It is with sadness that we must acknowledge the death of Dr James Kincade C.B.E., MA, Ph.D.

Dr Kincade was the Headmaster of RSD from 1961-1974 succeeding Mr A de G. Gaudin. He was a graduate of Trinity College Dublin obtaining a First Class Honours degree, he went on to study at Oriel College Oxford taking a B.Litt and gained his Ph.D at Edinburgh University. He had been commissioned in the RAF during the war and served in India and Burma. Prior to his appointment at RSD his teaching experience had been gained in Merchiston Castle School, Edinburgh and he had spent one year as a visiting Professor in the University of Indiana.

Dr Kincade was an initiator of change at RSD and the school grew in all areas during his tenure, new Report Cards were introduced as a means of giving the ethos of academic attainment a higher profile, new classrooms, a new assembly/dining hall, new dormitories and additional areas for recreational purposes were built including in 1965 a new cricket pavilion. The Ranfurly Gate Lodge and adjoining land was also purchased in 1968 giving additional access to the grounds and closer co-operation with the Girl’s High School. This growth in the school led to an increase in pupil numbers and despite the difficulties of steering a boarding school at the start of the Northern Ireland Troubles the day pupil population at RSD flourished.

On his departure from RSD to Methodist College Belfast Dr Kincade reported that the academic results had been at the highest level since his arrival, the shooting team had won every major trophy possible in Northern Ireland and in spite of strife in the wider community the school was in very good heart. He noted that at Old Boys’ Dinners there was always an “unseen host of benevolent ghosts attending, whispering of bygone struggles of past failures and past successes”.

Dr Kincade’s legacy will long be remembered by the former pupils of RSD who remember him as inspirational, highly respected and as a great personal encourager, his place in the history of this great old school will never be forgotten.