Whilst at Trinity, he joined the Cambridge University Contingent of the Officers Training Corps (OTC), serving in the Artillery section.

[2] In 1910, Gossage was commissioned into the Royal Field Artillery while still a first-year student, a considerable accolade.

[5] He was awarded the Military Cross in March the following year for his "consistent good and zealous work under bad weather conditions, both on patrol and when co-operating with the artillery in operations resulting in the capture of the enemy's position".

[5] In 1917 Gossage was promoted to lieutenant colonel and took command of the Royal Flying Corps' 1st Wing.

He became Officer Commanding of the School of Army Co-operation before moving on to be deputy director of Staff Duties, in the rank of Group Captain,[7] at the Air Ministry in 1928.

[15] Air Marshal Sir Leslie Gossage retired to Buxted in Sussex, but died only a few years later, in 1949.

Eileen was from a very military and very distinguished family: the daughter of Brigadier-General Edmund O'Brien, late 14th Hussars.

Terence joined the King's Own Yorkshire light Infantry (KOYLI) and retired as a Major, with an MBE.

The younger son, Peter Leslie Gossage, joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (RAFVR) and became a pilot, like his father.