JIMMY GRACE RIP

Left to Right

Jimmy Grace.. Danny Hayes.. ??… . Peter Grace

                                                            In front

10 November 2006  Yesterday evening I heard from Charles Springett of the sad death of Jimmy Grace aged 70, one of the sons of the late Mrs. Grace who was the Cook at Blaisdon Hall for many years.  His funeral will take place at the Gloucester Crematorium at 3pm on Friday next, 17 November 2006. MAY HE REST IN PEACE.

An enduring feature of the Blaisdon Brotherhood, and this includes former St. Joseph's Enfield boys who did not have the good fortune to attend Blaisdon Hall, is that when they die, provided this news is known by members of the Brotherhood every effort will be made to have representatives at their funerals.

The recent deaths of Jimmy Grace and John Hornby, an Enfield boy who feels cheated as he never made it to Blaisdon, illustrate the willingness of members of the Blaisdon Brotherhood to travel considerable distances to attend the funeral of one of their Brothers.

On Friday 17th November, Peter Grace (Brother of the late Jimmy) Charles Springett, Barney Grace, Vincent Shaw, John Dunbar and Norman Taylor attended the funeral of Jimmy Grace at Gloucester Crematorium.  The weather was appalling with continuous heavy rain throughout the day, and, could have led many people who would liked to have attended Jimmy's funeral deciding not to travel.  However this was not the case.  A measure of the appreciation and esteem in which Jimmy was held during his lifetime, is that regardless of the appalling weather the number of relatives, friends, and former work colleagues attending filled the crematorium chapel to capacity with many people having to stand during the service.

Jimmy was born in London, and at the age six his father was killed in 1944 at the Battle of Arnhem.  With his mother and his brothers, he came to Blaisdon and lived in the Lodge, later attending Blaisdon Hall school.  His mother was for many years in charge of the kitchen and responsible for the cooking at Blaisdon Hall, and Mrs. Grace was held in affection by the Blaisdon boys.  Jimmy never returned to London to live, and he was proud to be a Gloucester man.