Leir Ancestry of the 20th century

Evelyn Jekyll Williams-Leir

The Penticton Leirs

Admiral Leir's sub

Admiral Leir's story

Admiral Leir's humour

He joined the R.C.N. in 1939 and trained with the R.N. in the U.K., as was the practice in those days. From there he was posted to the Far East Theatre of War where he joined H.M.S. Prince of Wales. Sunk in her, he was rescued by H.M.S. Express and taken to Ceylon (Sri Lanka) where he joined H.M.S. Exeter, only to be sunk again. This time he was picked up by the Japanese and spent 3 1/2 years in the then named Dutch East Indies as a Prisoner of War. He was listed as "Missing, presumed dead". After his release, he resumed his career with the Royal Canadian Navy and spent two years attached to the Mediterranean Fleet, based in Malta. There, he met and married Valerie. Returning to Canada in 1948, he spent the next 28 years serving, either at sea with ships H.M.C.S. Athabascan (in which he went to the Korean War), Crusader, Sussexvale, Skeena and Bonaventure or on land at various postings. From 1970 to 1973, promoted to Rear Admiral, he was the Maritime Commander at Esquimalt. Upon retirement in Central Saanich, he worked as a Consultant before taking up building stone walls in his garden, fishing, cruising by sea in his boat or on land in his Trailer and travelling with his wife Valerie to many parts of the world.

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Here is the obituary for Geoffrey Tripp, whose mother was a Leir.

Carleton at Ditcheat Priory Major General Richard Langford Leir Carleton, J.P. Outside Ditcheat Priory, 1923.
He was born 21st August, 1841, son of Rev William Marriott Leir. He assumed additional surname Carleton by Royal Licence in 1899. He married, on 10th November, 1887, Henrietta Anne, Baroness Dorchester, elder daughter and co heir of Guy, 3rd Lord Dorchester, and widow of Francis Paynton Pigott who died 17th April, 1883 having assumed the additional name of Carleton.

Colonel Leir inspecting Boy Scouts in Victoria Park, Bath.