Sir John Chetham McLeod KCB

John McLeod was born in Ceylon on 23 Jan 1831 the son of Alexander and Agnes (nee Kelty). He entered the army as an ensign in the 42nd in April 1846 and served throughout the Crimean War. He was also with the regiment in India during the Indian Mutiny campaigns and was awarded the CB. He took over command after the death of Lieutenant-Colonel Priestley in March 1868 and took the regiment to Africa where they fought in the Ashanti War. He was appointed KCB for his service in this campaign. He relinquished command in September 1877 and was appointed Assistant Adjutant-General in Scotland. With the rank of major-general he then commanded the Belfast District and went on to command the forces in Ceylon and acted as governor from June to November 1885 in the absence of Sir Arthur Gordon. He was married twice, firstly to Emily Dick in 1861. They had 4 sons and a daughter. In September 1883 he married Dora Macdonald and they had 3 sons. Sir John reached the rank of Lieutenant-General and was appointed Colonel of the Black Watch on 26 Feb 1907. He died in London on 10 Jan 1914.

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