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 AddressesThe following private or business addresses are associated with this : | | Address | Type | Date from | Date to | Notes | | 40, High Street, Banffshire | Business | 1948 | | | | 23, Castle Street, Banff, Banffshire, Scotland | Business | 1950 * | 1953 | | | 30, High Street, Banff, Banffshire | Business | 1953 | | | | Turriff, Aberdeenshire | Business | Late 1950s | Early 1960s | | | 32, High Street, Banff, Banffshire, Scotland | Business | 1964 * | | | | 27A, High Street, Banff, Banffshire, Scotland | Business | March 1989 | | |
* earliest date known from documented sources.
Employment and TrainingEmployersThe following individuals or organisations employed or trained this (click on an item to view details): | | Name | Date from | Date to | Position | Notes | | Meldrum & Mantell | 1975 | | Partner | |
Employees or PupilsThe following individuals were employed or trained by this (click on an item to view details): | | Name | Date from | Date to | Position | Notes | | Henry ('Harry') James Lyall Mantell | 1973 | 1975 | Chief Assistant | |
Buildings and DesignsThis was involved with the following buildings or structures from the date specified (click on an item to view details): | | Date started | Building name | Town, district or village | Island | City or county | Country | Notes | | 1953 | New Town Hall, Cullen | Cullen | | Banffshire | Scotland | To prepare plans for new town hall | | 1953 | Seafield Arms Hotel and Stables and Town Hall | Cullen | | Banffshire | Scotland | Responsible for restoration after fire (Buildings of Scotland) | | 1970s | Castle of Park | | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | Restoration including new staircase | | 1970s | Towie Barclay Castle | | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | Restoration | | 1970 | St Brandons | Banff | | Banffshire | Scotland | Restoration and reconstruction. | | 1972 | 1 and 3 High Shore | Banff | | Banffshire | Scotland | Restoration and conversion into 2 houses. | | 1973 | Davidston House | Cairnie | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | Restoration | | After 1973 | 41-47 High Street | Banff | | Banffshire | Scotland | Restoration | | After 1973 | Delgatie Castle, forester's cottage | Turriff | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | Reconstruction | | After 1973 | Delgatie Castle, Home Farm Steading | Delgatie | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | Conversion | | After 1973 | Delgaty Castle, East Lodge | Turriff | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | Restoration | | After 1973 | Fishing Temple | Banff | | Banffshire | Scotland | Restoration scheme proposals | | After 1973 | Town and Country Club | Banff | | Banffshire | Scotland | Alterations | | 1975 | Braco Banking House | Elgin | | Morayshire | Scotland | Restoration | | 1975 | Premises, 5a, 7, High Street | Elgin | | Morayshire | Scotland | Restoration and conversion to flat and shops | | 1980 | 29-35 High Street | Banff | | Banffshire | Scotland | Restoration, extension and development | | 1980 | St Drostan's Rectory | Old Deer, Peterhead | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | Conversion to hotel | | 1982 | Tombain steading | Aberlour | | Banffshire | Scotland | Conversion and extension of steading | | 1985 | No 26 Pennan | Aberdour | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | Alterations and extension | | 1986 | Blairmore House | Glass | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | Phased extensions to form rooftop flat and new Arts & Crafts facilities | | 1986 | House, 12 North High Street | Portsoy | | Banffshire | Scotland | Restoration of early 18th century house | | 1987 | Church of Scotland | Gardenstown | | Banffshire | Scotland | Extension - Session Hall |
ReferencesBibliographic ReferencesThe following books contain references to this : | | Author(s) | Date | Title | Part | Publisher | Notes | | Bailey, Rebecca M | 1996 | Scottish architects' papers: a source book | | Edinburgh: The Rutland Press | p98 | | Municipal Annual | 1964 | Scottish Municipal Annual | 1964-1965 | | | | Walker, David W and Woodworth, Matthew | 2015 | The Buildings of Scotland: Aberdeenshire North and Moray | | Yale University Press | pp78, 364 |
Periodical ReferencesThe following periodicals contain references to this : | | Periodical Name | Date | Edition | Publisher | Notes | | Builder | 15 May 1953 | | | p776 | | RIAS Newsletter | January 1990 | v1, no7 | | Obituary |
Archive ReferencesThe following archives hold material relating to this : | | Source | Archive Name | Source Catalogue No. | Notes | | H M Register House | Death Register | | |
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