Car fanatic and former editor Norman Allan, 87

Norman Allan, a former editor of The Bullet boys’ paper, has died aged 87. He was a journalist with publisher DC Thomson for 41 years, after joining from school in 1952.

For many years he was an elder of St Stephen’s and West Church, Broughty Ferry, a hillwalker, a curler and classic car enthusiast.

Norman was born in St Andrews, the eldest of Muriel and Norman Allan’s three children.

He excelled at his studies at both the old Burgh School in St Andrews and then Madras College.

An avid reader who had shown a great aptitude for English, it was no great surprise that Norman was offered an editorial job with DC Thomson.

His quick wit and great sense of humour were recognised and he was put to work in children’s publications, the first one being on the comic The Adventure.

Norman undertook various roles editing children’s comics for the next 41 years, including The Wizard, and eventually as editor of The Bullet, and latterly The Judy.

In the early days he commuted from St Andrews to Dundee every day by train because there was no road bridge at the time.

However, no sooner had he started with DC Thomson, he was called up for national service for a real adventure of his own with British forces at the Suez Canal in Egypt.

After completing his national service he returned to DC Thomson and eventually he rented a flat with his friend John Cairns in Long Lane in Broughty Ferry.

It was while he was living in Broughty Ferry that he went to the marriage of one of his St Andrews school friends, Lawson Campbell, to his bride, Jean.

And it was there that he met Jean’s sister Hazel, who also happened to be the bridesmaid.

Norman and Hazel married a year after that in 1961 in Strathmartine Church, Dundee, and together they started their new life living in a flat on Mains Road.

A year later, their first son Howard was born, and shortly after this they moved into their new house in Stratheden Road.

In 1965 their second son, Murray, was born.

They joined St Stephen’s and West Church and Norman happily took on many roles to help in the church community.

He was initially a Sunday school teacher and led a Bible class. In 1970 he took over as editor of the church magazine and continued as editor for the next 50 years.

Norman eventually retired from DC Thomson in 1992 at the age of 58 and Hazel retired just a few years later, so the two of them were able to enjoy many happy years together.

One of his greatest passions was classic cars. He owned many over the years and even raced a few of them.

Norman did have newer classics as well such his beloved Morgan.

He was a fantastic dad to his two sons Murray and Howie and grandfather of Daisy and Scarlett.

PASSION: Norman Allan with his beloved Morgan car.