Teacher and Dundee Memories author, aged 96

A“His recollections rekindled memories for many Courier readers

uthor and former teacher Ian Malcolm, who wrote the book Dundee Memories, which was serialised in The Courier, has died aged 96.

He died at home in St Andrews just two days short of his 97th birthday.

Ian had a long and varied career, working in the jute industry, the Merchant Navy and NCR before training as a teacher.

For many years he was principal teacher of modern studies at Viewforth in Kirkcaldy.

Dundee Memories described Dundee in the 1920s, 1930s and during the war. In it, he recalled the narrow streets of old Overgate and the life and commerce on Hawkhill.

His recollections of leeries lighting gas lamps, communal wash-houses and the arrival of the “Ingin Johnnies” from France rekindled memories for many Courier readers.

Ian was educated at Logie Central School in Dundee. He left aged 14 in 1939 and began work as an apprentice clerk at A&S Henry and Co Ltd, in Victoria Road. He remained there until January 1943 when he enrolled at Dundee Wireless College.

In July of that year he joined the Merchant Navy and served as a radio officer/purser with Alfred Holt and Company, owners of the Blue Funnel Line and the Glen Line until he left the service in 1951. Ian described his wartime experiences in his book, Life Aboard a Wartime Liberty Ship.

On leaving the sea, he worked in the production control department of NCR in Dundee for two years before joining the GPO coastal radio stations at Wick, and then Highbridge in Somerset.

After three years he resigned to train as a teacher at Edinburgh University and Moray House. His first teaching appointment was at Logie in Dundee, but due to a housing problem, he taught there during only the autumn term of 1961.

In January 1962, he transferred to Viewforth Secondary School, was promoted to principal teacher of the modern studies department in 1965, and remained in that post until he retired in 1987.

A keen golfer, Ian was a member of Aberdour Golf Club for 20 years, and then of the New Golf Club when he moved to St Andrews.

He is survived by his son, two daughters and grandchildren.

EXPERIENCES: Ian Malcolm had a long, varied career.