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(s) | Guendolen Mary Wyeth |
| Religion | Christian |
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 original name was 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
Gent was returning to the United Kingdom in an 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.
| || Preceded by none |
Governor of the Malayan Union 1946–1948 |
Succeeded by none |
| Preceded by Sir Shenton Whitelegge Thomas |
British High Commissioner in Malaya 1948 –1948 |
Succeeded by Sir Henry Gurney |