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Name: LELAND, Lionel Thomas Hillier

Birth Date: 20 Nov 1881 Beltichburne, C. Louth, Ireland

Death Date: 5 July 1923 Drogheda , from effects of wounds acquired on Somme

First Date: 1912

Profession: Asst DC

Married: In Fulham 1915 Emma Louise Betty Harrold b. 17 June 1882 Shepway, Kent, d. 14 Feb 1977 Folkestone

Children: John Hillier (28 Oct 1917-4 Mar 1978)

Book Reference: Gazette, Web, Find a Grave (Web), Gethin

War Service: Worcestershire Regt (Major)

General Information:

Gazette 1/5/1912 - Arrived on 1st Appointment - Asst. District Commissioner - 20/4/1912
Known to his pals as 'Puss in Boots' as he generally wore long riding boots which were very highly polished.
Gethin - Leyland [sic] was an Asst. DC recently arrived from Ireland, and what he didn't know about horses wasn't worth knowing. He was a typical official, most of his brains were in his boots. He would not listen to advice, being the only person who knew anything about horses. He immediately took a fancy to the pony who I had now named Kenya, but I warned Leyland he was likely to be savage and would most likely injure him. Leyland would not listen, he must ride Kenya. So, producing his own saddle, he did take my tip and mounted from the off side. Kenya behaved himself and Leyland was so pleased with him he paid me what I asked - £30. .....Two days later as we were moving into camp on the Mau a very dispirited-looking pony was led into camp by two Syces at the end of two ropes. I was handed a note from Leyland to say he was returning the pony as he was mad and I must have been just as mad to have kept him for so long. When Kenya arrived at Naivasha Leyland walked out from his office to welcome him to his new quarters, when the pony suddenly made for Leyland and knocked him down with a strike from a foreleg, then tried to savage him as he lay on the ground. Kenya then turned on the Syce and struck him in the stomach. In the meantime Leyland had got on his feet and was making for his office when he found the pony was after him again. He just got to the office door and shut it before being caught again. All available hands were now turned out to try and catch the pony, and as there was a long rope attached to the halter they had no difficulty in getting the pony under control. To their astonishment the pony was now found to be perfectly quiet, but Leyland had had enough. He immediately cancelled his cheque and returned Kenya to me. I kept Kenya till I had finished with the Masai move, when I sold him to B.F. Webb of Molo.

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