Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Memories flooding back
Growing up in Airdrie during the 1940s and 1950s
A local author will be launching his book of Monklands memories with a special event later this month.
Gerard Grant will be speaking at Airdrie Library on Tuesday, November 14, as his book entitled Recalling the Past goes on sale at the Wellwynd venue.
The memoir includes his tales of growing up in Airdrie and Calderbank in the 1940s and 1950s, recounting stories of schooldays at St Margaret’s, food rationing, working at the town’s railway station and dancing at Airdrie Palais.
Now he has shared one of the photographs included in his book – of his class at St Margaret’s Primary in 1947, seven decades ago.
Gerry said: “There are 48 pupils in this class photo and I can still name at least 40 of them; perhaps Advertiser readers can help with the rest.
“We actually had a 40 yearclass reunion back in 1987; and I’m sure many readers will be able to spot their parents and grandparents in this picture.”
He added: “I used to wait patiently on the Advertiser on a Friday evening (as it was then, in the 1940s), at Weirs newsagents on High Street in Airdrie!”
Now living in Ayrshire, Gerry will celebrate his 80th birthday next year. He and wife Rena have four children, six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
He told in September how he was inspired to write his life story after his daughter gifted him a book of questions to complete, saying: “It brought back a lot of memories and I made the answers into a booklet which I printed for my family.
“I’d always thought of writing a book of my experiences and had written bits and pieces a few years ago, but that was the catalyst and then I started writing it seriously earlier this year.
“The book has a foreword by local writer Anna Smith and my grandson, Connor McMillan, has done a charcoal sketch of me for the cover.
“Although I’d always said I’d like to write a book, I never thought I actually would. I’m really looking forward to the launch event.”
The book launch takes place at 5pm on November 14, with treats of wine and tablet on offer to attendees.
Recalling the Past will then be on sale at the library, costing £6.
■ Gerry’s list of his St Margaret’s classmates in 1947 is – ( back, left to right): Dan Donnelly, ???, John McIntyre, Maureen Maher, Danny Shields, ???, George McManus, Ellen Prunty, Hugh McCusker, Isa Kane, Billy Crawford; ( middle, l- r): Anthony Neil, Joe McWilliams, Paddy McGhee, Terry Higgins, John McMahon, John Mallon, Eddie Fagan, Tommy Scott, Alex McKenzie, John Murray, ???, Eric McAteer, James Oakes, Charlie Cochrane, Tom Carr, Jim Conn, John Martin, Gerard Grant, John Lamb; (front, l-r): Ann Wilson, ???, Ellen McGhee, Cathie Madden, Cathie Doris, Jean McBennett, ???, Rosina Tague, Elizabeth Wotherspoon, teacher Miss Fitzpatrick, Marion McHenry, Moira Devine, Ann Campbell, Elizabeth Downie, ???, Margaret Agnew, ???, ??? and Irene Sheridan.