Square jawed, stalwart and the epitome of the popular ideal of a late Victorian Canadian soldier in this circa 1900 photograph, future general Robert Gilmour Edwards Leckie was born to Robert Gilmour Leckie and the former Miss Sarah Edwards in Halifax, Nova Scotia on 4 June 1869.

His primary education took place at Bishop’s College School in Lennoxville, Quebec, Canada while his secondary education included a Bachelor of Sciences in mining engineering from King’s College University, Windsor,  Ontario, Canada in 1895 and Royal Military College in Kingston, Ontariowhere he received the Sword of Honour and the Governor’s Generals Medalalso in 1895. His career as a mining engineer preceded his degree and hiswork extended across Canada from Nova Scotia to British Columbia.Leckie’s military service in Canada included being commissioned as aLieutenant with the 75th Lunenburg Battalion of Infantry in 1891.Promoted Captain in 1892 and rapidly to Major in 1895. He transferred toPrincess Louise’s New Brunswick Hussars in 1895. Promoted Lieutenant-Colonel in 1910 he oversaw the formation as Officer Commanding of the72nd Regiment, Seaforth Highlanders of Canada.His foreign service included serving as Squadron Commander of the 2ndCanadian Mounted Rifles during the Anglo-Boer War, 1901-1902. For his he was entitled to the Queen’s South Africa Medal with the clasps “Transvaal” and “South Africa 1902”. While in South Africa he suffered from an attack of enteric fever.

Leckie seems to have left South Africa soon after the end of the Anglo-Boer War for service in Somaliland during the 1902-04 campaign against Sayyīd Muhammad Abd Allāh al-Hasan who was also known as the “Mad Mullah”. Invalided to Britain in 1904 Leckie was quoted in the 13 January 1904 edition of the New York Times with his opinion of the ultimate outcome of the war. He stated that the recent defeat of the Mad Mullah was the beginning of the end of his power and that al-Hasan’s forces were now scattered. He also stated that it was his view that Somaliland would have to be occupied. In the end, al-Hasan would defy the British until 1920 when he died from influenza.

 

It should be noted that in Leckie’s World War One attestation papers he lists his service with the Canadian Forces at home and in South Africa but does not list his service in Somaliland. Although I have been unable to find him listed on the appropriate medal roll he should have been entitled to the Africa General Service Medal with the “Somaliland 1902-04” clasp. It is possible that his presence in Somaliland was in an unofficial capacity, hence the lack of mention in the appropriate medal roll.  In 1903 while serving is Somaliland he was attacked and mauled on the face and left arm by aleopard. At least two entries in The Canadian Who’s Who state that one of Leckie’s favorite past times was big game hunting and one might  assume that it was while in pursuit of this hobby that his encounter with the leopard occurred.

During World War One he was Lieutenant-Colonel Commanding, 16th Canadian Battalion (The Canadian Scottish) Canadian Expeditionary  Force - 1914-1915. He was promoted Brigadier-General in August 1915 and Major-General in June 1917. Leckie was entitled to the 1914-15 Star and the British War and Victory Medals. During World War One Leckie would, receive at least two Mentions in Despatches with the first being on 22 June 1915 a second on 15 June 1916 when he was also created a Companion of the Order of St. Michael and St. George for his military services. Leckie was severely wounded during the war on 17 February 1916 by a gunshot that went through his left thigh and penetrated
and passed through his right leg.

Robert G. E. Leckie married Miss Eileen Sunderland on 12 December 1919 at Victoria, British Columbia. No children are known.

Robert Gilmour Edwards Leckie died at Vancouver, British Columbia on 22 June 1922.   

 

 

 

   Mounted Photograph
9 Inches by 6 1/2 Inches
(19cm x 14cm)
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Gauvin & Gentzel - Photographer
c. 1900