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Life and Times
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Timeline
James Herriot born James Alfred Wight in Sunderland England, October 3, 1916
Moved to Glasgow, Scotland as child, late October 1916
Attended Yoker Primary School, August 1921 – June 1928
Attended Hillhead High School, September 1928 – 30 June 1933
Contracts diptheria in 1932
Graduated Glasgow Veterinary College on Dec 14, 1939
Joined Yorkshire practice of J. Donald Sinclair in 1940
Married Joan Catherine Danbury, 5 November 1941
RAF 1941-43
Son, James Alexander, born 13 February 1943
Daughter, Rosemary, born in 9 May 1947
Trip to USSR as sheep veterinarian, 28 October – 6 November 1961
Trip to Istanbul as cattle veterinarian, 8-10 August 1963
1966 begins writing using the pen name James Herriot
1972 ALL CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL
1974 ALL THINGS BRIGHT AND BEAUTIFUL
Receives American Veterinary Medical Association’s Award of Appreciation, 4 February 1975
1977 ALL THINGS WISE AND WONDERFUL
1978 BBC TV Series begins
Receives Order of the British Empire and honorary Litt.D. from Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, 1979
1981 THE LORD GOD MADE THEM ALL
Made fellow of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, 1982
1983, receives honorary D.V.Sc. from Liverpool University
1992 EVERY LIVING THING
23 February 1995 Dies of cancer at home in Yorkshire
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Friends
Donald Vaughan Sinclair a.k.a. Siegfried Farnon (22 April 1911 – June 28, 1995) – Partner. Purchased veterinarian practice at 23 Kirkgate, Thirsk in 1939. Hired James Herriot in 1940 while he was in the Royal Air Force (RAF). He was only enlisted for a few months before he was sent home to continue being a veterinarian. He took his own life by an overdose of barbiturates two weeks after the death of his wife of fifty-three years, Audrey.
Wallace Brian Vaughan Sinclair a.k.a. Tristan Farnon (27 September 1915 – 13 December 1988) – Donald’s younger brother, known as Brian. Worked as a student veterinarian for his older brother until graduating from Royal (Dick) Veterinary College in Edinburgh in 1943. Joined the Army Veterinary Corps. Later joined the Ministry of Agriculture’s Sterility Advisory unit, eventually becoming head of the Veterinary Investigation Centre in Leeds.
Richard Carmody – Oliver Murphy
Calum Buchanan – James Herriot’s assistant. Died in 1990. – Brian Nettleton
John Crooks – James Herriot’s assistant from 1951-54. – John Crooks
Frank Bingham – Sinclair’s first partner. Worked with Herriot his first months at the practice.
Mrs. Marjorie Warner of Sowerby a.k.a. Mrs. Pumphrey – Owner of the obese Pekingese, Tricki Woo a.k.a. Bambi. Died in 1983.
Denton Pette a.k.a. Granville Bennett – Fellow veterinarian who was very hospitable and could hold his liquor. Died in 1980′s.
Eve Pette – Zoe Bennett
Mrs Weatherill – Housekeeper – a.k.a. Mrs. Hall
Caroline Farnon, née Fisher – Audrey Sinclair, née Adamson
Miss Harbottle – Harold Wilson
Mr Worley – Mrs Bush
Ewan Ross – Frank Bingham
Boardman – Wardman
Lord Hulton – Sir Hugh Bell
Dr Allinson – Dr Harry Addison
Bob and Elizabeth Mollison – Douglas and Heulwen Campbell
Phineas Calvert – “Atom” Thompson
Mr Handshaw – Billy Goodyear
Joe Mulligan – Mr Thompson
Sister Rose – Sister Ann Lilley
Arnold Braithwaite – Harry Bulmer
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Family
James Wight – Grandfather: ship plater
Robert and Jane Bell. Robert was a senior printer. – Maternal grandparents
James Henry Wight – Father: ship plater and musician – Died in 1960
Hannah Bell Wight – Mother: professional singer
Joan Catherine Danbury Wight – Wife, Died 1999 – Helen Herriot, née Alderson
James Alexander Wight – Son born on 13 February 1943 – Currently a practicing veterinarian in Thirsk – Jimmy Herriot
Rosemary Page – Daughter born on 9 May 1947. – Currently a physician practicing in Thirsk – Rosie Herriot
Emma Page – Granddaughter
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Locations
Darrowby – Thirsk
Skeldale House – 23 Kirkgate, Thirsk
Rowan Garth, Darrowby – Rowardennan, Topcliffe Road, Thirsk
High Field House, Hannerly – Mirebeck, Thirlby
Brawton – Harrogate
