Hoeko Valley farm, Ladismith, South Africa. Photo by Janek Szymanowski, 1988
James Alfred (Fred) Gillespie was born on April 25, 1935, on the farm Hoeko in Ladismith, Cape Province, South Africa to his father, James Thomas (Tom) Gillespie (1907-07-08 to 1947-12-12) and his mother, Helena Maria Aletta Langenhoven (1909 to 1988-07-19).
Fred was one of several descendants in a lineage dating back to the 1820 Settlers to South Africa, possibly earlier. His father, Tom Gillespie, was the fifth of eight children born to Edward Alfred Gillespie and Maria Dorothy Terblanche. His father’s siblings included:
His father Tom passed away in Kimberley on 1947-12-12, while his mother, Helena Maria Aletta Langenhoven, passed away on 1988-07-19 after a long battle with cancer.
Fred had two older sisters:
On 1956-05-12, Fred married Maria Magdalena Van Huyssteen in Boksburg, Gauteng. Together, they had three children:
Their marriage ended in divorce on 1965-03-10.
In 1969, Fred married Alida Johanna Van Blommestein (1938 to 2022) in the Western Cape. Together, they had two sons:
Around 1987, Fred and Alida separated after James began a partnership with Jacomina Louisa Truter.
On 1994-03-05, Fred passed away at the age of 58 in Mtubatuba, Lower uMfolozi , Natal, South Africa, leaving behind is children, current and former partners.
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