Kenneth James, who rose to became one of the Government’s top scientists, has died aged 94.

Mr James was director of the scientific research establishment at Porton Down, before becoming chief scientific officer for the civil service in 1970, managing more than 2,000 staff.

However, despite his career in science Mr James’ interests were not solely in that area.

He had a great passion for Jazz and during his time at Latymer Upper School, in Hammersmith, formed a band with Clifford Townsend, father of Peter Townsend of The Who, and Leslie Hitchcock, nephew of film director Alfred.

The group became regulars at the Number One Rhythm Club, off Haymarket, where on one occasion Mr James found himself playing a duet with Louis Armstrong.

After leaving school Mr James began working for chemical firms in London and at the suggestion of Alfred Hitchcock decided to take a degree in chemistry, going on to study at Imperial College.

Mr James settled in Belmont Road, Twickenham, in the 1960s, and joined the Richmond Film Society, making a number of short films set in Richmond and Barnes.

Together with two fellow members of the society, he set up PAG Films, producing film-making accessories.

After retiring from the civil service in 1977, Mr James joined PAG full time and went on to form a subsidiary company specialising in batteries for news camera equipment.

He retired in 1987 and turned to a new interest of writing, producing several cookery books of his own recipes, as well as two novels based on his experiences working to design chemical weapons during the war.

Despite his many achievements Mr James’ life was tinged with tragedy.

In his early 20s he lost his first wife and their unborn child in a motor accident. This was followed in 1998 by the loss of his second wife Peggy Pratt to Alzheimer’s and his daughter to cancer.

His nephew John Rivett-Carnac, from Richmond, said his uncle “never felt bitter” about his losses. He said: “He was a great inspiration to me.”

Mr James moved to Salisbury in the mid 1980s and died at his home on December 30.