Education
Levita attended the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich and was commissioned a Lieutenant in the Royal Artillery in 1886.
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Cecil Levita
Edit ProfileCareer
British Army
He started his career as a soldier serving in the Second Matabele War and the Second Boer War where he was Aide-de-camp to Lieutenant-General Sir Baker Russell. He was later appointed a special service officer and a Doctorate.A.A.G. in the Natal Field Force. He was created an MVO in 1901, and promoted to Major 5 February 1902.
He retired from the army in October 1909.
During the First World War he was recalled from the reserve to serve as General Staff Officer. After the war he was awarded the honorary rank of lieutenant colonel and made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire for "valuable services rendered in connection with the War".
Politics
In 1910 Levita contested the Saint Ives division of Cornwall in the General Election as a Liberal Unionist but was unsuccessful. He sat on numerous committees including serving as chairman of the housing committee and chairman of the London County Council from 1928 to 1929.
He was Knighted at the end of his term as chairman for "public and political services".
He was largely responsible for founding the King George Hospital in Ilford to serve the population of the large LCC estate at Becontree. Levita was appointed a Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order in 1932
"Talking Mongoose Case"
His career was somewhat overshadowed by an episode in 1936 which became known as the "Talking Mongoose Case". The enquiry resulted in practices of the Civil Service being implemented within the British Broadcasting Corporation.
On 30 May 1917 Levita married Florence Woodruff, widow of George Aman of Bucharest and daughter of William Robb.
He died at his home in Hove, Sussex in October 1953 aged 86.
Achievements
Membership
However, in 1911 he was elected at a by-election to the London County Council as a member of the Conservative-backed Municipal Reform Party, where he represented North Kensington for over 25 years.
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Born
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Died
October 10, 1953 (aged 86) -
Nationality
British -
Political Party
Conservative