Scotsman Obituaries: Dave Armstrong, dedicated Scottish history teacher and Labour Party activist

A history teacher par excellence and Head of Department at West Calder High School, he wrote textbooks for the SQA syllabus and was a longstanding Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) representative who threw himself with purpose into all aspects of school life.

He was a lifelong committed Labour Party member involved in many campaigns who held various positions, including Chair of the Edinburgh East Constituency party. Labour MP Ian Murray described Dave as: “A lovely person and Labour through and through” while fellow MP Chris Murray referred to him as “A truly lovely and kind man and the absolute definition of Labour values.”

Dave also served as a Community Councillor, was Secretary of the Drummond Trinity Cricket Club in Edinburgh and a volunteer driver for the Duddingston Lunch Club conveying members to the venue. A keen sports fan, he was a very good rugby player and a passionate Hibs supporter, a season ticket holder for the last 20 years. But first and foremost, his priority was his much-loved family.

David Graham Armstrong was born in Edinburgh to Betty and Sam, younger brother of sister Rosi. He was brought up in the lovely surroundings of the Royal Botanic Garden where his father was a gardener and the family lived on site.

From an early age he met a wide range of people and enjoyed a happy childhood with nature abundant on his doorstep. He attended Trinity Primary School before going to Trinity Academy, where he immersed himself in school life. He contributed articles to the magazine, took part in amateur dramatics productions, sang in the choir and played in the 1st XV as hooker for two seasons, earning his Colours.

Academically bright, he went on to study history at Edinburgh University and after graduating obtained his teacher training qualification in Dundee.

Two significant developments took place in Dave’s life at university – he began his involvement with the Labour Party and met future wife Diane.

His desire for social justice, abhorrence of injustice and support for the Chile Solidarity Movement led to joining the Party which he resolutely championed thereafter.

He met Diane Budge at a student party where, despite an inauspicious start involving spilled drink, they hit it off and began a relationship, marrying in 1977 in Glenrothes. Diane was a primary teacher who became a Deputy Head. The couple enjoyed 47 happy years together, during which they had daughters Ruth and Claire.

Dave’s first teaching post took him to Dumfries Academy in 1976 where, typically, he embraced a range of activities in and out of the classroom, participating in school shows and helping train sports teams. Fellow teacher and friend Tom Pow reflected: “The qualities that made Dave a great teacher – openness, commitment and knowledge – were the ones that also made him such an engaging conversationalist. His interest in what had always interested him – other lives – he never lost.”

In 1980 Dave returned to Edinburgh to take up a post at Boroughmuir High School teaching history and pioneered the development of Modern Studies as a subject. After eight years he moved to West Calder High School where he became Head of the History Department.

At both schools he undertook a range of activities.These included regularly taking parties of pupils to First World War battlefields in France and Belgium and trips to the Benmore outdoor centre at Dunoon, underlining his belief in the importance of an all-round education and teamwork. He coached football and rugby teams, began his EIS representative duties and set SQA examination questions and marked papers. Dave also became President of the Scottish Association of History Teachers and helped change the curriculum to reflect a more international aspect. After retiring early in 2009 he acted as Chief Invigilator at West Calder for SQA exams.

While teaching he was active politically, campaigning for Labour at elections, out “on the doors”, leafleting and doing myriad unseen tasks. He was also prominent in supporting the teachers’ strike, refusing to cross the picket line despite financial hardship, taking part in the “Jobs for People” marches, anti-poll tax protests, supporting the miners’ strike and later the Better Together campaign. From 2014 to 2021 he was his Constituency Party Chair and his generosity, patience and good humour was highly valued.

Retirement meant more time with family as a doting grandfather to his four grandchildren. He and Diane were an extremely close, compatible couple who enjoyed many family holidays together, making the most of their long summer breaks. Latterly they went on several city break trips and to celebrate their silver wedding anniversary had a memorable trip to Sri Lanka. Sadly, Diane died suddenly in August 2024, an enormous blow to Dave and family, one exacerbated by his stage 4 cancer diagnosis six weeks later.

To his everlasting credit he dealt with those body blows positively, determined to live as full a life as possible, and succeeding. He maintained his political interests, went to live music concerts, read voraciously, socialised regularly and thanks to friends was able to continue attending Easter Road until very recently. A gregarious gent of integrity, engaging stimulating company and always interested in others, he set a wonderful example. Dave is survived by his daughters, sister and granddaughters Eilidh, Holly, Hannah and Lucy.

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