"Skimbo" White and the Comic Jazz Band

James Alfred White (1929 - 2004)
Jim was born in 1929 on the Longdown, he was a "true" local. His mother was killed in 1942 and he was taken in by friends. His father belonged to the Mop Brigade and Jim first took part in a Carnival when he was five years old dressed as aDutch boy. Skimbo was made an honorary life Vice-President of the Carnival Committee up to his death in 2004. In 1976 he marked 25 years as leader of the Comic Jazz Band and was presented with an inscribed silver cup by the menbers.

In 1977 Skimbo was working in the construction industry in the Middle East. He would normally fly home to lead the Comic Jazz Band wearing his toupee, marine tunic and kilt, but one year he could not make it, so he sent a postcard from Nigeria to the band c/o Hole -in-the Wall, Ventnor, wishing them all the best and appointing Mr. Graham Sandford as leader.

Royal Engineer's website.

There is a memorial to Skimbo in the Memorial Gardens created in his honor.