Back to Photos of 9th Lancers c1860-1941 including Sir James Hope Grant, photos of the Tidworth Tattoo 1938 and service in the Second World War
Photographs
Item 0018
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Image details
| Accession number | 912L : 2090/15 |
|---|---|
| Transcription |
Military honours were accorded to Captain Gentry at his funeral yesterday . This picture shows the procession on its way to the Muizenberg cemetery . About 500 ex - servicemen were present . Kaiter ? FUNERAL AT MUIZENBERG 5.4615 . Par . 4. Jones . 9.Q. R. Lancet . 3th on right canying coat . Firefly and Jack Further reminiscences of the late Captain John Gentry reached me to - day . Mr. Harold Jones , Commissionaire at the South African Public Library , served with " Plain John " both in India and in South Africa . " During the South African War I remember him riding a black Basuto pony named Firefly with his little terrier dog Jack running beside him , " said Mr. Jones . " At night , when there was very little to eat and drink , Firefly and Jack always got their rations first . " On outpost duty at night Gentry would take the terrier with him . The dog's warning growl always let when his master know danger threatened the column . " Premonition ? When the Municipal War Services held annual Association its last dinner in Cape Town Captain Gentry apparently had a premonition that he was sitting among his friends for the last time . He handed the secretary an en velope to be opened when he died . The envelope was opened yesterday . It contained a £ 5 note , and the request that members of the associa tion attending his funeral should gather afterwards and have " one for the road " at his expense . TRIBUTE TO " PLAIN JOHN " COMPLETE SINCERITY OF CHARACTER Mrs. Miriam Walsh , the founder and first president of the Women's Municipal Association , and leader in a City Council election campaign in which Captain Gentry defeated her association's candidate , writes : " Plain John Gentry " -how he re joiced in that self - given title ! The first time he used it was during the memorable fight that he waged in opposition to the Women's Municipal Association , for a seat on the Cape Town City Council . Many of us did not know John Gentry until that election , or we certainly would not have dreamt of opposing him . We came to know that he stood for all that was highest and best in British tradition . He was incap able of a mean thought , a shabby action or a doubtful deed . He could hit hard , but he never hit below the belt . It was a new experience for him to be oposed by a bunch of women , but never once in all those weeks of bitter controversy was he anything but courteous and gentle in his deal ings with the opposition . He de served to win the fight for his sportsmanship , and win he did . COMPLETE SINCERITY When one came to know him better , one realised the man's com plete sincerity of character . More over , he was incapable of bearing ill - will to anyone . Adversity , troubles . worries , were borne with typical English pluck and courage , and no matter how hard times were , he was always ready to befriend and take care of those who came to him in greater need than himself . In many ways he belonged to the old school that is fast passing away . One accomplishment he was very proud of was his ability to waltz in the delightful old - fashioned man ner of the days of his youth . A day or two before his last ill ness he invited me to come and speak at a meeting in connection with the national anthem contro versy . To the very last he was work ing for the prestige and honour of his mother country , and though he served South Africa well , it was as an English sportsman that most of us will always remember him . " Plain John Gentry " has heard another reveille . I have no doubt that his awakening will be to happi ness and eternal joy . " Captain John Gentry , a well known Cape Town , ex - service man and pro prietor of the lor St. James Hotel who collapsed dur ing the Del ville Wood ceremony on Sunday , July 17. died Wednesday night at the age of on 64 . Capt . Gentry . Genial host , friend of every soldier , he took a most active part in all matters affecting ex - servicemen , and there was no more enthu siastic supporter of sport in the Peninsula . 11 / 8 / 38 CP . Auswend . 12/8/20 . 4. Brunswick Road . Tambrers Kloof Cape Town варен South Africa .. Monday 1 Staug . 38 Officer Commanding 9th . Lancers . a J letter & enchifed newspaper cuttings any sending you this telling of the death & Innual funeral very Guttang gentleman ; best . Johnn Pol 1 . ( Honest Johor ) tale 9th Queend Royal hancers ! Jelhi Spearman ) 9. mysely . berhen buir I served . Served through , Indian with him in an in the ex . 9th Kances the your han 9th had amays been close friendl A95 Gentry in the Regl . редь was Caterer for the office mess personal friend used to they us beautiful he was 5 + wall . for Toy the officers and 8 ✓ here , Stay at his Hotel Well known Earl face on the sea con 1.6 . to hard Joughs Compton . Cut of Doughed Mock tinge tre pets Friquand tito Sealer Jackson , who hat hientenauf old 9th oth Lucers : a youngster bite 9th . wal при литет отор Well I wish all ری OB the beath of such of the your perspectfully offeerd . hov : boom old th am v X We пор сумск offee Jones . spectfully s . a كنت с.о This letter was sent to the Regt . by ex - Pretidenes informing the C.O. of Caft . J. Gentry's death , July 20² 1938 . |
