Goodbye to Jim Davis
Goodbye to Jim By Michael Grey The ancient and lovely church of All Hallows by the Tower was the venue the other day for a service of thanksgiving for the life of that all-purpose maritime industry personality Jim Davis, who died last year at the age of 93. It was a delightful service, in an old shipping church, close to the Thames, full of maritime memorials and hung with votive ship models, the spring sunshine pouring through the windows. The church was full, the music perfection, the order of service elegantly balanced, with delightful tributes from Sir John Parker, family and friends. It was a happy and reflective occasion to remember a cheerful and larger than life person, whose interests stretched right around the broad sweep of maritime endeavour. His career began in 1952 with his first love – P&O -with an “apprenticeship” in the London office, the docks and the company’s eastern empire. He returned to London and the passenger division, at a time of dramatic chang...