Leeke was born on the
Isle of Wight to
Samuel Leeke, a deputy lieutenant of Hampshire, and his wife, Sophia, daughter of Capt. Richard Bargus, R.N. His younger brother was
William Leeke, known for his reminiscences of his service as an ensign at the
Battle of Waterloo. His godfather was Lord
Henry Paulet. Leeke entered the navy in September 1803 aboard the
Royal William, as a first-class volunteer. He steadily rose through the ranks until reaching the rank of commander in 1814. He was given command of
HMS Queen, in which he served as
flag-captain to Admiral
Sir John West, in 1845 and of
HMS San Josef in 1847 and, having been promoted to rear admiral in 1854, he became
Third Naval Lord in 1859. He was knighted in the
Royal Guelphic Order in 1836, appointed a Companion of the
Order of the Bath in 1857, and knighted in that order in 1858. ==Family==