The Very Reverend Hamilton Leckey, formerly Church of Ireland Dean of Down, who had also been Rector of Comber and of Bangor Abbey, died in the Ulster Hospital, Dundonald, Belfast on 23 October.
Hammie, as he was known to several generations of cricketers at The Green and elsewhere in NCU circles, was a good all round cricketer. A steady batsman, who scored 33, in a losing cause, for North Down against Waringstown in the NCU Cup Semi Final of 1968, he was, primarily a bowler, a clever and effective off spinner.
He later served on the North Down Committee for many years, where, according to Ian Shields' history of the Club, often provided a "quiet counselling voice of reason."
He was often the preacher at sportsmens' services and also fulfilled this role at The NCU Centenary Service in St Anne's Cathederal, Belfast in 1986.
This writer has childhood memories of Hammie, then Curate at Bangor Parish Church, playing for the staff team at Garth House Preparatory School. Unlike some of the adult cricketers who took part in these games, Hammie never tried to dominate the matches or show off his skills. Instead he was a friendly and helpful figure, who greatly assisted the cricket development of more than a few schoolboy cricketers.
He will be widely missed in Ulster's cricket community and far beyond.
Edward Liddle
Copyright: Cover Point
