1953BC_0016: BC Address by Rev Dr Webb at the laying of the Foundation Stone of the Chapel.
legend:
Seated to the left are Mr and Mrs Mears and Rev Ambrose Reeves; to the righ: Mr Gilbert Tucker, Mr Leake, and Rev Arnold J Walker.
1953BC_00019: Laying of the Foundation Stone of the Chapel - Charles H Leake lays the foundation stone (wide view)
Zonder titelBrief extract which includes biographical details of his origins and involvement in civic life in Johannesburg up to 1926. The latest date mentioned in the extract has been used to estimate its date. It's format indicates that it is likely to have been cut from a Who's Who volume. The biography includes the address at which he resided in Westcliff.
Zonder titelFormal portrait photograph of Leake. It is estimated to have been taken prior to the opening of the College in 1953 and relative to later photographs, possibly in the early 1940s.
Zonder titelLaying the Foundation Stone of the Young People's Department. [NC] The Star 25th March,1935.
Adhered onto exercise book paper.
Retirement of Mr. C. H. Leake: Norwegian Consul for 10 years. [NC] The Star, 5/8/1938.
The image of the page to which the article has been adhered also includes a newspaper photograph of cycling in Norway and 3 seals embedded in sealing wax.
1951 Leake's granddaughter's wedding [NC] The Star 5th November 1951
Zonder titel1954c. Leake at unidentified function
Zonder titelA small collection of quotations identified as follows:
"Real kindness means ...". The source of this quotation cannot be identified.
"Life, like war, is a series of mistakes; and he is not the best Christian nor the best general who makes the fewest false steps. Poor mediocrity may secure that; but he is the best who wins the most splendid victories by the retrieval of mistakes. Forget mistakes; organize victory out of mistakes.“ Frederick William Robertson, 1895 [Source: https://quotepark.com]
"There is no wealth but life. Life, including all its powers of love, of joy, and of admiration. That country is the richest which nourishes the greatest numbers of noble and happy human beings; that man is richest, who, having perfected the functions of his own life to the utmost, has also the widest helpful influence, both personal, and by means of his possessions, over the lives of others.“ John Ruskin, 1860. [Source: https://quotepark.com/quotes]
"Twelve things to remember" is derived from an essay written by Bessie A. Stanley of Lincoln, Kansas. Here is an article about her essay that was published in the Emporia Gazette of Emporia, Kansas on December 11, 1905 [Source: https://quoteinvestigator.com/]
"Not what we have, but what we use ..." is a quote from Joseph Fort Newton (1880 – 1950) [Source: https://www.preaching.com/articles/past-masters/joseph-fort-newton/]
Motto: "I expect to pass through this world but once. Any good therefore that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again." Stephen Grellet 1773–1855 [Source: https://www.oxfordreference.com/]
This last quotation is headed Motto and reflects the life that Leake led.
Zonder titel1896 CHL Field Cornet certificate.
Issued at the time that Dutch was still used as the official language of the Transvaal Republic.
"The rank of field cornet (veldkornet) was used for the senior officer of a ward or sub-district in the independent republican states of the Transvaal and Oranje-Vrystaat in late 19th century South Africa. They were elected by the commandos of their ward for periods of three years." (Source: Wikipedia)
1906 CHL Firearm licence
The licence was issued to Leake for a Hollis double-barreled shotgun, indicative of the safety atmosphere of the early years of Johannesburg.
1922 CHL Certificate of competence to drive a motor car No: 23055, issued in the name of C H Leake.
Zonder titel1937 CHL Licence to possess a firearm 58852. Issued by the Union in terms of the Arms and Ammunition Act, 1937.
Zonder titelProse writing, unidentified. Sellotape marks indicate that the document could have been displayed at some stage. Similar items are included in the Leake Collection albums.
Zonder titel1935c Leake arrives at the completed church
Other photographs identify the stone as being laid in memory and at the bequest of CH Leake's brother Orlando Leake.
1935c Leake distributes to the children
Zonder titel1945c Leake with his 1935 Chrysler Airstream Convertible.
The car was identified courtesy Courtney Watson (BC staff).
The Matoppo Inn is believed to be the one still in existence in Beaufort West. (Subject to verification).
1950c Leake and Mrs Leake on the steps of their home in The Valley Road, Westcliff.
Zonder titel1953 Leake at College Official Opening
Zonder titelRand Aid Association: The Sixty-fourth Annual Report 1967 - 1968
Zonder titelRand Aid Association: The Sixty-sixth Annual Report 1969 - 1970.
The cover of this report pictures Mount Collins House, a charity financed by Charles Leake and named after his great friends: William Mountstephens and Albert Collins, founders of St Stithians.
The Ever Open Door: Rand Aid Association: Opening of the new hall at Mount Collins, 18th November 1970 [invitation and programme]
Mount Collins House, is a charity financed by Charles Leake and named after his great friends: William Mountstephens and Albert Collins, founders of St Stithians.
1953BC_00012: Laying of the Foundation Stone of the Chapel - Charles H Leake lays the foundation stone
Zonder titelFormal portrait photograph of Leake. It is dated from the same image as used on his campaign card for his candidacy for the 1920 Transvaal provincial election. At this time, Leake would have been 51 years old.
Zonder titelThe coat of arms is placed adjacent to the programme detailed in item 009 and is presumed to have come either from the event or from Leake's time as Consul. Leake served as the Norwegian Consul from 1928 - 1938.
For further details on the Norwegian coat of arms see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coat_of_arms_of_Norway
1953 Leake and group at College Official Opening.
The group is standing in front of the plaque erected in the BC entrance portico to commemorate the official opening of the College in 1953.
Rand Aid Chairman and Minister [NC] The Star, c. May 1950 (date not fully identified)
Zonder titel1957 Leake obituaries [NCs] The Star 20th April 1957, Rand Daily Mail 22nd April 1957
Zonder titelLeake's blotter containing reverse images of his signature.
[Blotting paper, dating back to the 15th century was used in the days of dip pens or fountain pens to absorb excess ink. It was a common sight on a gentleman's desk, often in a leather or similar frame. A sheet of blotting paper was also an essential piece of school stationery to prevent smudging up until the advent of the ballpoint pen. Note added by MR]
1956 Johannesburg. Office of the Mayor letter to C H Leake 27th September 1956 regarding the award of a medal to Leake.
Zonder titel1935c Leake inspects the girl-guide guard of honour
Zonder titel1940c Leake family group in garden 001
Zonder titel1940c Leake in his garden 003
Zonder titel1953 Leake addresses congregation after laying of Chapel Foundation Stone
Zonder titel1953 Chapel Leake lays Foundation Stone 001
Zonder titel1953 College Opening group 003
Zonder titelReception at Norwegian Hall [NC] referring to the farewell to Mr & Mrs C H Leake after his retirement as Consul of Norway.
Source of NC is not identified. Item is dated form an adjacent cutting.
Married in Johannesburg 50 years ago: Anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. C Leake [NC] The Star 25/10/1944. Includes biographical details.
Zonder titel1955 Rand Aid Association letter to C H Leake 30th August 1955
The letter includes an extract from a tribute to Leake for his work with the Association by the Minister of Social Welfare, Mr J J Serfontein.
Chas. H. Leake Esq. J P [writing folder].
The initials "J P" following his name indicate that he held the rank of Justice of the Peace.
1935c Leake laying a foundation stone at an unidentified building.
Other photographs identify the stone as being laid in memory and at the bequest of CH Leake's brother Orlando Leake after whom Orlando, Soweto is named.
Group photograph of Leake and his family on the Durban beachfront. The youth is dressed in a Hilton College uniform.
The date of 1946 was established courtesy of the Hilton College Archives. With their help, the young man was identified as Anthony Charles Turner who attended Hilton from 1946 - 1949. The Hilton archive was further able to establish that the others in the photograph included Anthony's father, Ernest James Turner, his mother Muriel (nee Leake) and his sisters.
It was from this information that the photograph of a youthful Anthony was dated to 1946.
The location of the Durban beachfront was identified from general knowledge and the lack of a lighthouse on the Bluff in the background confirms the date between 1941 and 1953.
Further clarification was received from Charles Bamford (Class of 1973 and great-grandson of Charles Leake):
"It is correct to say that the photograph shows, on the left, E.J. ("Pic") Turner with his wife Muriel and their two children, "Tony" and Gail. I am pretty certain that the girl with my great-grandfather is his granddaughter Hilary Morris, the daughter of Nellie Morris (née Leake) who had previously been married to Edgar Clapshaw, my maternal grandfather."
1950c Leake family group in garden 002
Zonder titel1950c Leake in a garden, presumed to be the garden of his home in The Valley Road, Westcliff.
Zonder titel1954 College official opening group 001
Zonder titelTrust [an essay]. It is not known if this short essay can be attributed to Leake.
Zonder titelRewards and Worries of Social Welfare Work in Johannesburg. Rand Aid Chairman looks back 21 years. [NC] The Star 15/07/1944. Describes an interview with Leake and includes details of the work done by the Association.
Zonder titelClifton Methodist Church. celebrates jubilee [NC] The Star 9th March 1948
Zonder titelMen with "histories" given hope of normal life [NC]. Source and date not identified. Date estimated from construction of Cottesloe Hostel.
Zonder titel32 Years' service [NC] The Star, 3rd May 1950
Zonder titelA quotation identified as follows:
Often misattributed, this quotation is actually derived from an essay written by Bessie A. Stanley of Lincoln, Kansas. This is a link to an article about her essay that was published in the Emporia Gazette of Emporia, Kansas on December 11, 1905 [https://quoteinvestigator.com/]
1907 - 1910 Wesleyan Church Trust record book containing loose items relating to the Wesleyan Trust and the Million Shilling fund-raising effort.
It would appear that the fund-raising effort mirrored that of a similar one in London at the same time. According to the letters and other records in the ledger, the intention of the local fund was aimed at a church to be built on the corner of Kerk and von Wielligh Streets in Johannesburg.
The full contents of the ledger have not been digitised.
1922 CHL Drivers licence issued in the name of CH Leake.
Zonder titel1943 Petrol Control permit
Zonder titelW Hosken etc. [document]
The purpose of the document is not indicated and it is undated. It contains a list of names including those of the College founders, Collins and Mountstephens and early Trustees such as DF Corlett, C H Leake and his brother E O Leake. It also refers to the [Methodist] Central Hall and may well relate to the efforts to raise funds for the building of a Methodist Church in Johannesburg.
Prose writing, unidentified. Sellotape marks indicate that the document could have been displayed at some stage. Similar items are included in the Leake Collection albums.
Zonder titel1927 Leake outside his home in Westcliff
The photograph is dated from its similarity to that appearing on the 1927 election card.
1935c Leake laying a foundation stone at an unidentified building.
Other photographs identify the stone as being laid in memory and at the bequest of CH Leake's brother Orlando Leake.
1935c Leake admires the Foundation Stone that he laid
Other photographs identify the stone as being laid in memory and at the bequest of CH Leake's brother Orlando Leake.
1939 Leake in his garden 001
Zonder titel1950c Leake family group in garden 003
Zonder titel