A FORMER Daily Record photographer has died suddenly, aged 82.
Archie McGilp retired from the Record aged 60 in 1987 after 33 years service – mostly in the paper’s Ayr district office.
He passed away at Ayr Hospital early on Thursday. He had taken ill the previous day.
Former Record colleague, Derek Masterton – who worked with him in Ayr – said: “Archie was a true character with a wicked sense of humour. He was a superb professional and a joy to work with. I have a treasure chest of memories and stories about our times together.
“He commanded huge respect among his colleagues and was a man of the highest integrity. He was also fiercely loyal to his friends – even when we didn’t deserve it. His loss will be mourned throughout the industry and particularly in Ayrshire where he had so many friends.”
Archie began his newspaper career in the Borders as a trainee photographer on the Hawick Express. At the age of 17, he volunteered to serve in the RAF during the latter part of World War 2.
He later transferred to the army and joined the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. When he was demobbed, he returned to the Hawick Express before joining the Daily Record in Glasgow in 1954.
With his clipped tones, and dapper dress, Archie looked like and was fondly nicknamed Captain Mainwaring – after the Dad’s Army character – but he had none of Mainwaring’s self-important air. He loathed pretension and shallowness in people.
After he retired, Archie turned his hand to painting in watercolours and gardening. He had a love of the great outdoors and walking.
And right to the end, one morning each week, he would be available for “consultation” at the bar of his favourite Ayr hostelry, Matha Dickie’s.
Archie’s funeral will take place at 2pm tomorrow, at Masonhill Crematorium, Ayr and thereafter at the Abbotsford Hotel.
