John Muirhead (solicitor)

Brigadier Sir John Spencer Muirhead, DSO, TD, DL (1889 – 17 February 1972) was a Scottish solicitor, academic, and British Army officer. He was President of the Law Society of Scotland in 1950, and was Dean of the Royal Faculty of Procurators in Glasgow in 1952.

Early life

Muirhead was born in 1890.[1][2] His father and a grandfather were both lawyers.[3] He was educated at Fettes College, then an all-boys independent school in Edinburgh, Scotland. He studied Literae Humaniores at Oriel College, Oxford, and graduated with a double first Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in 1912.[2][4] He then entered the University of Glasgow to study law.[2][3] His studies were interrupted by World War I but he returned after the war and graduated with a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree.[2][4]

Military career

In 1912, Muirhead was commissioned into the Royal Engineers, British Army, as a Territorial Army officer.[4] He served part-time while he continued his university study.[2]

In July 1914, with the outbreak of World War I, he was called-up for military service. He served as an officer with the Royal Corps of Signals and was part of the British Expeditionary Force.[4] At the end of the war, in July 1918, he held the rank of lieutenant (acting major) and was allowed to retain the rank of major in the Royal Engineers.[5]

In the inter-war period, he continued to serve in the Territorial Army.[4] On 6 August 1919, he reverted to the temporary rank of captain.[6] He held a number of commands in different regiments: he was Officer Commanding of the 52nd (Lowland) Division Signals Regiment, Officer Commanding of the Glasgow University Officers' Training Corps, and Officer Commanding of the 74th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery.[4]

Honours and decorations

On 3 June 1918, in the King's Birthday Honours, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO).[7] During World War I, he was mentioned in despatches three times.[2] On 13 October 1920, he was awarded the Territorial Decoration (TD) for long service in the Territorial Army.[8] In the 1953 Queen's Birthday Honours, he was appointed a Knight Bachelor in recognition of his time as President of the Law Society of Scotland, and therefore granted the title sir.[9]

On 10 August 1936, he was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant (DL) by the Lord Lieutenant of Stirlingshire.[10] In August 1960, he was appointed Vice-Lieutenant of Stirlingshire.[11][12] He resigned the appointment on 23 March 1964.[13]

References

  1. ↑ "University of Glasgow :: Manuscripts Catalogue :: Sir John Spencer Muirhead". Retrieved 18 December 2015.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Sir John Muirhead". The Times (58406). 19 February 1972. p. 14.
  3. 1 2 "Memorial service for Sir John Spencer Muirhead". The Glasgow Herald. 3 March 1972. p. 5.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Death of Sir john Spencer Muirhead". The Glasgow Herald. 18 February 1972. p. 3. Retrieved 4 August 2015.
  5. ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 30799. pp. –8421. 16 July 1918. Retrieved 04 August 2015.
  6. ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 31540. p. 11312. 5 September 1919. Retrieved 04 August 2015.
  7. ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 30716. pp. 6455–6460. 31 May 1918. Retrieved 4 August 2015.
  8. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 33218. p. 7125. 5 November 1926. Retrieved 04 August 2015.
  9. ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 39863. p. 2941. 26 May 1953. Retrieved 04 August 2015.
  10. ↑ "Commission signed by the Lord Lieutenant of the County of Stirling". The Edinburgh Gazette (15309). 18 August 1936. p. 710. Retrieved 4 August 2015.
  11. ↑ "Vice-Lieutenant Of Stirling". The Times (54841). 4 August 1960. p. 10.
  12. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 42108. p. 5326. 2 August 1960. Retrieved 04 August 2015.
  13. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 43293. p. 3086. 10 April 1964. Retrieved 04 August 2015.
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