Basic Biographical Details

Name: William Higgins Henry
Designation:  
Born: 9 August 1905
Died: 18 January 1984
Bio Notes: William Higgins Henry was born at 31 Crossburn Street, Glasgow on 9 August 1905, the son of David Henry, coal hill clerk and his wife Jessie Livingstone. He was educated at Dunoon Grammar Higher Grade School. He was articled to Boston, Menzies & Morton of Greenock on 15 November 1920 and remained as draughtsman after completing his apprenticeship. On 15 August 1929 he left to join the Argyll County Council, working in the Education Authority offices in Dunoon under Robert Cameron. The following May he transferred to the same County Council's Works Department in Lochgilphead, where he worked as chief assistant to the County Engineer, George Wishart, mainly on alterations and repairs to police stations, hospitals and county offices as well as planning a rural housing scheme and devising solutions to the particular sewage disposal problems of the county by way of springs, wells, filtration beds, wind pumps and septic tanks for specific buildings.

He applied for Licentiateship of the RIBA in February 1932 and was admitted later that year, despite the fact that his application lacked any proposers' signatures because, as he explained, he was not acquainted with any Fellows of the Institute. Curiously, although he claims that he was still in the Works Department at Lochgilphead at that time, he gives his business address as the Education Offices in Dunoon, his residence being 'Clyde View', Victoria Road, Dunoon. From 1930-36 he was assistant architect with the County Architect's Department in Argyll and from 1936-40 he was Depute County Architect of the same county. However his career was interrupted by the Second World War and he saw active service in the years 1940-45.

In November 1945 Henry moved to take up the post of Clackmannanshire County Architect. While in this post he was responsible for the preparation of the approved County Development Plan, including Survey Reports and Written Statement. He was admitted FRIBA in 1966, his proposers being Richard Seifert, Eric Sinclair Bell and Thomas Hill Thoms. He appears to have demitted office by 1970.

Henry died of broncopneumonia on 18 January 1984 at Stirling Royal Infirmary. He was a widower, his first wife ___McLeod and his second wife, Wilhelmina Morrison or McNaughton, both having predeceased him.

Private and Business Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this :
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 7Lochgilphead, Argyll, ScotlandBusiness1930  
Item 2 of 7Clyde View, Victoria Road, Dunoon, Argyll, ScotlandPrivate/business(?)1932 *  
Item 3 of 7Balgowan Lodge, Alexander Street, Dunoon, Argyll, ScotlandPrivate/business(?)19341935 
Item 4 of 7Belmore, Hunter Street, Kirn, Dunoon, Argyll, ScotlandPrivate/business(?)1939 or 1940 *  
Item 5 of 7County Buildings, Drysdale Street, Alloa, Clackmannanshire, ScotlandBusiness1950 *  
Item 6 of 76, Marshill, Alloa, Clackmannanshire, ScotlandPrivate(?)1970 *  
Item 7 of 7Kirkcroft (or Kirncroft?)/18, Alexandra Drive, Alloa, Clackmannanshire, ScotlandPrivatec. 1984  

* earliest date known from documented sources.

Employment and Training

Employers

The following individuals or organisations employed or trained this (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate fromDate toPositionNotes
Item 1 of 9Boston, Menzies & Morton15 November 192015 November 1925Apprentice 
Item 2 of 9Boston, Menzies & Morton15 November 192515 August 1929Draughtsman 
Item 3 of 9Argyll County Education Authority15 August 192915 May 1930AssistantUnder Robert Cameron, Master of Works
Item 4 of 9Robert Cameron15 August 192915 May 1930AssistantAt Argyll County Education Authority
Item 5 of 9Argyll County Council Engineer's Department15 May 1930After 1932Chief AssistantUnder George Wishart, County Engineer
Item 6 of 9George Wishart15 May 1930After 1932Chief AssistantAt Argyll County Council Engineer's Department
Item 7 of 9Argyll County Council Architects Department19321936Assistant Architect 
Item 8 of 9Argyll County Council Architects Department19361945Deputy Architect 
Item 9 of 9Clackmannanshire County Architect's DepartmentNovember 1945 * Chief Architect 

* earliest date known from documented sources.

RIBA

RIBA Proposers

The following individuals proposed this for RIBA membership (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate proposedNotes
Item 1 of 3(Captain) Eric Sinclair Bell2 February 1966For Fellowship
Item 2 of 3Richard Seifert2 February 1966For Fellowship
Item 3 of 3Thomas Hill Thoms2 February 1966For Fellowship

RIBA Proposals

This proposed the following individuals for RIBA membership (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate proposedNotes
Item 1 of 1John Michael Fox6 December 1937for Associateship

Buildings and Designs

This was involved with the following buildings or structures from the date specified (click on an item to view details):
 Date startedBuilding nameTown, district or villageIslandCity or countyCountryNotes
Item 1 of 58After 1920Alexandria Gas Company showroomsAlexandria DunbartonshireScotlandAs apprentice/draughtsman to Boston, Menzies & Morton
Item 2 of 58After 1920Babtie & Craig officesDumbarton DunbartonshireScotlandAlterations - as apprentice/draughtsman to Boston, Menzies & Morton
Item 3 of 58After 1920Bakery for Port Glasgow Co-operative SocietyPort Glasgow RenfrewshireScotlandAdditions - as apprentice/draughtsman to Boston, Menzies & Morton
Item 4 of 58After 1920Bandstand and layout of public gardensGourock RenfrewshireScotlandCompetition design - as apprentice/draughtsman to Boston, Menzies & Morton
Item 5 of 58After 1920Bowling and Tennis ClubhouseGourock RenfrewshireScotlandAs apprentice/draughtsman to Boston, Menzies & Morton
Item 6 of 58After 1920Clune Park Church and hallsPort Glasgow RenfrewshireScotlandSuite of halls - as apprentice/draughtsman to Boston, Menzies & Morton
Item 7 of 58After 1920Garage for Port Glasgow Co-operative SocietyPort Glasgow RenfrewshireScotlandAs apprentice/draughtsman to Boston, Menzies & Morton
Item 8 of 58After 1920Gourock Golf ClubhouseGourock RenfrewshireScotlandAs apprentice/draughtsman to Boston, Menzies & Morton
Item 9 of 58After 1920Gourock War MemorialGourock RenfrewshireScotlandCompetition design - as apprentice/draughtsman to Boston, Menzies & Morton
Item 10 of 58After 1920Greenock Provident BankGourock RenfrewshireScotlandAs apprentice/draughtsman to Boston, Menzies & Morton
Item 11 of 58After 1920Greenock Provident Bank, Greenock West branchGreenock RenfrewshireScotlandAs apprentice/draughtsman to Boston, Menzies & Morton
Item 12 of 58After 1920Housing schemeGourock RenfrewshireScotlandAs apprentice/draughtsman to Boston, Menzies & Morton
Item 13 of 58After 1920Mid KirkGreenock RenfrewshireScotlandAlterations, redecoration and new choir stalls - as apprentice/assistant to Boston, Menzies & Morton
Item 14 of 58After 1920New Theatre Company LtdGreenock RenfrewshireScotlandAs apprentice/draughtsman to Boston, Menzies & Morton
Item 15 of 58After 1920Pavilion Theatre and Dance HallGreenock RenfrewshireScotlandPlans - as apprentice/draughtsman to Boston, Menzies & Morton
Item 16 of 58After 1920Port Glasgow Fire StationPort Glasgow RenfrewshireScotlandAs apprentice/draughtsman to Boston, Menzies & Morton
Item 17 of 58After 1920Private house(s)Greenock RenfrewshireScotlandAs apprentice/draughtsman to Boston, Menzies & Morton
Item 18 of 58After 1920Private house(s)Gourock RenfrewshireScotlandAs apprentice/draughtsman to Boston, Menzies & Morton
Item 19 of 58After 1920Private house(s)Alexandria DunbartonshireScotlandAs apprentice/draughtsman to Boston, Menzies & Morton
Item 20 of 58After 1920Public Hall and Baths for the Dyers AssociationAlexandria DunbartonshireScotlandAs apprentice/draughtsman to Boston, Menzies & Morton
Item 21 of 58After 1920Reinforced concrete retaining wall for River LevenDumbarton DunbartonshireScotlandAs apprentice/draughtsman to Boston, Menzies & Morton
Item 22 of 58After 1920Sandbank UF ChurchDunoon ArgyllScotlandAlterations and redecoration - as apprentice/draughtsman to Boston, Menzies & Morton
Item 23 of 58After 1920Sandbank War MemorialDunoon ArgyllScotlandAs apprentice/draughtsman to Boston, Menzies & Morton
Item 24 of 58After 1920Shops for the Port Glasgow Co-operative SocietyPort Glasgow RenfrewshireScotlandAs apprentice/draughtsman to Boston, Menzies & Morton
Item 25 of 58After 1920Warehouse and showrooms for Messrs ShannonGreenock RenfrewshireScotlandAs apprentice/draughtsman to Boston, Menzies & Morton
Item 26 of 581929(?)Bowmore SchoolBowmoreIslayArgyllScotlandAdditions and alterations - as assistant, probably in Argyll County Education Department, under Robert Cameron
Item 27 of 581929(?)Cornaigmore Higher Grade SchoolCornaigmoreTiree/TyreeArgyllScotlandPlans for additions - as assistant in Argyll County Education Department, under Robert Cameron
Item 28 of 581929(?)Dunoon Grammar Higher Grade SchoolDunoon ArgyllScotlandAs assistant, probably to Argyll County Education Department, under Robert Cameron
Item 29 of 581929(?)Elementary SchoolColintraive ArgyllScotlandPlans - as assistant, probably to Argyll County Education Department, under Robert Cameron
Item 30 of 581929(?)Oban High SchoolOban ArgyllScotlandPlans for additions - as assistant, probably in Argyll County Education Department, under Robert Cameron
Item 31 of 581929(?)Secondary SchoolCampbeltown ArgyllScotlandExtension - as assistant, probably in Argyll County Education Authority under Robert Cameron
Item 32 of 58After 1930Salen Isolation hospitalSalenMullArgyllScotlandSketch plans - as assistant, probably to George Wishart, in Argyll County Council Engineer's Department
Item 33 of 58c. 1932County Housing Scheme  ArgyllScotlandAs assistant, probably to George Wishart, in Argyll County Council Engineer's Department
Item 34 of 581950Primary School, St Serf's RoadTullibody ClackmannanshireScotland 
Item 35 of 581951Abercromby Primary SchoolTullibody ClackmannanshireScotlandAs County Architect
Item 36 of 581957Housing, Kirk WyndClackmannan ClackmannanshireScotlandAs Clackmannan County Architect
Item 37 of 5829 March 1957Protestant Primary School at Fairyburn Development siteAlloa ClackmannanshireScotlandper Builder p614
Item 38 of 581958Alloa Academy, ClaremontAlloa ClackmannanshireScotlandAs County Architect (gives this job in Nomination Paper for Fellowship)
Item 39 of 581958Banchory Primary SchoolTullibody ClackmannanshireScotlandAs County Architect
Item 40 of 581958Forebraes Junior Secondary SchoolSauchie ClackmannanshireScotlandAs County Architect
Item 41 of 581950s or 1960sAlloa Burgh SchoolAlloa ClackmannanshireScotlandAlterations and additions (it is assumed that this is the school to which Higgins made additions)
Item 42 of 581960sCentral Re-development of Main Street, including shops, housing and landscapingSauchie ClackmannanshireScotlandAs County Architect
Item 43 of 581960sDeerpark Primary SchoolSauchie ClackmannanshireScotlandAs County Architect
Item 44 of 581960sHawkhill Primary SchoolAlloa ClackmannanshireScotlandAlterations and additons - as County Architect
Item 45 of 581960sSauchie Public Park, sports pavilionSauchie ClackmannanshireScotlandAs County Architect
Item 46 of 581960s(?)Strathdevon Primary SchoolDollar ClackmannanshireScotlandAs County Architect
Item 47 of 581960sTullibody Public ParkTullibody ClackmannanshireScotlandLayout of playing fields, bowling green, erection of sports pavilion and hall - as County Architect
Item 48 of 581960Menstrie Place Housing Scheme with Menstrie CastleMenstrie ClackmannanshireScotlandAs County Architect


Item 49 of 58c. 1960Development, Main Street and Forth StreetCambus ClackmannanshireScotlandAs Clackmannan County Architect
Item 50 of 58c. 1960Midtown housing development, including Nurse's Home and ClinicMenstrie ClackmannanshireScotlandAs Clackmannan County Architect
Item 51 of 581963Single storey cottages, south side of High StreetClackmannan ClackmannanshireScotlandAs County Architect
Item 52 of 581965Alvas Primary and Secondary SchoolAlva ClackmannanshireScotland'partly completed' - as Clackmannanshire County Architect
Item 53 of 581965Old People's HomeAlloa ClackmannanshireScotland'Under construction' - Henry as County Architect
Item 54 of 581966Blackwood Court blocks of flatsClackmannan ClackmannanshireScotlandAs Clackmannan County Architect
Item 55 of 581966Junior Secondary SchoolTillicoultry ClackmannanshireScotland'under construction' - as County Architect
Item 56 of 581966Tillicoultry Primary SchoolTillicoultry ClackmannanshireScotlandAs County Architect
Item 57 of 581967Main Street housing with shops and landscapingTullibody ClackmannanshireScotlandAs County Architect
Item 58 of 581967Maple Court housingAlloa ClackmannanshireScotlandAs County Architect

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this :
 Author(s)DateTitlePartPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 1RIBA1939The RIBA Kalendar 1939-1940 London: Royal Institute of British Architects 

Periodical References

The following periodicals contain references to this :
 Periodical NameDateEditionPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 3Builder20 January 1950  p119
Item 2 of 3Builder20 January 1950  p119
Item 3 of 3RIBA JournalAugust 1984 London: Royal Institute of British ArchitectsDeath notice

Archive References

The following archives hold material relating to this :
 SourceArchive NameSource Catalogue No.Notes
Item 1 of 2Professor David M Walker personal archiveProfessor David M Walker, notes and collection of archive material Additional information from Iain Paterson
Item 2 of 2RIBA Archive, Victoria & Albert MuseumRIBA Nomination Papers L no4176 (box 21); F no5747 (Box 98)