Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Six: Brigadier-General G. F. Leslie, Rifle Brigade

Afghanistan 1878-80, 1 clasp, Ali Musjid (2nd Lieut., 4th Bn. Rifle Bde.); Queen’s Sudan 1896-98 (Maj., 2/R. Bde.); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1902 (Col., Rifle Bde.); British War and Victory Medals (Brig. Gen.); Khedive’s Sudan 1896-1908, 1 clasp, Khartoum, unnamed, mounted court style for wear, some edge bruising and contact marks, very fine and better (6) £1000-1400

George Francis Leslie was born on 16 July 1856, the eldest son of Major-General Leslie, R.A., of the Mount, Donaghadee, Co. Down. He obtained a commission in the North Down Militia on 22 March 1876, from which he was gazetted to the Rifle Brigade as a 2nd Lieutenant on 24 November 1877. He was promoted to Lieutenant in April 1879, Captain in December 1884, Major in December 1894, Lieutenant-Colonel in December 1901 and Brevet Colonel in December 1904.

Leslie served in the Afghanistan War as a young subaltern; as a Major he served in the Sudan Campaign, commanding ‘H’ Company, 2nd Rifle Brigade at the battle of Khartoum. Served in Crete during the Turkish Uprising, 1898. Served in the Second Boer War; commanding the 4th Battalion Rifle Brigade from 17 February 1902. For his services in the war he was mentioned in despatches (London Gazette 23 June 1902; 29 July 1902). He retired on 1 December 1905.

On the outbreak of the Great War he immediately offered his services and was employed on the Staff and was granted the honorary rank of Brigadier-General on 30 March 1917. After the war he retired once more. He died on 10 May 1934, aged 78 years, at 12 Palmeira Mansions, Hove, Sussex.

With copied research.