Basic Biographical Details Name: | Archibald Kent Leitch (or Archie Leitch (junior)) | Designation: | | Born: | April 1891 | Died: | | Bio Notes: | Archibald Kent Leitch was born in Glasgow in April 1891, the son of Archibald (Archie) Leitch, who was to become the foremost designer of football grounds of his generation, and his wife Jessie. The family moved to Liverpool in 1909, remaining there until the early years of the First World War when they moved to a prestigious address in London - Lonsdale House, Barnes, formerly the home of a member of the Wedgwood family.
Archie Junior joined his father's firm in 1920, and became a partner in 1927. He continued the business, under the name of Archibald Leitch & Partners, after his father's retirement in 1936. At that time he was still living with his parents, who had moved to a new semi-detached house in Cockfosters, North London in 1935. Archie Junior did not marry until 1938, and never had any children. His father died in his bed on 25 April 1939, leaving moveable estate of £2,111 12s 9d. He was buried in the family plot in East Sheen, alongside his daughters Jeannie (c.1896-c.1918) and Nancy (c.1904-1933); Archie Junior's other sister, Jessie, still lived nearby with her husband and two children.
During and after the Second World War, work for the practice was thin on the ground. The last listing for the firm appears in 1955; it is believed that Archie Junior retired the following year. | Private and Business AddressesThe following private or business addresses are associated with this : | | Address | Type | Date from | Date to | Notes | | McLellan Street, Kinning Park, Glasgow, Scotland | Private | 1891 | Early 1890s | | | Clincart Road, Mount Florida, Glasgow, Scotland | Private | Early 1890s | c. 1909 | | | Blundellsands, Liverpool (near), Liverpool, England | Private | c. 1909 | 1914 | | | Lonsdale House, Barnes, London, England | Private | 1914 | 1935 | | | 18, Victoria Street, Westminster, London, England | Business | 1925 * | | | | Cockfosters, London, England | Private | 1935 | 1938 | |
* earliest date known from documented sources.
Employment and TrainingEmployers
Buildings and Designs
ReferencesBibliographic ReferencesThe following books contain references to this : | | Author(s) | Date | Title | Part | Publisher | Notes | | Inglis, Simon | 2005 | Engineering Archie: Archibald Leitch - football ground designer | | London: English Heritage | |
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