W. Jim Jackson (QM 1933 - 42)

We are sad to report the death in May 2017 of Jim Jackson aged 93 years.

Jim was born in Bloxwich in 1924. His father owned a factory in Walsall producing fancy leather goods, the main output was high quality ladies handbags for all the big London stores such as Harvey Nicholls and D.H. Evans, but the factory had to close in 1940 due to the war because leather was just not allocated for non-essential use.

He attended Queen Mary’s School between 1933 and 1942 then commenced studying metallurgy at Bir- mingham University. At the end of the university year in 1943 he received his call-up papers to join the RAF and upon completion of his training in ra- dar and wireless he was posted to India.

Many decades later his granddaughter, Sinead, who was learning about WW2 at school, asked him the question “Were you in the war Grandpa?” which prompted him to write his memories of everyday life in wartime RAF based on his diaries and photographs from the time, and his book with that title was subsequently published.

After serving four years in the RAF Jim was demobbed and returned to Birmingham University to complete his degree in metallurgy.

In 1950 Jim married Barbara and accepted a job with BOC in London where he also studied part time at Lon- don University, and was awarded an MSc in 1953.

After a short period working as a Technical Assistant in the Hot Rolling Department of Henry Wiggin & Co in Ladywood, Jim and Barbara moved to Sheffield in 1955 where they enjoyed family life bringing up their two children, Richard and Patricia.

Jim had a distinguished career in metallurgy and steel casting research, and his work earned him a PhD which was presented to him by Prince Phillip, the Duke of Edinburgh, in 1973. He also served as a member of International Standards Organisation committees so he travelled extensively worldwide.

A service of thanksgiving was held at Christ Church Dore, Sheffield to remember the life of a true gentleman who will be sadly missed by all who knew him.