George Alexander William Leith

Who is George Alexander William Leith?

Major General Sir George Alexander William Leith, the second Baronet, K.C.B. O.B was the first Lieutenant-Governor of Prince of Wales' Island taking the reins over from George Caunter, a Magistrate who was Acting Superintendent following the resignation and departure of the last governor, Superintendent, Major Forbes Ross MacDonald. He served in that position from his arrival in 1800 until 1803.

He was appointed an Ensign in the 88th Foot in 1779 and served in Jamaica. He was promoted to Lieutenant in 1780. He returned to England in November 1781 and moved to the 2nd Battalion of the Royals. He transferred to the 71st Foot in Madras in 1786. In 1789 he was appointed Brigade-Major and served under Major-General Sir William Meadows and Governor of India, Lord Cornwallis. He was at the sieges of Bangalore and Sevendroog, the Storming of Tippoo's lines and the surrender of Seringapatam. He was promoted to Captain-Lieutenant 74th Foot on November 1, 1792 and then to Captain in the 73rd on March 7, 1795.

He served as aide-de-camp to the Governor-General in 1793 and as Brigade Major to the King's troops in Bengal in 1794.

In 1797 he sailed on the projected Manila expedition.