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Name: VINCENT, Alfred KBE, Sir

Birth Date: 27 Nov 1891 Bushey, Herts

Death Date: 4 May 1967 S. Africa

First Date: 1911

Profession: Took a prominent lead in commercial and political life of EA for over 50 years. First for some years Gen. Mgr. BEA Engineering Works in Nbi., later Director of Company. Took keen interest in Jockey Club of Kenya

Area: 'Rhino Park', Karen, near Nairobi

Married: 1. In Lewisham 1910 Dorothy Kate Wintour McNeil b. 8 Feb 1890 Lewisham, d. 20 Oct 1965 Chester (div.); 2. 1928 Annie Mortimer b. 28 Nov 1887 Shipley, Yorks., d. 6 Aug 1960; 3. 1961 Frances Belmont Ahrens b. 23 Nov 1900 S. Africa, d. 24 Apr 1987 Johannesburg (sister of Count Tanfani and prev. m. Robert E. Ahrens)

Children: Donald (19 Aug 1914 Nairobi); Mervyn; Alfred Neil (1910 London- 29 Sep 1995 Nairobi), another son; one dau.

Book Reference: Gillett, Last Chance, Binks, , Red 31, Red 22, Gazette, Red 19, Vulture, Debrett, KAD, Karen 50, Hut, Who's Who, Foster, Bate;

School: Russell Hill, Purley

General Information:

Close association with EA Agricultural & Hort. Soc., EA Kennel club, EA Stud Book & Flax growers Ass. Served on Nbi. Chamber of Commerce & at one time Manager of Msa. Bonded Warehouse Co. 1927 Man. Dir. Motor Mart & Exchange Ltd. In his younger days he was a keen footballer & played for Pirates 1912-13. Took many parts in Gilbert & Sullivan & other productions. Chairman of Royal Nat. Parks Committee
Last Chance - 1948 - One of the biggest men in EA, and until recently the Leader of the Opposition in Legco. ...... He is heavy-set, placid, prematurely grey, with a meteoric career (still rising) in Kenya politics and business that can only be compared to the spectacularly successful, self made American men of affairs, to whom he has such a striking physical resemblance. He is as well known in the top business circles of New York, Chicago, Akron and Detroit as he is in most parts of EA, for his commercial activities there also cover Uganda and Tanganyika. For those territories he holds the agency for Chevrolet cars and trucks, Oldsmobile cars and trucks, Buick, General Motors - all divisions, frigidaires, diesels etc. He handles these lines through his Motor Mart and Exchange, Ltd., with branches in all the larger towns of EA. ......... In addition he has the agency for 20 other big American concerns, among which are : Bendix Corporation, Stewart Warner, American Bosch, Bosch Fuel Equipment, Zenith Radios, United States Asbestos, American Steel Export Co., etc. ........... He is a home man, devoted to his family and the superb aquatic garden which Lady Vincent has created in the green Ngong Hills [called 'Rhino Camp'] ..... He is a man very fond of getting on top of his facts, a thing he always emphasises: "I always get them right, and if I feel that I haven't got them, I will send you to someone I think has the right dope. Come to me." ...... He is a happy man ...... He was knighted in 1945. (more)  
Binks - Mbagathi river - Sir Alfred & Lady Vincent, who own Rhino Park, which they carved from my old camp site ......   
Debrett - is a Merchant, a MLC, and Chm. of EA Central Legislative Assembly   
KAD 1922 - Secretary, Jockey Club of Kenya
Karen 50 - What is known as 'racialism' was not then related only to colour, and at that time [1930s] Jews were not eligible for membership. After many sessions of debate, the first Committee decided by 5 votes to 3 to exclude Jews, which thus became unwritten law. Their decision must undoubtedly have been influenced by Mr Walter Shapley, a Founder Member who wrote:- "It seems to me that one of the curses from which the Jewish Race suffers is that when it finds an outstandingly decent Jew obtaining various entrees and footholds to which the individual's merits appear to entitle him in every way, there follow in his wake, with the same certainty that night follows day, his concomitants, accessories, associates, fellows, consorts, colleagues, spouses, co-partners, satellites, hangers-on, shadows, convoys, followers, appendages and attributes."
This had an unfortunate sequel in that Sir Alfred Vincent (also a Founder Member) proposed Mr L. Kaplan for membership. 'Kappie' was held with great affection by all the members of the Committee, and would have been socially acceptable in any club in the world, but the President, with the greatest regret, asked that the nomination be withdrawn. 'A.V.' replied that he wished the name to go forward as he did not believe that any club would exclude a prospective member on the grounds of race alone, which left the Committee with no alternative but to reject the candidate. It is perhaps to A.V.'s credit that he never at any time thereafter set foot in the Club.
Karen 50 - Founder Member and Debenture Holder of Karen Club in 1937
Bate - " I would like to record that the fortunes and misfortunes of General Motors were looked after by the very able Sir Alfred Vincent. One would be very hard put indeed to find a man with such an understanding of his staff, backgrounds and affairs as had this gentleman. A rarity today sad to relate. Managers may have diplomas in management, framed of course, and hung on the wall, but seldom with the attributes of Sir Alfred, respected by us all and many more outside the motor business as well ………. Fortunately a great many of father's fine points rubbed off onto Neil Vincent his eldest son, who governed his side of the business equitably, generously open minded , with a great understanding of the frailties of the human race.
Gazette 13 Sep 1960 1st wife's probate
Red 22 - Secretary, The Jockey Club of Kenya, Agricultural & Horticultural Society of Kenya, EA Flax Association and Stockbreeders Association 
Red 22 - Secretary and Managing Agent 
Gazette - 7/4/15 - Liable for Jury service, Nairobi District - A. Vincent, Lamberts Ltd.
Gazette 19/5/1920 - Application for General Retail Liquor Licence, Restaurant Liquor Licence and Hotel Liquor Licence - A. Vincent, J.E. Torr and F.H. Bumpus - Forest Hotel (formerly known as Clairmont House, Kiambu Road)
Gazette - 12/11/1919 - Register of Voters - Nairobi, South Area - Alfred Vincent - Company Manager - Kilimani
Red Book 1919 - East Africa Turf Club - Nairobi - Secretary - A. Vincent
Did he also marry Dorothy McNeil?

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