I am grateful for the words of Bob Black. The image shows Bob and Jack (left) playing a game in 2015.

Jack Alexander, creator of the “Jacklex” range of 20mm figures sadly died yesterday (12 February 2024) aged 95. He made figures and models from the 1960s onwards – Don Featherstone asked him to make models for his 2nd book and he produced 1/100 scale (although nobody knew that scale then) modern figures and vehicles as training aids for the British Army. He then started producing his 20mm Colonial figures under the “Jacklex” banner – a range that is still commercially available today. His figures were made to fit in with Airfix and to fill in their many gaps. He was inspired by Britains toy soldiers, and his figures were clean and simple with little detail.  If you wanted detail you painted it on. But they had a style and a charm of their own, still visible today and completely different to today’s highly detailed individual miniatures. They were designed in an era when wargamers wanted every figure in their unit to be the same. As figure makers moved into 25mm and 15mm scales Jack remained in 20mm and his earliest figures still match those produced today.

I met Jack in the ‘70s and we played together, often at Stuart Asquith’s table. Jack always wanted historical accuracy in his figures and games and went to great lengths to ensure it. But we had great fun over the decades. Jack was happiest in the 19th century and just into the 20th. 

Jack was highly talented, making detailed buildings as well as figures, but also modest. He always failed to realise how popular his 20mm figures were, not just in this country but across the world. I know many of you will share my sadness at the passing of one of the early designers, although his legacy has passed to Mark Lodge who ensures that his ranges live on for newer generations.

Bob Black