OBITUARY R.S.M. James Gentles

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 44, 15 November 1940, Page 9

OBITUARY R.S.M. James Gentles

The death occurred al bis rcsidem.-e, 237 Willi- Street. early yesterday morning of Iti-giiiK-nial Sergeant-M a.jor James Gentles, R.N.Z.A., in hisSJlii year. Affectionately regarded over a long period as the "Falher of Hie Regiment." ho had nioi-i- Ilian 32 years' service io his credit. mid. though he retired as far back as PHIS, tin- occasion of his birlliday was always taken ad vantage of by his former comrades in paying tribute io liis sterling work aa soldier mid a man. " All your old comrades." wrote Mr. .1. Spence, vice-presi-(ioni of Hie Hid Comrades' Association, in Sergeaut-M.'ijoi' Gentles, on bis eightieth birthday, "who served with mid under you are unanimous in their praise of your efficiency, both as instructor and disciplinarian, mid stale that your example, both as a soldier mid a mini, was such that set a standard that was hard Io equal, mid by your fellowship to all ranks you will live in the minds of vour comrades for all lime."

Sergeant-Major Gentles was born in Howlck, Auckland. Educated at Thames, lie joined the Armed Constabulary in 1576. serving with it for eight years. He then joined the New Zealand Permanent Militia, serving for 17 years, and then the Royal New Zealand Artillery, in which lie remained for eight years, retiring on December 22. 1908. with the rank of Regimental Sergeant-Major. Warrant Officer, first class. In 1890 lie was awarded the New Zealand Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, in .1897 the Imperial Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, in 1902 the Imperial Meritorious Service Medal, mid in 1921 the Royal New Zealand Artillery Medal for long mid efficient service. A first-class shot, he won the silver medal for Hie best shot in No. 2 Battery Garrison Artillery "in 1890. the silver modal for the best shot in the Wellington Military District Ar littery in 1595, and the gold and silver medal for rhe best shot in the New Zealand Permanent Force in .1897. As an instructor in the old volunteer days, Sergeant-Major Gentles had much to do with the training of those who subsequently held high commissioned rank in the -South African contingents. in Hie 1914-18 N.Z. Expeditionary Force, mid now in the present Expeditionary Force. lie is survived by his daughter, Miss Elizabeth Gentles. The funeral will take place from St. Peter's Church. Willis Street, nt 2 p.rn. today. Captain J. E. Page Arlvice has been received from Dunedin of Hie death of Captain John Elliot Page, a former Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand. Ltd., master and a member of the pilot staff of tire Otago Harbour Board. Captain Page had been on sick leave for some weeks and died in Christchurch recently following an attack of pneumonia/ Ills wife died some years ago. The funeral took place in Dunedin on "Wednesday. Captain Page was born in London on August 21, 1879, and after serving iris apprenticeship in sail, served for it period as fourth and third officer with the Glen Line, London, and then for some years as third, second and chief officer wit-h the Bucknail Steam Ship Lines. He joined the service of the Union Company on May 4. 1906. as third officer of the Hawea, being promoted second officer of the Te Anau on July 11/1907. and chief officer of the Taviuni on August 10, .1910. He served as chief officer in several ships before being appointed master _cf the first Karn on September IS. 1915. after which he commanded the following Union Company vessels: Kittawa, Knhika (first), Kamona. Waipori (first), Kaitangata, Karori, Kakapo, Poherua, Kaiapol. Kowbai, and Wainui (first). Captain .Page left the service of the Union Company on December S, 1921. Early in 1922 lie joined the employ of the Otago Harbour Board as tug master and since 1929 had served as one of the board's pilots.