Friends of Hastings Cemetery

The third son of Lieutenant-Colonel John Castle Gant; (see also his brother, Major John Castle Gant)

1851 CENSUS lists him at 10 High Street, Hastings.

1861 CENSUS lists him in Havelock Road, Hastings.

1871 CENSUS  Alexandra Villa, Ellenslea Road, St Leonards

1881 CENSUS  Alexandra Villa, Ellenslea Road, St Leonards

1891 CENSUS: 54 Church Road, St Leonards.

1901 CENSUS: 54 Church Road, St Leonards.

OBITUARY. Hastings Observer 7 July 1906, page 8.

DEATH OF MR GANT.

AN OLD AND RESPECTED TOWNSMAN.

At the ripe age of 82, Mr William John Gant passed away at his residence, The Glen, London Road, St Leonards, on Monday last.

At one time he was a leading architect and surveyor in the town, and was a Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects…………For a long period the late Mr Gant occupied the important post of Secretary to the Hospital, and discharged the duties during the troublous days of the Bbattle of the sites, and the re-building of the institution.  Advancing years compelled him to give up the appointment.  At one time Mr Gant held a commission in the Artillery Volunteers, and he took practical interest in numerous movements calculated to benefit the town.  …..  A Churchman, Mr Gant was not in sympathy with High ritual, and we believe he resigned the churchwardenship of a St Leonards church because of his conscientious views.

Mr Gant came to the town when about 20 years of age, as surveyor to the St Leonards Commissioners.  He made the first survey of the borough.  He was the designer of the present Fishmarket, and architect of the Fishermen's Church; the latter building, from motives of economy, was erected in a plain style, which gave no scope for his ability.  He was a director of the Hastings Cottage Improvement Society, and attended one of its meetings just before his last illness.  He was a vice-president of the Y.M.C.A., which was formerly located in Claremont, and in his later years was an elder at Warrior Square Presbyterian Church, where he did very valuable work.  He was secretary of Hastings Hospital for 25 years, and was also treasurer in connection with the St John Ambulance work.  Mr Gant knew the town when a child.  His parents formerly had a house at Maze-hill as well as one in London.

In politics Mr Gant was a Conservative all his life, but at the last Election, disapproving of the Education Act, he voted for Mr Freeman-Thomas.

He had been ill about two months, but the end came rather suddenly. His mental powers remained perfectly clear to the last………

Mr Gant was married twice; of the five children of his first wife, one survives him; his second wife and their son and daughter also survive.  The son is at present in South Africa.

Mr Gant was for several years a member of the Executive Council of the Evangelical Free Churches.