Tennis Championship a record seven times and beat British Davis Cup number one Gordon Crole-Rees in an exhibition match in 1925. He was the first man in Rhodesia to run 100 yards in ten seconds in 1929. Leo was himself an accomplished tennis player and keen sportsman, and was a cadet officer and marksman in the Milton School Cadet Corp. He also played rugby and cricket for his school. Leo Ross suffered from peritonitis following a burst appendix in 1927 and was lucky to survive. He was ruled unfit for military service. In 1928, he joined the Native Affairs Department where he excelled in language and customs for both Shona and Ndebele peoples. He demonstrated a keen interest and respect for the African cultures and was widely respected by the indigenous people with whom he worked. References London Gazette - MBE notice London Gazette - appointed 2nd Lieutenant, Black Watch So Far and No Further, JRT Wood 1910 births 1975 deaths People from Bulawayo Zimbabwean people of British descent White Rhodesian people Rhodesian politicians Members of the Order of the British Empire