In pictures: Famous people from Leamington throughout history

Here are some of the best known names who have had or have a connection to the town

By Oliver Williams

Published 27th Jan 2023, 22:14 BST

Updated 30th Jan 2023, 12:13 BST

The Courier and Warwickshire World have put together a list of some of the most famous or best known people from Leamington throughout history.

Among them are sporting stars, a hero soldier, an elephant trainer, a writer, an artist, an actress, an actor, a Formula 1 team owner and an occultist.

If you think anybody else deserves to feature on the list email [email protected] or send a message to https://www.facebook.com/leamingtoncourier

Air Commodore Sir Frank Whittle) was an English engineer, inventor and Royal Air Force (RAF) air officer. He is credited with inventing the turbojet engine. Born in Coventry in 1907, Sir Frank moved to live in Leamington with his family when he was aged nine and he attended Milverton School before winning a scholarship to a secondary school which became the former Leamington College for Boys.

1. Famous people from Leamington

Air Commodore Sir Frank Whittle) was an English engineer, inventor and Royal Air Force (RAF) air officer. He is credited with inventing the turbojet engine. Born in Coventry in 1907, Sir Frank moved to live in Leamington with his family when he was aged nine and he attended Milverton School before winning a scholarship to a secondary school which became the former Leamington College for Boys. Photo: Picture submitted

Before she was world famous, Game of Thrones and X-Men actress Sophie Turner grew up on an Edwardian estate near Leamington.
The former Warwick Prep and KIng's High School pupil and Playbox Theatre Company member is married to American singer, songwriter, and actor Joe Jonas - who is part of the Jonas Brothers band.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 15: Sophie Turner attends 2nd Annual Academy Museum Gala at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on October 15, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images)

2. Famous People from Leamington

Before she was world famous, Game of Thrones and X-Men actress Sophie Turner grew up on an Edwardian estate near Leamington. The former Warwick Prep and KIng's High School pupil and Playbox Theatre Company member is married to American singer, songwriter, and actor Joe Jonas - who is part of the Jonas Brothers band. LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 15: Sophie Turner attends 2nd Annual Academy Museum Gala at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on October 15, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images) Photo: Jon Kopaloff

Pte Henry Tandey, from Leamington, 'was the most highly decorated soldier to return from the bloody battlefields of the First World War'. Among several other medals, he was awarded the Victoria Cross - Great Britain’s highest military bravery award.He was most commonly remembered as the soldier who allegedly spared Adolf Hitler's life during the war (although it seems highly unlikely that happened).

3. Famous people from Leamington

Pte Henry Tandey, from Leamington, 'was the most highly decorated soldier to return from the bloody battlefields of the First World War'. Among several other medals, he was awarded the Victoria Cross - Great Britain’s highest military bravery award.He was most commonly remembered as the soldier who allegedly spared Adolf Hitler's life during the war (although it seems highly unlikely that happened). Photo: Picture supplied

Randolph Turpin, born in Leamington in 1928 and better known as Randy Turpin, was a British boxer in the 1940s and 1950s. In 1951 he became world middleweight champion when he defeated Sugar Ray Robinson. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2001.

4. Famous people from Leamington

Randolph Turpin, born in Leamington in 1928 and better known as Randy Turpin, was a British boxer in the 1940s and 1950s. In 1951 he became world middleweight champion when he defeated Sugar Ray Robinson. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2001. Photo: Picture supplied

Leamington Formula 1