Boy Jim

1st November 1922 ~ 18th December 2008

 BOOK OF CONDOLENCE

We invite you to share with us your  memories of James (Boy Jim) Spouse . Your memories will be shared with Jim's family, relatives and friends through this page. To make a dedication please contact me.  

Jim with a photograph of his Great Grandfather Willie Spouse who survived the 1881 fishing disaster . Taken October 2006.  

from Bill and Barbara Dickson

Jim spent his life in Burnmouth the village he loved, after leaving school he worked as an apprentice with the boat yard at Eyemouth. work was short and Jim was laid off so went to work for Dod Spratt on the farm above Ross.

Jim served with The Royal Navy during the second world war on minesweepers, amongst others he served on was the "Sir Galahad".  I can recall many an amusing story which he told of his Naval days. Jim sadly lost two of his brothers, Abe and  Robert  during the war.

After the war Jim spent the rest of his working life at sea, fishing out of both Eyemouth and Burnmouth ports and had a part share in "The Golden Dawn". Although officially retired Jim went back to the sea to help his very good friend Alex Ralph, whose friendship had lasted over 50 years.

Although, I have known Jim all my life, it was the last few years, after I returned to Burnmouth that I spent a lot of time with him researching Burnmouth Families. Jim had a fantastic memory and could recall people from way back, I am sure that many of you who were researching your families knew that a lot of the information came from Jim. He told me that I had given him a new lease of life with "The family history forum"and looked forward to my visits to discuss people past and present.

Not only have I lost someone with a wealth of information but also, Jim was one of the finest of Friends! 

SADLY MISSED.

On Thursday morning, 17 July 2008, my cousin David Spouse from Duns took me to Cowdrait to meet Boy Jim.  I was so looking forward to our visit and found Jim to be such a sweet, gentle man.  Both David and I tried in vain to persuade Jim to join us on Monday the 21st for the short ceremony at the Eyemouth War Memorial where the name of my grandfather, Lt. John Spouse, Canadian Engineers, had been added.  Jim was there in spirit though and enjoyed the newspaper article and pictures sent to him. 

It was a very sad day when Jim died so suddenly, but peacefully, at home.  The community lost such a dear man who contributed so much in his own special way to all of those who loved and cared for him - Jim will truly be missed.  His lovely, shy smile will always be remembered by his Canadian cousin.

From Evelyn Ramsay 

On a personal level I have known Boy Jim all my life. His photograph, in sailor's uniform, was among those in a box my grandmother let me play with as a young child although until recently I did not know who this young sailor was. Nor did I know that my grandmother was his aunt. When I was a youngster Jim always said a quiet ‘Hello’ and smiled that lovely smile we shall always remember.

More recently, in connection with the family history forum, Jim helped in so many ways. He identified people in photographs and told witty anecdotes for us to pass on to the descendants of Burnmouth exiles, people who posted queries on the FH site. Many of these people didn't know who was helping them to build their family trees. Jim had an amazing memory and a wonderful sense of humour. After a telephone conversation with him I always came away smiling.

His death came as a terrible shock and he will be sadly missed by us all, even people who never met him.

From Kathleen Eileen Andrew Dorothy & Kathryn

He was known locally as Boy Jim but to us he was Uncle Jim.
Our early memories are of a quiet gentle man who alway's made time for his nieces and nephew, takin us for walks up the brae's to wave to the trains and collect wild flowers' or along the rocks to The Maiden Stane and guddle in the rock pools. Time stood still when we were with him we were never asked to hurry or stop asking questions.
The harbour was another favourite walk and we often went for a trip on The Golden Dawn ,remembering to wave to Grannie as the boat passed cowdrait (we always thought she saw us) we all share the love of the sea.
We never knew Uncle Jim to raise his voice to anyone, his knowledge of the village and his stories of the sea stayed with us long after our holiday ended.In later years his health was not so good, but his memory was sharp ,many an hour was spent looking through old photo's of the village and past relations.
Happy times had by all.It was a sad day for us all when Uncle Jim died' he was a much loved uncle and will be sadly missed.