James Matches
| Born | 1903, Orkney |
|---|---|
| Died | 22 July 1974, Bressay |
| Elections | 6 (4 won) |
| Bayanne | Genealogy page |
James Lennie Matches was a Church of Scotland missionary and County Councillor, representing Unst North between 1949 and 1961, losing the 1961 election and also coming up short in 1964 in the Cunningsburgh parish. He unsuccessfully contested the Unst North seat at the 1961 County Council election and the Cunningsburgh seat at the 1964 election.
Biography
James was a missionary in Shetland for 46 years, spending 24 of those years in Bressay. He first came to Shetland in 1934 to Burra, before moving back to Orkney in 1936. He returned to Shetland in 1939 as a locum in Uyeasound, he was transferred to Mid Yell at the outbreak of WWI. He moved back to Unst in 1945, getting a position in Baltasound. Next, he transferred to Whiteness & Weisdale for 2 years before moving to Bressay.
He began his working life in ironmongery and grocery, but took evening classes to retrain into church work.
Political Career
| Year | Election | Council | Votes | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1949 | County Council Election May 1949 (Unst South) | Zetland County Council | Unopposed | Elected |
| 1952 | County Council Election May 1952 (Unst South) | Zetland County Council | Unopposed | Elected |
| 1955 | County Council Election May 1955 (Unst South) | Zetland County Council | Unopposed | Elected |
| 1958 | County Council Election May 1958 (Unst South) | Zetland County Council | Unopposed | Elected |
| 1961 | County Council Election May 1961 (Unst South) | Zetland County Council | 20 | Not elected |
| 1964 | County Council Election May 1964 (Cunningsburgh) | Zetland County Council | 39 | Not elected |