William Gentle

Sir William Benjamin Gentle (8 September 1865 – 2 September 1948) was an English police officer known for his work in fighting racecourse crime and was jointly responsible for promoting greyhound racing in the United Kingdom. He was Chief constable of Brighton from 1901 to 1920.

Early life

Gentle was born in Ashwell, Hertfordshire in 1865 and was educated at Merchant Taylor's School. During his retirement he worked alongside Brigadier-General Alfred Critchley to form the Greyhound Racing Association (GRA), which introduced greyhound racing to the United Kingdom. He was the first chairman of the Greyhound Racing Association. Despite promoting greyhound racing; Gentle was alleged to have never made or a bet or owned a greyhound himself. He was active in the RSPCA in the 1920s, became a council member of the RSPCA in June 1931 and was president of the East Coast Branch. Lady Cory resigned from the RSPCA council in June 1931 in protest of Gentle's membership. She complained that Gentle was chairman of the Belle Vue Zoo and campaigned for his resignation.

He died in Thetford in 1948 leaving an estate valued at £460,950.