Ullrick Gordon

Ullrick Gordon (19 March 1909 Vanrhynsdorp, Northern Cape, South Africa - 10 July 1989 Keetmanshoop, Namibia) was schooled in South Africa and went on to study law. In 1932, he went to Windhoek, South West Africa, where he learnt the cattle hide, Karakul skin and wool trade. In 1940 he moved to Keetmanshoop, the centre of the sheep-farming in SWA. Seeing the potential of the Karakul industry, he started the trading house Overseas Karakul Exporters, which was the biggest business of its kind in the south at the time. He married Elizabeth Johnston, a qualified Australian nurse who had come to Keetmanshoop to work at the local hospital. They were married in the Swakopmund Magistrate's Court on the 22 February 1943 and had three children.

During World War Two he served in the local commando, whilst his wife was active in the Red Cross.

After the war, whilst continuing his trade in pelts, hides and skins, he opened a general dealer store, Suidelike Winkels. He was involved in civic affairs and served as the town's Mayor for many years. When he died in 1989, his burial was the last one performed in the Keetmanshoop Jewish Cemetery. He is buried next to the only tree in the cemetery.

Source: 1. Jewish Life in South West Africa/Namibia: A History. Authors: Pearle Horwitz, June Horwitz, Richard Newman, Joachim 'Joe' Pütz, Perri Caplan, David Saks, Harold Pupkewitz, Moshe Silberhaft, Candy Müller, Heidi Müller. Windhoek Hebrew Congregation, Windhoek, Namibia 2014. ISBN 9789994578948. 2. Gordn Ullrick 1909-1989. https://www.graves-at-eggsa.org/main.php?g2_itemId=2579859.