Reginald William James
| (09/01/1891 – 07/07/1964) BORN : PADDINGTON. LONDON. ENGLAND DIED : CAPE TOWN. SOUTH AFRICA NICKNAME : JIMMY DUTY : PHYSICIST |
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| Reginald James was the eldest son of William George Joseph James and Isabel James, born in Paddington’s, All Saints Parish. London. He had a younger brother George and the family all lived over their father’s shop at 151 Praed Street , Paddington. James’ father was an Umbrella maker. Reginald came to hear of Shackleton’s proposed expedition quite by accident. He was at the end of his 5 years of study at Cambridge and was one day on his way to visit a sick friend. Whilst walking down the street he was spotted by a man who he had met before but hardly knew. He hailed James from his window and asked if he was interested in going to the Antarctic. James replied without hesitation, No. After more persuasive conversation, he was to change his mind and gave permission for his name to be forwarded to Sir Arthur Shipley. Shipley was Master of Christ’s College.Cambridge and had been approached by Shackleton to recommend certain scientific staff. The only post still to be filled was that of Physicist. Shipley interviewed James, and some three weeks later he received a wire from Shackleton asking him to attend an interview in London. It is well known that the way in which Shackleton conducted his interviews for the Endurance members left most bemused. In James’ case his interview was to last around 5 minutes. He wrote: “ All that I can clearly remember of it is that I was asked if I had good teeth, if I suffered from varicose veins, and if I could sing .” He must have answered favourably as he was appointed the Expedition’s Physicist. Throughout most of the expedition, James regularly kept a diary, and his account of the time spent on Elephant Island gives perhaps the best insight into what conditions were really like for the 22 men left stranded there. Paper being scarce, he was forced to write some of his diary on spare pages in the copy of Lang’s Translation of the “Iliad”, which was one of the few books the men rescued from the sinking Endurance. The book is still in the safe keeping of the James family. His diary includes a number of maps and sketches.
Hotel Royal de Ferd. Garnier. Punta Arenas Sept 3rd 1916 Dear George. I don’t know whether this can get to you under the circumstances, but it is worth attempting. Arrived here today on Chilean vessel “Yelcho” having been picked up at Elephant Island last Wednesday. The Boss’s 4th attempt. Am very well and fit. We have had lots of food all winter as we always managed to get penguins but I think we were a bit lucky to do so. The whole party complete and well, the only loss being that one of the sailors lost his toes through frostbite in the boat journey. A mail leaves tonight. All being well expect to be home middle of October. The war news was a great surprise to us. We had all reckoned on the trouble being over. Our most pressing need for a wash. We have had a great reception here, crowds, bands and all the rest of it. A afraid there is no time for more now as I am likely to lose mail, moreover I don’t seem able to write much, the power of expression seems dormant for the time. Probably you will have gathered nearly as much as I could tell you from the papers, but you can take my word for it that we are very lucky to have got out of this mess. Yours Reg.
Sound Ranging was a method of calculating the position of enemy guns by monitoring the arrival of the sound using a series of microphones along a base behind the front line. James played a major part in the development of this technique. During his war service he was mentioned in despatches.
In 1936,to the astonishment of his friends, James announced that he was engaged to be married to one Annie Watson from Rochdale, Lancashire, who was Headmistress of The Manchester Grammar School for Girls, and that he had applied for the post of Chair of Physics at Cape Town University South Africa.
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| With thanks to John S. James. ( Eldest son of R.W.James) |
