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
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Item 0017
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| Accession number | 912L : 2090/15 |
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| Transcription |
Caft . J. Gentry died in Cefetoron , 28. July 1938 . A Funeral of Captain John Gentry CAPTAIN JOHN GENTRY Forbes , R.N .; Capt . F. Dawson , repre- | Boxing Association , Capt . J. A. was buried with military cere monial yesterday , the funeral being attended by more than 800 people , among whom over 500 were ex service men . senting the Officer Commanding the Cape Command ; Mr. W. R. Boag , Sergeant Beattie and Constable Miller , representing the Cape Town Traffic Control Department ; Mr. H. Bailley , representing the Delville Day Committee ; Mr. H. J. Plumridge , Mr. H. Jones , Col. F. Kupper , represent Gilchrist , representing the ship , British Architect , Mr. W. Mitchell , representing Mann George and Co. and the British Tanker Co. , Messrs . J. H. Stewart ( chairman ) , P. E. G. G. Robinson ( secrtary ) , K. W. Aldridge , T. B. Simon , H. W. Bennett , T. Kershaw , R. H. Richer , M. J. Joffe , M. Chames , F. S. Saywood , A. J. Miller and R. Wright , representing the Cape Licensed Victuallers ' and and : The coffin , decked with the Union Jack and the Union flag , and sur mounted by Capt . Gentry's old ing German ex - Servicemen ; Capt . P. Lancer's helmet , was placed on a F. White , Mr. Frank French , Mr. gun - carriage , which was drawn by E. S. Steytler , Mr. B. Trevelyan , Mr. S. Rose - Innes , Mr. George Birbeck , Hotel Keepers ' Associations , members of the Special Service Mr. D. Binnie and Mr. H. J. Pender , the staff of the St. James Hotel . Battalion . representing the Union - Castle Com pany , Mr. Sims , Mr. F. J. Muller , Mr. L. Bell , Mr. S. W. Baker , Mr. J. Crooks and Mr. C. H. Spreckley , representing the Old Contemptible's Association , Mr. F. Morris , Mr. C. Bates , Mr. T. Summers , Mr. and Mrs. J. Cowper , Ceres , Capt . E. J. Scholtz , representing the Boy Scouts ' Association , Mr. and Mrs. G. Following the coffin came repre- H. Britton , Mrs. J. C. Wilson , Mrs. sentatives of all ex - service men's Hall , representing the V.A.D. , Mrs. organisations , commanded by Major Laughton and Mrs. J. Futeran , Dan Patterson , the Corps of Com - Miss A. McQutesh , Miss Joan missionaires , representatives of the Geldenhuys , Miss M. Robinson , Mr. R.N.V.R. and the Royal Navy , and Deneys Reitz , Minister of Agriculture many others . The officer command ing the troops was Major Dawson . At the grave side a short ceremony was conducted by the Rev. P. V. de Smidt of Kalk Bay . and Forestry . Capt . S. L. Patterson , Major W. Robinson , Mrs. Miriam Walsh , Mr. and Mrs. R. V. Fox , Miss R. M. H. Hill , Mr. A. S. Morris , rep resenting the Western Province A firing squad of men and non commissioned officers of the South African Coast Artillery , two pipers and two buglers of the Cape Town Highlanders , and two buglers of the Dukes ' , preceded the coffin . PROCESSION The firing squad then fired three volleys , and the pipers played the Lament , after which bugles . and trumpets sounded the Last Post . The Municipality was represented by the Deputy - Mayor , Councillor W. Brinton , the Town Clerk , Mr. Mervyn Williams , and the City Treasurer , Mr. D. W. Pringle . The chief mourners were Mrs. M. Gentry ( widow ) and Mr. and Mrs. C. J. Heddon ( son - in - law and daughter ) . The pall - bearers were Lieut. Colonel E. N. Snepp , Major L. C. Bell , M.C. , Mr. Jones , ex - Ninth Lancers , Major Dan Patterson , Mr. R. L. Wilkinson , Mr. T. Rendle , V.C. , Mr. T. D. H. Long , Capt . E. J. Brown , Capt . A. J. Molloy , and Corporal Ostler , ex - Ninth Lancers . Others present were Mr. R. J. du Toit , M.P. , Col. Sumner , M.C. , O.C. , Cape Town Highlanders , and Captain A. Duncan . Hundreds of ex - Servicemen were present at the Sunset Call cere mony organised by the M.O.T.H.'s association last night in honour of the late Captain Gentry . The short ceremony took place at the War Memorial at the foot of Adderley - street . While all stood at attention a bugler sounded the Retreat . Major Dan Patterson was in command . THOSE PRESENT Among the many friends and old comrades present at the funeral were Sir Pierre van Ryneveld , Mr. Cecil Short , Mr. P. T. Lewis , K.C .; Mr. Cedric Withinshaw , Mr. R. L. Wil kinson , Mr. George Swingler , Lieut . G. R. MacGibbon , R.N .; Midshipman WREATHS Dyamond ; Mr. Wreaths and donations were received from : Mrs Gentry ; Syb and Cecil ; his grandchildren ; Peter and Angela ; Auntie ; Captain and Mrs. G. B. and Mrs. Gilbert Dyamond ; Mr. and Mrs. Councillors of Cape Town ; Mrs. J. D. George Stuart Findlay ; the Mayor and Low ; Peggy and Leslie Harding ; Sir Pierre and Lady van Ryneveld ; Mr. R. G. Hales ; Advocate P. T. Lewis , K.C .; Mrs. E. M. Sinnoth ; Mrs. J. E. Wilson ; Mr. F. Morris ; John Dewar and Sons , Ltd .; Bob and Richer ; Mr. and Mrs. Harry Gurland ; members of the Wynberg Swimming and Mrs George H. Swingler ; Mr. and Club ; Mr. and Mrs. T. W. Bowen ; Mr. Mrs. A. H Tregida ; C. and M. Astrup ; manager N. Robinson ; W. T. R. Schreiner ; and staff of Barclays Bank . Muizenberg : Mrs. J. R. Heddon ; the directors of Syfret's Trust Co. , Ltd .; T. Messrs . Mann , George and Co .; Stewart Neave family ; Hazel and John Tyers ; Mr. and Mrs. W. M. Barnes ; Mr. and Mrs Macbeth ; the directors , captain and officers of the British Tanker Co .; the Alfred Rowing Club : Mr. L. Berman : Dr. J. Smith ; Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Stewart ; the staff of St. James Hotel ; Lewis , Ernest , Michael , and Christian : the staff of St. James Station ; Mr. and Mrs. Rudolphe ; Mr. D. Alexander : Captain Ward , of the Discovery II ; Mr. Justice Davis ; Miss Marjory Bennett - Fellowes ; the False Bay Amateur Swimming and . Life - Saving Club ; F. J. Hawkes and Co. , Ltd .; all ranks and Pipes . Cape Town Highlanders ; General Brooke ; Private Lewis ; the W.P. Amateur Boxing Associa tion ; and manager staff , Ohlsson's Breweries ; John ; Miss P. Craig ; Steve Muller : Joan ; Mr. Frank Solomon ; Mr. Norman Kirby ; Mr. and Mrs. F. J. Muller and family ; R. C. van Reyneveld ; Mr. L. Neave ; Mrs. Lawfear ; Ted and Hawtry ; Mrs. Piveir and Sheila ; manager and staff , S.A. and Breweries ; Mr. Mrs. McIntyre , Rus en Vrede ; Mr. and Mrs. Campbell Ross ; his old comrades , Im perial Army ; Mr. Bennie Ruthtugst : Officer Commanding , Officers . warrant Officers and Men , Coast Artillery Brigade ; boxers and officials of the Cape Province Amateur Boxing Association ; directors and staff , E. K. Green . Ltd .; Molly and Blanche Taylor ; Mr. T. Kershaw ; Cape Licensed Victuallers and Hotel Keepers ' Association ; E. K. Green and Co .; Mr. Lipscomb ; Muizenberg Old Boys ' Union ; Mr. and Mrs. Albert Vaux ; Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Hicks ; Jack and Frank Mellish ; Mr. and Mrs. W. Brinton ; Bobbie ; directors and staff , Lion Wine and Spirit Co. , Mr. L. C. Bell ; Mr and Mrs. B. Cleghorn ; Southe African Turf Club ; Mr. and Mrs. D. P. Gray ; Bili and Geoff . The funeral arrangements were carried out by the Goodall and Williams and Wasserfall and Hardick Funeral Parlours . DEATH OF CAPTAIN GENTRY LODA FATAL COLLAPSE ON DELVILLE DAY SOLDIER AND SPORTSMAN GREAT WORK FOR EX - SERVICEMEN Captain John Gentry , genial host , friend of every soldier and ex - service man , sportsman and lover of sports , has died at his home at St. James . His tall figure unbent , his keen eye undimmed , and his retort as ready as ever , " Plain John " kept himself at a pitch of physical fitness which made it difficult to believe that he had already passed his 64th birth day when his collapse while acting as adjutant at the Delville Wood Memorial ceremony preceded the ill ness which last night proved fatal . He enjoyed riding hard , swimming ancient city , and at 15 joined one hard and all exertions . Until a few of the cavalry regiments stationed weeks ago he kept up his all - the- there , the Ninth Queen's Royal year - round morning sea - bathes . He Lancers . With his regiment he spent enjoyed being rigorous with himself , several years at various Indian as he enjoyed jovial intercourse with stations till it was drafted to South Africa after the outbreak of war in 1899 . Captain John Gentry . his fellows . MANY GIFTS He marked his keenness for sport After the war his regiment re by many acts and gifts designed to turned to England , where he was encourage its pursuit . Among these pensioned with a long string of is the Gentry Swimming Cup , the medals and the rank of sergeant . annual trophy carried off by the He returned to Natal , where he winner in a long - distance swimming married Miss Lacy . With her he competition held annually at Kalk started his successful career as a Bay . hotel keeper . He soon settled in the Among all organisations , however , southern suburbs of the Cape Penin those designed for the welfare of sula , where his house has always soldiers and ex - soldiers benefited been popular . About 12 years ago he most from his activities . His services took over the St. James's Hotel , to the British Empire Service League which he has run successfully ever and to the Municipal War Service since . Association earned for him life mem bership , which post was to him no sinecure . 1 When the Great War broke out Captain Gentry went back at once into active service . He served with He was a committee member of Hartigan's Horse in the S.-W. cam the Imperial Army Re - union of the paign . When that was over Cape Peninsula and never missed a volunteered for service overseas and dinner . The " Gentry Fund " for ex - was an officer in the Labour Corps soldiers stands as a substantial mark with the rank of captain . he of his generosity . CIVIC AFFAIRS His hotel at St. James was the usual place of call of all cavalry He returned to South Africa on officers visiting this country , for they the conclusion of peace and went valued their old comrade's good back to his civic life . It was at this fellowship as much as his good time that he threw his energy into catering . those organisations working for the Captain John Gentry was , first and benefit of the demobilised men and last , a soldier . Born in York in July , the families of the fallen . 1874 , he spent his boyhood in that His second wife aided him most heartily in all his efforts on their behalf and has also proved herself a responsible independent worker in the same cause . Captain Gentry also took an active interest in public affairs , especially those of his own neighbourhood . In 1927 he fought a highly contested election for the City Council against a strongly supported woman candi date . He gained his seat and repre sented Muizenberg Ward in the City Council most efficiently until he retired in 1933 and refused to stand for re - election . THE FUNERAL The burial will take place at Muizenberg cemetery ( from the St. James's Hotel ) at 3.30 p.m. to morrow . The rector of Kalk Bay , the Rev. P. V. de Smidt , will con duct the service . Ex - servicemen are asked to wear their medals . Captain A. J. Molloy , hon . sec retary of the Imperial Army Re union , appeals to every member to make a special effort to attend . The M.O.T.H.s have arranged a Sunset Call at 6 p.m. to - morrow at the war memorial at the foot of Adderley - street . They invite all ex servicemen to attend . Death of Capt . John Gentry Took Keen Interest in Ex - servicemen CAPT APTAIN JOHN GENTRY , a well - known Cape Town ex - service man and proprietor of the St. James Hotel , who collapsed during the Delville Wood ceremony on Sunday , July 17 , died at his home at 11.35 last night . He had been suffering from tick fever . There was hardly one of the numerous associations with which he was not closely connected , and his support and advice were at all times heartily welcomed . No man exceeded him in his generosity to wards these bodies . He was a member of the Imperial Army Re union of the Cape Peninsula , of which he was a committee mem ber from its inception . No annual dinner of this Association would have been complete without the presence of Captain Gentry , and he knew the art of making things go with a swing . GENTRY FUND Captain Gentry was extremely popular with the officers , non - com missioned officers and men in the regi- He was a life member of the ment In illustration of this , it may British Empire Service League and be mentioned that about two or three the Municipal War Service Associa years ago he was invited to England tion . It was due to his generosity as the guest of the officers of his old that what was known as the Gentry regiment , and received a most hearty Fund was established to assist neces welcome . On that occasion he sitous ex - servicemen . chatted with three or four Cape He rendered invaluable services to Town men , whom Captain Molloy , these associations and others of a his old friend , had sent to join the similar nature . regiment . Captain Gentry took a keen in Shortly after his retirement from terest in civic affairs and was per the Army , Captain Gentry returned suaded to stand for the Cape Town to South Africa and entered the hotel City Council . He represented Kalk He became proprietor of Bay and Muizenberg Ward from the St James Hotel about 12 years 1927 to 1933 , when he retired . business . ago . There was no more enthusiastic supporter of sport in the Peninsula SERVED IN GREAT WAR than Captain Gentry , and he contri buted liberally towards its en During the Great War he served couragement . In 1922 he presented with Hartigan's Horse in South - West the Africa and then went overseas and competition by men over the mile Gentry Swimming Cup for served the Western Front in distance at Kalk Bay and it has France , where he held the rank of been swum for annually ever since . captain . Captain Gentry was married twice and leaves a widow and two chil dren y his former marriage . on He took a most active part in all matters affecting ex - servicemen . CAPTAIN JOHN GENTRY 4 joined the Ninth Queen's Royal Lancers in 1889. He served with them in various parts of India for many years . Eventually he came with them to the Union for the South African War , in which he served throughout . He was awarded the Queen's and King's Medals with eight bars . After the war he returned to England and was pensioned off . He retired with the rank of sergeant , which he held for many years . He also awarded the long service and good conduct medals . was |
