Detective Superintendent James Paterson Izatt Stirling and Clackmann and Strathclyde Police
James Paterson Izatt
The Man James Paterson Izatt (Jim) was born on Friday 2nd October 1931 at Borrowston House, Borrowstounness (Bo'ness), West Lothian, Scotland son of John Paterson a bookbinder and Margaret Steel nee Sorley, a Newsagent Sales Assistant. He had one younger sister: Isabella McNee born in 1934.
In 1943 James aged 12 was involved in an accident when he ran into the road after a ball and was knocked over by a lorry. He was taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary and detained. He appears to have made a good recovery.
Following his education, Jim served as a police Cadet for one year and worked at Concrete Ltd at Etna Road, Falkirk and then as a Locomotive Fireman for British Rail.
On 2nd February 1950, as a National Serviceman, Jim enlisted into the 514th (West Lothian, Royal Scots) Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery, Territorial Army with service number 22330133, until 21st January 1952, and was transferred to the Special Reserve Royal Military Police. He was also a small-bore rifle Champion, winning many trophies in the Falkirk area and beyond, following in his father’s footsteps.
Jim lived at 16 Philip Avenue, Linlithgow with his family and on 11th February 1952 joined the Stirling and Clackmannan Police, collar number 47 and was described as, 6’.5¼“tall, broad build, fresh complexion, cheerful, capable and steady, weighing 13 stone 12lbs with brown hair and brown eyes. He served in Falkirk, Stirling and Kilsyth both as a uniformed Officer and later in CID.
During 1954 he married Jean Isabel Macpherson.
On 27th February 1956, he was appointed as Detective Constable attending his initial DC training course March to April. On 16th December 1961 he was promoted to Sergeant returning to uniformed duties at Kilsyth, attending his Sgt’s initial course on 12 – 24th November. On 27th April 1964 he was appointed as Detective Sergeant and on 6th August 1967 to Temporary Inspector, this becoming substantive on 24th October and on 23rd May 1969 to Chief Inspector.
He was the Chief Inspector at Kilsyth before transferring to Strathclyde Police at regionalisation in 1975, being awarded his Police Exemplary Service Medal at about this time. He promoted to Superintendent on 27th July 1976, Community Involvement Branch (C.I.B.), stationed at Motherwell. Jim will be remembered for his many innovative ideas and successfully promoting crime prevention in the broadest sense. He was described as ‘A a very popular boss’.
In 1943 James aged 12 was involved in an accident when he ran into the road after a ball and was knocked over by a lorry. He was taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary and detained. He appears to have made a good recovery.
Following his education, Jim served as a police Cadet for one year and worked at Concrete Ltd at Etna Road, Falkirk and then as a Locomotive Fireman for British Rail.
On 2nd February 1950, as a National Serviceman, Jim enlisted into the 514th (West Lothian, Royal Scots) Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery, Territorial Army with service number 22330133, until 21st January 1952, and was transferred to the Special Reserve Royal Military Police. He was also a small-bore rifle Champion, winning many trophies in the Falkirk area and beyond, following in his father’s footsteps.
Jim lived at 16 Philip Avenue, Linlithgow with his family and on 11th February 1952 joined the Stirling and Clackmannan Police, collar number 47 and was described as, 6’.5¼“tall, broad build, fresh complexion, cheerful, capable and steady, weighing 13 stone 12lbs with brown hair and brown eyes. He served in Falkirk, Stirling and Kilsyth both as a uniformed Officer and later in CID.
During 1954 he married Jean Isabel Macpherson.
On 27th February 1956, he was appointed as Detective Constable attending his initial DC training course March to April. On 16th December 1961 he was promoted to Sergeant returning to uniformed duties at Kilsyth, attending his Sgt’s initial course on 12 – 24th November. On 27th April 1964 he was appointed as Detective Sergeant and on 6th August 1967 to Temporary Inspector, this becoming substantive on 24th October and on 23rd May 1969 to Chief Inspector.
He was the Chief Inspector at Kilsyth before transferring to Strathclyde Police at regionalisation in 1975, being awarded his Police Exemplary Service Medal at about this time. He promoted to Superintendent on 27th July 1976, Community Involvement Branch (C.I.B.), stationed at Motherwell. Jim will be remembered for his many innovative ideas and successfully promoting crime prevention in the broadest sense. He was described as ‘A a very popular boss’.
Silver Jubilee Medal 1977. Police Exemplary Service Medal.
Jim was also Charter President of the Rotary Club of Kilsyth from 1974-75 and one of his police schemes was a converted double decker bus, kitted out with crime prevention displays, sponsored by RC Kilsyth and provided by Walter Alexander Coachbuilders, Falkirk. In 1977, he was awarded the Silver Jubilee Medal 1977 as Detective Superintendent, returning to uniform thereafter.
At about 2125h on 2nd February 1978, Jim was involved in an accident on the M73 Motorway, he was driving his Morris Marina, PRP 655R and collided with Bedford TK gritting waggon, being slightly injured. Jim was breathalysed and found to be over the limit. He was arrested and taken to ‘D’ Division HQ where he agreed to a blood sample. He was transferred to hospital as he had pains in his chest, which were not serious and allowed home at 0400h and placed on sick leave.
Things moved quickly after this incident and he was examined by the Force Chief Medical Officer on 9th February and found to have hypertension and diabetes, which had not previously been disclosed! He was interviewed on 14th by Chief Superintendent Fraser of the CIB and retired on ill health grounds on 19th March, his service being described as ‘Good’. Things within the police were to change dramatically in later years!
Following retirement Jim joined the Stakis Leisure Group and went on to become the U.K. Head of Security, a role that involved a great deal of travelling around the country and overseas.
Jim died of pneumonia on 20th June 2018 at Airthrey Care Home, Airth, Stirlingshire, aged 86. His funeral and cremation were held on Wednesday 4th July 2018, at Falkirk Crematorium, located within Camelon Cemetery, Dorrator Road, Camelon. Jean passed away on 11th April 2020 at the same address.
At about 2125h on 2nd February 1978, Jim was involved in an accident on the M73 Motorway, he was driving his Morris Marina, PRP 655R and collided with Bedford TK gritting waggon, being slightly injured. Jim was breathalysed and found to be over the limit. He was arrested and taken to ‘D’ Division HQ where he agreed to a blood sample. He was transferred to hospital as he had pains in his chest, which were not serious and allowed home at 0400h and placed on sick leave.
Things moved quickly after this incident and he was examined by the Force Chief Medical Officer on 9th February and found to have hypertension and diabetes, which had not previously been disclosed! He was interviewed on 14th by Chief Superintendent Fraser of the CIB and retired on ill health grounds on 19th March, his service being described as ‘Good’. Things within the police were to change dramatically in later years!
Following retirement Jim joined the Stakis Leisure Group and went on to become the U.K. Head of Security, a role that involved a great deal of travelling around the country and overseas.
Jim died of pneumonia on 20th June 2018 at Airthrey Care Home, Airth, Stirlingshire, aged 86. His funeral and cremation were held on Wednesday 4th July 2018, at Falkirk Crematorium, located within Camelon Cemetery, Dorrator Road, Camelon. Jean passed away on 11th April 2020 at the same address.
The Story The medal pair awarded to James Paterson Izatt were acquired from E-Bay on 20th June 2022. Despite the fact it is a simple pair, replicated a number of times in this collection, the interest lay in the fact his Police Exemplary Service Medal is named to him as a Chief Inspector, no mean feat to achieve the rank within 22 years, and the fact his Silver Jubilee Medal 1977 was awarded as a Detective Superintendent.
A search on Ancestry.UK and Scotland’s People enabled a very brief biography to be completed, but did reveal a picture of James.
In August 2023 contact was made by George Barnsley of the Lanarkshire Police Historical Society, George had known ‘Jim’ Izatt and provided much additional information and photographs to expand his biography.
A search on Ancestry.UK and Scotland’s People enabled a very brief biography to be completed, but did reveal a picture of James.
In August 2023 contact was made by George Barnsley of the Lanarkshire Police Historical Society, George had known ‘Jim’ Izatt and provided much additional information and photographs to expand his biography.
Jim receiving the Charter for the Rotary Club of Kilsyth 1974.
Rotary Club of Kilsyth sponsored crime prevention bus. 1975. Jim back row fourth from left.
James with his parents John and Margaret and sister Isabella circa 1938.
|
John and Margaret Izatt
|
Box of issue for Police Long Service Medal
|
James Izatt's Police Exemplary Service Medal
|
Uniform ribbon bar
Royal Artillery Tracer Card
West Lothian Courier 10th December 1943.
With thanks to George Barnsley, Chairman of the Lanarkshire Police Historical Society.
Medal Details
- Silver Jubilee Medal 1977: Unnamed as awarded.
- Police Exemplary Service Medal: CH.INSPR. JAMES.P. IZATT
This page last updated 4 May 24
303
