James was born in Glasgow but moved at the tender age of five to Newcastle upon Tyne where he completed his education. Through the RAF section of the CCF in his school he was awarded a flying scholarship and flew the thirty allocated hours in a Tiger Moth whilst still seventeen. The natural move to flying with the RAF followed in 1959 and after training he served with the Middle East Air force and with Transport command back in UK, operating throughout on the ‘mighty’ Beverley.
In 1967 his liking for large aeroplanes was further boosted by a move to civil aviation and a career in BOAC and later, after the merger with BEA, with British Airways. He flew 707’s and 747’s as a co-pilot and then in 1976 gained his command on VC10’s. He returned to the 747 after four years and saw out the remainder of his career flying variants of the ‘Jumbo’
His Masonic CV started when he was initiated into Halsey Lodge No. 1479 in October 1978 and became Master of that Lodge in April 1988. He has subsequently served as Master of Michael Batham Jones Lodge No. 9675 and in October 2007 is scheduled to have another year as Master this time in his Guild Lodge, Per Caelum. Being Master of this Lodge will make for a busy year visiting the several sister Livery Lodges. In other orders he has been MEZ of Halsey Chapter No. 1479 and GMH Chapter No.9369 and is currently MEZ of High Barnet First Principals Chapter. In Mark he has served as Master in Debenham Mark & RAM Lodges and as Master in John Burr Lodge. In the Rose Croix Chapter of St Alban he is currently Marshal.
In Provincial terms his first appointment was to Provincial Grand Steward n 1995 and this was followed by promotion to Provincial Junior Grand Warden in 1997. If that year was not enough he was delighted to be asked to join the Provincial DC’s team as Deputy Grand DC in 1998, finally succeeding to the coveted Provincial Grand DC appointment in 2003. Two years later he was appointed APGM, in which capacity he still serves. Whilst acting as Deputy Grand DC, James also had the Provincial role of Information Officer. In Grand Lodge James was promoted to PAGDC in 2001 and in Supreme Grand Chapter to PAGDC in 2004. The year after becoming APGM Grand Lodge promoted him to the active rank of SGD and he served for a full year in that position before reverting to PSGD.
James lives in Welwyn with his wife Ann and two brown Burmese cats. The village amateur dramatic society is where he met Ann and they continued their annual music hall commitment until recently when they retired to make room for younger ‘artistes’ Provincial and other Masonic activities don’t allow too much spare time but travel and family play a huge part in both James and Ann’s lives. Family in California and New York get regular visits and of course the much closer grandchildren are a constant source of joy.
James looks forward to all his Provincial meetings and is especially keen to attend those Lodges not previously visited.
May 2007