Basic Biographical Details

Name: Patrick Hill Thoms
Designation:  
Born: 1873
Died: 11 January 1946
Bio Notes: Patrick Hill Thoms was born in 1873 at Kilmacolm. His father Thomas Smith Thoms came of an old and very influential Angus family of farmers and solicitors. He was educated at Harris Academy, Dundee and articled to Charles & Leslie Ower in 1889, taking classes at Dundee Technical Institute and University College. After completing his apprenticeship he left to become an assistant to Thomas Martin Cappon, latterly managing his Brechin office where he was responsible for the Panmure Arms at Edzell and the Ramsay Arms at Fettercairn. During that period he became influenced by William Gillespie Lamond who was a senior assistant in both the Ower and Cappon offices, although the years they spent there do not seem to have significantly overlapped as Lamond joined Cappon's office only when Thoms was leaving to set up practice in his own account in 1898, initially at 18 Commercial Street. In the same year, thanks to Cappon's activities as president of the Dundee Institute of Architects, he was appointed the first part-time lecturer in architecture at Dundee Technical College and School of Art, founding the Dundee School of Architecture.

In June 1901 Thoms went into partnership with a former colleague at Cappon's, William Fleming Wilkie (born 1876). The partnership flourished and moved to a larger office at 46 Reform Street in 1904, Wilkie remodelling Kingoodie House for his own occupation. Thoms was not then married but lived at Grayburn, Benvie, a fine Arts and Crafts house he had built for his father's retirement, moving to Braefoot, Monifieth on his marriage shortly thereafter. Both partners were admitted FRIBA in 1906, Thoms's proposers being Leslie Ower, William Mackison and James Glen Sivewright Gibson and Wilkie's William Alfred Pite, Richard Phené Spiers and Gibson. Although neither had travelled abroad before commencing practice, Thoms had visited Holland, Belgium, Germany and France within the eight years prior to his admittance as Fellow.

Wilkie did not need to work and had little taste for post-war practice. Although he is said to have remained nominally a partner until 1930, he withdrew from Thoms & Wilkie's Dundee practice in 1923 and thereafter practised only from Craigower, his house in St Andrews, a move which coincided with the partnership's takeover of the practice of Captain William Walker who had died in that year. Some two years earlier the practice had moved to 21 South Tay Street, where it remained.

When Wilkie retired completely in 1925 Frank Pride was sent to St Andrews to manage the office there, but in 1927 it was closed, the business there passing to Pride. In the same year Thoms took into partnership Donald Ross, who had been his chief assistant since 1920. The name of the firm remained unchanged, however, and in 1934 Ross left to become a partner in the practice of Carver & Symon, which then became Carver Symon & Ross, Thoms taking on his nephew Thomas Hill Thoms as partner in the same year. Patrick was a member of the Council of the RIBA, the RIAS and a past president of the Dundee Institute of Architects (c.1930?). Thomas also served on the Council c.1939.

Patrick Hill Thoms died on 11 January 1946, his wife having predeceased him in 1932. He left estate of £5174 8s 8d, though his estate in total was reported as being worth £11,265. The fine house he built for himself - Greywalls, Binrock, Perth Road, Dundee - was acquired a quarter of a century later by his nephew, who continued the practice under the same name after his uncle's death.

Private and Business Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this :
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 618, Commercial Street, Dundee, ScotlandBusiness18981904 
Item 2 of 646, Reform Street, Dundee, ScotlandBusiness19041921 
Item 3 of 6Grayburn, Benvie, Dundee, ScotlandPrivate1905Before 1906 
Item 4 of 6Braefoot, Monifieth, Angus, ScotlandPrivate1906 *  
Item 5 of 621, South Tay Street, Dundee, ScotlandBusiness19211946 
Item 6 of 6Greywalls, Binrock, Perth Road, Dundee, ScotlandPrivateBefore 1946  

* earliest date known from documented sources.

Employment and Training

Employers

The following individuals or organisations employed or trained this (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate fromDate toPositionNotes
Item 1 of 3C & L Ower18891894Apprentice 
Item 2 of 3Thomas Martin Cappon18941898Senior AssistantManaged branch office in Brechin for final two years
Item 3 of 3Thoms & WilkieJune 19011946Partner 

RIBA

RIBA Proposers

The following individuals proposed this for RIBA membership (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate proposedNotes
Item 1 of 3James Glen Sivewright GibsonMid 1906for Fellowship
Item 2 of 3William MackisonMid 1906for Fellowship
Item 3 of 3Leslie OwerMid 1906for Fellowship

RIBA Proposals

This proposed the following individuals for RIBA membership (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate proposedNotes
Item 1 of 40Alexander Corbett Barrie1930 or 1931for Licentiateship
Item 2 of 40(Miss) Annie Margaret ('Moira') Bayne15 October 1940For Associateship
Item 3 of 40David Proctor Bee19 June 1945for Licentiateship
Item 4 of 40William Bell20 March 1911for Licentiateship
Item 5 of 40Arthur Tattershall Crane18 November 1941for Associateship
Item 6 of 40Ian Roger Dalgetty19 January 1943for Licentiateship
Item 7 of 40Robert Dron3 December 1934for Associateship
Item 8 of 40William Malcolm Guild18 April 1944For Associateship
Item 9 of 40Peter Kydd Hanton2 March 1908for Associateship
Item 10 of 40Andrew David Haxton18 April 1944for Fellowship
Item 11 of 40William Murray Jack15 January 1946For Associateship
Item 12 of 40John William Kay2 December 1912for Associateship
Item 13 of 40Ian Brown Kinnear24 October 1938for Associateship
Item 14 of 40William Macpherson16 January 1911for Licentiateship
Item 15 of 40John Morrison Mathers16 January 1911for Licentiateship
Item 16 of 40Margaret Robertson Mathers (Mrs Sutherland)5 December 1938for Associateship
Item 17 of 40John Donald MillsLate 1906for Fellowship
Item 18 of 40Robert Matthew MitchellMid 1931for Fellowship
Item 19 of 40William MollisonEarly 1932for Associateship
Item 20 of 40John Robert Moore29 March 1926for Associateship
Item 21 of 40George Christie MortonLate 1931 or early 1932for Licentiateship
Item 22 of 40Arthur George Wright OgilvieLate 1932 or early 1933for Fellowship
Item 23 of 40Frank PrideLate 1931for Licentiateship
Item 24 of 40James Reid4 February 1941for Licentiateship
Item 25 of 40Thomas Whytock Reid16 October 1945for Licentiateship
Item 26 of 40Donald (F?) RossEarly 1931for Licentiateship
Item 27 of 40Donald (F?) Ross3 April 1939for Fellowship
Item 28 of 40Robert Saddler16 April 1940For Associateship
Item 29 of 40Godfrey Daniel Bower Shepherd2 December 1907for Fellowship
Item 30 of 40John Walker Smart16 January 1911for Licentiateship
Item 31 of 40David Smith20 July 1911for Licentiateship
Item 32 of 40David Smith22 July 1935for Fellowship
Item 33 of 40Charles Geddes SoutarLate 1921for Associateship
Item 34 of 40Charles Geddes SoutarLate 1922for Fellowship
Item 35 of 40Thomas Hill ThomsLate 1932for Associateship
Item 36 of 40James ThomsonMid 1916for Fellowship
Item 37 of 40Edward Tough14 June 1910for Licentiateship
Item 38 of 40Arthur Gordon Wilson24 June 1912for Licentiateship
Item 39 of 40Cedric John Mathison YoungLate 1921for Associateship
Item 40 of 40Graham Conacher Young1 May 1933for Licentiateship

Buildings and Designs

This was involved with the following buildings or structures from the date specified (click on an item to view details):
 Date startedBuilding nameTown, district or villageIslandCity or countyCountryNotes
Item 1 of 1111895East Free Church HallBrechin AngusScotlandBuilt by Thoms from the Brechin office
Item 2 of 1111895Panmure Arms HotelEdzell AngusScotlandMajor extension. Largely designed and built by Thoms from the Brechin office
Item 3 of 1111896Ramsay Arms HotelFettercairn KincardineshireScotlandLargely designed and built by Thoms from the Brechin office
Item 4 of 1111897Brechin Drill HallBrechin AngusScotlandFrontage - built by Thoms from the Brechin office
Item 5 of 1111897Joint Infectious Diseases HospitalBrechin AngusScotlandBuilt by Thoms from the Brechin office
Item 6 of 1111898Villa For J CrollBroughty Ferry DundeeScotland 
Item 7 of 1111899CraigruachBroughty Ferry DundeeScotland 
Item 8 of 1111900Edzell UF ChurchEdzell AngusScotlandWon competition to secure job - in collaboration with W F Wilkie before formation of partnership
Item 9 of 1111901Balruddery House  AngusScotlandStudio and curling club house
Item 10 of 1111901DunlappieEdzell AngusScotlandTook over from Deas - may have been influenced by Deas' work and perhaps adapted from his design
Item 11 of 1111901St Paul's Free Church  DundeeScotlandAlterations; organ case; new doorway to Nethergate
Item 12 of 1111902Edzell Parish ChurchEdzell AngusScotland 
Item 13 of 1111902Grange Golf Club HouseMonifieth AngusScotland 
Item 14 of 1111902Longforgan UF ChurchInvergowrie Perthshire/AngusScotlandMemorial tablet
Item 15 of 1111902South UF ChurchKirriemuir AngusScotland 
Item 16 of 1111903Doctor's houseLiff AngusScotland 
Item 17 of 1111903Drumgeith  Dundee (near)ScotlandComplete remodelling of plain late Georgian house
Item 18 of 1111904BaldragonDownfield Dundee (near)Scotland 
Item 19 of 1111904Bowling Green Club HouseInvergowrie Perthshire/AngusScotland 
Item 20 of 1111904Clepington UF ChurchClepington DundeeScotlandPlaced first in competition but did not secure the job
Item 21 of 1111904Cottages, Wortley Place  DundeeScotland 
Item 22 of 1111904Muirhead of Liff SchoolMuirhead of Liff AngusScotlandAddition to old building; new building
Item 23 of 1111904Offices, Monifieth FoundryMonifieth AngusScotland 
Item 24 of 1111904The HirselNinewells DundeeScotland 
Item 25 of 1111905Grayburn HouseBenvie DundeeScotland 
Item 26 of 1111905LuthriebankLuthrie FifeScotlandAlterations and additions
Item 27 of 1111905MorarNinewells DundeeScotland 
Item 28 of 1111905Newburgh UF ChurchNewburgh FifeScotland 
Item 29 of 1111906Blocks of dwelling houses, Wolseley StreetClepington DundeeScotland 
Item 30 of 1111906Kinpurnie CastleNewtyle AngusScotlandShooting lodge, entrance lodge, stable & garage
Item 31 of 1111906Longforgan UF ChurchInvergowrie Perthshire/AngusScotlandAddition of tower and apse
Item 32 of 1111906MurrayfieldPittenweem FifeScotlandAlterations and additions
Item 33 of 1111906Nyora  DundeeScotland 
Item 34 of 1111907County BuildingsCupar FifeScotlandExtension to east - won 1907 competition to secure job; work executed 1924-5
Item 35 of 1111908St John's Episcopal Church and Halls  DundeeScotlandChurch refurnished and altered
Item 36 of 1111909Lochee Cabinet FactoryLochee DundeeScotlandAlterations - new front
Item 37 of 1111910Gartmore House  PerthshireScotlandAdditions
Item 38 of 1111910The ElmsLongforgan PerthshireScotland 
Item 39 of 1111910Villa, 1 Hazel Drive  DundeeScotland 
Item 40 of 1111910Villa, 1 Lawside Road  DundeeScotland 
Item 41 of 1111910Westerlea, St Colme's, GlomachLongforgan PerthshireScotland 
Item 42 of 111c. 1910Kellyfield House  DundeeScotlandReconstruction
Item 43 of 111c. 1910Lamb's Temperance Hotel  DundeeScotlandNew interiors mainly coffee room
Item 44 of 1111911The Boreen  DundeeScotland 
Item 45 of 1111912Grange CottageMonifieth AngusScotlandExtension and remodelling of earlier mill house
Item 46 of 1111912Longforgan Parish Church and churchyardLongforgan PerthshireScotlandRe-ordering and extension of churchyard with lychgate
Item 47 of 1111912Milton HouseMonifieth AngusScotlandExtension and remodelling of earlier mill house known as Grange Cottage to form hotel
Item 48 of 1111912Pair of villas, Ashlea and MaywoodLongforgan PerthshireScotlandAttribution by HS
Item 49 of 11119134 Farington Street  DundeeScotland 
Item 50 of 1111913FerncroftBarnhill DundeeScotland 
Item 51 of 1111913Fleuchar Craig Works, offices  DundeeScotland 
Item 52 of 1111913Scott Street works  DundeeScotland 
Item 53 of 1111915Parish ChurchEassie & Nevay AngusScotlandAlterations to windows at W
Item 54 of 1111915The PrioryCrail FifeScotland 
Item 55 of 1111916Drumgarth  Dundee, nearScotland 
Item 56 of 1111916Tay Park  DundeeScotlandNew north west wing
Item 57 of 1111919Logie Housing Scheme  DundeeScotlandDesigned some areas within Logie.
Item 58 of 1111920Bakery at Lytton Street  DundeeScotland 
Item 59 of 111c. 1920Cottages at KingoodieKingoodie AngusScotland 
Item 60 of 111c. 1920(?)House for WrightCarnoustie AngusScotland 
Item 61 of 111c. 1920Morgan's Hospital  DundeeScotlandWar memorial
Item 62 of 111c. 1920St Paul's (South Church), War Memorial for 4th Black Watch  DundeeScotland 
Item 63 of 111c. 1920The Hermitage, 1 Graham StreetMontrose AngusScotlandAttribution by Paul Mitchell
Item 64 of 111c. 1920Town's Churches, St Mary's Church and church hall  DundeeScotlandBlack Watch war memorial
Item 65 of 1111921House for E Macgregor  DundeeScotland 
Item 66 of 111c. 1921(?)Dudhope Housing Scheme  DundeeScotlandAllocated part of the design?
Item 67 of 1111922Lochee Bedding Factory  DundeeScotland 
Item 68 of 1111922Rosemount HouseBlairgowrie PerthshireScotlandAlterations
Item 69 of 1111922Victoria Café and Tea GardenSt Andrews FifeScotland 
Item 70 of 1111923Abbey Park Housing EstatePittenweem FifeScotlandCompletion after death of William Walker
Item 71 of 1111923Double villas, Kennedy Gardens and Donaldson GardensSt Andrews FifeScotland 
Item 72 of 1111923Gordon LodgeSt Andrews FifeScotlandAlterations and additions
Item 73 of 1111923Tom Morris HouseSt Andrews FifeScotlandNew bathroom wing
Item 74 of 1111923West ParkSt Andrews FifeScotlandAlterations
Item 75 of 111Before 1923Wallacetown Parish Church, war memorial  DundeeScotland 
Item 76 of 1111924108 Market StreetSt Andrews FifeScotlandShopfront
Item 77 of 111192516 Wortley PlaceMaryfield DundeeScotlandReconstruction
Item 78 of 1111925Cottage, Priory AcresSt Andrews FifeScotland 
Item 79 of 1111925House, 1 Panmure PlaceMontrose AngusScotland 
Item 80 of 1111925Police sergeant's house, police cells, charge room etcCupar FifeScotland 
Item 81 of 111c. 1925House for John Tattersall  DundeeScotland 
Item 82 of 111c. 1925Semi-detached houses, Hyndford Street  DundeeScotland'Style of' (HS)
Item 83 of 1111926Hamewith  DundeeScotland 
Item 84 of 1111926Harris Academy, Perth Road  DundeeScotlandWon competition to secure job. (Design by Donald Ross)
Item 85 of 1111926House and Garage for P S Low  DundeeScotland 
Item 86 of 1111927House for Very Reverend Provost A C Don  DundeeScotland 
Item 87 of 1111928Lochee Cabinet FactoryLochee DundeeScotlandAlterations
Item 88 of 1111928Milton HouseMonifieth AngusScotlandFurther work
Item 89 of 1111928The Ridges, Farington Hall estate  DundeeScotlandWith Donald Ross as assistant
Item 90 of 1111928 or 1946(?)West End GarageBroughty Ferry DundeeScotlandMay have done the 1928 and/or the 1946 work
Item 91 of 1111929Aerated Water Factory and Office  DundeeScotland 
Item 92 of 1111929British and Argentine Meat Company Limited PremisesHawkhill DundeeScotlandAlterations
Item 93 of 1111929Grey Walls  DundeeScotland 
Item 94 of 1111929House at RosemountBlairgowrie PerthshireScotland 
Item 95 of 1111929Rosemount HouseBlairgowrie PerthshireScotlandGrieve's house
Item 96 of 1111929St David's in the North Church of Scotland  DundeeScotlandSuperseded scheme by Todd & Miller
Item 97 of 1111930Bellfield Street RC School  DundeeScotland 
Item 98 of 1111930Panmure VillaBroughty Ferry DundeeScotlandAlterations
Item 99 of 111c. 1930St Roque's garage  DundeeScotlandReconstruction and extension
Item 100 of 1111932South Mills (or South Mill)  DundeeScotlandAlterations
Item 101 of 1111933Garage, Shaftsbury Road  DundeeScotland 
Item 102 of 1111933SunningdaleStannergate, West Ferry DundeeScotland 
Item 103 of 1111934Draffen's Department Store extension, Nethergate  DundeeScotlandNew block on Nethergate and other work following a fire at the original site
Item 104 of 1111936Bruce HotelCarnoustie AngusScotlandAlterations
Item 105 of 1111936House, Marchfield Road  DundeeScotland 
Item 106 of 1111937House for Very Reverend Provost A C Don  DundeeScotland 
Item 107 of 1111937Tay Ropeworks  DundeeScotlandAlterations
Item 108 of 1111938Cottages at the GrangeMonifieth AngusScotland 
Item 109 of 1111939St Margaret's Episcopal Church and hallLochee DundeeScotlandHall added. Gifford gives 1948-49.
Item 110 of 111Before 1946Taybank Housing Scheme  DundeeScotland 
Item 111 of 1111947St Margaret's Episcopal Church and hallLochee DundeeScotlandSugden's design completed to a different and curtailed design.

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this :
 Author(s)DateTitlePartPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 1RCAHMS1992Dundee on Record RCAHMSGrayburn House (c.1920) p42

Periodical References

The following periodicals contain references to this :
 Periodical NameDateEditionPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 2Scotsman12 January 1946  Obituary p3
Item 2 of 2Scotsman11 May 1946  p3 - Wills & Estates

Archive References

The following archives hold material relating to this :
 SourceArchive NameSource Catalogue No.Notes
Item 1 of 1RIBA Archive, Victoria & Albert MuseumRIBA Nomination Papers F v16 p142 no1088 (microfilm reel 11)