Hi Peter McIntyre was a legend in my house. My mother and uncles and older brothers would often tell me about him. The spoke of him with great fondness and of his utmost sincerity. In 1946 after the war many families were homeless or living in rat infested overcrowded slums. A wide spread squatting movement rose up all over the inner cities in the UK. My family were from Govan.
Peter marched all the families up to a posh part of the city called Dumbreck he then entered a very large house and brought the families in. He took a piece of chalk and asked how many children do you have, he then marked out on the ground the living space for each family. He assisted them to set up home repeating this elsewhere. Families would put up string or rope and use army tarpaulins to give them some privacy. The eating arrangements were communal, the cleaning was organised and wood for fires gathered. Peter would always be round taking delegations to the NAB, ( national assistance board) A photograph of the court proceedings shows Peter and a group of families including my own father, this was around 46-9 I am not sure. I have seen the photo but I no longer have it. The house was next door to the Builders McTaggert Mickle, who my mother said was most accommodating, delivering wood from his building site and allowing them to run a hose for water from his property, his wife was also good at brining hot food and treats for the kids. The family McTaggert had the view that these men fought the war and their loved ones made the ultimate sacrifice so he helped out.
Peter was jailed a few times , my uncle told me that the dockers and others would have wipe rounds for his bail. He was described as a large gangly man with a shock of unkempt hair, he could be seen at Govan Cross orating with large crowds of people around him. As the years went by the crowds grew less and less. My uncle said that Peter got a flat in the Pollock area, he must have been wrong. also I was told he would walk every were from Govan Cross to Brigeton Cross to speak at street meetings, he was fearless and disciplined and respected as a fighter for his class. Because of him I was inspired to become a Trade Union official, it brings a tear to my eye when I think of the love my mother and uncles spoke of Peter McIntrye a name I will never forget. There is no memorial bench, nor place named after him, no plaque of statue, I have often thought of raising the issue but when I think of the treacherous jackals who would be drawn to its opening it puts me off. Good luck and you are from fine stock.