Edward Gent

Sir Gerard Edward James Gent
British High Commissioner in Malaya
In office 1 February 1948 – 4 July 1948
Preceded by	none, post created
Succeeded by	Sir Henry Gurney
Governor of the Malayan Union
In office 1 April 1946 – 1 February 1948
Preceded by	none, post created
Succeeded by	none, post abolished
Personal details
Born	1895 Kingston, Surrey, England
Died	4 July 1948 Ruislip, England
Spouse	Guendolen Mary Wyeth

Sir Gerard Edward James Gent, KCMG, DSO, OBE, MC, was the first appointed Governor of the Malayan Union in 1946.

Life

Sir Edward was born in 1895 was the son of John Gent (1844–1927) and Harriet Frankland Randall. His real name is Gerard Edward James Gent, but he changed it to Edward James Gent, the reasons for which were unknown. Gent was educated at The King's School, Canterbury, and Trinity College, Oxford.

Gent married Guendolen Mary Wyeth in 1923, and they had four children, Marcus James Gent, Gerard Nicholas Gent, Ann Monica Gent and Janice Mary Gent.

Military career

Gent served with the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry in the First World War in Flanders and Italy. He was wounded twice and was awarded the Military Cross in 1917 and the Distinguished Service Order in 1919.

Diplomatic career

He was the first appointed Governor of the Malayan Union, Sir Edward also became the first Colonial Administrator to discuss openly to form a better government for the future of Malaya, where later the Federation of Malaya was established. He was an instrumental figure in the formation of the Malayan Union which was established on 1 April 1946 in Kuala Lumpur, and the first Governor of the Malayan Union. He remained in office until his death. When Malaysia achieved independence (Merdeka) from the United Kingdom, his widow Lady Gent, together with Lady Gurney, were invited to the ceremony as guests of honour.

Death

Main article: Northwood mid-air collision

Gent was returning to the United Kingdom in a Avro York transport aircraft of the Royal Air Force when it collided with a Douglas DC-6 of Scandinavian Airlines System near Northwood, north London.

References

• Gent Family History