Cape Town : Hundreds of people, including a number of sporting and political personalities, crowded into a schoolhouse in Cape Town Wednesday for a memorial service in honour of murdered Pakistan cricket coach Bob Woolmer.

Woolmer's wife Gill and sons Russell and Dale were among mourners at the service, which was led by an Anglican priest, who had himself been coached by Woolmer.

Welcoming the crowd, the headmaster of Wynberg Boys High School, Keith Richardson, said the death of "one of God's gentlemen" had been "unbelievable and surreal".

The former England batsman was found strangled in his hotel in Kingston, Jamaica, March 18, the day after his Pakistan side lost to minnows Ireland in the World Cup.

A murder investigation is underway in Kingston, where his body remains pending a coroner's inquiry. A team of British police officers arrived in Jamaica earlier this week to assist in the inquiry.

Former South Africa fast bowler Allan Donald, who was among the cricketers coached by Woolmer, was present at the service.

Other former and current cricketers in attendance included Peter Kirsten, Paul Adams and Ali Bacher.

India-born Woolmer's association with South Africa goes back to the early 1970s when he began coaching and playing in the country.

He was a very successful coach of the national team, leading them to 10 out of 15 Test series victories in the late 1990s.