Arnold Leese was born at Lytham, Lancashire, the son of fine artist Spencer Leese; his mother was the daughter of the Coroner of Stockport.

After training as an accountant he changed professions, graduating as a vet on July 5, 1903. In 1907, he was appointed Camel Specialist to the Imperial Government of Indian contributing articles to “The Journal Of Tropical Veterinary Science” from 1909.

Shortly, Professor Raillet of Alfort Veterinary College, France, named a camel parasite after him: “Thelazia Leesei”.

Around 1911, he visited New Zealand, Tasmania and Australia, giving two lectures on the camel at Melbourne Veterinary College. He returned to England around February 1912 becoming engaged to May Winifred King, but left his new fiancée behind while he took up a post with the Veterinary Department of the East African Protectorate, later Kenya.

At the outset of World War One, he offered his services to the War Office; receiving a commission as a captain at Mombassa, he served in the Royal Army Veterinary Corps in France with the 7th Siege Brigade under Major Hobday at Abbeville, and as Veterinary Officer to the Advanced Horse Transport Depot.

On leaving the Army, he went into private practice at Stamford, Lincolnshire. He also became interested in politics, joining the British Fascisti (the first British Fascist Party). Leese and a fellow Fascist, Harry Simpson, stood as Councillors in Stamford, and were elected. In his off-beat 1951 autobiography, he wrote: “We were the first constitutionally elected Fascists in England”. Simpson stood again at the end of his three year term and was re-elected, but Leese found local government “dull work” and stood down.

In 1927, he published at his own expense “A TREATISE ON THE ONE-HUMPED CAMEL in Health and in Disease”. This book would remain a standard work in India for half a century. Had he died young, it would have been his crowning achievement, unfortunately, in later life he achieved notoriety due to his obsession with the “Jewish menace”.

In 1936, he stood trial with his printer and was convicted of effecting a public mischief. After the Second World War, he was gaoled for assisting German POW’s to escape; he also stood trial for criminal libel on the Police Commissioner, for which he was acquitted.

Although he died without issue, Leese and his wife adopted a daughter. He died aged 77 and his funeral was held three days later at Brockwood Crematorium, suggesting he was already very ill. The ceremony was attended by Mrs Leese, many old friends, and fellow travellers. The organist played “Wagner’s Tannhauser Overture (Pilgrim’s Chorus)” and Elgar’s “Chanson De Nuit”.

Such was his notoriety that he has been the subject of no fewer than three full length dissertations, but his most flattering epitaph was by fellow vetenarian Edward Peck, and was published in “The Veterinary Record” for February 11, 1956: “He was modest and helpful in correspondence, gladly sharing his knowledge and the pursuit of knowledge. If one had occasion to call on him one was met by a kindly and helpful host.”

Arnold Leese was born at Lytham, Lancashire, the son of fine artist Spencer Leese; his mother was the daughter of the Coroner of Stockport.

After training as an accountant he changed professions, graduating as a vet on July 5, 1903. In 1907, he was appointed Camel Specialist to the Imperial Government of Indian contributing articles to “The Journal Of Tropical Veterinary Science” from 1909.

Shortly, Professor Raillet of Alfort Veterinary College, France, named a camel parasite after him: “Thelazia Leesei”.

Around 1911, he visited New Zealand, Tasmania and Australia, giving two lectures on the camel at Melbourne Veterinary College. He returned to England around February 1912 becoming engaged to May Winifred King, but left his new fiancée behind while he took up a post with the Veterinary Department of the East African Protectorate, later Kenya.

At the outset of World War One, he offered his services to the War Office; receiving a commission as a captain at Mombassa, he served in the Royal Army Veterinary Corps in France with the 7th Siege Brigade under Major Hobday at Abbeville, and as Veterinary Officer to the Advanced Horse Transport Depot.

On leaving the Army, he went into private practice at Stamford, Lincolnshire. He also became interested in politics, joining the British Fascisti (the first British Fascist Party). Leese and a fellow Fascist, Harry Simpson, stood as Councillors in Stamford, and were elected. In his off-beat 1951 autobiography, he wrote: “We were the first constitutionally elected Fascists in England”. Simpson stood again at the end of his three year term and was re-elected, but Leese found local government “dull work” and stood down.

In 1927, he published at his own expense “A TREATISE ON THE ONE-HUMPED CAMEL in Health and in Disease”. This book would remain a standard work in India for half a century. Had he died young, it would have been his crowning achievement, unfortunately, in later life he achieved notoriety due to his obsession with the “Jewish menace”.

In 1936, he stood trial with his printer and was convicted of effecting a public mischief. After the Second World War, he was gaoled for assisting German POW’s to escape; he also stood trial for criminal libel on the Police Commissioner, for which he was acquitted.

Although he died without issue, Leese and his wife adopted a daughter. He died aged 77 and his funeral was held three days later at Brockwood Crematorium, suggesting he was already very ill. The ceremony was attended by Mrs Leese, many old friends, and fellow travellers. The organist played “Wagner’s Tannhauser Overture (Pilgrim’s Chorus)” and Elgar’s “Chanson De Nuit”.

Such was his notoriety that he has been the subject of no fewer than three full length dissertations, but his most flattering epitaph was by fellow vetenarian Edward Peck, and was published in “The Veterinary Record” for February 11, 1956: “He was modest and helpful in correspondence, gladly sharing his knowledge and the pursuit of knowledge. If one had occasion to call on him one was met by a kindly and helpful host.”