Cheesman, Walter – former soldier became attaché at the British Embassy, Cairo

Col Walter Cheesman (1898-1981)

COL Walter J W Cheesman, CBE MC enjoyed a colourful career in the Army and diplomatic service.

Born in Kent, he was give the Emergency Decoration for his services in Nigeria and was decorated by King Hussein of Jordan.

He was commissioned into the Rifle Corps and also served in the Tank Regiment in the First World War. In 1922, he joined the West Africa Regiment, later switching to the Colonial Service.

He became the first registrar for inaugurating agricultural co-operatives in Nigeria and later went to Ghana and British Guyana, introducing the co-operative concept to the Caribbean. Col Cheesman subsequently went to the Middle East as attaché at the British Embassy, Cairo, was associated with the United Nations and was UN representative in Amman.

He retired to Ropsley, was elected on to the county council and served on the highways committee.

He later moved to 42 North Parade, Grantham, where his services were still sought by governments around the world.