Jim Espie
ESPIE, James Russell (Jim),BE FIEAust (1911-1992)
Jim was born in West Perth, on March 4, 1911. He was the only child of insurance executive Alexander Espie and his wife Gladys Muriel Espie (nee Russell).
Jim’s secondary education was at Perth Modern School commencing in 1925. He excelled at sport and academically. In his final year, 1929, he was champion school high jumper.
Jim studied Engineering at the University of Western Australia (UWA) commencing in 1930. In 1931, he was Treasurer of the UWA Athletics Club.
Jim was also engaged as a Field Assistant by the WA Public Works Department. In October 1932, Jim travelled to Geraldton to work for eight months, in this role, on the Harbour Works. He returned to his studies in May 1933. He was the joint winner of the Norman Albert Engineering prize in 1933. He graduated with a Bachelor of Engineering in April 1935.
Following graduation, Jim worked as a Civil Engineer in Kalgoorlie.
On June 19, 1937, he married radio personality Isla Grace Campbell Hayles at St Matthews Church, Subiaco. They had two children, Roderick Hayles Espie (born Singapore September 1941) and Susan Elizabeth Espie (born Perth February 1946).
Jim left Western Australia on June 24, 1938, to take up the position of Chief Engineer with Humes Limited, in Malaya. He held this position until 1940 when he became an Assistant Engineer with the Public Works Department, Malaya, Central Branch.
Jim’s wife and child escaped from the Japanese invasion of Singapore on the “TSS Ulysses” on December 31, 1941. Jim left Singapore on the “S S Kuala” which was bombed and sunk by the Japanese on February 14, 1942, at Pompong Island, 100 kilometres south east of Singapore. Jim then managed to get to Columbo on the “Chitral” on March 10, 1942. He ultimately arrived in Fremantle on May 5, 1942. Jim served with the Royal Engineers during World War II in Malaya and India, rising to the rank of Captain.
In January 1947, Jim joined the Engineering Faculty at UWA as Senior Hydraulics Lecturer. He was Dean of the Faculty of Engineering in 1953.
By 1954 he was Senior Lecturer in Civil Engineering and was in charge of all civil testing.
Jim retired from UWA in the 1970’s.
Jim became a Student Member of the Institution of Engineers Australia in 1932, an Associate Member in 1939 and a Member in 1949. He was made a Fellow by 1979. He was on the WA Division Committee from 1952 to 1960 and Chairman in 1959.
He was a Member of the WA Land Surveyors Licensing Board from 1957 to 1967.
Jim died in Hobart in 1992, aged 81. His wife Isla had predeceased him in 1983.
References:
West Australian, 1.4.1931, p14
Geraldton Guardian and Express, 25.5.1932, p2
West Australian, 14.12.1933, p20
West Australian, 26.4.1935, p20
Sunday Times, 27.6.1937, p3
West Australian, 8.6.1938, p4
West Australian, 1.2.1947, p2
Daily News, 24.1.1950, p2
WA Government Gazette, 4.1.1957, p5
WA Government Gazette, 12.1.1962, p113
WA Government Gazette, 6.1.1967, p5
Non Loqui 1961 through to 1975
WA Public Service List 1938
Gregory, Jenny Seeking Wisdom, UWA Publishing, Crawley, 2013
Compiled by Chris Fitzhardinge, June 9, 2025
