Jimmy Dinsmore
Friday, 30 August 2024
UPDATE
Following a private commital a Service of Thanksgiving for Jimmy's life will be held on Friday 13 September 2024 at 11am in New Kilpatrick Parish Church, Bearsden.
Everyone at West is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Jimmy Dinsmore.
It is no coincidence that Jimmy's playing career at West was during a golden era for the club. The 1st XV at that time was littered with Scottish Internationalists and British & Irish Lions with the likes of Sandy Carmichael, Gordon Brown and Dave Shedden regulars in the side. Jimmy's athletic back row play ensured he never looked out of place in such exalted company. West's battles with Hawick for top honours during this period became the stuff of club legend.
When his playing days came to an end, Jimmy turned his hand to refereeing where his empathy for the players and deep understanding of the game saw him quickly climb the ranks to the top of the domestic game. He regularly travelled throughout the British Isles as a 'guest' official and famously took charge at Twickenham when the All Blacks took on the London Division in 1979.
Jimmy's service to the club did not restrict itself to on-field matters. He stood on various committees and was Club President from 1983-86. Jimmy's successful efforts to re-assemble 'his team' for the club's 150th Anniversary Dinner remains one of the highlights of that evening. The unbreakable friendships formed through rugby there for all to see and what stories they had to tell!
His support and enthusiasm for all things West remained with him right to the end. Despite failing health, he would regularly attend home games when he could and was always on hand to offer sound advice and assistance when it was required.
It is Jimmy's personality that we will miss the most. A gentle, caring and humble man who always had time for others. His infectious smile and laugh meant you always felt the better of a meeting with Jimmy. Above all of that, he will be remembered as one of life's true gentlemen.
Our thoughts are with wife Gillian, sons David and Keith and all the extended family at this time.
Funeral details will be posted here in due course.
