Tribute to war vet and holder of MBE

Aug 21 2008 by Lesley Brown, Hamilton Advertiser

A RETIRED surveyor who was awarded an MBE for his public service has died aged 87.

John Kellock Black served with the Royal Horse Artillery during World War Two and later worked in Yemen.

He and his wife Irene (77) lived in Hamilton for almost 20 years.

And for nine years he worked as an advisor in the Citizens Advice Bureau in Almada Street, Hamilton.

Born on March 31, 1921, Mr Black, who is originally from Paisley, passed away at Wishaw General Hospital on August 5.

Educated at Camphill Secondary School in Renfrewshire, Mr Black went on to study at Paisley Technical College and the University of Strathclyde’s Royal Technical College.

He also took a correspondence course at the College of Estate Management in London.

During his career, Mr Black was made a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (FRICS), a prestigious accolade that reflects the achievements of a special group of property professionals.

Starting his career as an Apprentice Quantity Surveyor with Donald Dewar and Partners in 1937, Mr Black joined the war effort in 1940.

When he returned from service in 1946, Mr Black worked with the British Rail Estate Department for several years before becoming a valuation assistant for Inland Revenue.

In 1954, Mr Black moved to South Yemen, formerly Aden, where he worked for the Public Works Department.

Mr Black’s wife Irene said the country, which is located on the Arabian Peninsula in Southwest Asia, was “a very special place to John”.

During this time, Mr Black also learned to speak the country’s native language, Arabic, fluently.

Working as Commissioner of Lands for 12 years, Mr Black was awarded an MBE on his return to the UK for services to the community.

The investiture ceremony, held at Buckingham Palace, took place on June 8, 1968, when Mr Black was 47 years of age.

At this time, Mr Black joined the Department of the Environment Property Services Agency, where he worked as an estate surveyor until 1986.

He then worked for the Citizens Advice Bureau. The role as advisor was one Mr Black enjoyed, and which he never considered a chore.

Even when he was forced to retire due to deteriorating eyesight, Mr Black maintained an interest in the bureau.

Mr Black was also a keen member of the West of Scotland Lapidary Society for 30 years until he could no longer see clearly enough to cut and polish stones.

A service remembering his life was held on August 9 at T and A Fyfe, then Daldowie near Uddingston.