Basic Biographical Details

Name: Donald Cameron Rae
Designation:  
Born: 6 April 1896
Died: 18 July 1966
Bio Notes: Donald Cameron Rae was born on 6 April 1896 in Aberdeen, the son of Alexander Rae, master grocer, and his wife Mary Cameron. He was articled to Arthur Hay Livingstone Mackinnon from 1912 to 1915, and returned to him as assistant in 1919 after four years' war service with the Royal Engineers. The following year he joined the Aberdeen Burgh Surveyor's office as first assistant, whilst continuing his studies at the Aberdeen School of Architecture where he obtained his diploma in 1921. Soon thereafter he passed the qualifying exam, enabling him to be admitted ARIBA in 1922, his proposers being Robert Gordon Wilson junior, Alexander Marshall Mackenzie and John Wilson Walker.

He was promoted to chief architect in the Burgh Surveyor's office in 1923, his work there including alterations to the municipal buildings, extensions to the public baths and sports pavilions. He left the following year and emigrated to Singapore, where he was appointed third assistant municipal architect, being promoted to chief assistant in 1925, municipal architect in 1931 and municipal architect and building surveyor in 1933.

He was elected FRIBA in the latter year, proposed by Percy Hubert Keys and another. His nomination papers state that he was a member of the Singapore Board of Architects, and of the RIBA Board of Examiners, the latter through the local branch, the Institute of Architects of Malaya.

Rae returned to Scotland and died aged 70 in the Royal Infirmary in Aberdeen on 18 July 1966. He was survived by his wife Helen Bridgeford Tait and at least one son.

Private and Business Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this :
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 3150, North Deeside Road, Aberdeen, ScotlandPrivate 1966 
Item 2 of 3217, Union Street, Aberdeen, ScotlandBusiness1922 *  
Item 3 of 3Oldam Park, Singapore, SingaporePrivate1933 *  

* 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 8Arthur Hay Livingstone Mackinnon19121915Apprentice 
Item 2 of 8Arthur Hay Livingstone Mackinnon19191920Assistant 
Item 3 of 8Aberdeen Burgh Surveyor's Office19201923Chief Assistant1st Assistant Architect
Item 4 of 8Aberdeen Burgh Surveyor's Office19231924Chief Architect 
Item 5 of 8Singapore City Architect and Building Surveyor's Department19241925Assistant3rd Assistant Municipal Architect
Item 6 of 8Singapore City Architect and Building Surveyor's Department19251931Chief Assistant 
Item 7 of 8Singapore City Architect and Building Surveyor's Department19311933ArchitectMunicipal Architect
Item 8 of 8Singapore City Architect and Building Surveyor's Department1933 ArchitectMunicipal Architect & Building Surveyor

RIBA

RIBA Proposers

The following individuals proposed this for RIBA membership (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate proposedNotes
Item 1 of 6Frank DowdeswellEarly 1933For Fellowship
Item 2 of 6Percy Hubert KeysEarly 1933for Fellowship
Item 3 of 6Alexander Marshall MackenzieLate 1922For Associateship
Item 4 of 6John Wilson WalkerLate 1922For Associateship
Item 5 of 6Robert Gordon Wilson (junior)Late 1922For Associateship
Item 6 of 6Robert Gordon Wilson (junior)Early 1933for Fellowship

References

Archive References

The following archives hold material relating to this :
 SourceArchive NameSource Catalogue No.Notes
Item 1 of 2H M Register HouseDeath Register  
Item 2 of 2RIBA Archive, Victoria & Albert MuseumRIBA Nomination Papers F no3111 (box 17); A no 3595 (microfilm reel 27)