Chairman of the Civic Society 1997–1999
We were very sorry to learn of Jim’s death on December 30 after a long illness, very bravely borne.
Jim was brought up in the family home at St Helen’s Terrace, Spittal, and he attended local schools. After spells working in the railway office and a firm of solicitors, he was called up for National Service at the outbreak of war and joined the Gordon Highlanders. He was later seconded to the Territorial SAS in the South.
He trained as a teacher in Morpeth before going up to King’s College Cambridge, where he read Marine Law as a mature student. Jim was eventually called to the Bar at the Inner Temple and lectured in Law at the London School of Economics.
A devout Roman Catholic, Jim wrote the definitive guide to the history of the Church of Our Lady and St Cuthbert in Ravensdowne. Father Melia, the priest at the time, commended Jim for the skill and industry that had gone into the book. He wrote, ‘Besides being a factual account, I found this history a most moving spiritual experience.’
He was appointed a Knight of the Sepulchre. Jim was very fond of music and at one time played the organ in his church. An avid reader, Jim retained an enquiring mind.
He will be missed.