The Indian Biographical Dictionary (1915)/St. Leger, William Douglas
St. Leger, William Douglas, Lieut.Colonel of the Madras Volunteer Guards (Retd. V.D.) Organist and Choirmaster, St. George’s Cathedral, and Manager, “Madras Mail” Office; 4th s. of late Rev.William N. St.Leger, B.A., of Trinity College, Dublin, and Incumbent of the Church of St. Mary-la-Tower Church at Ipswich, Suffolk; b. 20th September 1854; lost his father at the early age of 6; educ: at the Clergy Orphan school, Canterbury; exhibited a taste for music at a very early age; appointed boy organist of his school, 1868; left Canterbury for Aspley Guise Bedfordshire, as Organist in private school, 1870; also obtained the appointment of Organist and Choirmaster of the Parish Church; was Organist and Choirmaster of Christ Church, Clapham; also at St. Peter’s Chichester; selected as Organist, St. George’s Cathedral, Madras, 1877; arrived in Madras, November 1877: conductor of the now defunct Madras Philharmonic Society, 1878-83; assisted in founding the Madras School of Music in conjunction with the late Mr. H. B. Grigg and the Rev. J. T. Lawrence; is a Vice President of the Madras School of Music; Honorary Member of the Madras Musical Association; Hon. Secretary and Trustee, Madras Civil Orphan Asylum, 1884-1914; Honorary Musical Director of the Madras Dramatic Society for several years; has been an Officer (now retired) of the Madras Volunteer Guards, since 1882, joining the Corps as Lieutenant and rising to the rank of Lieut.-Colonel; awarded the Volunteer Officers’ Decoration, 1902; commanded the Regiment for two extended periods; won two 1st prizes at the South Indian Rifle Association’s meeting at Bangalore, 1885; on two occasions won the Officer’s cup in the M.V.G. Regimental Rifle Meeting; retired from the M.V.G. with the privilege of retaining his rank and wearing the uniform of the Corps; joined the “Madras Mail”, 1881; awarded the K.I.H. gold medal (1st class), 1915. Publication: Church Music, Past songs, etc. Address: Nutford, Hannington Road, Madras, W.