Boroughmuir School, Class 3B4, 1951-52

Boroughmuir School

Thank you to John E Kirkwood for providing the photo at the top of this page, and for also sending me the photo below of his class, taken two years earlier. Please click on the photo below to enlarge it.

John is a Former Pupil of Boroughmuir . He began in class 1C1 in 1949.

John lived in the Crewe area beyond Crewe Toll. Along with three or four of the boys from his class, he joined Ferranti Ltd and served his apprenticeship as a Tool Fitter. He moved to Livingston, West Lothian, in 1971. He would be keen to hear from others who remember him.

John added:

"My Register teachers were

- Class 1C1: Miss 'Maggie' Matthews, famous for her 'BLACK BOOK'. No-one ever found out what happened if your name went into it, but she held her classes in dread of it. There was no need for beltings or lines or detentions for her. She was for me superb.

- Classes 2B4 and 3B4: Messrs Mitchell (Science) Thomson (History) & dear old 'Bob' Lowe who had been shell-shocked during the war and who would speak, point & talk to three different people all at one time.

Between those years I played Rugby & Cricket for the 6th-4th teams under PT teachers Messrs Ronchetti and 'Tas' Taylor, while George Johnstone (Tech) also supervised Rugby.

It would be interesting if any info could be found of that era.

Here's hoping we can learn more of the whereabouts and happenings of some of our old classmates."

John E Kirkwood, Livingston, West Lothian, Scotland: March 9, 2008

John's wife, Irene ( nee Bryce), has also contacted the EdinPhoto web site recently, concerning the photograph of Royston Primary School (below) and her friends in Broughton Secondary School School.

If you would like to contact John or Irene, please email me, and I'll pass on your message to them.

Thank you. - Peter Stubbs: March 30, 2008.

Recollections

John E Kirkwood

Livingston Village, West Lothian, Scotland

Thank you to John E Kirkwood, who subsequently wrote:

Classmates

"Last year you posted a couple of photos of my classes from Boroughmuir Sen Sec, circa 1949-52. In Nov 2008, I received an e-mail from one of my classmates who is in both photos, Jim Mercer.

He is now in Hamilton Ontario and is planning to come back to 'Auld Reekie' in March/April 2009. So, hopefully we will be able to meet up then after so long.

Hopefully some of our other classmates who are lying 'dormant' at present will see this & get in touch so that we can have a reunion of sorts for a natter."

John E Kirkwood, Livingston Village, West Lothian, Scotland:
Message in EdinPhoto guest book Jan 13, 2009

Recollections

Rose Scott (nee Primrose Anderson)

Thank you to Rose Scott (nee Primrose Anderson) for sending another message about one of the class photos on this page..

Rose wrote

School Photo

"I was looking through Boroughmuir photos and saw a 1950's one, taken when I was in 3B4. I also noted that Evan Reid was asking for anyone to get in touch from the 1950's.

I was in the same class as Evan. I remember:

- Miss Ross was our Maths teacher

- Mr. Martin was French teacher.

The photo already on the site is the only one that I had. Pat Sorbie (who became Mrs. Pat Junik) borrowed it to send to Sheila (Robson ?) in Australia and it got lost. I was so pleased to see it again!"

Rose Scott (nee Primrose Anderson): November 14, 2009

Recollections

Lilian Young

USA

Thank you to Lilian Young who wrote

1949-53

"I attended Boroughmuir School from 1949 to 1953 and I am in this photo of class of 3B4.

I have wonderful memories of Boroughmuir. My teachers there prepared me for a wonderful life. I can recall some of the teachers:

- Margaret Maclean for English

- Bob Lowe for French

- Mr. Whitfield, who was replaced by Dr. Cassels

- Mr. Golan for Music

- Dr. Williamson for English

- Mr. Mitchell for Science

- Dr. Julian for History.

They were wonderful, each in his/her specialty.

Meggetland and Usher Hall

"I recall the names of some of the people in the photos and was contacted some time ago by Valerie (Trollope) Cant.

We had wonderful times going to Meggetland for sports and to the Usher Hall for the annual school concert and prize giving."

Robert Louis Stevenson

"I wonder if anyone recalls that Mr. Whitfield wrote music for many of Robert Louis Stevenson's poems.

We were in a concert at the Gateway Theatre on Leith Walk to celebrate the 100th birthday of Robert Louis Stevenson."

Lilian Young, USA: February 22, 2011

Recollections

John E Kirkwood

Livingston Village, West Lothian, Scotland

John Kirkwood, who sent this photo, wrote again:

Meeting Again

"The photo that I submitted above realised a reply from Jim Mercer, an old classmate who is now living in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

This led to us meeting up for a coffee and a blether, last year, when he was over on holiday. It was great to meet up after all those years. We had not seen or spoken to each other since June 1952. He is due back in Edinburgh for a holiday in April 2011, so we intend to meet up again then.

On this photo, Jim Mercer and I are both on the back row. Jim is 2nd left and I am 4th from the right."

John E Kirkwood, Livingston Village, West Lothian, Scotland: March 21, 2011

Recollections

Lilian Young

USA

Thank you to Lilian Young who wrote again, following her comments in 3. above.

Lilian wrote:

Reunion

"Through the EdinPhoto website, I have contacted two people I went to Boroughmuir School with, John Kirkwood and James Mercer.

They, in turn, met with Valerie Trollope and Kathleen Mathieson in a mini-reunion recently in Edinburgh.

Lilian Young, USA: June 7, 2011