in Over Peover, Cheshire, England, the son of Richard Louis Crankshaw The family eventually included another son, Richard Spencer Crankshaw, and a daughter, Madeline Vernon Crankshaw.

As a youth, Crankshaw attended Eton College. Eton won the match by 8 wickets. He made a single first-class appearance for the side, during the 1909 season, against Surrey. In 1915 at Ypres, having just arrived from India, Crankshaw was wounded, resulting in the loss of his left arm. When Churchill left that office, Crankshaw submitted his papers and went into retirement in the country.

Civil service In 1929, while Churchill was serving as the Chancellor of the Exchequer, he selected Crankshaw to become Secretary of the Government Hospitality Fund. Events under Crankshaw's charge included dinners, receptions, informal lunches, and visits to places of interest for visiting dignitaries, but also arrangements for the 1937 Coronation of George VI. He served in this capacity until his retirement in 1949.

Family On 5 October 1912 at St Michael and All Angels' Church, Blackheath, London Crankshaw married Winifred Mary Ireland of Mauritius and London. Winifred was the only daughter of George Hugh Ireland, the granddaughter of George Ireland, the founder of the firm Ireland Fraser & Co. Ltd, and the great-granddaughter of The Rev. Dr. Walter Foggo Ireland, Minister of North Leith Parish Church. The couple met while Crankshaw was serving in Mauritius

Lella Margaret Crankshaw (1916–2002), later her married name was Millar Major John Anthony Norman Crankshaw (1918–2000), married Elspeth Lettyr Stirling, daughter of Lt.-Col. Walter Francis Stirling

Crankshaw's father died 29 November 1929 and is buried near the family's Dunlewey estate.

Crankshaw's actress granddaughter, Jasmina Hilton, daughter of Crankshaw's daughter Lella Margaret and her first husband, had a role in the horror film The Vault of Horror.

Awards 1919 - Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE), Military Division 1934 - Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) 1939 - Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG)

Death Crankshaw died on 24 June 1966 at the age of 80 at the Royal Berkshire Hospital.