John Crichton Kirkpatrick

Young John was educated at Townhead Public School, where he served indentures as a Pupil Teacher. In 1910, he progressed to 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 take some of their subjects at the College, and others at the University. If they completed successfully, they would receive two qualifications: the Teacher’s General Certificate, entitling them to teach in primary schools, and a University degree.

John studied Arts subjects at the University of Glasgow between 1911 and 1914, starting with German and Mathematics in his first year and subsequently taking classes in English, German, Logic and Metaphysics, Mathematics, Political Economy, Education, and Natural Philosophy. In session 1911-12, he also attended an evening class in Mathematics at the Glasgow and West of Scotland Technical College, later known as the Royal Technical College, now the University of Strathclyde.

Having originally applied for three years’ training, John sought and received permission to stay on for a fourth year at the Glasgow Provincial Training College. He completed his professional training in the summer of 1914, gaining the Teacher’s General Certificate with an additional qualification to teach Educational Handwork (Higher Course) in primary schools. Officially recognised as a certificated teacher from 1 August, he was appointed to a post at his old school, Townhead Public School in Kirkintilloch, on 18 August 1914. However, war intervened, and he was destined never to fulfil his potential as a teacher.

During the war, John was wounded whilst serving as 2nd Lieutenant with the 11th Cameronians (Scottish Rifles). He also served with the 20th Squadron, Royal Flying Corps. Second Lieutenant John Crichton Kirkpatrick was killed in action on 10th December 1917, aged 26. He is remembered with honour at Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery. His name also appears on the Glasgow Provincial Training College War Memorial, located in the David Stow Building on the former Jordanhill Campus; and on the Rolls of Honour of the Glasgow Provincial Committee for the Training of Teachers and the Royal Technical College of Glasgow.