One of the leading figures in helping the British defeat the Germans in World War II will be featured on the new £50 note.

Alan Turing, who was one of the main participants in the breaking of German ciphers at Bletchley Park during the war, will front the note when it is released to the public on June 23, 2021 – Turing’s 109th birthday.

The new note will also feature comedian Stephen Fry and scientist Simon Singh.

READ MORE: 'We’re not ready to give up yet' - Petition launched to save popular pizza business

Commenting on the new note, Governor Andrew Bailey said: “There's something of the character of a nation in its money, and we are right to consider and celebrate the people on our banknotes.

Bucks Free Press: Alan Turing will appear on the new £50 noteAlan Turing will appear on the new £50 note

“So, I’m delighted that our new £50 features one of Britain’s most important scientists, Alan Turing.

“Turing is best known for his codebreaking work at Bletchley Park, which helped end the Second World War.

“However, in addition, he was a leading mathematician, developmental biologist, and a pioneer in the field of computer science.

“He was also gay and was treated appallingly as a result.

READ MORE: Trapped swan is rescued by the RSPCA before swimming off to greet its partner

“By placing him on our new polymer £50 banknote, we are celebrating his achievements, and the values he symbolises”.

A year before WWII started, Turing worked at the Government Code and Cypher School (the British codebreaking organisation) on a part-time basis; a year later, he was reported to Bletchley Park in Milton Keynes to help crack codes to defeat the Germans.

Described as a ‘genius’ by many of his peers, Turing’s efforts were not unrecognized as was awarded an OBE by King George VI in 1946 (a year after the war ended) for his wartime services.

However, just eight years later, Turing died at the age of 41 after his reputation was left in tatters.

Openly gay, Turing was convicted of ‘gross indecency’ under Section 11 of the Criminal Law Amendment Act 1885, after he admitted to having a sexual relationship with a man in 1952.

The Bank of England confirmed the news on March 25 

At the time, homosexual acts were criminal offences in the United Kingdom.

Following his revelation, he was given the choice between imprisonment or probation, but the latter would conditional on his agreement to undergo hormonal physical changes.

READ MORE: The bank purge: Barclays to close three branches across the county

He chose probation and was subsequently chemically castrated after he was injected with oestrogen over the course of a year.

The hormonal changes had dire consequences on his body as he was left impotent and formed breast tissue.

He died from cyanide poisoning two years later in 1954 and although his inquest determined his death to be suicide, many have questioned this verdict.

Director of GCHQ, Jeremy Fleming said: “Alan Turing’s appearance on the £50 note is a landmark moment in our history.

“Not only is it a celebration of his scientific genius which helped to shorten the war and influence the technology we still use today, it also confirms his status as one of the most iconic LGBT+ figures in the world.

Turning played a huge part in helping the British defeat the Germans in WWII

“Turing was embraced for his brilliance and persecuted for being gay.

“His legacy is a reminder of the value of embracing all aspects of diversity, but also the work we still need to do to become truly inclusive.”

In 2009, the British Government publicly apologised for the way they handled Turing’s case, with the codebreaker being posthumously pardoned for his crimes by then Prime Minister, Gordon Brown.