• Homepage
  • Admissions
  • Strategy 2022-2027
  • Stanfield Prep
    • A Word From Our Headmistress
    • About Our Wonderful School
    • An Excellent Education
    • Unrivalled Facilities
    • Pastoral Care – Merchants’ Mindset
    • Endless Opportunities
    • Out Of Hours Care
    • Learning Support
    • Key Information
  • Senior Boys
    • A Word From Our Headmaster
    • About Our School
    • Departments & Curriculum
    • Co-Curricular & Enrichment
    • Pastoral Care
    • Learning Support
    • Key Information
  • Senior Girls
    • A Word From Our Headmistress
    • About Our School
    • Departments & Curriculum
    • Co-Curricular & Enrichment
    • Pastoral Care
    • Learning Support
    • Key Information
  • Sixth Form
    • About Our Sixth Form
    • Boys’ Sixth Form
    • Girls’ Sixth Form
    • Academic Excellence
    • Leadership Opportunities
    • Co-Curricular & Enrichment
    • Extended Project Qualification
    • Pastoral Care
    • Careers
    • University Applications
  • Merchants+ Facility Hire and Children’s Activities
  • Calendar
  • Events
  • Latest News
  • Contact Us
  • Job Vacancies
  • Alumni & Development
  • SOCS Sports
  • Our Family
  • Stanfield Prep
  • Senior Boys
  • Menu Spacer ALWAYS KEEP IN MIDDLE
  • Senior Girls
  • Sixth Form
  • Admissions

MENU

Gordon Glasgow Looks Back (Leaver 1944)

When Doreen Iddon, the Schools’ Development Officer, heard that, at the age of 87, I had been awarded a Ph.D. in History at the University of Cambridge, she suggested that I wrote an article for Merchants’ Tales explaining how and why, in retirement, I came to be awarded that degree and my experiences when undertaking the work involved. I accepted her suggestion with apprehension as I was looking back more than 70 years.

I was a pupil at Merchant Taylors’ Boys’ School from 1941 to 1944 under the Headmasterships of the Rev C.F Russell and T.J.P York. It was the time of the Second World War and it was a different world. The playing fields in front of the school were in part converted into air raid shelters. The Sixth Form was very small. I was in the Upper Modern Sixth Form and it barely numbered a dozen pupils most of whom were awaiting their call-up papers. However, it meant that there was a closer relationship between pupil and teacher than would normally have been possible and we had exceptional older and experienced teachers. I am sure I did not realise that at the time I was in that way privileged. I remember, in particular, W.H. Barugh who had joined the staff from Keble College Oxford in 1924 and who was, in my time, Head of History. So far as I am aware, Barugh never published anything but he was a scholar of merit and a brilliant, inspiring teacher. Of Barugh, it has been written by the Rev H.M. Luft, who in the 1940s was a junior classics master at the school, that “his fervor and irrepressible spirit transformed history into a drama”. I found that to be true and I was among the many boys invited to his home in Crosby to share in his enthusiasm for history.

When I left Merchant Taylors’ for Emmanuel College Cambridge in 1944 to read History, to mark the occasion, Barugh presented me with an inscribed copy of A.S Turberville’s classic work, “English Man and Manners in the Eighteenth Century”, which book I treasure. He also kept in touch throughout my period at Cambridge. During University vacations I was invited to his home in Crosby. I remember having several fish and chips meals with him and listening to him talk at length about the merits of A.L Rowse’s “Spirit of English History” then only recently published and dedicated to Winston Churchill as historian and saviour of our country.

At Cambridge I obtained degrees first in History and then in Law. On leaving University I qualified as a solicitor and was in private practice for nearly 50 years and for 16 of those years was also H.M Coroner for Sefton, Knowsley and St.Helens. I finally retired in 1998. I had often dreamt of one day undertaking a piece of research of some merit and on my retirement with the support of my wife Betty, who is also a solicitor, I enrolled as a mature student at Manchester University. Under the supervision of Dr Ian Burney I researched into the role of Lancashire coroners in the nineteenth century and obtained an M.Phil degree in 2002. I then, independently of any University, widened my research field extending it to the politics of the inquest in Victorian England with the advancement of democracy. Over the next 10 years that research involved visiting record offices and libraries in North-West England and beyond. Sometimes it resulted in moments of drama. For example, on one occasion I was locked in the Archive room in the basement of Manchester Town Hall and only managed to escape, with difficulty, by the emergency fire exit ending up in the City Architects’ department to the consternation of the staff but to my relief. During the next 10 years I worked in record offices extending from the Cumbrian Archives in Carlisle Castle in the North down to the Warwick County Archives and the Shakespeare Centre at Stratford-upon-Avon and the London Archives where I worked in the House of Lords Record office and the old Public Record office. During that time I wrote up my research and many of my findings were published in academic periodicals.

I had always been aware that the Faculty of History in the University of Cambridge had, for some years back, awarded a PhD Degree by Special Regulations on the submission of published work of the required standard. In 2012, encouraged by my wife, I decided to submit to the History Faculty at the University, for their consideration, 12 published papers and books and I was in due course notified that a viva voce was required and given a date in October 2013 and also the venue for the same. Our Vicar, the Rev. Canon Dr Rod Garner, a strong supporter of Life Long Learning and familiar with most University requirements encouraged me to attend the viva voce. Therefore, my wife and I booked in at the University Arms Hotel for 3 nights and my wife arranged for assisted travel with British rail. That journey proved to be one of the traumas of my Ph.D. saga. The day before the journey a fire broke out at the University Arms Hotel. At the same time the Meteorological office issued a weather warning not to travel. It was to be the week of the Great Storm. Train services were disrupted. Assisted travel for the elderly was not operative. However, my wife and I persisted and managed, with the kind help of fellow travellers, to arrive at Cambridge. On our arrival we found that the fire at the University Arms Hotel had fortunately been confined to the top storey. We also found that the University, on hearing of my health problems , had changed the venue for the viva voce from upstairs premises to the ground floor old Porters Lodge in Downing Street. The viva voce with three Professors from Oxford, Cambridge and Huddersfield lasted just over one hour. Questions on my published work were pertinent and searching but all the examiners were courteous and kind.  I was informed in January of the following year that my submission of published work had been successful and I was awarded my Doctorate at the Senate House Cambridge on 24th January 2014. The long saga of my Doctorate had ended but it was a saga in which the late W.H. Barugh and the teaching staff of Merchant Taylors’ Boys’ School in the 1940s played a significant role.

Sadly just before this article went to print in the Merchant Tales, we heard that Gordon died at home, quietly and peacefully (as he lived), on 23rd February 2016. He was 89 and had been in failing health for some considerable time. Our condolences and thoughts go out to his wife and family.

SHARE:

Previous Post All News Next Post

Latest News

  • Rowing success at Lancaster Regatta
  • Cricket masterclass with Lancashire star Ellie
  • Shakespeare Shorts
  • CCF Inspection Day 2023
  • Pupils learn from KnifeSavers talk
View All News

Upcoming Events

  • Half Term Holiday Club on May 30, 2023 8:00 am
  • Half Term Holiday Club on May 31, 2023 8:00 am
  • Half Term Holiday Club on June 1, 2023 8:00 am
  • Half Term Holiday Club on June 2, 2023 8:00 am
  • Comedy Bingo event in support of Rugby tour on June 17, 2023 7:00 pm
View All Events

Join our family

admissions information sign up to our newsletter

SHARE:

Back to top

Instagram Feed

Four of our Royal Navy cadets were lucky enough to Four of our Royal Navy cadets were lucky enough to start the Battle of the Atlantic commemorations early on Thursday when they visited HMS Biter at the Albert Dock. All of the cadets had a fantastic time touring the ship and discovering more about the Archer Class vessel.
Yesterday, Year 12 Geography students travelled to Yesterday, Year 12 Geography students travelled to Ainsdale to conduct some important work as part of their A Level studies. They ventured to the dunes to investigate the impact human activity is having on the natural environment, and what a beautiful day it was too! ☀️
Year 5 Drama Club members treated parents to a per Year 5 Drama Club members treated parents to a performance of “Nun Fun in the Arizona Sun” in the Senior Boys' drama studio recently.

It was great to watch the pupils perform with such confidence and charisma on stage, they had the audience in pleats of laughter with their well delivered lines. 

Parents and teachers were blown away by the talent on stage - well done Year 5 Drama Club! 👏
Year 10 MFL pupils had a great time yesterday at @ Year 10 MFL pupils had a great time yesterday at @livuni to learn more about the advantages of continuing their language studies. 

Following a pleasant tour of the university grounds, they were able to experience Chinese calligraphy during a hands-on workshop.
Year 6 Cooking Club cooked up a storm in the kitch Year 6 Cooking Club cooked up a storm in the kitchen yesterday afternoon as they made tasty spring rolls with Nước chấm, a classic Vietnamese dipping sauce. 

Pupils were excited to learn about a different cuisine and to make something delicious - well done Year 6 👏
Yesterday our GCSE Geography pupils continued thei Yesterday our GCSE Geography pupils continued their fieldwork with a trip to Keswick, assessing the impact that tourism has had on the town. The boys were surveying the land use as well as conducting questionnaires.
Well done to everyone who entered the Mile Race at Well done to everyone who entered the Mile Race at Victoria Park in Southport yesterday afternoon 🏃‍♀️🏃

All of the pupils who participated thoroughly enjoyed the event and supported each other, showing great team spirit 👏

Congratulations to all competitors from Stanfield & William in Year 8 at MTBS for their sterling performances including:

Joseph (Year 5) - 3rd Place
Daisy (Year 6) - 2nd Place
Michael (Year 6) - 2nd Place
William (Year 8 ) - 2nd Place
Our rowers enjoyed a successful day at the City of Our rowers enjoyed a successful day at the City of Lancaster Regatta on Sunday, claiming a haul of medals.

Harriet, Jess, Rhea and Dara took gold in the W4x, while Jess also won in WJ17 1x competition and claimed a third medal, this time silver, alongside Kristina in the WJ17 2x.

There were also excellent performances from Pau in the Op 1x, Summer and Alice in the WJ15 2x and Charlotte in the WJ14 1x, who all went home with silver medals.

It was an impressive and enjoyable performance from the entire squad, who can be very proud of their efforts on a warm, sunny day at the John O’Gaunt Rowing Club.
Merchant Taylors' image

ADDITIONAL INFO
Disclaimer
Privacy
Cookie Usage
Terms & Conditions
Website Credits

LINKS
Intranet
Calendar
Policies
Firefly
Contact

 
Join Our Team
News
Events
Governance

Admissions: 0151 949 9366
Primary School: 0151 924 1506
Senior Girls: 0151 924 3140
Senior Boys: 0151 928 3308
Sports Centre: 0151 949 9355

The Merchant Taylors’ School
Liverpool Road
Crosby
Liverpool
L23 0QP

Our social links

© The Merchant Taylors’ Schools, Crosby
Company No: 6654276
Registered Charity No: 1125485

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
Cookie SettingsAccept All
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT