In Memoriam James Callaway 1968 to 2024

Abstract

James (Jim) Callaway was a pyrotechnician who passed away in January 2024. Most of his career was with the United Kingdom's Ministry of Defence (MOD) where his research focused on countermeasures, and on pyrotechnic formulation, lifetime and defect investigations. Jim was well known in the pyrotechnics community publishing at International Pyrotechnic Society seminars (IPS) on a wide range of topics and often acted as organiser and session chair. In 2005, Jim was a member of the team that received a prestigious TTCP (The Technical Cooperation Programme) award for work on Red Phosphorus, its characterisation and possible replacement. The work was subsequently published 1.

During his career Jim registered several patents on infra-red emitting decoy flares. He later worked for Adam Cumming as the pyrotechnic focus for advice and assessment for MOD. This included devising and assessing United Kingdom research programmes as well leading several international collaborations in this area across the world. Jim had an insatiable curiosity about his subject and also the work of others. This also extended to culture and food!

Jim's later career in central MOD developed this interest in ensuring that up-to-date knowledge was available to support strategy and work programmes.

His interest in developing people and research meant he played an active part in the IPS where in 2004 Jim became a trustee of the Frank Carver Bursary. This fund, which was established following the 1989 IPS Conference in Jersey, has supported more than thirty early-career scientists enabling them to attend IPS meetings. It was and remains a critical support to the technology.

While that support will continue building on what he achieved, Jim will be missed by all that knew him.

 

Adam Cumming

Formerly Dstl and now Hon Professor University of Edinburgh

 

Trevor Griffiths

Formerly QinetiQ