Fitaloon at MicroShaft

These two are my dad and uncle! Very proud of them both!

Thank you! I know they are both proud at what they have achieved and are shocked by the reaction!

These two are also my dad and uncle! Also very proud of them both! They’re an inspiration. (Lyn is my cousin) *waves to Lyn*

I heard about these two intrepid soldiers on radio. I do hope there are many more would can celebrate this tremendous accolade.

So few appreciate how difficult it is to rise from the ranks to officer status. Then again, it’s not easy to rise up the ranks of officer status.

May I wish the pair of them the best of health in their retirement. Do hope Carol and Lyn pass that on.

I had the pleasure of serving with Jimmie James at HQ Scotland, what a truly inspirational gentleman and a source of guidance. He was kind enough to come to my wedding and regularly writes.

to Jimmie and Ron.

All the best for your retirement

Thanks Carol and Lyn for the comments, I still read the messages my father got when he retired from the RAF with pride particularly those who served with him. The fact that they are shocked by the reaction is not a surprise to me as I always find that ex-servicemen and women always say they were just doing their jobs, but in these days to find people who just “did their jobs” for 50 years is such a rare thing.

Your dads are just as proud of you as you are still their bairns

I served with the James brothers when undergoing basic and potential officer training with the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards in Catterick in 1977. Ron taught us skill-at-arms and Jimmy was the Potential Officer Troop Staff Sergeant. Our paths have only briefly crossed since but I have never forgotten them, their strict, no-nonsense approach to soldiering, and their wickedly dry sense of humour. They were Regimental legends then and are more so now.

I am proud to have served with such men and wish them well in their retirement.

@Lyn Jones On behalf of the Skinner family especially my Mum , Ina (96) who would like to wish Ronnie and Jimmie a very happy retirement and wish them well. She knew them when they were little and kept in touch while they started their career, and is really pleased that they have done so well.

Richard,

How lovely to hear from you. You were on course 77/2 & went to Sandhurst via Rowallan Company. Thank you for your kind comments.

Jimmie James

Gladys,

How lovely to hear from you after all these years. Your parents were so kind to us when we lived at Auchaber & I vividly remember you and Heather as youngsters. Please pass on my best wishes to your Mum & also to you & Heather (and your families).

Jimmie James

Jimmie
Thanks I will – This was really strange as I was up North on holiday looking at your photo and the same week you both were in the news – really weird!!- so had to get in touch, so nice you remember us as we all wondered what happened to you both.
Best wishes
Gladys

these two wonderful men are my dad (Jimmie) and uncle (Ron). We are all very proud of them and i know they are amazed by the media interest in their story

Congratulations to you both on your retirement, I remember you both well and the entertainment that you both provided for those of us on the Potential Officer Training course, Cattrick 1997 /02, whilist I did not get accepted into Sandhurst , I went on to enjoy a few years in the British Army before retuning to my home in South Africa. Jimmie the last time we crossed paths I believe it was during some exercise (at that time I was based at Hohne part of ROAC/REME attenched to 45 Field Reg RA) I think it was near the old SKC or the NAAFI Round House.
Thanks again, and enjoy a long and happy retirent
Brook Wimbury

Dear Brook,

Certainly a voice from the past. Yes I remember you on course 77/2 & then again at Hohne. I think that I was either an SQMS or perhaps an SSM by then. Much water under the bridge since then. The PO Wing was certainly one of the highlights of my career. Otterburn, canoeing the Caledoinian Canal, cold water at Cameron Barracks Inverness. All good career enhancing stuff.

What are you doing & where are you now?

Thank you for taking the time to write & offer your best wishes. I’ll pass on your regards to my brother Ron.

Best wishes

Jimmie

Jimmie
On my return to SA, I had a few more adventures with a rifle and in a uniform, then back(I found it hard to settle down) to Europe and a complete change in career trained as a Master Chocolate Maker in Belgium, ran my own chocolate manufacturing business in the West Midlands and coffee shops suppling the top London Stores,British Airways,Prince of Wales and other members etc, won a number of awards in UK and Belgium, sold the business after a mild heart attack went back to Cape Town, involved in real estate and fire/flood cleaning world, infact I had my fingers into all sorts, left SA, 11 years ago because of having no faith in the “new” government, retrained as a plumbing and gas engineer, now run a small business here in Blackpool no major stress. I have kept in touch with Richard Dixon-Warren throughout the years.Richard and I are thinking (I stress thinking) about re doing that that little canoe trip from Fort William to Inverness one of these day’s for a bit of fun, we will have to make time, but I am sure it will happen. My wife is South African Scottish, her late father coming from the west coast, so we head north two or three times a year. Anyway catch up again soon
Regard
Brook