Basic Biographical Details

Name: John Frederick ('Fred') Torry
Designation:  
Born: 12 January 1906
Died: 30 September 1980
Bio Notes: John Frederick Torry (known as Fred) was born on 12 January 1906, the son of Arthur McGregor Torry, commercial traveller, and his wife Bruce Davison. He served his articles with William Cowie in Ayr from 1923 to 1928 and enrolled at Glasgow School of Art in 1932, completing the course five years later. He was admitted ARIBA in 1939, his proposers being James Carrick, James Archibald Morris and William Cowie.

He returned to Cowie as assistant and remained with hime becoming a partner at some point thereafter. He appears to have taken over William Cowie's practice in 1947, possibly on Cowie's retirement. Initially the firm was William Cowie & Torry and subsequently after the retirement of Torry, it became William Cowie, Torry & Partners, with Ian McGill as senior partner. He was an Associate of the Glasgow Institute of Architects by 1939-40, his address at that date and until at least 1970 was 14 Seafield Crescent, Ayr.

He died aged 74 at Ballochmyle Hospital. His wife Margaret Wyllie, had predeceased him. His married daughter who lived in Hamilton registered his death.

Private and Business Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this :
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 25, Wellington Square, Ayr, Ayrshire, ScotlandBusiness1939  
Item 2 of 214, Seafield Crescent, Ayr, Ayrshire, ScotlandPrivate/business(?)1939 *After 1970 

* 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 4William Cowie19231928Apprentice 
Item 2 of 4William CowieAfter 1928 Assistant 
Item 3 of 4William Cowie & Torry1947 Partner 
Item 4 of 4Cowie, Torry & Partners1970 * Partner 

* 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 3James Carrick12 December 1939For Associateship
Item 2 of 3William Cowie12 December 1939For Associateship
Item 3 of 3James Archibald Morris12 December 1939For 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 251953Dalmilling Church, St QuivoxAyr AyrshireScotland 
Item 2 of 251954The Schaw KirkDrongan AyrshireScotland 
Item 3 of 251955Cathedral of the Good ShepherdAyr AyrshireScotland 
Item 4 of 251959Girvan Central Development AreaGirvan AyrshireScotlandBegun scheme - completed after his retirement
Item 5 of 251964St Paul RC ChurchAyr AyrshireScotland 
Item 6 of 251965Trinity UF Church and hallsAyr AyrshireScotlandSuite of halls added
Item 7 of 251965Wallacetown and Newton Redevelopment, AyrWallacetown, Ayr AyrshireScotland 
Item 8 of 251968Three tower blocksWallacetown AyrScotland 
Item 9 of 251969Citadel Leisure CentreAyr AyrshireScotlandMay have been involved in the initial stages of this project - before retirement
Item 10 of 25Late 1960sBuilding for Church of Scotland, Broomfield RoadAyr AyrshireScotlandUnsure if still involved.
Item 11 of 251970sWest of Scotland Agricultural College, Auchincruive/AuchencruiveSt Quivox AyrshireScotlandAddition to Dairy Research building
Item 12 of 25Before 1970New Cumnock Swimming PoolNew Cumnock AyrshireScotlandMay be involved if scheme began in 1960s.
Item 13 of 25c. 1970St Margaret's RC ChurchAyr AyrshireScotlandPresbytery
Item 14 of 25Before 1975Department of the Environment officesSaltcoats AyrshireScotland 
Item 15 of 25Before 1975Kincaidston Community Development with 800 houses and Shopping CentreAyr AyrshireScotland 
Item 16 of 25Before 1975Residential home and mentally handicapped unitGirvan AyrshireScotland 
Item 17 of 25Before 1975Village HallCatrine AyrshireScotland 
Item 18 of 25c. 1980Inspection chamber for coastal sewage pumping schemePrestwick AyrshireScotland 
Item 19 of 25c. 1980Pumping StationPrestwick AyrshireScotland 
Item 20 of 25Before 1981Ayr Football Club StadiumAyr AyrshireScotlandUpgrading of stadium
Item 21 of 25Before 1981Cash & Carry warehouse for IanottiAyr AyrshireScotland 
Item 22 of 25Before 1981Grougar Primary SchoolMoscow, Galston AyrshireScotland 
Item 23 of 25Before 1981Housing Action AreaPrestwick AyrshireScotlandPlans drawn up
Item 24 of 25Before 1981Pumping Stations for Garnock Valley Sewage Scheme  AyrshireScotland 
Item 25 of 25Before 1981Tesco SupermarketSaltcoats AyrshireScotland 

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this :
 Author(s)DateTitlePartPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 3RIBA1939The RIBA Kalendar 1939-1940 London: Royal Institute of British Architects 
Item 2 of 3RIBA1950The RIBA Kalendar 1950-1951 London: Royal Institute of British Architects 
Item 3 of 3RIBA1970RIBA Directory 1970   

Archive References

The following archives hold material relating to this :
 SourceArchive NameSource Catalogue No.Notes
Item 1 of 1RIBA Archive, Victoria & Albert MuseumRIBA Nomination Papers A no7383 (Combined Box 187)