Basic Biographical Details

Name: Thomas Kerr Irving
Designation:  
Born: 12 January 1912
Died: February 1987
Bio Notes: Thomas Kerr Irving was born on 12 January 1912, the son of Thomas Kerr irving, school attendance officer and his wife Catherine Rowan. He was articled to James Hay & Steel in Kilmarnock from 1928-35 and simultaneously attended Kilmarnock Technical School (1928-32) and Glasgow School of Art (1932-34). He noted in his RIBA Licentiate Nomination Paper that his studies were interrupted because he moved to a remoter area but it is not clear where he went. He moved as Junior Assistant to the practice of Alexander Dunlop, also in Kilmarnock in 1936 but styed only a matter of months.

Later in 1936 he took a post with Ayr County Council before moving to a senior assistant post in 1938 at Wigtown County Council. His career was interrupted by the Second World War when he served from 1940-45 with the RAF. In the latter year he returned to his old post with Wigtown County Council.

He set up business on his own account in 1948 and continued as Thomas K Irving for a number of years. He was elected LRIBA in 1956, proposed by Gabriel Steel, R G Lindsay and James Andrew Carrick and was elected ARIAS in 1964.

Although when he reported his father's death in 1987, Irving's son stated that he had retired in 1975, the 1981 directory indicates that Irving was in partnership with A M Buchanan, presumably Alexander Murdoch Buchanan, who seems to have also been a partner with Stevenson & Ferguson at this time. Between 1981 and 1984 Irving moved to run his practice in the SAI office, Edinburgh Road in Stranraer. At some point J & J A Carrick took over his practice.

He died in early 1987. His wife, Elizabeth Chatham McInroy, had predeceased him.

Private and Business Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this :
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 51, Linwood Gardens, Stranraer, Wigtownshire, ScotlandPrivate 1987 
Item 2 of 54, Castle Street, Stranraer, Wigtownshire, ScotlandBusinessBefore 1956After 1965 
Item 3 of 534, Charlotte Street, Stranraer, Wigtownshire, ScotlandPrivate1970 *  
Item 4 of 556, Charlotte Street, Stranraer, Wigtownshire, ScotlandBusiness1979 *  
Item 5 of 5SAI Chambers, Edinburgh Road, Stranraer, Wigtownshire, ScotlandBusiness1984 *  

* 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 6James Hay & Steel19281935Apprentice 
Item 2 of 6Alexander Dunlop1936 Junior Assistant 
Item 3 of 6Ayr County Architect's Office19361938Junior Assistant 
Item 4 of 6Wigtownshire County Council19381940Senior Assistant 
Item 5 of 6Wigtownshire County Council19451948Senior Assistant 
Item 6 of 6T K Irving & Partners1980s Partner 

RIBA

RIBA Proposers

The following individuals proposed this for RIBA membership (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate proposedNotes
Item 1 of 3James Andrew Carrick9 October 1956For Licentiateship
Item 2 of 3Robert Govan Lindsay9 October 1956For Licentiateship
Item 3 of 3Gabriel Steel9 October 1956For Licentiateship

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 11959Girvan Bowling ClubGirvan AyrshireScotlandOld Clubhouse superseded by new one

References

Archive References

The following archives hold material relating to this :
 SourceArchive NameSource Catalogue No.Notes
Item 1 of 2RIAS, Rutland SquareRecords of membership  
Item 2 of 2RIBA Archive, Victoria & Albert MuseumRIBA Nomination PapersL no 6762 (Combined Box 158)