The Old Honitonians Club were very saddened to hear of the passing of Robert James Chetwynd Talbot, known to many as James.

James joined Allhallows in January 1959, initially in the Headmaster's House before moving to Middlemist House later that year. He was confirmed in March 1960 and quickly immersed himself in a wide range of school activities. He completed his G.C.E. “O” and “A” Levels and was a member of the VI Form from 1961.

During his time at school, James was active in the Tennis Club, Mechanics Club, and Gramophone Society, and was awarded Athletics Colours in 1962. He also served as a Cadet in the C.C.F., attending camps at Sandhurst (1960) and Magilligan (1961), and completed his A.P.C. in December 1961. He left Allhallows in July 1962.

After school, James began his career in London in advertising and public relations, before moving to South Wales and later Austria, where he worked in the paper industry, including with Wiggins Teape. He married young, and he and his first wife lived in both London and Paris, although the marriage did not last and he eventually returned to the UK.

James had a sharp eye for antiques and fine art—something that may have been inspired by the much-admired art master Norman “Buffy” Butler. This passion later led him to a second career in the fine arts.

He remarried and settled in Provence, France, where he lived for the last thirty years.

An enthusiast of classic cars, particularly E-type Jaguars, James was well known for his deep knowledge and passion for motoring history. He owned several of these iconic cars during the 1970s and 80s, and fondly recalled those as great times.

James will be remembered by those who knew him at Allhallows and beyond as a man of wide-ranging interests, a good friend, and someone who truly appreciated the finer things in life.