The Central and Southern Scotland Branch awards annual prizes in memory of Tom Riddell, one of the founder members in 1930 of the then named Institution of Highways Engineers. The prizes are awarded annually for excellence in a transportation subject at post graduate level at Strathclyde University in the west of Scotland and Napier University in the east. The prizes are funded by collections made at the Branch’s Annual Dinners and are designed to bring the Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation to the notice of younger people at an early stage and to encourage them to join and enjoy the benefits of the Branch’s activities as did Tom Riddell throughout his long and active life.

Past winners of the prize are shown below;
Strathclyde University
2005 Andrew Kelly
2006 Duncan Macfarlane
2007 Peter Cummings
2008 George Watson
2009 Scott Carruthers
2010 Graeme Quinn

Napier University
2006 Colin Park
2007 Craig Walker
2008 Lynsey MacPhail
2009 Dr Jason Monios
2010 Susan Tully

For more information please contact:
John.Robertson@hyderconsulting.com

 

Lt Col Thomas McLean Riddell, OBE (Military Order), FIHT
Born in 1905, Tom Riddell was one of the eight Founder Members in 1930 of the then named Institution of Highway Engineers. He played an active role in the Institution throughout his life as a fellow of the Institution and as an Honorary Life Member until his death in 1998 at the age of 93.
As a Member of the Central & Southern Scotland Branch, he took a great interest in Branch affairs and made a significant contribution to all of its activities. He was one of the greatest Scottish athletes of his generation earning a record eight Scottish Mile titles - the first at the age of 20 – and setting two Scottish mile records. He also set several records at 1,000 yards, the three quarters mile and the one and a half miles distances. His activities were recognised by selections for the 1930 Empire Games and the 1932 Olympics but he could not participate – his employer apparently not releasing him “for such trivial activities”!

Tom Riddell held a distinguished war record, rising to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel with decorations including the OBE (Military Order) and the Czech equivalent of the Military Cross. As part of a small mixed force, he fought a rearguard action at Dunkirk before being able to escape himself. After the war, he resumed his working life and retired at 75 as Managing Director in Glasgow of the well known firm of highways and building products suppliers McCreath Taylor. He always kept himself in condition and even after the onset of terminal cancer maintained a strict discipline of walking and jogging several miles daily.

It was only when he suffered severe burns to his legs in 1996 from setting his trousers alight when burning rubbish in his garden that he was forced to restrict these activities. “You are really supposed to die before you cremate yourself” was his typical comment on the matter. Tom Riddell was a highly respected gentleman who throughout his life made a significant contribution to our society as athlete, officer and Fellow of the Institution of Highways & Transportation.