The Times, Saturday, Oct 20, 1821; pg. 3; Issue 11382; col F MARGATE, Oct. 16.- We have here a resident, an extraordinary character, Mr. John GYLES, who completed his 89th year on Saturday last, and is now in perfect health. This hardy veteran has been a warranted ganner in the service 63 years and a half. He fired the first gun when Hawke received his flag; and on the 14th October 1747, was in the general engagement with the French fleet under that Admiral. The next action was off Toulon under Boscawen, in 1759. The last service was in the taking of the Dutch fleet, in the year 1779. GYLES was the first man at ramsgate Pier Head, when the King sailed for the French coast, and gave his Monarch three hearty cheers on the departure SOVEREIGN yacht. He walked alone from this place without even the assistance of a stick, which, in fact, he never uses. -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.385 / Virus Database: 268.4.0/304 - Release Date: 4/7/06