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James Bannister (Jim) McAdam (1910–1959)

Foresters all over Australia were deeply shocked to hear of the untimely death of Jim [James Bannister] McAdam, the Director of the New Guinea Forest Service, on the 27th February, 1959, He was 49 years of age.

“J. B.” graduated from the Australian Forestry School in 1933, being awarded the Schlich Memorial Medal of that year for the outstanding quality of his academic and practical work. On leaving the School, he joined the Queensland Forestry Department and in 1938 he accepted a permanent position in New Guinea as a Forestry Officer, becoming the Chief Forestry Officer in 1939.

During the war he served in New Guinea, and, reaching the rank of Major commanding two Forest Survey Companies, he often showed his courageous spirit to the full. He was awarded the Military Medal for his service.

In the post-war years, with his background knowledge of the forests of New Guinea, gained in the pre-war and wartime periods, he established the New Guinea Forest Service and built it up to the first-class organisation it is today.

Jim received the Coronation Medal for his services to New Guinea.

All members of this Institute extend their very deepest sympathies to his wife, their children and other relatives.

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Citation details

'McAdam, James Bannister (Jim) (1910–1959)', Obituaries Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://oa.anu.edu.au/obituary/mcadam-james-bannister-jim-10886/text30015, accessed 30 March 2024.

© Copyright Obituaries Australia, 2010-2024

Life Summary [details]

Birth

6 February, 1910
Preesall with Hackinsall, Lancashire, England

Death

27 February, 1959 (aged 49)
Margate, Queensland, Australia

Cause of Death

heart disease

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