WELL-KNOWN local and international battlefields historian, Ken Gillings died while snorkelling at Cape Vidal late on Friday afternoon.
Ken was on holiday with his family when he got into difficulty.
Locals performed CPR and rushed him to a nearby doctor’s rooms where he was declared dead by paramedics.
Ken lived for the military and lived the part while recalling the battles which make up the Battlefields route and beyond.
He was a great friend of Dundee, having brought battlefields tourists to the region for over 40 years.
His distraught wife, Heather, said that at Ken Gillings personal request, ‘there won’t be a memorial service’.
‘His cremation will take place privately.
‘As his loving and deeply saddened family may we request that no floral arrangements be sent to our home.
‘Please rather at the going down of the sun raise your glasses in a toast to the greatest friend I ever had. ‘Kumnandi eAfrika Ken.’
Regular visitor
Jenny Hawke a coordinator of the eShowe History Club writes, ‘I wish to share with all of you my very great sadness to read of the unexpected death of Ken Gillings.
‘He was one of South Africa’s monumental military historians and a true gentleman.
‘You will all remember him for his pleasure and enthusiasm in sharing his great knowledge.’
He last addressed the Club on 12 February and also spoke at the graveyard of the Battle of Gingindlovu on 28 February.
Ken was one of the most well-known founding fathers of battlefield guiding industry.
He was a Regimental Sergeant Major of the Natal Field Artillery.
His greatly sought-after battlefield tours across every nook and cranny of this country will now be no more.
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