McLeod was commissioned into the Indian Army on 29 November 1904. He earned recognition with his appointment as a companion of the
Distinguished Service Order in the
1917 New Year Honours during the
First World War. He became commanding officer Guides Cavalry in India in 1928, commander of the
4th (Secunderabad) Cavalry Brigade in 1933 and commander of the
1st (Risalpur) Cavalry Brigade in 1934. He went on to be Deputy Adjutant and Quartermaster General,
Northern Command, India in 1937 and, having been appointed a
Companion of the Order of the Bath on 11 May 1937, he became General Officer Commanding
Burma Command in January 1939 before retiring in 1942. He became a
Deputy Lieutenant for
Inverness-shire in 1955. ==References==