THE first thing people will notice is a wide smile and a gentle persona.

But there is more to the Bishop of Carlisle, the Rt Rev James Newcombe, than that.

For a start, he is third generation military. His father and grandfathers were soldiers in the Royal Artillery and Bishop Newcombe spent some of his childhood in both Germany and Malta.

While he did not completely follow in the family footsteps, he did join the Territorial Army where he was commissioned as a second Lieutenant.

During gap years he worked as an ambulance driver and in a children's home near Nottingham.

Although initially reluctant to acknowledge his calling to the priesthood, he ended up at Theological College in Cambridge where he not only committed to his calling but also met his wife, Alison.

The couple have four children.

Bishop Newcombe's empathy for others is as strong as his faith, as was evidenced by time spent in India on missionary work.

News and Star: The Bishop of Carlisle James Newcombe opens the new extension to St Matthew's C of E Primary School Westnewton with Joe Beaty and Sky Johnson: September 25, 2012. Picture: Stuart WalkerThe Bishop of Carlisle James Newcombe opens the new extension to St Matthew's C of E Primary School Westnewton with Joe Beaty and Sky Johnson: September 25, 2012. Picture: Stuart Walker

In 2002 they moved to Cumbria where he became Bishop of Penrith – and in 2009, Bishop of Carlisle.

In addition to diocesan responsibilities he helps with in-service training for bishops; chairs the National Stewardship Committee; is ‘lead bishop’ on healthcare in the House of Lords and President of St John’s College, Durham.

Since 2014 he has also been Clerk of the Closet to Her Majesty the Queen; and he is a Deputy Lieutenant of Cumbria, making him responsible for advising the Private Secretary to the Sovereign on the names for candidates to fill vacancies in the Roll of Chaplains to the Sovereign.

News and Star: Carlisle floods 2015. The rescue operation continues on Warwick Road and the surrounding streets.Carlisle floods 2015. The rescue operation continues on Warwick Road and the surrounding streets.

He presents bishops for homage to the Sovereign, examines any theological books to be presented to the Sovereign, and preaches annually in the Chapel Royal, St James's Palace. He receives a salary of £7 a year.

But it is when the Bishop visits schools or talks to the elderly that none of that matters more than feeling that this is a man who genuinely cares.