Hugh MacTavish

In 1907, aged 18, Hugh enrolled at the Glasgow Provincial Training College (forerunner of Jordanhill College of Education, now the University of Strathclyde) for a three-year course of teacher training offered in conjunction with the University of Glasgow. Students on this particular course were required to matriculate concurrently at the University, taking some of their subjects there and others at the College. Those who completed successfully gained the Teacher’s General Certificate, entitling them to teach in primary schools, as well as an Arts degree.

Hugh’s first-year University classes included Latin and Mathematics. In his second year he took History and English, and in his third year he took Higher English and Education. Hugh graduated MA on the 10th of June 1910, and completed his professional training at the College three weeks later. He was recognised as a certificated teacher from 1 August 1910, with additional qualifications to teach singing, drawing and physical exercises in primary schools.

Hugh returned to University in 1910, taking a class in Constitutional Law. He may have been considering a career in Law, but evidently decided to stick with teaching and was posted to Bellahouston Academy in Govan from the 19th of September to the 4th of November 1910. He then briefly taught at Strathbungo Higher Grade School before taking up an appointment at Rutland Crescent School, also in Govan, on the 21st of November 1910.

Hugh was a member of the University's Officers Training Corps, and after the outbreak of War he joined the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles), where he was made a 2nd Lieutenant. Hugh MacTavish was killed on the 22nd of March 1918 at the age of 28, on the second day of the German Spring Offensive. He is commemorated on the University of Glasgow Roll of Honour, on the Roll of Honour of the Glasgow Provincial Committee for the Training of Teachers, and on the Glasgow Provincial Training College War Memorial, located in the David Stow Building on the former Jordanhill Campus.