Papers of Hugh Mann, 1891-1917, arts graduate, University of Glasgow, Scotland and Jessie Reid, arts student, University of Glasgow, Scotland

Scope and Content

There are three sub-fonds level descriptions:

  • Papers of Hugh Mann, 1914-2004;
  • Papers of Jessie Reid, 1911-1956;
  • Papers of Reid family, including papers of Cameron Mann, 1881-1960s.

A box of family photographs was deposited in 2006 (ACCN 2968). These have not yet been uncatalogued.

Administrative / Biographical History

Hugh Wallace Mann was born to a middle class family in Shettleston, Glasgow on 13 January 1891. His father, John, was a minister. Hugh studied at the High School of Glasgow before matriculating, in 1908 as a student of Arts Faculty of University of Glasgow. He studied Latin and Greek in his first year (1980-1909), Moral Philosophy and English in his second year (1909-1910), and Political Economy Political Philosophy, Social Economy and Geography in his last year (1910-1911). He was awarded a certificate for Political Philosophy Class (Section B) in 1911. He graduated with an MA on 20 June 1911.

After graduation, he attented the United Free Church College in Glasgow to study Church ministry in order to follow his father's footsteps and for two years acted as Student Missionary in Wellpark United Free Church, where he was highly esteemed.

Jessie Hunter Reid was born in Alva, Clackmannanshire, in 1886. She was the fourth of seven children of a middle class family. Her father, William Reid, was an educator in Glasgow. She was a pupil of Glasgow High School for Girls. According to her summer report she was commended as a "most intelligent pupil" and "a pupil of great promise". In 1913 she matriculated at the University of Glasgow as a first year Arts student and studied Latin and Mathematics. It looks like she didn't go on to graduate.

Hugh and Jessie first met at Hugh's graduation ceremony and their friendship began then. They got married on 15th October 1914. At the outbreak of war in 1914, Hugh was just entering the last session of his Divinity course, when he answered the call to his country's service. During that winter he trained with his battalion, and threw himself with wonted enthusiasm and determination into the work. In the early summer of 1915 orders were issued for France. For several months the battalion was engaged in minor operations. Then came the great onslaught at Loos on 25th September. Hugh survived the battle and escaped with only minor injuries. During his military service he was promoted three times until he became Captain . On 12 Otober 1917, Hugh was wounded during the Battle of Passchendaele. Two days later he wrote a letter to his wife, Jessie, with an optimistic attitude to his injuries. However, he died one month later on 14 November 1917.

Hugh and Jessie had one son, Cameron, who was born in 1915 but sadly died in 1931 after catching the mumps. After her son's death Jessie devoted herself to the church. She died on 19 January 1976.

Brid Hetherington, a relative, published a book of Hugh's letters to Jessie titled Under The Shadow: Letters of Love and War 1911-1917 (1999) a copy of which is included in this collection.

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically within record series.

Access Information

Open

Acquisition Information

Deposit : Mrs Brid Hetherington: Nov 2004 : ACCN 2656

Deposit : Mrs Brid Hetherington : Sept 2006: ACCN 2968

Other Finding Aids

This collection is currently being recatalogued so there are no other finding aids at present.

Alternative Form Available

No known copies.

Physical Characteristics and/or Technical Requirements

None which affect the use of this material.

Conditions Governing Use

Applications for permission to quote should be sent to the Archivist.

Reproduction subject to usual conditions: educational use and condition of documents

Appraisal Information

This material has been appraised in line with standard GB 0248 procedures

Custodial History

Unknown.

Accruals

None expected

Related Material

Hugh Mann's Roll of Honour entry and biography can be found on the University of Glasgow Story website here.

Location of Originals

This material is original.

Bibliography

Brid Hetherington Under The Shadow: Letters of Love and War 1911-1917 (1999) by Brid Hetherington.

Additional Information

Description compiled in line with the following international standards: International Council on Archives,ISAD(G) Second Edition, September 1999 and National Council on Archives,Rules for the construction of personal, place and corporate names

Scotland is the location of all place names in the administrative/biographical history element, unless otherwise stated.

Fonds level description compiled by Heidi Ye, Information Management and Preservation student placement, December 2005. Lower level descriptions compiled by Heidi Ye, Information Management and Preservation student placement, December 2005. Collection converted to Encoded Archival Description by Heidi Ye, Information Management and Preservation student placement, December 2005. Edited by Gemma Tougher, Assistant Archivist (Cataloguing), 31 January 2013.

Geographical Names