Leslie Street runs parallel to the east bank of Waitara River. Once home to the town’s saleyards, near what is now Waitara pool, it was named after a British soldier who served in the First Taranaki War.
Arthur Leslie was born in England on 4 November 1821, the youngest of eight children of the Reverend John Leslie, an Irish bishop, and his wife Isabella. He enlisted in the British Army aged 17, his father having purchased his commission, and served as an Ensign with the 8th Regiment. Buying commissions was common practice at the time and meant young men of means did not have to wait to be promoted due to merit or seniority. Ensign rank in an infantry regiment cost £450, more than £50,000 in today’s money.
Arthur advanced quickly, becoming a Lieutenant in 1842 then Captain in 1846. Later that year he transferred to the 40th Regiment, known as the ‘The Excellers’, was promoted to Major then finally Lieutenant-Colonel in 1858 – no purchases required.
Arthur arrived in New Plymouth from Melbourne on the ship City of Hobart on 24 June 1860. He was sent with a contingent of the 40th under his command, including 12 officers, 16 sergeants, 10 drummers and several hundred “rank and file”. They were involved in clashes with Māori warriors at various pā including Kairau, Māhoetahi, Puketakauere and Te Ārei as well as the No. 3 Redoubt at Huirangi.
Transferred north in 1861 after a ceasefire was declared in Taranaki, Arthur and his men served in the Waikato campaign until 1866 when he was finally sent home. His role at the Battle of Ōrākau in 1864 – allegedly allowing a number of Māori to escape – earned him the disparaging nickname ‘Gentle Arthur’, despite it ultimately being a British victory.
Awarded the Companion of the Order of the Bath in 1862, Arthur retired on half-pay in 1867, finally leaving the army – ironically by selling his own commission – in 1873.
Arthur Leslie died in London on 12 September 1878 at the age of 56. He was survived by his wife Hephzibah, but it is not known whether the couple had any children.
This story was originally published in the Taranaki Daily News.
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