OCTOBER, I958 Vol. 83, No. 991 Obituary JAMES RAWSON WALMSLEY JAMES RAWSON WALMSLEY died in hospital in Manchester on June 4th, 1958. He began his scientific career as an apprentice in retail pharmacy, qualifying as a pharmaceutical chemist in 1912. He held a number of positions in retail pharmacy, but after the 191618 war entered the wholesale trade with Joseph Brooks & Co. Ltd. In 1921, he was appointed Works Analyst to James Woolley, Sons & Co. Ltd., of Manchester, a position he held until prolonged ill-health compelled him to retire in 1953. After a period of rest, however, his active spirit rebelled against enforced idleness and he spent much time during his last years assisting in the Pharmacy Department of a local hospital. When he died, he had served pharmacy diligently and enthusiastically for over 50 years.In 1922, he qualified for the Fellowship of the Institute of Chemistry in Branch E, being one of the first to do so under the new regulations instituted a year or two previously, 545 He was 69. Walmsley was a native of Manchester and spent most of his working life there.546 ROONEY: THE DETERMINATION OF TRACE AMOUNTS OF [Vol. 83 For some years he was a part-time lecturer at the Manchester College of Technology. He was a competent and resourceful analyst. He had an expert knowledge of crude drugs and was a skilful botanist and a keen gardener. Part of his garden at Wilmslow was devoted to the cultivation of medicinal plants. He played an active part in Manchester pharmaceutical circles, serving in 194647 as President of the Manchester Pharmaceutical Association and in 1955-56 as Chairman of the Manchester, Salford and District Branch of the Pharmaceutical Society. He was a regular visitor to the Annual Meetings of the British Pharmaceutical Conference and occasionally presented papers to its Science Sessions.He joined the North of England Section of the Society for Analytical Chemistry in 1924 and did much to foster and encourage its growth. He attended its scientific meetings with unfailing regularity and served on the Committee for several years. He was Honorary Auditor of the Section for a long period prior to 1953, Vice Chairman in 1953-55 and Chairman in 1955-57. The historical aspects of a subject always appealed to him. He had an especial love of his native city and a considerable and detailed knowledge of its history back to Roman times.For many years he was a member of the Manchester Literary and Philosophical Society and the Manchester Microscopical Society. He loved the open air and the English and Scottish countryside where his knowledge of botany and natural history provided added interest to his excursions. A quiet unassuming man, with a quiet sense of humour, a loyal colleague and a “guide, philosopher and friend” to those less experienced than himself, Walmsley pursued his profes- sion and his many interests with a lively zest. He was a sociable and companionable man, never happier than in the society of his fellow analysts, and he leaves behind him in our Society and in pharmacy a wide circle of friends who will long remember him with affection and think of his passing with regret. Walmsley took a keen interest in all aspects of pharmaceutical life. Walmsley was a studious man whose reading embraced a wide field. Mrs. Walmsley predeceased him by some years, and he left no family. G. J. W. FERREY