Jim Wilson
Name: James Alexander Brunton Wilson (Bunny)
Job: Sales Executive Cochran Boilers, Rolls Royce (retired)
Industry: Engineering
Class of: 1949
House: Moore
What do you / did you do?
I attended The High School of Glasgow from Kindergarten (in 1936) until I left in 1949. From here, I took up an Engineering Apprenticeship at Barclay Curle Shipyard, where my father was a Manager.
Following my Apprenticeship, I worked in the yard’s Drawing Office before joining the Merchant Navy as a Junior Engineering Officer. After travelling around the world, I left life at sea to take up my role as Sales Manager for Scotland and Ireland for Cochrane Boilers (later to become Rolls Royce).
How did you get to where you are today?
Through hard work and successful travels promoting the company’s capabilities in providing high tech, large capacity industrial boilers and engineering. Additionally managing to secure numerous major contracts across the continents, one of which was to provide nine 30 tonne boilers for Baghdad, Iraq. I remained a loyal employee to the company for over 35 years.
What is a standout memory of your time at The High School of Glasgow?
I have early memories from attending Kindergarten. However, a particular stand-out Junior School memory is of Mr Luke (VC), the Janitor, in his top hat and tails with his Victoria Cross medal from WW1. Later, I have fantastic memories of winning Rugby Caps and representing The High School of Glasgow’s 1st XV.
What one piece of advice would you give to current pupils and recent leavers as they look to their futures?
I’m very proud to say I have three grandchildren currently attending HSOG (Emma, Sandy and Eliza). I keep telling them that although they have to work hard to achieve things, they also need to enjoy all aspects of school life: academic, sports and social. Not forgetting that when they leave school, it is important to maintain the friendships they will make along the way throughout their life. I have done this by playing Rugby with former pupils and attending HSOG reunions and I’ve encouraged all of my family to do the same.
To ReConnect with old classmates, forge new business links and seek mentoring advice, please join HSOG Lifelong Connections, our private LinkedIn group.
You can read more of our ReConnect submissions here.
