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Son of Lt Col Charles Latham and Caroline Bessie Latham. Husband of Margaret Ivy Latham, of Parktown, Johannesburg and Germiston, Transvaal, South Africa. Born Brighton, England. Enrolled at Sandhurst Military Academy. During WW1 he served in the Royal Munster Fusiliers, Lieutenent Colonel in the Highland Light Infantry. In 1921, he arrived in Nairobi, Kenya in the service of HM Forces to further and uphold "The Empire". Helped establish the Country Club there before moving to Johannesburg in South Africa. Retired from the military in 1925. In Johannesburg he directed a company called Levy & Co distributing brands such as Coty cosmetics, Bisset Scotch Whisky, Consulate Cigarettes. Resided with his family in 27 Prince of Wales Terrace Parktown first, then at Bixley Lodge on Parktown Terrace and finally 8 Junction Avenue, Parktown. He had a close relationship with the, then South African Prime Minister, Jan Smuts, who attended many a family dinner. When the Second World War broke out, he petitioned the Prime Minister to be reconscripted into the South African Army. The Prime Minister was very apprehensive on account of Jack's age but relented and awarded Jack with the position of Lt Col. in charge of the South African 3rd Infantry Battalion. Re-commissioned to Egypt. |
