JIM Murray, “the hero of the Flavel”, has sadly passed away, aged 77. He suffered a bad fall in June and, after a four month stay in Somerset Neurological Rehabilitation, passed away on December 5.

Jim was born in Bristol in 1944 and educated at the city’s Queen Elizabeth’s Hospital. He studied medicine at Charing Cross Hospital, London, where he graduated in 1967. Having started training initially as an obstetrician and gynaecologist, four children in quick succession led him to become a GP, and police surgeon, in Norfolk for six years. It was during these years that Jim started publishing medical anecdotes relevant to the general public in his regular slot ‘Dr Bayley’s Casebook’ in Norfolk Fair, while also publishing more scientific articles in publications such as Pulse and the British Medical Journal. He came across multiple intriguing events as a GP and wrote stories about these which he published in 2020 in his book Patients, Pills and Partridges: A Country Doctor’s Tales of the 1970’s.

He and his wife Sue, a Westminster nurse, met in London in 1981 and they married in 1983. Sue also became mum to James, Victoria, Duncan and Dominic whilst also having Tom and Toby themselves. Jim and Sue moved from Ludwell to Dartmouth full-time in 2000 after many wonderful family holidays.

His son Tom said: “Dad quickly involved himself in the local community, singing in the church choir, helping to fund the Flavel project, where he was known as ‘the hero of the Flavel’, helping to raise over £300,000.”

Jim was also an honorary member of both the Dartmouth Rotary and Hauley Lodge, where he was a former master. He helped with the re-ordering of St Clement’s Church, the Devon Opera, and also involved himself with the Dartmouth Food Festival, where he helped pair young, budding chefs with different restaurants, and helped Sue with various Macmillan events.

Tom added: “Dad was very much a people person, and he had a lovely way of getting on with everyone he met. He was always interested in what others were doing and was always happy to give advice or help when needed. He was an inspiring father and devoted husband. In the words of multiple tributes ‘Jim was one of the world’s exceptional people’. Although his death was premature, dad has left an eternal legacy that will continually benefit others for years to come.

“Mum and the family are so grateful to everyone who very kindly sent condolence cards, letters, messages, flowers and food after dad’s passing.”

Jim leaves behind his wife Sue, six children and eight grandchildren.

The funeral service will take place at St Michael’s Church, Milverton, Somerset, on January 7 at 2pm, with a wake at The Globe. No flowers, but donations to Somerset Neurological Rehabilitation Centre would be warmly welcomed by the family.

The family is raising money in Jim’s honour towards some raised beds in the garden of Somerset Neurological Rehabilitation Centre.

Tom added: “It’s an incredible unit with wonderful staff, who not only gave their all to try and help dad but they also looked after mum too.

“They were like extended family to us and they treated dad superbly well and kept his dignity throughout. It was the little things they did to try to make his stay as comfortable as possible that meant so much, like making his bow tie, to sending flowers on his behalf and they were always so loving towards him.”

To donate to the fund visit