Heritage group tribute to Jim’s sterling work

Jul 17 2008 by Lesley Brown, Hamilton Advertiser

STONEHOUSE Heritage Group this week paid tribute tolong-standing member Jim Davidson, who died on July 11, aged 87 years.

Mr Davidson, who was born in Stonehouse on September 23, 1920, was a resident of Avonhaugh nursing home when he died.

His funeral was held on July 16 at Henry Dorricott funeral parlour in Larkhall.

After leaving school, Mr Davidson worked as a sorting clerk and calligrapher with the Post Office. His wife May (nee Watts), who died in February this year, also worked in the postal service at this time, although the couple first met when they were at school together in Stonehouse.

At the onset of the Second World War, Mr Davidson joined the RAF, where he worked as a co-pilot with the No. 40 squadron and flew Wellington bombers.

After his stint as co-pilot, Mr Davidson stayed with the RAF as an instructor, where he had the responsibility of training new recruits.

After the war, Mr Davidson moved back to Stonehouse and joined the civil service.

He worked as a clerk of court in various Scottish courts, including Ayr and Glasgow, before being promoted to the position of Sheriff Clerk at Hamilton Sheriff Court, where he remained until he retired.

The youngest of four brothers, Jim has two daughters, Kathryn (60), and Hilary (57).

As a young man, Mr Davidson enjoyed stamp collecting, and when he retired, loved gardening. He also became a popular member of Stonehouse Bowling Club.

During the period of the club’s centenary year, Mr Davidson assisted them by providing material for the centenary brochure.

However, Mr Davidson was best known for his commitment to Stonehouse Heritage Group, whose work he was very passionate about.

James Monie, of the heritage group, said: “Jim was heavily involved with the group, pretty much from when it first started, and we got to know each other very well.”

“He was very determined when it came to the heritage group and recording the village’s history, and was the type of man who got his teeth into something and wouldn’t let go.

“Jim didn’t really use computers, and everything he did for the heritage group was done by hand. When I think of Jim, I see him surrounded by paperwork, because that’s how he always seemed to be.

“Don’t get me wrong, it was all in perfect order to Jim, and he could put his hand on anything, but from the outside it was just chaos.

Mr Davidson took it upon himself to research the men and women of the village who lost their lives serving their country during the great wars, a task which he took very seriously.

Mr Monie said: “He worked tirelessly and, when he wanted information, wouldn’t take no for an answer.”

Mr Davidson’s research initiated an ongoing project to erect a monument in memory of around 30 servicemen who are not recognised on the war memorial. The heritage group are currently seeking funds to address this project.

Another major task Mr Davidson undertook was to collate school records for the village.

Mr Monie said Mr Davidson spent years researching and gathering information, and admitted the group would never have come as far as it has without his dedication.

As well as tracing war and school records, Mr Davidson also spent much time researching the background of American pilot Archie Mathies.

Mr Mathies originally came from Stonehouse, and was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, the highest award for valour in action that can be bestowed upon an individual in America’s armed forces.

Mr Monie said: “Jim was determined to find out more about Archie, and wrote to the then-president of the USA, Bill Clinton, two or three times requesting information. He was unsuccessful, but he didn’t give up.”

He added: “Jim was a great man and a very hard worker.

“He was an absolute pleasure to work with and will be sorely missed by everyone involved in the heritage group. There aren’t many like him.”

As well as his daughters, Jim is survived by one grandson, one grand-daughter and one great-grandson.