Robert Leckie

Leckie, Robert

Robert Leckie, air marshal (b at Glasgow, Scot 16 Apr 1890; d at Ottawa 31 Mar 1975). A much-decorated flying-boat pilot in WWI, Leckie was the only airman to be credited with downing 2 Zeppelins. He then joined the newly formed Royal Air Force and was seconded to Canada as director of civil flying operations, 1919-22. He played a leading role in the first trans-Canada flight in 1920. Returning to Canada after a series of RAF appointments, Leckie was air member for training, 1940-44, the officer in charge of the BRITISH COMMONWEALTH AIR TRAINING PLAN. He transferred to the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1942 and was chief of the air staff, 1944-47. Intelligent, sensitive and forceful, Leckie was the most impressive of Canada's senior air officers in WWII.