The 'Quiet Achiever' of brass banding, Hamish 'James' Hartingdon, recently passed away at the age of 85 years.

The Journey

Jim, as he was affectionately known, emigrated to Australia in 1954 and ultimately made Brisbane his home.

Before leaving England, Jim had a very distinguished time in brass bands as a soloist, instrumentalist, conductor and accompanist.

The bands fortunate to have had time with Jim in the UK included Ashton, Stockport under Robert Mulholland Snr and Syd Harrop, Ferodo Works Band under Fred Mortimer, and Faireys.

Jim was a great buddy of mine and did such an enormous amount for brass banding in his lifetime — a real quiet achiever. I miss him.Jeff Herbert

In 1954, Jim along with his wife Gaynor and two children, Ruth and Stuart, emigrated to Australia with the first stop being the historic brass banding town of Maryborough in Queensland.

Jim spent over 20 years in the Army in the famous Northern Command Band, during which time their daughter Lois was born, and spent a further 12 years as an intrumental teacher in schools.

Banding life never stopped for Jim who spent his later years as conductor of Ye Olde Brass — as the name suggests, a brass band of 'oldies'.

The Quiet Achiever

One of Jim's closest friends, Jeff Herbert, who is in his early 80's and still playing cornet, contacted 4BRDU to advise of Jim's passing. Jeff said, "Jim was a great buddy of mine and did such an enormous amount for brass banding in his lifetime — a real quiet achiever. I miss him."

Brass banding will miss him too, Jeff.

(Thanks to Jeff Herbert and Alan Jenkins for providing information on the life of Hamish Hartingdon.)