After leaving school aged 15, my father worked with Royal Life Insurance as an office worker initially in Coatbridge, then Partick and finally Motherwell. He was manager then area manager for Motherwell and Wishaw. Airdrie Academy Rector Mr. Anderson’s letter of recommendation must have meant a lot to him as he kept it for so many years.

 

After retiring from there he worked between Airdrie and Coatbridge libraries helping to record and set up historical pieces of interest. He finally worked for Tennent’s in Coatbridge as time keeper and wages personnel.

 

In his earlier years he was a member of ‘Rabs Ranters’. This was a singing group consisting of seven men including his own brother, four Crossan brothers and a friend . He arranged a variety of musical pieces, wrote sketches and they performed in local Women’s Guilds, Airdrie Town Hall, The Waverley, notorious Glasgow Empire and were given various 'gigs' by Archie McCulloch.

 

He also was a founder leader of ‘The Children's Own’, who met in Ebenezer Congregational Church....over 100 kids aged from 4- 12 met every Thursday to sing choruses and play games. This developed to a 14 club for teenagers, then a badminton club. He wasn't satisfied with this so he started an Operetta group in the same church where approximately 40 kids came every week. He wrote around 5/6 scripts and songs for these shows which were performed in Airdrie Arts Centre and Broomknoll Church. He was an active member of the Arts Centre Committee.

 

Unfortunately, in his later years Robert suffered from Parkinsons, but his mind did not suffer. He enjoyed playing the organ and having sing songs when he could. His favourite hobby was going to support Airdrieonians football club every Saturday. He encouraged my son to do the same...he's still a loyal supporter!

 

I attended Airdrie Academy myself from 1964 until 1969. My memories are of being a quiet pupil, fearful of most teachers. A lot of them had a scary reputation so I tried to stay out of their radar!

 

I enjoyed foreign languages, art and music. Admittedly I was not great at them, but I passed all the relevant exams.

 

I made a lot of great friends and I have kept in touch with quite a few of them.In 1967 Airdrie Academy’s football team players were victorious in the final match against Our Lady’s HS in Motherwell at Hampden Park in Glasgow. They won the prestigious Scottish Shield.

 

A few months later the team were treated to a European tour as a reward. Members of the school choir, Scottish dancers and the victorious footballers stayed with host families in and around Prosecco, Trieste in Italy. They also had stops in Germany and Koper in the former Yugolslavia.

 

I remember my visit as a member of the school choir. I loved that trip. My brother wasn’t too happy as we were placed with the same family in Opacina before we went to Koper.