ACCLAIMED South African battlefield guide and military man, Ken Gillings, died yesterday (Friday, 9 December) while snorkeling in Cape Vidal.
Ken had been in Cape Vidal for a few days of relaxation with his wife, Heather, son, Douglas, daughter-in-law, Kim and his grandson Ethan.
Ken Gillings was a retired military man and has conducted tours around the battlefields of KwaZulu-Natal for more than 40 years. Numerous posts on social media noted Ken as an absolute gentleman with a passion for South African history and as a battlefield guide extraordinaire.
Ken conducted tours to the scene of all actions in KwaZulu-Natal and spent a great deal of time exploring the rural areas of KwaZulu-Natal, which he knew intimately. He had undertaken extensive research into South African battlefields, especially those of KwaZulu-Natal and written numerous articles and books on the subject. Ken chaired the Anglo-Boer War Centenary Committee in KwaZulu-Natal and studied the history, heritage and traditions of the “Land of Heaven” since his school days. He lectured extensively on Zulu culture and the Zulu Dynasty.
As a military man, Ken was Durban branch secretary Honorary Life Member of the Society, as well as the secretary of the Gunner’s Association.
Speaking on behalf of the Gunner’s Association, Gunner, Neil von Hagen said: “Ken will be remembered as the Regimental Sergeant Major of the Natal Field Artillery who cared for his men, as the secretary of the Gunner’s Association, for as long as I can remember, as an author on books of different battles of the Boer War, a guide and historian of the various local battlefields. He was a camper and spent many holidays camping with friends and family.”
Von Hagen said Ken will be remembered for his near daily posts on Facebook of the various battlefield happenings on a specific day.
“He will be remembered for the presence he brought to any gathering and especially those on a Parade Ground will remember him. But most of all he will be remembered as Ken, a husband, a father, a father in law, a grandfather and a man amongst men. His saying of “Kumnandi eAfrika” will be missed yet remembered. Ken’s order of ‘Cease fire, hook up’ was received yesterday and in true Gunner spirit he obeyed that order and as much as that hurts us we need to respect it,” he said.
Ken’s wife, Heather has advised that there will be no memorial service, as per Ken’s wishes. She has asked that no flowers be sent but at the going down of the sun Ken will be remembered by raising a glass in a toast to his life.
