Roll of Honour
Captain
Neil Leitch
MA
Captain Neil Leitch was born on the 31st July 1887 in Avenvogie, on the island of Islay, Argyllshire. He was the son of Neil Leitch, a shepherd, and Janet Leitch (née McGibbon). He was educated at the University of Glasgow, graduating MA in 1908. To prepare himself for a teaching career, Leitch studied concurrently at the Glasgow Provincial Training College - forerunner of Jordanhill College of Education, now the University of Strathclyde - from session 1905-06 to session 1907-08.
Neil completed his teacher training course on the 26th June 1908, gaining the Teacher's General Certificate, which qualified him to teach in primary schools, with additional qualifications for the teaching of Drawing and Drill. He was appointed to a teaching post at East Public School, Paisley, from the 7th September 1908. Leitch later returned to the University of Glasgow to study Theology, and was ordained on the 3rd September 1914. He was an assistant at St Columba's in Glasgow before he joined the Army and was a Captain in the Highland Light Infantry.
Captain Leitch was killed on the 20th May 1916, aged 28, and is buried in Sailly-Labourse Communal Cemetery in northern France (see his entry and headstone on www.findgrave.com. He is also remembered on his parent's headstone in the Bowmore New Parish Churchyard on the Isle of Islay, Argllshire (see photograph on the The War Graves Photographic Project website).
Comments and Citations
University of Glasgow Registry, Faculty and General Council Records.
Burial Place: Commonwealth War Graves Commission - Debt of Honour Register