Jimmy starts his National Service with the RAF based in Halfpenny Green, Stourbridge and later at Ruislip as a senior Aircraftsman. In 1953.  Jimmy was chosen to line the route of Oxford Street at the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II - he described it as "a miserably wet day, but the occasion was so grand you didn't feel the rain."

During his National Service he learns basic shorthand, a skill which subsequently led to his future career.