Talking about memories, family meals and going to his favourite place fishing🎣

Brian Archibald was born on the 9th of June 1949. Just plain Brian, no middle names, until later in life he took John as a middle name. When he moved into a management position someone said to him, it makes you look more business like if you have a middle initial.
Brian was the youngest, the baby of the family, brought up by Annie and Bob. The family lived in Lauderdale and school was to be at Macalpine Primary and Kirkton High.

When Brian left the school he got a job as a jute preparer in Hillbank Mill, and although the company merged and changed its name over the years, Brian worked for the same people until the business closed for good in 1999 when it was called Sidlaw Textiles. That was just about 35 years with the same employer.
He did work for a while with Mountwest Petroleum in Arbroath for a short while, but after damaging his leg there he retired for good.

Brian helped a lot of the family get work in the mills, that was the way of Dundee back then, with generations of family working in the same place, although young Brian when we worked there, made sure he worked the nightshift, that way he could avoid his dad managing him at work, as well as at home!

Brian met Ann in the Hillbank Mill, Brian was only 17, and Ann 16. Brian took to following Ann home by getting on the same bus, even though he didn’t really live anyplace close!
Ann didn’t like Brian at first for two reasons, he was too rough around the edges, and he was a Kirkton Hun. Ann went on to tell me that Brian eventually wore her down. IT ONLY TOOK 1 WEEK!!!!

Brian and Ann were to be married on the 2nd of January 1969, Brain said it was questionable of how sober everyone was! The reception was in the house, and there was no money for a honeymoon, but it was still a great day.
There is very little record of the event though, as a neighbour, Mr Harvey, one of the few people with a camera was in charge of the pictures, and after taking loads of snaps all day it was then discovered that there wasn’t a spool in the camera.

Brain and Ann had their two kids, Brian born later on in 1969, and Susan, in 1975. Because of some difficulties around Brian’s birth, Susan was a bit unplanned, and Brian said it was the best mistake he ever made.

Brian didn’t want Susan to be marrying anyone from the schemes, so, he wasn’t best pleased with Gordon at first, even the day before their wedding he was saying, it’s not too late!
Gordon wasn’t just a son-in-law of 25 years—he was a second son. In Brian’s own words, “my laddie.” He could never wait for Gordon to get back from offshore, always armed with a list of things for him to do—whether it was fixing something, ordering something, or just some daft wee task. He simply loved having Gordon around for coffee and chats. They became the best of friends, and even in the final days before Brian passed, he was still giving Gordon instructions to follow.

But for Gordon, nothing was ever too much. He loved being around Brian too, soaking up all the stories shared over the years.

Brian and Ann enjoyed their holidays and travelled well, Tenerife, Jersey, Florida and in later years Pitlochry and the Highlands to name a few.

Brian’s passion was fishing. The biggest fish Brian caught was 34lb Salmon in 1978 which he sold for £51 to the publican of Woodside Inn which him & his mates used to by drink from the same pub so the owner was quids in

Grandkids were the best thing that happened to Brian he loved every minute of it, it changed him as a person & they made him mellow & whatever they kids wanted they got regardless of what his Brian or Susan said. Loved going to Sophie’s dance shows over the years & watching Harry play football or generally just being there taxi driver but he was so proud of all of his grandkids. He taught them to play pool. Basketball, and even helped them with their maths.

Words to sum up Brian…

Early for everything…..even 45 mins early to pick the grandchildren from school, just to make sure he got the first space

Impatient ALWAYS!

A charmer, he could get away with murder with his comments.

A fighter, for himself in his younger days, and for his family in life

A joker, till the end (Gordon I’m gonna give up swearing, how said Gordon, Brian, cause I canna be fucked)

A likeable rogue, welcomed everyone, got involved with everyone

Loving and caring, and a heart of gold❤️