SIR FREDERICK JAMES
Sir Frederick E. James, originally from London,
(he was knighted in 1941) was no stranger to
Rotary. He had been president of the Rotary Club
of Calcutta in 1924-25 and 1925-26. It was his
job as Vice President of the United Planters
Association of South India, that brought him to
Madras — a fortunate move from Rotary's point of
view.
It must have been a great encouragement to
Davidson to
find another so devoted to the extension of
Rotary in India. Sir F. E. James is described as
having been 'a man of high character and
pleasing personality, a good speaker and, most
important of all, he possessed a comprehensive
knowledge of Rotary.'
.There
is no doubt that Davidson could have
single-handedly established Rotary in Madras but
in this city of 530,000 people, Davidson found
one valuable ally: Rtn. Frederick James. Like
Davidson, James lived out the then Rotary motto
'He profits most who serves best'. He was a
member of the State and Central Legislatures in
India for over 20 years. He served as General
Secretary of the YMCA, Calcutta, from 1920 to
1928. His tenure in India was Rotary's gain.
The first meeting of the Rotary Club of Madras
was held on May 10,1929, at the Connemara Hotel.
The 30 charter members included James and
represented the leaders of society and industry.
All but three were present at that first
meeting. The first President of the Club was
Rtn. C.G. Armstrong, Chairman of the Madras Port
Trust; the first Secretary was Morton Chance of
the Hotel Chain. The Club was chartered on July
19,1929 when all the members were non-Indian but
soon after this
Raja Sir. M.A. Muthaiah Chettiar was inducted
into the club.
Subsequently, Davidson recommended that Rotary
International appoint Frederick James, Honorary
Commissioner for Rotary International for the
Middle Asia Region. In 1932, James organised the
first Convention of Rotary Clubs in India, Burma
and Ceylon. The convention was held at Calcutta
for what was called ‘Provisional District ’A’.
It is a matter of pride that the first Director
of Rotary International from India, was none
other than Frederick James of the Rotary Club of
Madras. He served in this post from 1933-34.
James added another first to his credit when he
became the first Governor of District 89 in
1936-37 and served a second term in 1938-39. The
first district conference was also held during
his tenure as Governor in 1937. James was also
the RI President’s representative at various
conferences in India.
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