User:Dumelow/Anthony Gurney

Anthony Richard Gurney was a British army officer.

Member of the Gurney family of north Norfolk founders of Gurney's Bank. One of his grand-daughters committed suicide in 1994, after receiving disappointing A-level results.

Known as "The Major". Grew up in Northrepps, Norfolk. Attended Aldeburgh Lodge School in Suffolk then Charterhouse. joined Royal Norfolk Regiment at Britannia Barracks, Norwich in 1941 and was posted to India. In 1942 commissioned into the 9th battalion of the 12th Frontier Force Regiment. Received three bullets to his lungs in May 1944 during the Battle of Imphal and was expected to die. The surgeon that treated him later became president fo the Royal College of Surgeons. Afterwards was on sick leave in the Himalayas when he went searching for a large and unusually red coloured bear said to be in the area. The 6 ft tall bear attacked him and he shot it dead, sending its body to his home in Norfolk. Rejoined his battalion and served with them in the advance through Burma to VIetnan. Was present at the surrender of the Japanese force at Saigon and post-war served in the occupying force in Japan. Married Trish Shaw at St Margaret's, Westminster. Joined Barclays Bank Overseas in 1948 and spent two years in East Africa. Returned to Norfolk in 1950 to work at the timber merchants AR Taylor, of Wroxham. He became chairman of the company. Was for many years chairman of Sywell aerodrome, Northampton. Began farming in 1953 at Manor Farm, Northrepps, having been encouraged to do so by future Conservative Party cabinet minister Jim Prior. Gurney maintained a well renowned Friesian dairy cattle herd and, in 1989, became national malting barley champion for raising a crop of Triumph barley, a rare win by a Norfolk farmer. Was a chairman of the Norfolk Country Land and Business Association. Regular attendee at the Oxford Farming Conference and joined Norfolk farmer and broadcaster David Richardson on afact-finding mission to Soviet Russia. Was president at the president of the Aylsham Agricultural Show Association and a regular finalist in the Norfolk county farms' competition. Served as county councillor in Cromer from 1955, increasing his majority in the following four elections. Was on the Norfolk planning committee for 15 years which included the expansion of Norwich Airport and the construction of Bacton gas facility. Represented the county at a European conservation conference in 1970. In 1965 was chairman on the first Broads development report. 1978 was vice president of the East Anglian region of the English Speaking Union. He invited student sto learn agriculture at his farm. For decades the North Norfolk Pony Club held its annual camp at Northrepps. Gurney also helped the local Scout group secure a permanent home in nearby Roughton. Stood for parliament for Norwich South in the 1966 United Kingdom general election, failing to overturn a Labour majority of 611 held by Christopher Norwood. The campaign was high profile as Norwood had unseated cabinet minister Geoffrey Rippon at the 1964 United Kingdom general election. Was president of the local British LEgion branch and, as aprish council chairman in 2008, welcomed the Duke of Kent to Cromer. Friends with the Queen Mother who often lunched at his home. Left two sons, rwo saughters, seven grand children and two great grand children. Funeral at St Mary's Church, Northrepps on 15 February 2013.

liked to claim his ancestors were smuugglers who turned into farmers. Though the Gurney's had their origin in post-invasion Norman Gournay family. Tehy became wealthy through sjeep farming and embranced the Quaker religion, their piety led wool merchants to trust them to look after their proceeds, leading to the Gurney bank. By the 19th century the family had purchased several estates fromt he aristocracy and were immortalised by the Gilbert adn Sullivan lyric "as rich as they Gurneys".

Lived at Northrepps Manor Farm near Cromer. Could speak Urdu.

wife was Patricia. Elder brother Joe had inherited Northrepps Hall and the majorith of the estate, leaving Anthony with the Manor Farm. Built up a famous cattle herd and sold cattle to buyers across the world, including the Shah of Persia. In Russia visited collective farm and hsoted a 30-strong delgartion of Soviet farmers at Northrepps in 1978.

When shooting on the Queen Mother's estate. She stood behind him at a butt and said "Don't let me disturb you, Major Gurney. This was my husband's favourite spot". Gurney went on to miss each shot but won the Queen Mother's friendship. The following day he saw a painting of the butt, The King's Butt in an antique shop in Ballater and bought it. He invited the QM to Manor Farm to view the painting, communicating through a neighbout, Lady Angela OSwalk, lady in waiting to QEII.

QM made her first visit the following December. Eldest son was Christopher Gurney. In a later visit QM was trapped in a toilet by a malfunctioning door handle and had to knock for attention. QM visited rewgularly during her Christmas visits to Sandringham.

Often visited the QM or he rprivate secretary lieutenant-colonel Martin Gilliat at Clarence House. Was a member at the Foxhunters Club, Boodles and Annabel's.Sevred in India, Malaya, Burma in WWII. Had found a stash of rubies in Burma that he hid in a temple in Rangoon during a retreat. Returning after its recapture he unsuccessfully searched for hte rubies but found a Buddha sculpture that he placed in the Manor Farm living room. The sculpture was later admired by President JR Jayawardene of Sri Lanka, who was a Buddhist.

With frtiend Michael Wynne-Parker sat behind the Queen Mother, QEII and Pricne Charles at the 2000 Horse Guards parade for the QM's 100th birthday. At the time was recovering from a leg operation but insisted on risting with the QM to salute each passing regiment.

Was in Idnian Army as war substantive lt until 1 August 1945 when he transferred to RNR, retaining his seniority in rank

Promoted to regular lieutenant commission in Royal Norfolk Regiment 17 November 1945 with seniority of 9 July 1944. Previously had war substantive rank of 2nd lt.

Transferred to King's Royal Rifle Corps1 July 1948, with seniority of 9 January 1945. Was at the time a lieutenant and war substantive captain in RNR.

Transgerred to the East Riding Yeomanry (TA) as lt on 7 July 1949.

Promoted captain and hon major in ERY 21 January 1950.

Back to RNR in TA Reserve of Officers 21 March 1951,retaining his rank and seniority.

Rejoined RNR on active duty 15 October 1951.

Returned to TA 21 May 1953..

on 18 June 1963 when he reverted to the rnak of lieutenant at his own request.

Afterwards served with Section B of the Norfolk Army Cadet Force as a leiutenant, returning to the TA as captaina dn hon major 1 March 1965.