LCDR Jesse James

[ozzie]

Today I went to the funeral of Jesse James, a PTI who served at Nirimba amongst other places.
I remember him well from the Expeds we did at Hawkesbury and Ulladulla.
Farwell, Jesse.

[bfdavis]

A well known name, I remember him as a bloody good bloke who had a sincere care for us Apprentices, Will be sorely missed. My condolences to his family.

[Pony]

Knew Jesse from early days and got to know him through various rugby and athletics activities over many years. Nice guy and taken far to young. Condolences to his family.

Fair winds and smooth seas Jesse.

[Hippy Chippy]

VALE - Lieutenant Commander Ernest (Jess) JAMES RAN Ret’d

I received this just as I was heading off to Ned's place on Monday, wasn't sure it was 'our' PTI Jesse James, or not, my aplologies for the late advice...

Honouring all who sailed in an HMA Ship SYDNEY and Escorts
Co-Patrons
Rear Admiral Andrew Robertson AO DSC RAN Ret’d & Commodore Nick Helyer MBE RANR
31 March 2013

T0 ALL MEMBERS
It is with much regret that I have to advise you that Lieutenant Commander Ernest (Jess) JAMES RAN Ret’d died yesterday in Townsville. He had been ill
for some time and moved to Townsville and into a Nursing Home about a month ago.

Lieutenant Commander James was a past President of the HMAS SYDNEY (VLSVA) Association and the amalgamated HMAS SYDNEY Association (Inc) as well
as being an Honorary Life Member of both Associations. He also held, over a period of many years, various Executive positions in both Associations. His work
in the Associations followed a long and diversified career in the Royal Australian Navy, details of which will appear in the next issue of Action Stations.

There are at present no details of funeral arrangements whether it is held in Townsville or back in Sydney. Information will be advised as it comes to hand.

We have lost a great stalwart LEST WE FORGET

Brian Yeo
Secretary
The Secretary, HMAS SYDNEY ASSOCIATION, Post Office BOX 423, GLEBE NSW 2037.
Email address: hmassydneyassociation@bigpond.com
Phone 0292611674 Fax 0292614662 Mobile 0439414543

Jesse was very proud of his Apprentices' accomplishments and was very supportive of our efforts to 'Bring The MOBI Yacht 'Nirimba' Back Home',
as was evidenced when he met the yacht on it's arrival at RANSA, and is seen in this pic, giving me his cheque for $1,000.00, to assist in the
Association's efforts to buy the yacht.



It was Jesse who donated his model of the yacht 'Nirimba' to the RAN Heritage Centre, he then went to considerable lengths to get it back from
the Spectacle Is. Repository, so we could restore it to take down to Canberra (along with the yacht itself,) to display for the 50th RANATE Reunion in 2006.

(Jesse's model, before/ after refurbishment.)

You were a true gentleman, Jesse, and we all truly appreciated your support. Rest on your oars Matey, your journey is done...!

[Stroppy Chippie]

"Jesse" James the only "nuclear" PTI.

[sbjohns]

I remember Jesse James (PTI) well from my time at Nirimba, and like Ozzie said the Expeds at both Colo River and Pigeonhouse.

It was Pigeonhouse I think where we knew we were running late on the Thursday night when we discovered the sizeable creek we had to follow to make our rendezvous. We had hit it about 3-4 miles up river from where we were supposed to be, and decided to set up camp there and put our feet up for the night, and head in the next morning.
We had a great night swimming, eating and making mischief, and when we crept in next morning, JJ tore strips off us. We then all climbed on the bus and went back.
A ferocious leader, but not one to hold a grudge or keep on at you after he'd said his word.
Vale JJ

[nid]

I can remember our term (July '73) upsetting 'Jesse James'.
Even as Senior Apprentices we had to double everywhere for most of our 4th term.

But I can remember being reasonably fit afterwards.

NID

[Peter Weyling]

4TH Term.....Senior Apprentice???? Cripes.....we were only just past 1/2 way through our time in Nirimba at that stage.!!!

[Spud]

'Jesse James'. I recall the times with him at HMAS Nirimba and his PTI staff. Still recall how he got up us for eating oranges when on exped on the Colo River. Vale Jesse

[Bongo]

I remember Jesse James (PTI) well from my time at Nirimba, and like Ozzie said the Expeds at both Colo River and Pigeonhouse.

It was Pigeonhouse I think where we knew we were running late on the Thursday night when we discovered the sizeable creek we had to follow to make our rendezvous. We had hit it about 3-4 miles up river from where we were supposed to be, and decided to set up camp there and put our feet up for the night, and head in the next morning.
We had a great night swimming, eating and making mischief, and when we crept in next morning, JJ tore strips off us. We then all climbed on the bus and went back.
A ferocious leader, but not one to hold a grudge or keep on at you after he'd said his word.
Vale JJ

Steve,
As I recall, that episode was at Colo and there was no getting on buses until we doubled back to the collection point as every-one else marched.

My memory of Pigeon House was half way up a hill in the early evening when we first got there, about 15 or so of us "went on strike" and propped on the side of the road. A koala was grunting nearby and the Malaysian contingent ( and some local Mobis/ Muppets ) were sure it was a Bunyip. Lt James was none too happy when he found his missing apprentices lounging on the side of the road.

Exped Training: Bound to develop the Leader in all of us! Yet still we became reasonable human beings in spite of it?

I guess blokes like Lt James and Daddy Roberts played their part in some way that we had no concept of how to measure in those days.