Théodore François Joseph Leclaire

Théodore François Joseph Leclaire was born on 18 October 1752 in Dendermonde, East Flanders, and died at Strasbourg on 13 January 1811, aged 58. He was buried at Kientzheim, Haut-Rhin, Alsace.

He entered service as a soldier in the Anhalt Regiment, became sous-lieutenant in 1764 and lieutenant en premier in 1768. He served in the Corsican campaign (1767–1770), was appointed captain second class in the Brittany Regiment in 1777, then first captain second class of the second battalion of Salm-Salm (formerly Anhalt), and was promoted major in the Bouillon Regiment in 1786. He was made Chevalier de Saint-Louis in 1787.

Promoted colonel in 1791, he commanded the 96th and then the 98th Infantry Regiments, fighting at Jemappes and Liège in 1792. Promoted general of brigade in 1793, he fought against the troops of the Duke of York at Wormhout and Esquelbecq, retook the château at Esquelbecq, and advanced by Bergues and Warhem to Hondschoote. He played a major role in the Battle of Hondschoote (6–8 September 1793) — his command, the 32nd division of the gendarmerie, later bore 'Hondschoote 1793' upon its flag — and was raised to général de division.

In 1795 he commanded the 16th military division at Saint-Omer, then went to Lille in connection with operations in the Holland campaign. In Year IV he served with the Army of the Rhine and Moselle under General Pichegru. In 1796 he commanded the district of Colmar and made arrangements to assist General Moreau's retreat during the Rhine crossing. At the end of 1796 the Directory appointed him Inspector General of the Army of Sambre-et-Meuse, though ill health prevented his acceptance. In 1797 he was placed at the disposal of the Minister of War for command of a territorial division.

He commanded Lille in 1800. He was made Chevalier of the Legion of Honour in 1803, Commander of the Legion of Honour in 1804, and at the end of 1804 was given command of Strasbourg, where he died on 13 January 1811. He stands as the culmination of centuries of Leclaire service, discipline, office and honour.