Basic Biographical Details

Name: John Jeffrey Meldrum
Designation:  
Born: 11 August 1913
Died: 31 October 1987
Bio Notes: John ('Jack') Jeffrey Meldrum was born on 11 August 1913, the son of John Meldrum, forester and his wife, Agnes Sinclair. He originally trained as a chartered surveyor and was AICA in 1936. During the Second World War he served as a major with the Royal Engineers in Burma. After the war he retrained as an architect and was a member of the RIAS by 1945, setting up practice in 1948. He opened an office at 40 High Street, Banff. In the later 1950s a branch office was opened in Turriff.

Meldrum was a founder member of the Banff Preservation Society in 1965. He was influential in restoration work his achievement being recognised by awards from the Saltire Society, the Civic Trust and the European Architecture Heritage Year. He was also instrumental in the restoration of the historic town of Portsoy which was almost deserted in the 1960s.

In 1975 Meldrum invited Henry Mantell to join him in partnership, the name becoming Meldrum & Mantell. In 1987 Meldrum retired from practice.

Meldrum was very active in local community affairs. He was known for good humour and common sense which he preserved through his later years of illness. He died from heart failure on 31 October 1987, survived by his wife, Anne Davidson, and their two daughters.

Private and Business Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this :
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 640, High Street, BanffshireBusiness1948  
Item 2 of 623, Castle Street, Banff, Banffshire, ScotlandBusiness1950 *1953 
Item 3 of 630, High Street, Banff, BanffshireBusiness1953  
Item 4 of 6Turriff, AberdeenshireBusinessLate 1950sEarly 1960s 
Item 5 of 632, High Street, Banff, Banffshire, ScotlandBusiness1964 *  
Item 6 of 627A, High Street, Banff, Banffshire, ScotlandBusinessMarch 1989  

* 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 1Meldrum & Mantell1975 Partner 

Employees or Pupils

The following individuals were employed or trained by this (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate fromDate toPositionNotes
Item 1 of 1Henry ('Harry') James Lyall Mantell19731975Chief Assistant 

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 221953New Town Hall, CullenCullen BanffshireScotlandTo prepare plans for new town hall
Item 2 of 221953Seafield Arms Hotel and Stables and Town HallCullen BanffshireScotlandResponsible for restoration after fire (Buildings of Scotland)
Item 3 of 221970sCastle of Park  AberdeenshireScotlandRestoration including new staircase
Item 4 of 221970sTowie Barclay Castle  AberdeenshireScotlandRestoration
Item 5 of 221970St BrandonsBanff BanffshireScotlandRestoration and reconstruction.
Item 6 of 2219721 and 3 High ShoreBanff BanffshireScotlandRestoration and conversion into 2 houses.
Item 7 of 221973Davidston HouseCairnie AberdeenshireScotlandRestoration
Item 8 of 22After 197341-47 High StreetBanff BanffshireScotlandRestoration
Item 9 of 22After 1973Delgatie Castle, forester's cottageTurriff AberdeenshireScotlandReconstruction
Item 10 of 22After 1973Delgatie Castle, Home Farm SteadingDelgatie AberdeenshireScotlandConversion
Item 11 of 22After 1973Delgaty Castle, East LodgeTurriff AberdeenshireScotlandRestoration
Item 12 of 22After 1973Fishing TempleBanff BanffshireScotlandRestoration scheme proposals
Item 13 of 22After 1973Town and Country ClubBanff BanffshireScotlandAlterations
Item 14 of 221975Braco Banking HouseElgin MorayshireScotlandRestoration
Item 15 of 221975Premises, 5a, 7, High StreetElgin MorayshireScotlandRestoration and conversion to flat and shops
Item 16 of 22198029-35 High StreetBanff BanffshireScotlandRestoration, extension and development
Item 17 of 221980St Drostan's RectoryOld Deer, Peterhead AberdeenshireScotlandConversion to hotel
Item 18 of 221982Tombain steadingAberlour BanffshireScotlandConversion and extension of steading
Item 19 of 221985No 26 PennanAberdour AberdeenshireScotlandAlterations and extension
Item 20 of 221986Blairmore HouseGlass AberdeenshireScotlandPhased extensions to form rooftop flat and new Arts & Crafts facilities
Item 21 of 221986House, 12 North High StreetPortsoy BanffshireScotlandRestoration of early 18th century house
Item 22 of 221987Church of ScotlandGardenstown BanffshireScotlandExtension - Session Hall

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this :
 Author(s)DateTitlePartPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 3Bailey, Rebecca M1996Scottish architects' papers: a source book Edinburgh: The Rutland Pressp98
Item 2 of 3Municipal Annual1964Scottish Municipal Annual1964-1965  
Item 3 of 3Walker, David W and Woodworth, Matthew2015The Buildings of Scotland: Aberdeenshire North and Moray Yale University Presspp78, 364

Periodical References

The following periodicals contain references to this :
 Periodical NameDateEditionPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 2Builder15 May 1953  p776
Item 2 of 2RIAS NewsletterJanuary 1990v1, no7 Obituary

Archive References

The following archives hold material relating to this :
 SourceArchive NameSource Catalogue No.Notes
Item 1 of 1H M Register HouseDeath Register