Colin McLeod (engineer)

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Colin McLeod
CMG
Commissioner of Works
In office
1973–1981
Preceded byJim Macky
Succeeded byJack Chesterman
Personal details
Born
Norman Colin McLeod

(1921-08-05)5 August 1921
Auckland, New Zealand
Died6 April 2018(2018-04-06) (aged 96)
Wellington, New Zealand
Spouse
Ella Margaret McEwan
​
​
(m. 1946; died 2011)​
Alma materCanterbury University College
ProfessionCivil engineer

Norman Colin McLeod CMG (5 August 1921 – 6 April 2018) was a New Zealand civil engineer, who served as the Commissioner of Works between 1973 and 1981.

Early life and education[edit]

McLeod was born in Auckland on 5 August 1921, the son of Norman John Murdoch McLeod, also an engineer, and Eva Mary McLeod (née Ringrose).[1][2] Raised in the Wellington suburb of Karori, he was educated at Wellington College, and went on to study civil engineering at Canterbury University College, graduating BE in 1942.[1][3]

Early career and military service[edit]

Following graduation, McLeod initially worked in the Public Works Department, designing coastal defences.[1] In April 1943, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Corps of New Zealand Engineers, but was decommissioned and sent overseas in January 1944 as a sapper, serving in Italy.[1][4][5] He was again commissioned as a second lieutenant in February 1945,[6] and served as adjutant to Brigadier Fred Hanson.[4] In March 1946, he went to Japan with the 5th Engineer Company as part of J Force.[1]

Post-war family and career[edit]

Returning to New Zealand in September 1946, he married Ella Margaret McEwan, and the couple went on to have three children.[1][7][8][9]

McLeod resumed his career with the Ministry of Works, and in 1949 moved to Mangakino, where he rose to become the project engineer for construction of the Waikato River dams.[9] In 1962, McLeod became district commissioner of works in Wanganui.[9] and then, from 1964 to 1966, district commissioner of Works in Hamilton.[10] After an Eisenhower Exchange Fellowship in the United States in 1966, McLeod served as director of the National Water and Soil Conservation Authority from 1966 to 1971.[10] He was appointed Commissioner of Works, succeeding Jim Macky, in 1973,[1][9][11][12] and served in that capacity until his retirement in 1981, when he was succeeded by Jack Chesterman.[13] In the 1981 Queen's Birthday Honours, McLeod was appointed a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George, in recognition of his service as commissioner.[14]

Later life and death[edit]

McLeod's wife, Ella, was active in community activities, including 15 years as a member of the Wellington Hospital Board from 1974 to 1989.[9] In the 1982 Queen's Birthday Honours, she was awarded the Queen's Service Medal for community service.[15] She died on 20 June 2011.[9]

Colin McLeod died in Wellington on 6 April 2018.[7]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g "Interview with Colin McLeod". National Library of New Zealand. 2003. Retrieved 3 May 2018.
  2. ^ "Death search: registration number 2018/9588". Births, deaths & marriages online. Department of Internal Affairs. Retrieved 3 May 2018.
  3. ^ "NZ university graduates 1870–1961: Mc". Shadows of Time. Retrieved 3 May 2018.
  4. ^ a b Houlihan, Mike (7 February 2008). "Unsung heroes tell their stories". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 3 May 2018.
  5. ^ "New Zealand, World War II appointments, promotions, transfers and resignations, 1939–1945". Ancestry.com Operations. 2014. Retrieved 3 May 2018.
  6. ^ "New Zealand, World War II appointments, promotions, transfers and resignations, 1939–1945". Ancestry.com Operations. 2014. Retrieved 3 May 2018.
  7. ^ a b "Norman McLeod death notice". Dominion Post. 10 April 2018. Retrieved 3 May 2018.
  8. ^ "Ella Margaret McLeod". Legacy.com. 22 June 2011. Retrieved 3 May 2018.
  9. ^ a b c d e f Donoghue, Tim (2 July 2011). "A life story". Dominion Post. p. 26.
  10. ^ a b "Interview with Colin and Ella McLeod". National Library of New Zealand. 13 September 1988. Retrieved 4 May 2018.
  11. ^ Pickmere, Arnold (28 June 2002). "Obituary: Jim Macky". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 3 May 2018.
  12. ^ "Appropriation Bill—Estimates". Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). 386: 3805. 1973. Retrieved 3 May 2018.
  13. ^ "Modest engineer powered changes". Manawatu Standard. 15 February 2008. Retrieved 3 May 2018.
  14. ^ "No. 48641". The London Gazette (3rd supplement). 13 June 1981. p. 43.
  15. ^ "No. 49010". The London Gazette (3rd supplement). 12 June 1982. p. 41.
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