Henry Leeke (athlete)

Henry Leeke (6 February 1846[1] – 21 February 1922) was a notable British amateur athlete, and one-time Amateur Champion of England in the hammer throw and shot put.[2]

Early years

Born in Holbrook, Derbyshire, Leeke was the son of the Reverend William Leeke and his wife, Mary Anne. His father was a noted Waterloo historian and famous for carrying the Colour of the 52nd Light Infantry during the battle.[3]

Athletic career

He represented the University of Cambridge in the hammer throw and shot put,[3] winning the hammer event against Oxford in 1868.[4] He was recognised as "one of the pioneers of British hammer throwing", and was the AAC Champion in 1868,1870 and 1872.[4]

Personal life

He married the daughter of Matthew Wise of Shrubland Hall, Leamington,[5] with whom he had five daughters and one son, Henry Alan Leeke, who represented Great Britain at the 1908 Summer Olympics, and who died in 1915.[3]

Leeke died at Cliff House, Leamington on 21 February 1922, aged 76.[3]

References

  1. Derbyshire, England, Church of England Baptisms, 1813-1916
  2. "WAAA and National Championships Medallists". NUTS.
  3. "A Notable Athlete", The Times Thursday, February 23, 1922, p. 15, col. 4
  4. "Henry Leeke". Olympics at Sports Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2011-05-19. Retrieved 2008-09-10.
  5. "Biographies and Services", The Times, Wednesday 2 June 1915, p. 8 col. 4


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