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Name: LEONARD, John Douglas OBE (Major)
Birth Date: 2 May 1881 East Harlsey, Yorkshire
Death Date: 22 May 1944 Nairobi
First Date: 1916
Last Date: 1944
Profession: Managing director, Kenya Trading Corp
Area: 1930 Box 567, Nairobi
Married: In Uitenhage, S. Africa 3 Apr 1907 Florence Annie Lilian Cammack b. 29 July 1880 Spalding, Lincs., d. 19 Feb 1955 Nairobi) (one of the original members of Karen Club in 1937)
Children: Nancy (Davidson) (8 Feb 1908 Johannesburg); Joan (23 Feb 1910 Johannesburg); Mary (Keatinge) (18 June 1913 Johannesburg-Sydney, Australia); John (25 Nov 1921 Nairobi-1984)
Book Reference: Golf, KAD, Red 25, Red 31, Karen 50, Red 22, Barnes, Gazette
War Service: Major EAP Forces, mentioned in despatches
School: Heymena College, Hull and St. Peters York
General Information:
First Chairman of the Golf Union of EA in 1923. President in 1931. Captain of Nairobi GC in 1922. President in 1927.
Golf - an outstanding figure - outstanding in more ways than one. He was never perhaps a scratch player but was one of the dourest opponents and staunchest partners one could wish to find. T.L. Hately partnered him in many Easter Tournament games and the good record they had in those events was due far more to his fighting qualities than to any small contribution of Hately's [Hately's comments].
Many will remember the vocal efforts of Tannahill and J.D. Leonard at the lunches and impromptu concerts at Easter. What they lacked in tunefulness they made up for in lustiness and echoes must still ring in Royal Nairobi of "J.D.'s" rendering of "There is a lady sweet and kind" and of Arthur in "Mary had a little lamb".
Red 25 - Vice-President, Nairobi Golf Club
Karen 50 - Prominent amongst those golfing enthusiasts invited to view the Karen Course as it was being laid out were Major J.D. Leonard, Jimmy (later Sir Henry) Gurney, A.C. Tannahill and W.N. MacKenzie. J.D. Leonard, at 6' 6" the giant of Kenya golfers, had been one of the mainstays of Nairobi Golf Club since 1922 (Captain in 1925) and in the forefront of all golfing activities. He radiated kindness and bonhomie, was a witty speaker and could quote the "Pink un" or the Bible with equal facility.
His daughters Joan and Mary were prominent golfers (Mary won the Kenya Championship in 1932) and another daughter, Nancy Davidson, is still an enthusiastic supporter of all golfing events, particularly the Leonard Bowl.
Founder Member and Debenture Holder of Karen Club in 1937
Red 22 - Managing Director, Kenya Trading Corporation Ltd.
Nairobi City Park cemetery - Florence Annie Leonard, died 19 Feb 1955 aged 74 AND John Douglas Leonard, died 22 May 1944 aged 63
Gazette 20/7/1921 - Dissolution of Partnership between John Douglas Leonard, Bernard Coverdale and George Philip Fuller carrying on business as Auctioneers, Real Estate and Insurance Agents, Traders and Manufacturer's Representatives at Nairobi …..under the style or firm of the Kenya Trading Company. Business sold to the Kenya Trading Corporation Ltd.
KAD 1922 - Nairobi Municipal Councillor.
KAD 1922 - Hon. Sec. Nairobi Golf Club
Gazette - Voters List 1936 - Nairobi South - John Douglas Leonard, Advertising Agent, Ngong Rd. And Mrs Florence Annie Leonard, married woman, Ngong Rd., Nbi
Gazette 19 Apr 1955 wife's probate
At time of his marriage he was Secretary, African Insurance Co., Port Elizabeth
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