Edward Gale, 1929 - 2018

Dr George Edward Gale (MB BCh 1952, MRCP 1959, MD 1964, elected FRCP 1971) was a specialist physician and cardiologist who made exceptional contributions to general medicine and cardiology during his long career. His empathy, humility and gentle manner endeared him to all, as did his fun-loving nature and wit.

After his experience at Hammersmith Hospital, London, and the Western Infirmary in Glasgow while studying for his MRCP (Edin.), he returned to South Africa and was appointed physician, and in 1968 senior physician, at Johannesburg Hospital and the University of the Witwatersrand Medical School.

Edward relinquished his full-time academic service in 1974 and went into private practice as a specialist physician, while maintaining his much-loved sessions each week at Wits Medical School and Johannesburg Hospital. He was widely revered for his teaching in the cardiac catheterisation laboratory, where he shared his skills with younger colleagues, all of whom remember him with respect and fondness. He was much involved in the Johannesburg branch of the Southern African Cardiac Society, where he was executive member and president for a year. He also examined candidates for the South African College of Physicians.

Edward’s diagnostic skills, which combined his excellent academic knowledge with a deep and rare insight, were world-renowned, and colleagues would often seek his advice to help assess complicated cases. ‘He was always there for us, unobtrusive yet firm in his clinical opinion,’ said a colleague.

‘He was a shining example from whom we learnt so much. His selfless dedication to the science of medicine and the care of patients will not be forgotten.’

Edward treated – and cherished – each patient as a unique soul: with grace, humility, wisdom, tenderness and a deep understanding and compassion for the human condition in all its suffering. For him, medicine was not only a vocation but a loud and profound clarion call, from his early childhood, to heal the sick, to which he responded with the maximum sagacity and empathy possible.

Well done, good and faithful servant. 

Edward leaves three daughters, Antonia, Caroline and Katherine.

Caroline Bateman Daughter, Cape Town, South Africa caroline@kingsleymail.co.za 

John Frederick Roy Gale

John Frederick Roy Gale was the firstborn child of son of George William Gale and his wife, Audrey Isabel McKenzie. 

Affectingly known as Roy, he was born on 17 July  1927 in Edinburgh, Scotland. 

Roy was academically highly successful, being dux of Pretoria Boy's High School and a scholar of the University of the Witwatersrand  (BA Hons - history and economics) and later coming first out of 1700 candidates in the final examinations of the British Association of Cost and Works Accountants.

After a brief spell in the S.A. Diplomatic Service in Rhodesia, he emigrated to the U.K. in 1955 for political reasons and never returned to S.A.  He sought to influence thought  (and he hoped action) in the U.K. by his liberal-minded writings on Rhodesian politics.  He was approached by Sir Edward Heath, then Prime Minister or Leader of the Opposition, for an interview, which did take place.

He met and married Irene Perry in London and they settled in the pretty village of Otford in Kent, where they raised 2 children, John and Christine.  Roy's continuing interests were his family, chess and politics, although he was no longer actively involved in the latter.

He died on 22 March 2005 in Sevenoaks, Kent, England, aged 77, and was cremated in Eltham Crematorium, London. 

Contributed by his brother, Dr. Edward Gale.

Glenluce Scotland

Our Mckenzie ancestors came from Glenluce Scotland.  Information passed on by  family members, states that my great-great grandfather John Mckenzie was born there, as was his father Hugh.  As an adult, John emigrated to South Africa with his wife and young family. 

Glenluce Abbey

Many hours of research have not found any information about Hugh.  Furthermore, so far there is no linking the family to Glenluce in Scotland.  The village must have held some special connection to John, as when the family bought a farm outside Dundee South Africa, it was named Glenluce.

Genealogy does not allow for failure so the search will continue.  

Family Reunion

 During the last week of December 2015, we held a family reunion of cousins, in Dundee KZN.  78 members of 3 generations were able to attend.  We hired the Junior School hostel, at which the reunion was centered.  Many activities took place.  There was much fund and laughter and above all, many memories were shared.  It was good to see children last seen 20 odd years ago, and who now are parents themselves.  Family travelled from Japan, Australia and New Zealand to attend the reunion. 

Afternoon tea at Glenluce farm with Graham and Joan Mckenzie

 

 

 

The Mckenzie Siblings - Ingrid, John, Margaret, Colin and Stella

Great-grandmother Annie Woods and her father Patrick Byrne

I am so excited.  After years of research, I have received the following information:

"WOODS, (Mrs.) Annie.

Wife of Charles Woods, Esq. Builder and Contractor,  Doornfontein Johannesburg,T. 
Born near Grahamstown,  C.P.
Daughter of Patrick  Byrne Esq.
Education. Greenhill Convent, Bloemfontein, O.F.S.
Member. Agricultural  Soc.; S.A.N.U. and various local charities.
Her husband is the owner of a large Stud Farm adjoining the Govt. Stud Farm,  Standerton, T.
Favourite Recreaction. Tennis and outdoor sports.

3 daughters, 2 sons- May, Constance, Ivy; Reginald, Harold.

Add: Northwold Lodge, Doornfontein, Johannesburg, T."

My comments:  Having this information opens up many doors in what was a brick wall.  Having received Annie's name and that of her father in very valuable information.  Furthermore, we now know that there was another daughter, May who was still alive in 1938 (the year of the source of this information). 
Having the address of the house where my granny lived as a child is very special to me.

 

Mckenzie Siblings - Document

The draft of the document covering the lives of the children of John and May Mckenzie, is progressing very slowly.

We urgently require more infomation about Audrey, Ralph, Grace, Mary, Victor, Lily, John, Edith, Janet and Duncan.

Any memories of a parent, aunt or uncle will add to the success of this project.

Please will all their descendants contact me as soon as possible, as I need information to complete this project. It cannot be a success without your help.

Thank you one and all. I am looking forward to hearing from you.

buchanantree@gmail.com

Two Unknown Great Uncles

Family research can be quiet tedious but then out of the blue, one receives information that is quite exciting. This recently happened to me when I received a letter from Aunty John Egenes informing me that Granny Dryden had two brothers. Now, I had always known about her sister Connie who married into the famous Ball’s Chutney family… and I had always presumed there were just the two of them.

The eldest brother, Harold Woods, was a banker and lived at Hartebeestpoort. The other brother was Reg Woods, who probably lived somewhere in Johannesburg. So now the search is on to find their descendants and try to put the jigsaw pieces together.

Anyone with information on these two brothers or their descendants, please contact me.