James Le Mesurier

James Gustaf Edward Le Mesurier (25 May 1971 – 11 November 2019)[1] was the British military personnel, humanitarian and volunteer worker. He co-founder of the White Helmets, a volunteer civil defence organisation in the Syrian Civil War. He was a British Army officer in the 1990s and also worked with the United Nations peacekeeping force in the former Yugoslavia.[2]

James Le Mesurier

Born
James Gustaf Edward Le Mesurier

(1971-05-25)25 May 1971
Died11 November 2019(2019-11-11) (aged 48)
Istanbul, Turkey
NationalityBritish
EducationRoyal Military Academy Sandhurst
OccupationArmy officer
Known forCo-founding Syrian White Helmets
AllegianceUnited Kingdom
Service/branchBritish Army
Years of service1990–2000
RankCaptain
UnitRoyal Green Jackets

He was also the director of the non-profit Mayday Rescue Foundation.[3][4]

On 11 November 2019, Le Mesurier was found dead in the street of Beyoğlu, Istanbul, in what appears to have been a fall from his balcony.[5][6][7] Le Mesurier was found with fractures to his head and legs.[8] The cause of the fall or exact cause of death is under investigation.[9]

References

  1. Trew, Bel (11 November 2019). James Le Mesurier: White Helmets backer found dead near his home in Istanbul. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/james-le-mesurier-death-white-helmets-istanbul-fall-syria-spy-russia-a9198071.html. 
  2. "Syrie. Les Casques blancs, héros ordinaires de la guerre civile". Courrier international (in français). 11 June 2015. Retrieved 11 November 2019.
  3. Yee, Vivien (11 November 2019). "James Le Mesurier, Backer of Syrian White Helmets, Is Found Dead in Turkey". The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/11/world/middleeast/james-le-mesurier-white-helmets-dead.html. Retrieved 11 November 2019. 
  4. Jan, Maria (21 August 2015). Q&A: Syria's White Helmets. Al Jazeera Media Network. http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/08/qa-syria-white-helmets-150819142324132.html. Retrieved 30 November 2017. 
  5. Kottasová, Ivana; Tuysuz, Gul (11 November 2019). Backer of Syria's White Helmets found dead in Istanbul. https://www.cnn.com/2019/11/11/europe/syria-white-helmets-backer-james-le-mesurier-intl/index.html. Retrieved 11 November 2019. 
  6. Safi, Michael (11 November 2019). British founder of White Helmets found dead in Istanbul. ISSN 0261-3077 . https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/nov/11/british-founder-of-white-helmets-found-dead-in-istanbul-james-le-mesurier. Retrieved 11 November 2019. 
  7. Evans, Zachary (11 Nov 2019) (in en). British Founder of Syrian 'White Helmets' Aid Organization Found Dead in Istanbul. National Review. https://news.yahoo.com/british-founder-syrian-white-helmets-185944185.html. Retrieved 12 November 2019. 
  8. "James le Mesurier, White Helmets co-founder, discovered dead in Turkey". BBC News. 11 November 2019. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-50375869. 
  9. White Helmets backer James Le Mesurier found dead in Turkey. 11 November 2019. http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/major-white-helmets-backer-found-dead-istanbul. Retrieved 11 November 2019.