Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1962 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
1 blazer (0.4 linear metres boxed)
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
John Connor was born on 23 June 1940 and grew up in Cambuslang, near Glasgow, Scotland. In the autumn of 1960, he enrolled at the Scottish School of Physical Education, located at Jordanhill College of Education in Glasgow, for a three-year course to train as a teacher of physical education. This he completed successfully, gaining his Diploma in June 1963 with merit in both teaching and professional subjects. Four months later, in October 1963, he returned to Jordanhill College of Education, this time to take a one-year postgraduate course to qualify as a primary school teacher, which he completed in June 1964. During his studies, fellow students gave him the nickname 'Sean' because of his physical resemblance to the Scottish actor, Sean Connery. John's brother, Joseph Connor, also attended Jordanhill College of Education to train as a teacher of chemistry.
John Connor was a talented footballer, having played at club level in Dundee before he embarked on teacher training. In or around 1964, he went to South Africa to play for Highlands Park Football Club, a team in the fourth tier of the South African Football League. As well as being a football player, and later a coach, he was an Ultra Marathon runner, completing at least six Comrades Marathons in South Africa. He also spent the whole of his teaching career in South Africa, taking up a post as a primary school mathematics teacher at King David School in Johannesburg, where he eventually became headmaster in 2005. After retiring from teaching, he relocated to Australia, where he died in 2014.
Archival history
This blazer was purchased and worn by John Connor whilst training at the Scottish School of Physical Education at Jordanhill in the early 1960s. He took it with him when he emigrated from Scotland to South Africa after completing his studies, and also when he later relocated from South Africa to Australia. Following John Connor's death in 2014, the blazer was retained by his family, who donated it to the University of Strathclyde Archives and Special Collections in 2023.
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Jordanhill College of Education student blazer, manufactured by R.W. Forsyth Ltd and worn by former student, John Connor.
Single-breasted blazer with one breast pocket on the left-hand side, two front pockets on the lower left and right, and three plain, circular, gold-tone buttons to fasten. The blazer is made of navy, woollen fabric; the collar, pockets, cuffs and edges are trimmed with a striped, grosgrain band of red, blue and yellow. Sewn upon the breast pocket is a fabric badge featuring the Jordanhill College of Education crest in red, white, blue, green, black and gold, with the College motto 'UT ET ALIOS INSTRUAM' - 'so that I may instruct others' - embroidered in gold upon a blue ribbon scroll below the crest. Embroidered in gold above the crest are the letters 'J.C.E.A.F.C.' [Jordanhill College of Education Association Football Club?], and below the crest, the dates '1962' and '1963'.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
No access restrictions
Conditions governing reproduction
Language of material
- English
- Latin
Script of material
Language and script notes
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Generally good condition; there are a few patches of staining on the fabric, particularly around the inside of the lowest button hole, and two small holes on the right sleeve.