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| Lodge St. Kilda ~ Obituaries | |
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W. Bro. Jim MacKinnon |
| In 1942 he received the sad news of the passing of his father, Dr Ronald. He had been a victim of World War I, where he had been gassed, resulting in his lungs being severely burnt. Soon after Jim was posted to Egypt and, as part of the 7th Armoured Division, became known as one of the famed Desert Rats. In 1943, during a campaign, his military service came to an abrupt halt, when his tank was hit by a German shell. A large number of his crew were killed and Jim suffered serious leg injuries. This necessitated major surgery and a period of convalescence in a military hospital in South Africa. The injuries left him permanently disabled. However Jim was of such a character that he never openly let things get him down and was always of a cheery disposition. | |
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He returned to the UK and after the war resumed his studies. A good friend, who was a Professor of Dentistry pointed out to him the general shortage of dentists, whereby Jim decided upon a career change. He went on to qualify not only as a dentist, but as a Dental Surgeon. He later began practising in the Leeds area in the National Health Service and also set up his own private practice. He became involved with the Emergency Services, performing his skills at major road traffic accidents. |
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| He was a lover of fine cars. One year he enjoyed a holiday in Brittany in a luxurious Austin Sheerline drophead coupe. In 1950 he was a co-entrant in the RAC Rally. As Navigator he and his driver achieved 7th place in the final standings and went on to win the Concorde at Brighton. Rallying became a passion, something which he passed on to his son. In due course, he became the proud father of two daughters, Diana and Caroline and a son, Ronald. He joined freemasonry in 1948, in St Wilfred's Lodge in Leeds. | |
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