It was a great shock to hear that James had died. We send our condolences to Julie and his family. We knew James and Julie briefly when we all had holiday homes in Auriac du Perigord. We spent happy days in Dorcogne playing golf with them and enjoying memorable dinners with them. James was the most gracious host and their hospitality was legendary. Julie take comfort from the memories of the wonderful times you had together. Rest in peace James. Rosalind and Howard  …

Cherish the wonderful memories of a life full of love, adventure and, of course, amazing wine!…

One of my earliest memories of Uncle Jim the policeman, is of us going to meet him at Guildford Police station when he came off duty, and being collected by a driver in a ‘panda’ car by another police officer, as Uncle Jim was called out on an emergency. It is a memory which is still as clear as it was that day in 1975 and was probably the most exciting thing that happened that summer holiday. Fond memories too are family get togethers as children, often involving Sunday tea & cake and larking about with our cousins! One of my more recent memories was the warmth of a hug from Uncle Jim when he came to visit Mum & Dad in their later years.   Cathy x…

I first met ‘Little Jimmy’ – so called because of the long age gap between he and his grown up brother, John. I thought he was a rather wayward, opinionated, strong minded youngster – but this may have been a precursor to his success in his police career. As a young father, at the Christening service at Milford Church, Surrey – he proudly carried out his first son Andrew followed later by a second son Stephen. They often visited us for family teas & on holiday and enjoyed introducing the youngsters to their first experience of sand and sea. By then he had settled in to a police career & from then on devoted his life to the service with unswerving loyalty. He deserved his promotion to the position of Chief Comissioner of City of London Police.                    Well done Jim!  X  …

A few fond memories As a child I remember a couple of things very clearly. One was uncle Jim playing a funny drawing game with my sister & I where he and Dad chatted in the lounge, whilst we had to disappear and drawer something & bring it back for him to judge I think! I remember us giggling and giggling! He really made it very funny indeed & even Dad was laughing out loud. I remember family walks on Sundays. Uncle Jim would arrive, so tall and a bit scary, but before the coffee and biscuits had hit table, he and Dad would be sharing a joke & all would be well! We would walk across the fields near by, the Dads striding ahead in conversation & us four cousins no doubt rushing about with sticks & invented games. Looking back now I see two brothers who supported each other at that time – though very different people and with very different lives. They showed a quiet yet deep respect for each other. When Dad passed away three years ago, Uncle Jim wrote some really lovely memories of their younger years & of the strong brotherly bond which…

So very sad to lose the most reckless and irreplaceable co-driver I’ve ever shared a golf buggy with;  just as well we didn’t need licences or have camera surveillance. There was much laughter at our expense, and at others, and he’ll be in my thoughts whenever I’m on a golf course. His fellow golfers willl miss him very much, especially at the hole between the last green and the car park! Very sadly missed.  …

Our love and thoughts are with you on hearing of the sad news of James’ passing.  We have many happy memories of skiing with James and Jules….

Jim and I first met in the late 1960’s and have remained friends over the years. It was clear he was destined for greatness as, following a spell as Staff Officer to the then Chief Constable Sir Peter Matthews, he was awarded a Bramshill Scholarship to study at City University. It was there that he, together with Ian Beckett and under the guidance of Sir Peter, became the architect of what became ‘Neighbourhood Policing’. On return to Surrey their concept became a reality with ‘Neighbourhood Policing’ rolled out across the Metropolitan Police and Surrey – and soon across much of England and Wales. While I followed his career from Surrey, to the Met, back to Surrey, it was when Jim was appointed Commissioner of the City of London Police that I had to smile – for if ever there was a man for that role, then it was he! Always the consummate gentleman, highly articulate and with an ability to move at ease in the greatest of company but mingled with an ability to reach out to all with whom he worked. Away from the ‘job’ Jim enjoyed the fine things in life – fine wines, good food, and…

I remember Jim as my old C/Supt at Wandsworth Police station. If I remember corretcly he owned a Peugeot 309 GTI which he was very proud of. He left it parked by the police stables and a horse who  was tied up, managedto slide over to Jims pride and Joy and nibbled the paint off the offside rear wing of his car to the dismay of Jim and the mounted branch officer. RIP Guvoner….

Chrissie and I were in the Cameron Highlands in Malaysia when news of James’s death reached us. We were, and still are, hugely shocked and saddened by the news. We had only very recently enjoyed a lovely Wiltshire pub lunch with James and Jules, learning of their cruise plans, catching up with news of their tribulations over their move back to England, and looking forward to having them back in the fold to enable James and I to, once again, enjoy our golf together whilst sorting the world out! We were quite well practised at that, although less well skilled with driver or putter in hand!   We first met James and Jules in 2008 when we lived in the Gers, in south west France. They had visited with a speculative view to finding some land on which to build La Girouette. First impressions speak volumes about a person and we were immediately taken by the warmth, kindness, and gentle  nature exuded by James. Add to that his sense of fun and humour and I knew that, together with Jules, we had found good and reliable friends. We saw a good deal of them as the house building took…

A tragic shock to those of us who valued James’ professionalism and personality. He was the epitomy of a Gentleman, gentle by nature, a leader by profession, a garroulous and delighjtful raconteuer whose company was full of great humour, no matter the story it always had a fun conclusion.  Being in his company with Julie in both France, in their charming and happy home, where his wines were ‘pure gold’, or visiting the UK his smile lit up the occasion; I retain the happiest of warm and pleasant memories of this so successful and charming Gentleman….

We are utterly devastated to hear of the passing of James, and our heartfelt sympathies go out to Jules and their family at this incredibly sad time.   James and Jules first welcomed us into their beautiful home in 2016, where we celebrated our daughter’s 3rd birthday. A true gentleman, James was a kind and generous host (ably supported by Jules) and always the most wonderful company. Whenever you spent time with James, you had fun, laughed, and learned something new.  He helped us improve our cooking and wine-tasting skills, and we always found ourselves in fascinating conversations—James had a knack for offering wise and sage advice in a considerate, gentle way. We have so many happy memories of our time spent with James and Jules, from scenic walks with the dogs, exciting day trips into the Pyrenees, deer parks and lakes to truly fabulous evenings around their dinner table, being treated to the most amazing hospitality. Our children Ava and Magnus absolutely adored spending time in James’ company.  Despite their never-ending questions about how things worked, what they were used for, and “why….” James was always so generous with his time; patiently educating and informing their inquisitive young…

I was so sad to hear about James Hart’s sudden passing, he was always so full of life and incredible charisma. As his Staff Officer in his last year prior to retirement, I learned so much from him about leadership, resilience and how to treat people well. He was a true gentleman, so well respected and kind and the City of London Police is a better place for him having been there as a passionate advocate for the force. I have such happy memories of staff office drinks hosted by James and Julie in the Commissioner’s flat at Wood Street, lots of laughs and rather too much very nice wine-they were always such warm and generous hosts. Julie my heart goes out to you and the family for your loss, but please know how fondly we all remember both of you and what a difference James made to the force and the people working there during his time at the helm. Helen xx …

Dr. James Hart CBE QPM It was with the greatest sadness and sense of loss that I learned of James’ death. I first met him in 2000 when he interviewed me for a job with the City of London Police. I had no previous knowledge of policing, so he took something of a chance appointing me! It was a steep learning curve, but one that I have never regretted.James was a demanding boss, but in all the right ways. I remember how he guided the force through some very difficult times, including the 2005 London bombings and the challenges arising from the proposed national police force reorganisation. As a noted academic and author James’ understanding of policing was profound. After his retirement from the force I was lucky enough to be able to remain in touch with James and Jules and had the privilege of being invited to their home, where I got to meet the dogs (and the chickens).  I send my most sincere condolences to Jules and to the family….