Ernie Leacock

The son of a Freeman of the City of London, Ernie Leacock was born in London but the family moved to Canada when he was two years of age. Like many youngsters, ice hockey became his choice of sport, and between 1928-34 he played in the Pacific Coast and North West Hockey Leagues with Victoria Cubs, Tacoma Tigers, Saskatoon Crescents, and Portland Buckaroos. Leacock moved back to England in 1934 and, after having a trial with the Wembley Lions, joined the Richmond Hawks in the English League.

Leacock made his England international début in a 5-5 draw with Canada at Richmond in December 1934, and the following month was chosen for the Great Britain squad for the World Championships at Davos, Switzerland. After playing in the 4-2 loss to Canada in their opening group match, however, the Canadians put in an objection saying Leacock had not been re-instated as an amateur after playing professional hockey in North America.

Being unable to play for three years until re-instated, Leacock immediately retired from playing and turned to professional refereeing. He went on officiate in more than 2,000 matches, including 26 at World Championships and Olympic Games. He was regarded as one of the finest, and fairest, referees in Britain and abroad. Leacock refereed at the 1950 and 1951 World Championships, and then at the 1952 Oslo Winter Olympics he officiated in 10 matches, including the play-off match for the bronze medal between Sweden and Czechoslovakia.

After more than 30 years as a referee, Leacock took charge of his final game at Brighton on 23 May 1965. For his services to refereeing, he was inducted into the British Ice Hockey Hall of Fame in 1987. By professional, Leacock was an aircraft fitter.