Captain James Forrest

Jimmy was born into a seafaring family of many generations and joined the Merchant Navy in 1939.

During the war his ship was sunk and he was rescued four times.

Between 1942 and 1945, he made a number of voyages carrying petrol from the USA to the UK; one of his jobs, as a junior officer on these convoys was as a lookout for German U boats!

He joined BP in 1948. In 1968 he qualified as a Master Mariner and became a Captain on the BP tankers, latterly on ‘supertankers’.

In 1949 Jimmy married Dorothy and they celebrated their Platinum wedding anniversary on 01 January 2019.

He loved watching all sports, especially football, boxing and horse racing. After retiring in 1979, he played golf several days a week and continued doing so into his eighties. He also enjoyed many weekends at equestrian events with his daughter Brenda and her horses. He loved singing, had a good tenor voice and was a member of two choirs.

But Jimmy’s main love in retirement was spending time with his family, who was the centre of his life; daughters Pauline and Brenda, son-in-law Bob, grandchildren James and Elizabeth, great grandchildren Toby, Ruby and Elliott.

Jimmy had a tremendous sense of humour and fun, he was a real ‘character’ with a mischievous smile and a hearty laugh. He was also kind and generous, a true gentleman.

He is a much-loved dad, grandad, great grandad and friend and with so many happy memories, continues to make us smile.