FJ was born, bred and remained a Presbyterian. He attended a church where a really good sermon was appreciated. Like his father before him, he was an unusually tall man, being six foot three or four inches in height. He was of sparse build, the result perhaps of a rather frugal diet. His original Aberdeen fare of porridge was followed by lunches of rice pudding consumed at the BMA or the RSM to where, when in London, he walked regularly at lunchtime to catch up with reading. He had twinkling eyes and walked with a slight stoop. His forehead was high, his nose prominent and his slightly bulging eyes seems always to express surprise. In his later years he had a small grey-white moustache and white hair which curled a little upwards in the nape of his neck.

Gentle and kind are the terms repeatedly used to describe FJ by those who knew him. He radiated friendship and had time for other people and the ability to communicate with them, being an animated conversationalist. These are often characteristics of children born into large families and FJ remained a member of his large family all his life. Subsequent generations recall the great distances he would travel to see relations, his sense of humour, how good he was with children, his great personality – and a fondness for cigars after lunch.