James Pitcairn Blane died on November 26th, 1915, of wounds received in action, whilst serving as a Captain in the King’s Royal Rifle Corps. He was 32 years of age and had studied at the Truro School of Mines and under Mr. G.T. Holloway, with whom he took a six month’s course in assaying.
In 1904, he went to Western Australia. and spent four years there, two with the Ivanhoe Gold Corporation, where he was employed in various capacities underground, and in the mill and cyanide departments; and two years with the Sons of Gwalia Gold Mining Co. as sampler and surveyor.
In 1909 he accepted a post as surveyor to the Prestea Block “A” Co., Ltd., Gold Coast Colony, and he remained with this company until 1913. From the spring of 1914 until the outbreak of the war he was engaged with the East Pool and Agar Co., Ltd., at Carn Brea, Cornwall.
Mr. Blane was elected an Associate of the Institution in 1910.
Vol. 25, Trans I.M.M. 1915-16, pp. 391
