Basic Biographical Details Name: | Mills & Shepherd | Designation: | | Born: | October 1900 | Died: | 1966 | Bio Notes: | John Donald Mills was born at 16 Paton's Lane, Dundee on 12 January 1872, the son of James Smith Mills and his wife Rebecca Donald. He was educated at Morgan Academy and Dundee High School, and was articled to Charles & Leslie Ower from 1888 to 1891. Thereafter he became an assistant in the office of John Murray Robertson, with whom he remained for five years and by whom he was profoundly influenced. During that period he attended classes at the Dundee Technical Institute and University College. In 1896 he sought wider experience with Larner Sugden of Leek, the connection probably being made through the Rev E S Sugden, an Episcopal architect-priest in Dundee who was of that family. He greatly enjoyed drawing and during these early years made numerous sketching tours in Britain and abroad, spending a month in Italy (Milan, Como, Florence, Vicenza, Verona, Venice, Siena and Ravenna) and visiting France (including Brittany) several times, once with London architect George Alexander Thomas Middleton, as well as travelling to Germany (including Dresden and Nuremberg), Austria and Prague.
In 1899 Mills returned from Leek to commence independent practice in Tayport, concentrating on domestic work, but in October 1900 he moved to Dundee and formed a partnership with Godfrey Daniel Bower Shepherd with an office at 10 Tay Square. Shepherd was born in Dundee in 1874, and had worked under Mills during his apprenticeship in John Murray Robertson's office between 1893 to 1896. He had remained there as draughtsman until 1897 when he moved to London as an assistant in the office of Alfred Walter Saxon Snell. While there he passed the qualifying exam, but did not immediately seek admittance as ARIBA, moving instead to the office of the London Dundonian James Glen Sivewright Gibson in 1899 before returning to his native Dundee the following year.
In their earlier years, Mills and Shepherd seem to have remained closely associated with Murray Robertson's practice as their RIBA nomination papers show that they designed interior work at Ballumbie House and built the stables at Blebo House when Robertson's successor, James Findlay, was overcommitted on University College and Dundee Royal Infirmary projects.
Mills was admitted FRIBA in 1906, his proposers being Gibson, David Barclay Niven of London and Patrick Hill Thoms, a friend from C & L Ower's office. Shepherd was admitted FRIBA in September of the following year, his proposers being Snell, Thoms and Gibson. At that date Mills had travelled in Italy, France, Germany, Austria and Czechoslovakia, and Shepherd, whose family was well-off, 'in Europe'. The practice quickly made a name for very stylish Arts and Crafts houses and from around 1910 replaced Gillespie & Scott as architects to the University of St Andrews, Mills having settled in St Andrews - initially at Dauphin Hill, and later at 99 North Street.
In April 1919 Herbert Morgan Smail, in later years better known as Colonel Smail, joined the practice as chief draughtsman. He had been born on 4 June 1890 and had studied at the Dundee School of Architecture and Technical College from October 1908 to October 1912 whilst serving an apprenticeship with an unidentified firm in the same town, possibly Mills & Shepherd. On completion of his apprenticeship he had moved to Glasgow for further office experience, first with James Miller and then with Peter Macgregor Chalmers, enabling him to study at the Glasgow School of Architecture from 1912 to 1914. He had spent the summers of those years travelling in England, France, Belgium and Italy. At the beginning of 1919 he had joined an office in St Andrews before returning to Dundee to join Mills & Shepherd in April. Two months later he was made a partner, although the practice title remained unchanged; and in the same year the practice moved to a larger house at 9 South Tay Street.
As a result of having carried out some garden work at Blair Castle for the Duke of Atholl, the ADC to King George V, Mills & Shepherd came to the notice of Queen Mary and they were commissioned to carry out a considerable amount of garden and estate work at Balmoral in 1922-24. In the 1920s they superseded Lorimer on at least two occasions, Auchterhouse and Fingask.
From about 1933 the practice's domestic manner changed somewhat, Crittall metal-framed windows of distinctive proportions becoming a feature. Godfrey Daniel Bower Shepherd died on 21 December 1937, and William M Guild was taken into partnership after several years of practice on his own account. John Donald Mills kept the practice going through the Second World War, operating mainly from St Andrews, while Smail and Guild were on war service.
Smail was admitted FRIBA in 1952. Mills died in retirement at his home, 99 North Street, on 26 January 1958. He left estate of £17, 951 5s 4d. Smail died soon thereafter, and Guild closed the Dundee office in 1966, continuing to practise for some years thereafter from his home in Cupar. | Private and Business AddressesThe following private or business addresses are associated with this : | | Address | Type | Date from | Date to | Notes | | 10, Tay Square, Dundee, Scotland | Business | c. 1900 | | | | 9, South Tay Street, Dundee, Scotland | Business | 1919 | 1966 | | | Gysels, Brighton Road, Cupar, Fife, Scotland | Business | 1966 | | William M Guild working from his own house |
Employment and TrainingEmployees or Pupils
Buildings and DesignsThis was involved with the following buildings or structures from the date specified (click on an item to view details): | | Date started | Building name | Town, district or village | Island | City or county | Country | Notes | | 1900 | Glenmarkie House | | | Angus | Scotland | Main house, stables, kennels and other estate buildings | | 1900 | St Paul's Church | | | Dundee | Scotland | Extensive stone repairs | | After 1900 | House for J P Curran Esq | St Andrews | | Fife | Scotland | Additions | | 1901 | Nevay Park | Newtyle/Meigle (near) | | Angus | Scotland | | | 1902 | Castle Cynicus, Lucklaw | Balmullo | | Fife | Scotland | | | 1903 | Craigower | St Andrews | | Fife | Scotland | | | 1903 | House | Broughty Ferry | | Dundee | Scotland | Addition | | 1903 or 1904 | The White House | St Andrews | | Fife | Scotland | Also 1911 addition | | 1904 | 9 Abbotsford Crescent | St Andrews | | Fife | Scotland | Alterations and additions | | c. 1904 | Balgillo | Broughty Ferry | | Dundee | Scotland | Billiard room | | c. 1904 | Ballumbie Castle | | | Angus | Scotland | Internal furnishings - commission taken over from James Findlay, probably because of over-commitment | | c. 1904 | Blebo House | | | Fife | Scotland | Stable block and offices - work taken over from James Findlay, probably because of over-commitment | | 1904 or 1905 | University College Dundee Fleming Gymnasium and Fives Courts | | | Dundee | Scotland | | | 1905 | Belsize, Stannergate | West Ferry | | Dundee | Scotland | | | 1905 | Harecraig House | West Ferry | | Dundee | Scotland | Internal decorations and finishings | | 1905 or 1906 | Greymount | | | Dundee | Scotland | | | 1906 | The Weisha, Hazel Hall | | | Dundee | Scotland | | | 1907 | Ardvreck | | | Dundee | Scotland | | | 1907 | Plans for a large block of offices for an insurance company | | | Dundee | Scotland | Unexecuted plans | | 1907 | Priory Acres | St Andrews | | Fife | Scotland | | | 1907 | St Leonard's School, convalescent house | St Andrews | | Fife | Scotland | | | 1907 | West House | St Andrews | | Fife | Scotland | Further work 1911 and 1926 | | 1908 | Electric Laboratory, University College Dundee | | | Dundee | Scotland | | | 1908 | Strips of Craigie | Craigie | | Dundee | Scotland | For Shepherd | | 1909 | House on Craigie Avenue | | | Dundee | Scotland | | | 1909 | Monifieth Episcopal Church | Monifieth | | Angus | Scotland | | | c. 1909 | Hillside | Broughty Ferry | | Dundee | Scotland | Alterations and additions | | 1910 | University Hall | St Andrews | | Fife | Scotland | Major addition | | After 1910(?) | Cricket pavilion | Cupar | | Fife | Scotland | | | 1911 | Trinity College Glenalmond | Glenalmond | | Perthshire | Scotland | Cricket pavilion | | 1913 | Glenisla Reservoir | Glenisla | | Angus | Scotland | | | After 1913 | Montpellier | Cupar | | Fife | Scotland | Alterations | | 1914 | Ardconnel Chapel and schoolroom | | | Argyll | Scotland | | | 1914 | Ardconnel Lodge | | | Argyll | Scotland | | | 1914 | Dalbeathie House | Dunkeld | | Perthshire | Scotland | | | 1914 | The Swilken | St Andrews | | Fife | Scotland | | | 1916 | Glentulchan | St Andrews | | Fife | Scotland | Drawing room (alterations?) | | 1916 | Howbury | St Andrews | | Fife | Scotland | House and Chauffeurs House at 87 Hepburn Gardens | | 1916 | University of St Andrews, Students' Dining Room | St Andrews | | Fife | Scotland | | | 1919 | Memorial in Portland Stone | | | | Scotland | | | 1920 | Abernethy War Memorial | Abernethy | | Perthshire | Scotland | | | 1920 | Auchterhouse | | | Angus | Scotland | Alterations and restoration | | 1920 | Blair Castle | Blair Atholl | | Perthshire | Scotland | Garden work | | 1920 | Leuchars War Memorial | Leuchars | | Fife | Scotland | | | 1920 | Lochton House | | | Perthshire | Scotland | Alterations and additions | | 1920 | Longforgan war memorial | Longforgan | | Perthshire | Scotland | | | 1920 | University College, War memorial | | | Dundee | Scotland | | | c. 1920 | Almondbank War Memorial | Almondbank | | Perthshire | Scotland | | | c. 1920 | Kidds Rooms | | | Dundee | Scotland | Alterations: conversion from church | | c. 1920 | Tayport War Memorial | Tayport | | Fife | Scotland | | | 1921 | 7 St Leonard's Road | St Andrews | | Fife | Scotland | | | 1921 | 9 The Scores | St Andrews | | Fife | Scotland | Alterations | | 1921 | Sunnymede | St Andrews | | Fife | Scotland | | | 1922 | Balmoral Castle | Balmoral | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | Gates, also garden work (no date) | | 1922 | Drumskaith | St Andrews | | Fife | Scotland | | | 1922 | St David of Scotland Episcopal Church | Inverbervie | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | | | 1922 | The Swilken | St Andrews | | Fife | Scotland | Second phase of work | | 1923 | Ashcliff and gatelodge | | | Dundee | Scotland | Alterations | | 1923 | Baile-na-Coille | Balmoral | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | Additions | | 1923 | Little Hayes | St Andrews | | Fife | Scotland | | | 1923 | Rebreck | Balmoral | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | Additions | | 1923 | The Glean | St Andrews | | Fife | Scotland | | | 1923 | The White House | St Andrews | | Fife | Scotland | Cottage and garage | | 1923 | Union Club | St Andrews | | Fife | Scotland | Rebuilding of north east corner to uniform height of 3 storeys, panelling of first floor dining room | | 1923 | University College Dundee, Men's Hostel | | | Dundee | Scotland | | | 1923 | University of St Andrews, Chemical and Physical Laboratories | St Andrews | | Fife | Scotland | Additions | | March 1923 | House for General B C Fellows | St Andrews | | Fife | Scotland | Plans - possibly unexecuted | | c. 1923 | Abergeldie Mains | Abergeldie | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | Additions | | c. 1923 | Auchterhouse mansion house, lodge | | | Angus | | Extension | | c. 1923 | Auchterhouse, coach house, stable and squash court | | | Angus | Scotland | Extended and converted old brewhouse into squash court | | 1924 | 1 Donaldson Gardens | St Andrews | | Fife | Scotland | | | 1924 | Binrock and Lodge | | | Dundee | Scotland | Alterations | | 1924 | Cryanreuch | St Andrews | | Fife | Scotland | | | 1924 | Gerrards Cross | St Andrews | | Fife | Scotland | | | 1924 | Glenmuick | Balmoral | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | Lodge and gates | | 1924 | House at Duntrune for Claude Bilton | Duntrune | | Angus | Scotland | | | 1924 | Rhebreck | Easter Balmoral | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | Additions | | 1924 | Rufflets | St Andrews | | Fife | Scotland | | | 1924 | Trinity College Glenalmond | Glenalmond | | Perthshire | Scotland | Eastern extension of N range (the Matheson building) | | c. 1924 | 71-73 Hepburn Gardens | St Andrews | | Fife | Scotland | | | 1925 | Ashstead | St Andrews | | Fife | Scotland | | | 1925 | Fingask Castle | Kilspindie | | Perthshire | Scotland | Restoration | | 1925 | Rea House, Glamis Drive | | | Dundee | Scotland | | | 1926 | Trinity College Glenalmond | Glenalmond | | Perthshire | Scotland | Gladstone Cloister | | 1926 | University of St Andrews, St Mary's College | St Andrews | | Fife | Scotland | Additions | | 1927 | 10 Middleshade Road | St Andrews | | Fife | Scotland | | | 1927 | Langlands | St Andrews | | Fife | Scotland | | | 1927 | Middleton | Friockheim | | Angus | Scotland | Alterations | | 1927 | Pitalpin House | | | Dundee | Scotland | Alterations at NW corner and creation of outbuildings to include laundry room and wash house.
| | 1927 | University of St Andrews, St Salvator's Hall | St Andrews | | Fife | Scotland | Mills responsible | | 1928 | Ardvreck | | | Dundee | Scotland | Alterations and additions | | 1928 | Clepington Estate | Clepington | | Dundee | Scotland | Additions | | 1928 | Ellenbank | | | Dundee | Scotland | Linking block to Union Mount | | 1928 | Kincaple House | | | Fife | Scotland | Reconstruction with wings | | 1928 | Megginch Castle | | | Perthshire | Scotland | Alterations partly reversed following a fire, inlcuding removal of porch, new entrance and other alterations | | 1928 | University of St Andrews Old Parliament Hall | St Andrews | | Fife | Scotland | Panelling | | 1929 | Riechip | | | Perthshire | Scotland | Alterations | | 1929 | Smith and Valentine Premises | | | Dundee | Scotland | Alterations and additions | | 1930s | 112 South Street, second house in close and last house in close | St Andrews | | Fife | Scotland | Restoration | | 1931 | Dean's Court | St Andrews | | Fife | Scotland | Conversion to hall of residence - Mills responsible | | 1931 | Lochton House | | | Perthshire | Scotland | Alterations and additions | | 1931 | University of St Andrews, Botany Department building | St Andrews | | Fife | Scotland | Mills responsible | | 1931 | University of St Andrews, Geology Department building | St Andrews | | Fife | Scotland | Mills responsible | | 1931 | University of St Andrews, St Mary's College | St Andrews | | Fife | Scotland | Repairs and alterations; panelling of College Hall | | 1933 | Dinmont | St Andrews | | Fife | Scotland | | | 1933 | Greenacres | Murrayfield | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | 1934 | Trinity College Glenalmond | Glenalmond | | Perthshire | Scotland | Various schemes for additions, partially executed | | 1935 | Balgavies | | | Angus | Scotland | Additions (Plans in NMRS) | | 1935 | Beech Hill | Forfar | | Angus | Scotland | Alterations | | 1935 | Cromalt | St Andrews | | Fife | Scotland | | | 1935 | Greyfriars Cottage | St Andrews | | Fife | Scotland | | | 1935 | Trinity College Glenalmond | Glenalmond | | Perthshire | Scotland | Warden's house addition | | 1935 | University of St Andrews, St Salvator's Hall | St Andrews | | Fife | Scotland | Extension | | 1937 | University Court of St Andrews | St Andrews | | Fife | Scotland | | | Before 1937 | Banff House | | | Banffshire | Scotland | Minor alterations | | 1938 | East Haugh | | | Perthshire | Scotland | Alterations | | 1938 | St Leonard's Parish Church Hall | St Andrews | | Fife | Scotland | | | 1939 | Lude House | Blair Atholl (near) | | Perthshire | Scotland | Alterations | | 1939 | Observatory | | | Dundee | Scotland | | | 1939 | University of St Andrews Observatory | St Andrews | | Fife | Scotland | | | 1940s | Bank of Scotland | | | Dundee | Scotland | | | 1940s | Clydesdale Bank | | | Dundee | Scotland | | | 1940s | House | Crieff | | Perthshire | Scotland | | | 1940s | Houses | | | Dundee | Scotland | | | 1940s | Housing scheme | | | Dundee | Scotland | | | 1940s | Housing scheme | Crieff | | Perthshire | Scotland | | | 1940s | Printing works with offices, canteen, 24 dark rooms and photo processing | | | Dundee | Scotland | | | 1941 | 41 North Castle Street | St Andrews | | Fife | Scotland | Renovation and alterations | | 1942 | Balmyle | West Ferry | | Dundee | Scotland | Gates - survey for alterations? | | 1947 | Seaside House | | | Perthshire | Scotland | Alterations | | 1948 | Blairgowrie Creamery | Blairgowrie | | Perthshire | Scotland | | | 1950s | Centres for Territorial Army (TA) Association | | | Dundee | Scotland | | | 1950s | Head office and warehouse for Singer Sewing Machines Ltd | | | Glasgow | Scotland | | | c. 1950 | Bonar Long Factory | | | Dundee | Scotland | | | c. 1950 | New Ferry Station | | | Dundee | Scotland | | | 1952 | St Mary Magdalene's Episcopal Church | | | Dundee | Scotland | Unexecuted scheme for conversion to a Territorial Army centre | | 1955 | Ardblair Castle | | | Perthshire | Scotland | Alterations | | 1958 | Bungalow, Millbank | Cupar | | Fife | Scotland | |
ReferencesBibliographic ReferencesThe following books contain references to this : | | Author(s) | Date | Title | Part | Publisher | Notes | | Bailey, Rebecca M | 1996 | Scottish architects' papers: a source book | | Edinburgh: The Rutland Press | p217 | | Lidstone, Anna | 1989 | J Donald Mills: architect: His St Andrews career | | University of St Andrews: Unpublished MA dissertation | | | Pride, Glen L | 1999 | The Kingdom of Fife | 2nd Edition | The Rutland Press | p133 |
Periodical ReferencesThe following periodicals contain references to this : | | Periodical Name | Date | Edition | Publisher | Notes | | Builder | 7 February 1958 | v194 | | p271 - Mills's obituary | | Dundee Courier and Advertiser | 28 January 1958 | | | Mills's obituary | | RIBA Journal | 7 February 1938 | | London: Royal Institute of British Architects | p362 - Shepherd's obituary | | RIBA Journal | December 1958 | | London: Royal Institute of British Architects | p69 - Mills's obituary | | Scotsman | 28 January 1958 | | | Mills's obituary |
Archive ReferencesThe following archives hold material relating to this : | | Source | Archive Name | Source Catalogue No. | Notes | | Professor David M Walker personal archive | Professor David M Walker, notes and collection of archive material | | Personal information from Frank Thomson and William Guild |
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