Martin William (Jim) James
| Type of person | Individual |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | 1926 |
| Date of death | 2013 |
Eulogy by Gail Officer – Jim’s eldest daughter
On the 14th March, 1926, William James Martin (known to all as “Jim”) was born to Alice and Stuart in the town of Gawler where he would live all his life. One of seven children life was not easy but it was never dull.
His uncles lived and worked on a farm and Dad delighted in visiting them and learning a lot about animals, crops and so forth. His father was a very well-known horse-breaker and officiated as a judge of horses on the various show circuits. Dad was quickly introduced to the world of horses, won many prizes riding in the shows, and quickly realized as a young boy that whenever he fell from a horse but climbed straight back on in the presence of his Grandfather he was given a little monetary reward – so I think his Grandfather came to believe he was the worst rider ever, but Dad was happy to have him think that. Dad tells many stories of those days riding in the shows, but I think my favorite was when a prominent horse owner who felt her horse could win Best Horse in Show with girl rider, but could not avail herself of a girl rider, dressed Dad (who was quite small as a lad) in female riding attire and sent him into the ring. The horse did win Best Horse In Show - and Dad won best girl rider – until one of the judges recognized him and sent him on his way.
In 1947 Dad married the love of his life, Beryl Noreen Corey. Together they had three children, Gail, John and Sue. Dad was a loving and devoted husband and a wonderful Father all of his life. Even though he worked three jobs he always found time to play with us as children, taking us swimming and mushrooming, teaching us ball-skills and golf, attending all our concerts and plays etc. Although not a religious man himself Dad was happy for Mum to raise us in the Catholic Faith and attended all the important events in which we were involved ( though Dad told me he used to sit at the back of the Church and read the Sunday Mail – but Mum cannot remember that so I never found out if that was true or just another one of Dads stories!).
Mum and Dad were happily married just one day short - of 66 years. Dad told me he was really looking forward to their Anniversary. They were an extremely devoted couple, and went through so much together - it took Death to separate them. Dad was also a very respected and popular Father-in-law and a much-loved Grandfather to seven grandchildren, and Great-grandfather, also to seven. They all adored him and still talk and laugh about some of the stories he spun to them as children. Such as how he, whilst in the Armed Forces single-handedly repelled hundreds and hundreds of Japs in the New Guinea jungles and so prevented them from invading Australia. (Dad never let the truth get in the way of a good story). But he had them all hanging on his every word (usually complete with sound and action) until they got a little older and wiser and would then ask Mum “Is that really true Nan?” – and that would be the end of another Jimmy story…
Dad began his worklife as a grocery delivery boy, then a millhand at Jeff Bros Flour Mill in Gawler and worked his way up to General Manager of the same Mill. When the Mill was taken over by Charlicks and the whole operation moved to Adelaide Dad continued to work for them as a Sales Representative and made many lasting friendships during that period of his life.
For many of those years he was also starter at the trots in both Gawler and Kapunda, but perhaps he was best known for his role as Clerk of the Course at Metropolitan Adelaide Racecourses, a role he enjoyed for 44 years.
During this time Dad was entrusted with many wonderful mounts from both owners and trainers who wanted their retired race horse to have a good home. Dad would bring home a fired-up racehorse and before too long that same horse would be a family pet, giving children rides and performing tricks. Some of Dads favorite horses were the 1957 Adelaide Cup Winner, Borgia, the champion 2 year old Native Statesman and the grand jumper Zama Lad. But Dad lost his heart completely to the 1979 Melbourne Cup winner Gold and Black. Goldie had the most wonderful disposition and very quickly these two developed such an affinity for each other, they seemed to know instinctively what the other required. They were quite the celebrities on the Racecourse and in the (Melbourne Cup Parade and breakfast), held in Melbourne prior to the cup each year. When Goldie died on the operating table Dad was never quite the same – some of his spark had gone along with Goldie. But testimony to the great relationship they shared, Dad managed to get permission to bury Gold and Black at the Gawler racecourse, and I believe the plaque to his memory remains to this day.
Dad was quite the athlete all of his life and from all accounts was a very talented and skilfull footballer. While his brothers all played for Gawler South, Dad played for Gawler Centrals, and not only was the rivalry between the two clubs fierce but also between the brothers whenever the two sides met. Brother was pitted against brother, and it was not uncommon for one of the Martin boys to be stretchered off, usually early in the game, and very often it was my father. But even though he missed many games during the season because at this time he was beginning his role as clerk of the course, he still managed to win a Mail Medal in the Gawler Association, was runner-up several times and nominated for Team of the Century.
On the other end of the scale, Dad enjoyed dancing and I am told he was very good. Mum and Dad won many dance competitions together and as a child it was not uncommon to see Dad grab Mum while she was preparing or serving a meal and the two of them would have a little spin around the very limited kitchen space, share a laugh and move on with whatever they had been doing.
Dad rather enjoyed using a microphone and was well-known for his speech-making. Never one to make a short speech, they were however always sincere and usually pretty entertaining. He had a wonderful way with words so reading any letter or article he prepared was as much a joy for its content as for his beautiful handwriting.
To call Dad, heavy-handed, would be an understatement. He had a knack of breaking everything he touched, spilling everything he carried, burning a lot of what he cooked and slamming every door he opened. It has always been the subject of much amusement within the family but only added to his already very large character. He was also a very “hands on” sort of person. Never shy to give the ladies a kiss or throw an arm around a mates neck or shoulders, or grasp a persons shoulders very firmly with those big strong hands of his whilst talking to them. Most people knew that was ‘just Jimmy’ but I think it did make a few people a little uncomfortable at times with this very personal show of affection.
Dad loved to sing…… I remember as a child being taken to parties and just before John, Sue and I were put to bed (quiet time I believe they call it now) Dad would have us sing some songs with him. These songs were usually country and western type songs like “Aristocrat”, “Mandrake” “Bridle hanging on the wall”, “Danny Boy” and the song for which he will always be remembered, “Old Shep”. Dad sang Old Shep at Birthdays, Parties, Weddings, in the shower, in the car, in fact anywhere at all – and funnily enough, it was quite often at the request of others. I think the last time Dad was persuaded to sing some of these favorites, was in the coach returning from Mum's 90th birthday celebration in January this year when he was really in full flight. It seems only fitting we should have a version of ‘Old Shep” at Dad’s farewell - and so we shall!
For as long as I can remember Dad always had a vegetable garden which he tendered lovingly, often at the expense of his back. He was always pouring copious quantities of horse manure and broken down cow pads into the soil to make it more fertile. Our backyard may not have been the sweetest smelling and we may have had more flies than most, but we always had a wonderful supply of fruit and vegetables and also fresh eggs from the chooks. A lot of this would be given to friends and neighbors who usually supplied something we may not have had in return. Later, in their retirement, Dad and Mum together began making the best chutney, pickles, jam, soups and stewed fruit from their produce, and all of the family benefited enormously from their efforts. Dad continued gardening until the middle of this year and when he said he could no longer manage it, we knew he was in trouble.
Perhaps Dads greatest passion (apart from his family) was the game of golf. He loved everything about it, the game, the challenge, the friendships, the 19th hole….. He, along with others many of whom are sadly no longer with us, spent many hours at the Gawler Golf Course in the early days, helping to create the greens, removing trees and scrub, raising money and manning the bbq etc. Dad was on the Committee of the Gawler Golf Club for many years and Captain for 9 years. He was eventually awarded Life Membership, something of which he was very proud. Apart from the formal aspects he also organized privately a social group known as ‘Club 32” which involved 32 male members traveling to the Riverland once a year and enjoying their own personal competition complete with prizes. This was quite an onerous and time consuming job but Dad did it willingly for 20 years, only retiring in March this year. It has been said that some people in the Riverland were very pleased to hear Dad had handed over the reigns to others, as they were sick of “being screwed by Jimmy Martin” to the point of making little or no profit from the group.
Dad and Mum travelled extensively with Dads brother Bub and his wife Betty to many places to play golf, including the Riverland, Queensland and their favorite, the Victoria Golf Club, where they stayed and played for many years with the same group of friends. Dad and Mum also spent time in Singapore, Sydney, Perth and Coolum, and in their earlier days visited Fiji, Japan, Hong Kong and Hawaii.
In his lifetime Dad managed not just one but three hole-in-ones. The first at 66 years of age and the last at 81. Quite an achievement and one I am sure which earned him many bragging rights! He was playing golf right up until his hospitilization in June, no mean feat given the considerable damage his heart sustained around March – but such was his love of the game.
Dad passed away on Thursday, September 26, at the age of 87 years. I did not know Dad was superstitious about that age until speaking with him one day in hospital, when he said he didn’t know why, but he always suspected he would die at 87 years of age. He was not afraid to die, he had no regrets, in fact in the end he welcomed death. He was however very anxious about how Mum would cope without him and even when his conversation was quite limited he would ask if Mum had slept well and was eating alright. I would like to take this opportunity to thank those of you who visited Dad in hospital or Trevu during the past few months. Not an easy thing to do when there is no hope, when there is no future, but some of you were very brave and I can assure you it meant a lot to Dad and also to his family. Also I cannot describe adequately how supportive both my brother John and my sister Sue have been to both Dad and Mum. John has been an absolute rock and worked tirelessly to ensure Dad had everything he needed and was well cared for during this very trying time while also being so supportive and caring of Mum. Sue (who as most of you will know lives in Perth) traveled from state to state, staying with Mum (who had health issues of her own during this time) for periods of up to two weeks, assisting her, aiding John and myself and visiting Dad frequently, often taking into the hospital some of his favorite meals in an attempt to get him to eat. I know for a fact Dad was extremely appreciative of their love and their efforts. I would also like to thank the staff at Gawler Health, Lyell McEwin and in particular Trevu Nursing Home for the care, compassion and respect they afforded to Dad during his short stay with them.
To me, my Father has always been one of a kind. Extremely hard-working with a great passion for life and living, and a great capacity to love. His life was not an easy one, but he made the most of it, and is a great example of living life to the fullest, and making the most of every opportunity. Most people who have spoken to me since his passing have pretty much said the same thing. “we remember Jim as a lovely man, a true gentleman and a real character”. Add to that an outstanding horseman, a great sportsman, a good mate, a willing worker, and a devoted, fun-loving family man and I think we are getting close to the man we will all remember, each in our own special way.
And finally. Dad really enjoyed reading, and whilst reading one of his books recently I came across a poem by Christina Rosseti – I think Dad would like me to share it with you at this time:
REMEMBER ME:
Remember me when I am gone away
Gone far away into the silent land;
When you can no more hold me by the hand
Nor I half turn to go, yet turning stay.
Remember me when no more day by day
You tell me of our future that you planned
Only remember me;
You understand it will be late to council then or pray.
Yet if you should forget me for awhile
And afterwards remember, do not grieve
For if the darkness and corruption leave a vestage of the thoughts that once I had,
Better by far you should forget and smile
Than that you should remember – and be sad.
Dad you were very much loved and will live forever in our hearts - now Rest in Peace.
Memories of Martin William (Jim) James
Do you remember Martin William (Jim) James ? Then Join up and add your memory here.
Support our sponsors!
