David Leakey
A distinguished British general who traded battlefield command for the ancient ceremonial drama of the Houses of Parliament.
Born 1952 (age 74)·British Army general, parliamentary official·Birthday: May 18·Baby Boomers
Biography
David Leakey's career followed the path of a modern, diplomatic soldier. Commissioned into the Blues and Royals, he saw operational service in the Balkans and Northern Ireland, rising to command his regiment. His expertise shifted towards strategic European defense, culminating in his role as Director General of the European Union Military Staff, where he navigated the complex politics of multinational security cooperation. In a striking second act, he left the army for the heart of British constitutional tradition. Appointed Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod in 2010, he became a familiar figure in robes and breeches, responsible for the security and order of the House of Lords. His tenure was not without incident; he oversaw significant renovations to the Palace of Westminster and, in a moment of historical irony, had the door of the Commons chamber symbolically slammed in his face to represent its independence—a ceremony his military predecessors had once fought to uphold.
Baby Boomers
1946–1964
The largest generation in history at the time. Shaped by postwar prosperity, the Vietnam War, the sexual revolution, and Watergate. They questioned every institution their parents built — then ran them.
David was born in 1952, placing them squarely in the Baby Boomers. The events that shaped this generation — postwar prosperity, civil rights, Vietnam, and the counterculture — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When David Was Born
The biggest hits of 1952
#1 Movie
The Greatest Show on Earth
Best Picture
The Greatest Show on Earth
#1 TV Show
I Love Lucy
David's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1952Born
Queen Elizabeth II ascends the throne
Gas: $0.27/galHome: $8,350Min wage: $0.75/hrPresident: Harry S. Truman"Blue Tango" — Leroy AndersonBest Picture: The Greatest Show on Earth
1957Started school
Sputnik launches the Space Age
Gas: $0.31/galHome: $10,550Min wage: $1.00/hrPresident: Dwight D. Eisenhower"All Shook Up" — Elvis PresleyBest Picture: The Bridge on the River Kwai
1965Became a teenager
US sends combat troops to Vietnam
Gas: $0.31/galHome: $13,600Min wage: $1.25/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" — The Rolling StonesBest Picture: The Sound of Music
1968Could drive
Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert Kennedy assassinated
Gas: $0.34/galHome: $14,950Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"Hey Jude" — The BeatlesBest Picture: Oliver!
1970Could vote
First Earth Day; The Beatles break up
Gas: $0.36/galHome: $17,000Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"Bridge over Troubled Water" — Simon & GarfunkelBest Picture: Patton
1973Turned 21
US withdraws from Vietnam; Roe v. Wade decided
Gas: $0.39/galHome: $22,100Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree" — Tony Orlando & DawnBest Picture: The Sting
1982Turned 30
Michael Jackson releases Thriller
Gas: $1.22/galHome: $55,200Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Physical" — Olivia Newton-JohnBest Picture: Gandhi
1992Turned 40
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
2002Turned 50
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2012Turned 60
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Gas: $3.64/galHome: $143,200Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Somebody That I Used to Know" — GotyeBest Picture: Argo
2022Turned 70
Russia invades Ukraine; Queen Elizabeth II dies
Gas: $3.97/galHome: $348,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"As It Was" — Harry StylesBest Picture: Everything Everywhere All at Once
2026Age 74 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Served as Director General of the European Union Military Staff, helping to shape EU defense policy and coordination.
- Appointed Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod in 2010, a key ceremonial and administrative officer in the House of Lords.
- Commanded the British Army's London District and was Major General commanding the Household Division.
- Served on operational tours in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Northern Ireland.
Did You Know?
As Black Rod, he was responsible for the restoration of the Palace of Westminster's iconic clock tower, commonly known as Big Ben.
He is a direct descendant of the famed paleontologist and archaeologist Louis Leakey.
During the State Opening of Parliament, it is Black Rod who has the door of the House of Commons slammed in their face before being admitted to summon MPs.
He served as the Army's equerry to Queen Elizabeth II early in his career.
“The military is not just about fighting; it is about preventing war.”
