James Wetenhall (PR 1943-47) was born in 1929, the son of James Percy and Sybil Wetenhall (nee Gardiner).
From his earliest days, James was charming, easy-going, patient and kind. He had a good sense of humour, great integrity, and is remembered by all who knew him as a true gentleman. In some ways he was an enigma to friends and family, as he never talked about himself. When pressed for details of his early life he was always modest, claiming that the brains in the family came from his wife Primrose and making light of his prowess on the rugby pitch.
His early schooldays were at Feltonfleet prep school in Cobham. From there he went on to Marlborough College. He excelled academically and was top of his class in both of his sixth form years. He was Prefect and then Head of his House, Preshute, becoming Captain of the School in his final term. He was Captain of the Marlborough Rugby First XV, and won the great honour of being selected for, and made Captain of, England Public Schools.
From Marlborough, James went to Worcester College, Oxford in 1949, following National Service in Libya. He read Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE), played rugby for College and University and enjoyed undergraduate life to the full.
Leaving Oxford, James joined Courtaulds, the textiles firm where he would spend his entire career. He carried on playing rugby with Richmond RFC, and joined Burhill Golf Club. It was at Burhill that he met a young Primrose Outred, who was the secretary to the Secretary. Marrying in 1959, their family was formed quickly with five children born over the next 7 years. They moved from Weybridge to Coventry, then up to Derby, where James was the (young) MD of a small Courtaulds business, Steel Cords. Then on to Prestbury, Cheshire where they stayed for 12 years, although James ran Courtaulds businesses across the north of England and Scotland. He eventually returned to Head Office in London in 1978, retired in 1989, and he and Primrose settled in Effingham, Surrey where they lived until Primrose’s death in 2022.
In addition to his five children, James also enjoyed twelve grandchildren. Shortly after his death, his first great-grandchild was born, and as is tradition in the Wetenhall family he has taken the same name as other first sons – yes, he too is a James.
James was laid to rest in Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church in Effingham, Surrey, reunited with his beloved wife Primrose. His departure leaves such a hole in our family; we all miss him terribly and even more so at this Christmas time.
