South African War Graves Project -

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.

Age:	54
Date of Birth:	1886-12-12
Service No:	240814
Rank:	Lieutenant Colonel
Regiment:	General Service Corps, S.A. Forces
Date of Death:	1941-08-01
Cause of Death:	Died in Enemy Air Raid, bombing raid in the streets of Cairo. The military staff vehicle in which he was travelling, collided with a tram, resulting in Jack breaking his neck in the whiplash

Grave Reference:	K. 86.
Cemetery:	CAIRO WAR MEMORIAL CEMETERY

Country:	Egypt

Decorations:	M C, Silver Medal for Military Valour (Italy)
Citations:	M C WW1 LG Sup 1 February 1917 pg. 1145, Silver Medal for Military Valour (Italy) (Earned with Royal Munster Fusiliers and King's African Rifles) LG Sup 31 August 1917 - "For distinguished services rendered during the course of the campaign"
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.