Count Fooku Posted January 19, 2008 Share Posted January 19, 2008 (edited) I've just read on the BBC that Jimmy James, who was part of the real life Great Escape and a guest at the last Autographica show has passed away. I'm sure all our thoughts are with his family. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/shropshire/7197935.stm http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/shropshire/7198062.stm Edited January 19, 2008 by Count Fooku Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
machbusterman Posted January 19, 2008 Share Posted January 19, 2008 I've just read on the BBC that Jimmy James, who was part of the real life Great Escape and a guest at the last Autographica show has passed away. I'm sure all our thoughts are with his family. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/shropshire/7197935.stm http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/shropshire/7198062.stm That is sad news indeed. I attended his talk which was very interesting indeed.... Its incredibly sad that we are losing so many veterans with such increasing frequency. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family. Respectfully, Derek Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiwi 7 Posted January 20, 2008 Share Posted January 20, 2008 It's really sad when these old war veterans pass away. My grandad was a Lancaster Bomber pilot during WWII. He sadly passed away in December 2006. Have a look at these stories about him, they're from The People's War website. http://www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/stories/43/a8850143.shtml http://www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/stories/39/a8850639.shtml http://www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/stories/13/a8850413.shtml Please tell me what you think of these stories? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richybee Posted January 21, 2008 Share Posted January 21, 2008 Very sad news indeed, I only spoke to Jimmy just before Christmas. Jimmy only just made it to Autographica as his wife was not well but he really enjoyed the show. Flightglobal did an interview with Jimmy on the Friday night at Autographica which can be seen here. http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2007/...usively-to.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulisrael Posted January 21, 2008 Share Posted January 21, 2008 I had the high priviledge to sit on Jimmy James's table at the last Autographica dinner and talk with him at length about his experiences. He was modest in the best old fashioned British way and he talked under-stating his tale, including how two million German soldiers were mobilised to try and catch the Great Escapers, thus greatly affecting the Nazi war effort temporarily. We asked him what he enjoyed most at being liberated, after having talked about the movie Ice Cold in Alex, and he said his first cold beer was pretty satisfying! His autobiography, A Moonless Night is remarkable not just for his Great Escape story, but also for what happened next - as a high prestige prisoner of war he escaped again from a concentration camp and recaptured finally ended the war with all the princes and rulers of Europe, the Nazis had interned in an Austrian mountain village with SS men with orders to kill them, who finally faced off with other German units and surrendered. A most remarkable man. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
von Dawson's Express Posted March 8, 2008 Share Posted March 8, 2008 I am sorry to hear the passing of Jimmy James, I met him at Autographica in October 2007 and he came over as a very nice chap. I must admit before Autogrpahica I had not heard of him and would like to say thank you for allowing me the brief time I had to meet him, other wise I would not have. I bought his book and he signed it and when I got home bought a plastic cover for it to protect it, I'll treasure that book... Good Night Mr. James and thank you for all you did! Regards and best wishes to all Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurt2997 Posted March 13, 2008 Share Posted March 13, 2008 Out of curiosity, how much did Jimmy charge for his signatures at his last appearance of Autographica? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiwi 7 Posted March 13, 2008 Share Posted March 13, 2008 Out of curiosity, how much did Jimmy charge for his signatures at his last appearance of Autographica? £10. I hope this helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dufresne Posted March 13, 2008 Share Posted March 13, 2008 Given that it's a correct answer to the question he asked, it probably does Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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