Born in Strathmerton, Victoria, he received a primary education and worked as a farmer before enlisting in the AIF in March 1916.

[1] He served as a Gunner in the 36 Australian Heavy Artillery Group[2] until leaving the military in April 1919[3] to become a soldier settler at Gringegalgona.

In 1954, he was nearly defeated by Liberal challenger and future Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser, holding onto his seat by only 17 votes.

After a redistribution made his seat notionally Liberal, McLeod retired in 1955 and returned to farming.

This article about an Australian Labor Party member of the House of Representatives is a stub.