Gazette - 29/1/1929 - Arrived on 1st Appointment - Asst. Master, Education - J. Gillet

Sitrep 2 - 'He was ordained in 1926. From 1923-28 he was on the staff at Trent College Derbyshire after leaving Oxford. Hundreds of boys passed through his hands during this period, and many kept in touch with him over the years that followed - in 1928 he had an urge to go abroad; and wanted to apply for a post in Uganda - he first sought the advice of his favourite sister - But she just sent him a postcard on which was written "Uganda you Goose"! However he was not too down-hearted - and soon  after applied for a job in Kenya - this time he was more successful, and after an interview at the Colonial office in London, he was appointed as Chaplain of the new Prince of Wales school in Nairobi! On arrival in Nairobi, he was to discover that not even the Foundation stone for the new school had yet even been laid. So the Education Dept. appointed him to the staff of the Nairobi School and here he taught for 3 years, until the Prince of Wales School was opened. Every weekend he used to take parties of boys from the Nairobi School to the site of the new school at Kabete; and they started on laying out the grounds, where the rugger fields would go, where the cricket pitches should be placed etc., and they started planting trees which would line the drive up to the school. It was hard and sometimes disappointing work; for frequently swarms of locusts would suddenly appear and settle down at dusk; by next morning when they flew off not a blade of green grass could be seen anywhere!!  And replanting had to be started all over again. However eventually the great day arrived and the Prince of Wales School was open - with Capt. B. Nicholson as Headmaster. Jimmy was given Clive House as his special responsibility; and he worked hard to make it the best house in school. He chose his Prefects and Captain with care and together they built up an outstanding house; each term they seemed to collect more and more trophies. He seemed to have a special gift in guiding boys to give their best - His appointment as Chaplain to the Kenya Regiment gave joy, and there again he gave of his best; he tried to get to know as many of the men as possible; and attended many camps and visited the Headquarters as frequently as possible, to get to know as many of the lads as possible. He was greatly valued for the understanding he brought to other people's problems, and was renowned as a patient and capable negotiator who was always one step ahead. He had a great sense of humour which appealed to young and old alike. In 1937 he was appointed as Headmaster of the Nairobi Primary School, a post he held for several years. The war years were very busy ones for him as well as running the school he was not only Chaplain to the Kenya Regiment but was also Chaplain to the RAF (Africa) with the rank of Squadron Leader. These two appointments, plus being Chaplain to the Bishop of Mombasa, was a great strain for him, but he carried out all these responsibilities with great enthusiasm, and with the help of his wife Mary whom he married in 1933. In 1948 he was (so called) promoted to Head Office as an Inspector of School, and Deputy Director, and although he held that post until he resigned in 1953 he was never really happy in it, for he much preferred to be in personal contact with boys and young men, trying hard to shape their characters, making them more thoughtful people, with higher and higher principles, and better Christian values. In June 1953 he accepted a living in Stockton, Warwickshire, where he became a much loved Vicar, but after only 3 years there, he was appointed as Chaplain to the Isles of Scilly; off Cornwall - where he remained for the next ten years. With his energy, and popularity, he did wonders in the parish. ............. He was also a keen gardener, he had been Chairman of the Parks Committee in Nairobi - and wherever he went a beautiful garden was sure to grow. .... He was too a prominent Free Mason, an Asst. Chaplain to the Grand Lodge of England, and the first Master of the Godolphin Lodge, in the Isles of Scilly - when he retired from the Islands and came to settle in Falmouth, he became Provincial Grand Master of Cornwall. Unfortunately during his retirement, he had a good deal of illness, but always struggled on to do whatever duty called, preaching, attending meetings up and down the country and entertaining others. But alas, he died on October 11th 1976.

Member of Lodge Harmony - Initiated 3/11/30, age 29, Clerk in Holy Orders and Headmaster Kenton College

Dominion - Education Department - Assistant Master - 1930

Masonic - PJGD 1967, PAG Chap 1951

Masonic - District Grand Lodge of East Africa - Deputy District Grand Master - 1950-53

Childhood - Jean Tomes (née Mackinlay) - School in Nairobi - Other members of staff included Jimmy Gillett who left the school and later came back as Headmaster of the Primary School.

His wife was the author of 'Tribute to Pioneers', listing European inhabitants of East Africa.