Jim was an early player in the QLL's precursor, The South London Quiz League. It was through watching rugby at Rosslyn Park that I first met him and he persuaded me (quite easily I might add) early on to join their team. Knowing him these past 23 years has been an absolute pleasure. Possessed, right to the end, with a sound, keen mind that would put many younger people to shame, Jim was always happy to buy a round and share his life well-lived. On that note, in addition to the quizzing, Jim was a rugby man through and through. He played both RFL and RFU codes whilst growing-up in Hull – a Rugby League hotspot of course - and he supported Hull & Kingston Rovers (the Robins) over the closer-to-home Hull FC.
The move down south naturally focused his energies on the union game and when he stopped playing he turned to refereeing the game for the London Society of Referees; something he kept-up into his 60s and which led to him stopping-off at Rosslyn Park for a pint on the way home. He proudly quizzed for Park weekly well into his 80s. Gone but not forgotten, thanks Jim for everything.
Martin Cawley
June 2025