| Leuchars | G | | Lieutenant Colonel | He was born 16 April 1868. He represented Umvoti County in the Natal Parliament, 1893-1906, and served in command of the Umvoti Mounted Rifles in the Boer War, 1899-1902. He was present in operations in Natal, 1899; the Relief of Ladysmith, including the operations on Tugela Heights; operations in Natal, March to June 1900, including the action at Laing's Nek; operations in the Transvaal, east of Pretoria, July to October 1900; operations on the Zululand Frontier of Natal, September and October 1901. He was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 16 April 1901]; received the Queen's Medal with four clasps, and the King's Medal with two clasps, and was created a CMG. From 1903-5 he was Minister of Native Affairs and Public Works. He also served in the Natal Native Rebellion; was given the Brevet of Colonel, and was Commanding Officer of the Troops in Natal. He received the Medal and clasp; was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 25 June 1907], and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 28 June 1907]: ''For services during the Native Rebellion in Natal, 1906: George Leuchars, CMG, Lieutenant Colonel and Brevet Colonel, Umvoti Mounted Rifles". He became Colonel on the Regimental Supernumerary List 22 May 1908. In 1910 he was returned for the Umvoti Division to the Union Parliament; was made a JP; was Minister of Commerce and Industries, Union of South Africa, 1911; Minister of Public Works, and Acting Minister of Posts and Telegraphs, 1912, in which year he resigned. In 1914 and 1915 he was Officer-in-Command of Troops in Natal, and was created a KCMG in 1915. Colonel the Honourable Sir George Leuchars married, in 1891, Marion, daughter of W Mackenzie.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | Umvoti Mounted Rifles |
