Edwin George McLeod (1900 - 1989)

Born 14 Oct 1900 in Auckland, New Zealand

Ancestors

Husband of Irene Eva (Bull) McLeod — married 1926 (to 1941) in New Zealand

Died 14 Sep 1989 at age 88 in Auckland, New Zealand

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Edwin George McLeod is Notable.

Biography

Edwin George was born on 14 October 1900 in Auckland, New Zealand. He was the son of George McLeod and Margaret Jane Carson. ^[1]

He made his debut in first-class cricket playing for Auckland against the touring Australian side in 1920-21. A C MacLaren's MCC side came to New Zealand in 1922-23 and for the first time McLeod was in the New Zealand national team, playing the first match against them at the Basin Reserve, Wellington. The match was notable for the 200 not out scored by the 51 year old MacLaren, in what turned out to be his final innings in first class cricket.

McLeod had joined the Railways Department as a civil engineering cadet and retired as District Engineer 40 years later.

He married Irene Eva Bull in 1926 in Auckland, New Zealand. ^[2]

Edwin and Irene moved to Wellington, New Zealand that year.

McLeod was selected in the 12 for NZ's first ever test match, played at Lancaster Park, Christchurch, against the 1929/30 MCC team, but was made 12th man and played his only Test in the next match at Basin Reserve. After this season he was not available on a regular basis and his last 11 first class matches were spread over 11 seasons. He became captain of Wellington from 1939/40 and played his last match exactly 20 years to the day and on the same ground as he had made his debut.

AUCKLAND STAR, VOLUME LXXII, ISSUE 15, 18 JANUARY 1941, PAGE 6 (SUPPLEMENT) FIRST HALF OF WELLINGTON SEASON. Hutt have to thank their resolute leader, E. G. McLeod, for occupying second place on the ladder. McLeod, who first came into prominence by winning a place in the New Zealand team against the M.C.C. side. led by A. C MacLaren, in 1923, is this season batting as well as ever he did. He was then a member of the Parnell Club, Auckland. Two centuries figure in his aggregate of 321, which gives him the splendid average of 80.25. He has not done so well this season with his slow leg-break bowling, as his six wickets have cost 18.66 each. It is as a fieldsman that the Hutt captain is an inspiration to the men under him ^[3]

Did he remarry after his wife passed away in 1941? In 1941 he was transferred to Wanganui and in 1945 back to Auckland. There he joined the Epsom Bowling Club and had much success in this sport over the next 25 years. McLeod had also represented NZ at hockey throughout the 1920s. He became a national selector in 1955 and was manager-coach of the New Zealand team at the 1956 Olympic Games.

THE PRESS, VOLUME CIII, ISSUE 30407, 4 APRIL 1964, PAGE 10 Two Receive Life Membership Two members who had given outstanding service to the sport over a great many years were granted life membership of the New Zealand Hockey Association at its sixty-second annual conference, held in Christchurch yesterday. They are Messrs R. Gracie, of Christchurch, a former test umpire, and E. G. McLeod, of Auckland, who recently retired from the position of sole New Zealand selector and coach.[...] Initially, Mr McLeod was one of the finest players ever produced in New Zealand. He later took up coaching and up to very recently was the New Zealand sole selector and coach, a position he held for a great many years. He is also a former New Zealand cricket representative. ^[4]

For almost a year before his death Eddie McLeod had the distinction of being the world's oldest surviving test cricketer.

He passed away on 14 September 1989 in Auckland, New Zealand. ^[5]

NZ BDM Records

NZ Birth Registration Number : 1900/14253 Family Name : McLeod Given Name(s) : Edwin George Mother's Given Name(s) : Margaret Jane Father's Given Name(s) : George

NZ Marriage Registration Number : 1926/6509 Bride's Given Name(s) : Irene Eva Bride's Family Name : Bull Groom's Given Name(s) : Edwin George Groom's Family Name : McLeod

NZ Death Registration Number : 1989/41436 Family Name : McLeod Given Name(s) : Edwin George Date of Birth/Age at Death : 14 October 1900

Sources

1. ↑ http://bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz/
   • NZ Birth registration 1900/14253
2. ↑ http://bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz/
   • NZ Marriage registration 1926/6509
3. ↑ FIRST HALF OF WELLINGTON SEASON. AUCKLAND STAR, VOLUME LXXII, ISSUE 15, 18 JANUARY 1941, PAGE 6 (SUPPLEMENT)
4. ↑ Two Receive Life Membership THE PRESS, VOLUME CIII, ISSUE 30407, 4 APRIL 1964, PAGE 10
5. ↑ http://bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz/
   • NZ Death registration 1989/41436