NAIRNE, Maj James Kemp 1923-2024

[Richard R]

From the Telegraph of 16 Oct 2024: NAIRNE Major James Kemp, late Seaforth Highlanders, died peacefully at home in Winchester, on 13th October 2024, aged 100. Private funeral.

He was s of Lt-Col Charles Sylvester NAIRNE (1880-1966) and Edith Dalmahoy (1889-1975) d of John KEMP, barrister. He never married.

BPB2003 lists the family with the earliest recorded ancestor b in 1711.

News of his elder brother’s death was posted in June 2013: https://groups.google.com/g/peerage-news/c/FrbHQ7srkRc/m/n6c4fiRUC1cJ

The family married into the LUARD & WARDE-ALDAM gentry families: https://groups.google.com/g/peerage-news/c/K7EK9k_qMt8/m/jGzVTXi_AgAJ

[colinp]

Obit in the Telegraph - Major James Nairne, Normandy veteran who went on to travel the world as a Queen's Messenger – obituary

EXTRACTS:

Major James Nairne, Normandy veteran who went on to travel the world as a Queen’s Messenger

He conveyed confidential messages and documents from the Foreign Office to British embassies and high commissions

Major James Nairne, who has died aged 100, saw active service with the Seaforth Highlanders in the campaign in north-west Europe, and after retiring from the Army he served as a Queen’s Messenger.

James Kemp Nairne, the third of four boys, was born in Belfast on December 7 1923. His father, Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Nairne, had served with the Seaforth Highlanders in the First World War and was a talented artist. His mother was an active member of an amateur dramatic company……………….

Other interests in retirement included serving as calligrapher to the Imperial Society of Knights Bachelor. At Winchester Cathedral, he served as a sidesman for eight years and as a member of the Council of Friends for more than 10.

Nairne lived in his own flat in Winchester surrounded by his paintings, sketchbooks and diaries, together with regimental mementos. When he could no longer travel, this was where he wanted to see his family and friends and it was made possible by the help and dedication of those who cared for him.

He had a gift for mimicry and was excellent company but, above all, he cared deeply about fellow soldiers, colleagues, friends and family. For the rest of his life he was an active supporter of his regimental association.

James Nairne never married. The obituary of his elder brother, Sir Patrick Nairne, appeared in The Daily Telegraph in 2013.

Major James Nairne, born December 7 1923, died October 13 2024