Baron Raphael von Erlanger (Great-Grandfather) Leo Frédéric Alfred Baron d'Erlanger (2 July 1898 – 25 October 1978) was an English merchant banker and air transport promoter, co-founder of British Airways, Chairman of the Erlanger Bank and of the Channel Tunnel Company.

[5] During the Second World War, d’Erlanger invested in military aircraft, working with Barnes Wallis, and Fred Winterbotham, who together conceived the Bouncing Bomb.

Along with Clive Pearson in 1935, these companies were merged to form British Airways[10] of which his cousin, Sir Gérard John Leo Regis Baron d'Erlanger was appointed chairman.

In 1911, Leo attended Eton College where he befriended Esmond Harmsworth, 2nd Viscount Rothermere, the British Conservative politician and press magnate, and in 1920 acted as his best man.

[15] During his time at Eton, his holidays were spent with his uncle, the composer, Baron Frédéric Alfred d'Erlanger, at Parkhouse, no.24 Rutland Gate, Knightsbridge.

[18] Baron Leo stated in his Will that he wished for his coffin to be carried on the first train to pass through the Channel Tunnel which was opened in 1994, however the authorities would not permit this.

[19] Leo d'Erlanger married Edwina Prue (born 1907 in New York City; died 18 August 1994 in Geneva) an American in 1929.

She had previously been junior editor of Vanity Fair magazine for Clare Boothe Luce in New York City, top model of Jean Patou's haute couture house in Paris and legendary ballroom dancer under the name Edwina Saint Clair.