Childhood
Tom’s father Percy Guise married Katherine Middleton, affectionally called Tatsie, and when he was a very small boy they went off to Malaya, leaving him in the care of his uncle, Katherine’s brother Dr. George Middleton and his wife Nita, who lived on Davidston Farm near Cromarty. Tom’s parents lived and worked in Malaya for many years, where his sisters Betty, Katherine and Ann were born.
As a very small boy, Tom was left in the care of his uncle Dr George Middleton and his aunt Nita. They lived on Davidston Farm near Cromarty. Katherine and Elsie, Nita’s sisters, married Guise brothers. Percy Guise, Tom’s father and his mother Katherine, affectionately called Tatsie, went off to Malaysia where they lived and worked for many years. Betty, Katherine and Ann – his three younger sisters were born out there.
Growing up back in Scotland, Tom was exploring a very different world. Raised on the farm with his younger cousins Mary, Jean, Jonathan and Andrew Middleton, he roamed through the fields and surrounding environs of the Black Isle.
It was here that he developed his life long love of the sea and in particular his fascination with ships. The farmhouse looked out upon the wonderful vista of the Cromarty Firth, a natural harbour for the vast fleet of warships which at that time were berthed in these deep waters. Tom knew the names and attributes of every vessel. Under the guidance of his governess, Gamie, he was encouraged to develop his painting skills.
When the time came to commence his secondary education, he moved with Gamie and her husband Pat to Inverness where he attended Inverness Academy. Finally he completed his education at Edinburgh Academy.
