Jimmy Rimington was born in Leeds on 16 January 1882, the youngest of ten children of John Rimington and his second wife Mary Padgett. Jimmy was only nine when his mother died in 1891 and he was brought up by his third eldest sister Annie, who was only nine years older than him.
He was later to return the favour by adopting his orphaned niece, Doris Rimington.
He was a horsekeeper and groom at the time of the 1901 census and shortly afterwards he moved to Jersey. Although he was only in his early 20s and not believed to have had any personal wealth, he bought No 13 King Street, already in those days established as St Helier's principle shopping area, and had it completely refurbished as a home with a fruit and florist's shop on the ground floor, which he ran with his wife, Constance Annie Smith, eldest child of Arthur Smith of Gloucestershire and Margaret Clay of Wellington, Shropshire, who had settled in Jersey in the late 19th century.
Jimmy and Constance were married on 2 September 1908, and had two daughters, Marguerite mother of Jerripedia editor Mike Bisson) and Ruth.
When the Jersey Militia was disbanded half way through World War One, and those members joining the Overseas Contingent left the island for active service, Jimmy, who had reached the age of 35 and was only 5ft 0in tall, joined the Royal Jersey Garrison Batallion and was discharged on 19 March 1919 with the rank of Lance Corporal.
He continued to run his King Street business until his death and the property remained in the ownership of his widow until her death, before being sold by her daughters.
Jimmy was actively involved with the St Helier Yacht Club, serving as Commodore, and often performed the duties of starter for major races.
Family tree
