Lettice

Eleanor Lettice Curtis (1915 – 2014), known as Lettice Curtis, was an English aviator, flight test engineer, air racing pilot, and sportswoman. In early July 1940 she became one of the first women pilots to join the British Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA), remaining with the ATA until 30 November 1945, when the organisation was closed down.

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She commenced her ATA career by delivering primary training aircraft such as the Tiger Moth, progressing to the Miles Master and North American Harvard advanced trainers. During her ATA service she graduated to fly all categories of wartime aircraft and was one of the first dozen women to qualify to fly four-engined heavy bombers. She was the first woman pilot to deliver an Avro Lancaster bomber and also flew 222 Handley Page Halifaxes and 109 Short Stirlings. She flew continually during World War II from various Ferry Pool locations delivering all types through all weather to various destinations.

Lettice D’Oyly Walters (1880 – 1940) was an English writer and editor. In addition to publishing chapbooks of her own poetry, she edited two volumes of poems in collaboration with Irish artists and writers, including The Year’s at the Spring (1920) and Irish Poets of To-day (1921). Later, she founded Swan Press in Chelsea, London.

Lady Lettice Mildred Ashley-Cooper OStJ (1911 – 1990) was a British aristocrat, socialite, and airwoman. One of the Bright Young Things of the 1920s (The Bright Young Things, or Bright Young People, was a nickname given by the tabloid press to a group of Bohemian young aristocrats and socialites in 1920s London.), she became a Flight Officer of the Women's Auxiliary Air Force during World War II. She was appointed Officer of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem (OStJ).

Lettice Protherowe is a character in Agatha Christie's Murder at the Vicarage. It is one of the Miss Marple detective novels. She tells people that her estranged mother intended her name to be pronounced leh-TEESE, though no one does.

Lettice Knollys (Knowles) (pronounced LET-is NOLZ), mother of the earl of Essex. Detested by Elizabeth I, to whom she was related (her grandmother was Mary Boleyn, sister of Elizabeth's mother Anne) and to whom she bore a strong resemblance. Ancestress of Winston Churchill and Princess Diana.