Jim was at Mayfield from 1949 to 1953. He was an excellent sportsman, representing the school at football, cricket and athletics. He was a member of the 1953 Athletic Team that won the Ilford Schools Athletic Association Championship for the second year running; winning the 80 yards hurdles in 11.2 seconds and creating a new school record. Selected for the Ilford District Athletics Team, Jim went on to win the 80 yards hurdles event at the Essex County Championships. In 1952, Jim had an article, ‘A Modern Hero’, published in the school Magazine. When he left Mayfield, Jim went straight into the RAF as a Boy Entrant. Jim died just before Christmas, 2006, after a three year battle with cancer.
– Michael Penn (Jim’s brother)