Gale Coles (B2 1945-49) was born in September 1931 to Nicholas and Aeddan Coles, the oldest of three children.

Marlborough College shaped his sense of fairness and integrity and where he made lifelong friends. A keen sportsman he played rugby and boxed for the College.

In 1949 he was called up to the Gloucesters where he did his officers training and was commissioned as second Lieutenant, after which he spent time in Cyprus and Egypt.

After leaving the army Gale joined the leading underwriting agency Janson Green. He had a highly successful 40-year career as a Lloyds Marine insurance underwriter. His time coincided with the rapid increase in the development of the oil exploration. Gale played a leading role in the development of the insurances needed to cope with the hugely increasing values and complex technicality of deep-water exploration, notably in the North Sea. He was a thoughtful and patient underwriter, well suited to coping with complex demands of the industry. He was on the board of Janson Green for many years, and only one of eight Lloyds underwriters inducted into the USA’s Offshore Energy Centre Hall of Fame for their pioneering work for the the Offshore Energy Industry.

After retiring Gale realized his lifelong dream of becoming a farmer. He spent many happy years tending the land and rearing sheep.,

He was a devoted family man, a loving husband to Doris, a very supportive father to Dominique and Nadine and a grandfather who adored his five granddaughters. He had an ability to connect to people making them feel at ease with a wonderful sense of humour.

His warmth and kindness made him a loyal friend. He will be remembered with great affection by those who knew him.