The ICCM Journal | Winter 2021 | V89 No. 4
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Jim Walker: obituary It was with great sadness that I learned Jim Walker had died on the 24th July 2021. Jim was the Manager of Bournemouth crematorium from 1983 until his retirement in 1997. He was an active member and chairman of the SW Branch. He attended many conferences with his wife Morag and on more than one occasion won the golf tournament, which in those days was part of the social element of conference. His wife Morag told me that there was one conference in particular that was held in Glasgow which they both very much enjoyed as the venue for the gala dinner kept the whisky flowing all evening! Jim began his career as an apprentice joiner in the small village near Aberdeen where he had grown up. One of the first things he learned was how to make coffins as the company provided them for all the local funerals. Maybe it was this that started his interest in cremation. When he had completed his apprenticeship, he applied for a job as a cremator operator at Aberdeen crematorium where he was eventually promoted to Superintendent Registrar. He then moved to Glasgow as Superintendent Registrar of Daldowie crematorium and it was while he was in Glasgow that he met his wife Morag. Morag had family and friends in London, and they found themselves spending weekends travelling the length of the country, so they eventually made the decision to move south. This meant that Jim took a job as manager of Immigration at Heathrow Airport. However, bereavement was Jim’s passion and after a short while Morag was reading a paper when she saw the position of manager at Bournemouth crematorium advertised. So, in 1983 Jim returned to the industry he loved, and he and Morag moved to Ringwood where on top of taking on a new job he also took on the renovation and building work of what would become their family home. During his time at Bournemouth Jim managed the installation of new cremators and the computerisation of the administration system. He also extended the floral court adding covered areas for mourners and perhaps his lasting memorial was bringing a little of Scotland to Bournemouth when he designed a Celtic Cross for the walkway which wraps around the fishpond and fountain. Jim is remembered fondly by those who worked with him as a kind and fair boss who was happy to give advice when needed and was always ready to help anyone professionally or personally. He had a good sense of humour and I will always remember Jim’s remedy for a common cold which he shared as a true Scotsman. Take an orange and place it at the end of the bed, pour a glass of whisky and drink it, then refill the glass and keep going until you can see two oranges. You might still have a cold, but you certainly won’t be worried about it anymore! Jim had a long and happy retirement. He was a very keen gardener and golfer and I know he and Morag spent many happy times touring the country in their camper van. He will be very sadly missed by his family and friends. By Linda Barker
