John Enos

Posted: January 22, 2026

JOHN ENOS, former editorial manager of the Scottish Daily Record, died, aged 91, on January 12 [2026]. A celebration of John’s long life will be held on February 2, 2026 at Holmsford Crematorium, Dreghorn, Ayrshire KA11 4EF at 2pm. Family flowers only, please.

John had a fine career in newspapers. He was the Dumfries and south-west Scotland district man for the Scottish Daily Express when the Express was the high-flying newspaper of the day in Scotland. He was the natural adversary of the Daily Record’s Frank Ryan. They were well-matched opponents in the rough and tumble of Scottish newspapers at that time.

When the Express stopped printing in Glasgow and moved the printing of the Scottish Express to Manchester, John was caught up in the widespread redundancies and disruption. He freelanced until he was offered shifts at the Record, recognised for his ability as a reporter.

His rather bizarre arrival on the forecourt of the SDR&SM is worth recounting. His first shift was on the same day that Victor Horwood (later managing director at SDR&SM, and, later still, managing director of Mirror Group), was joining the company as a senior executive. The security team were briefed: “You’re looking out for a tall, well-spoken Englishman driving a blue Audi.” John matched the brief exactly, and arrived first. He was ushered to an executive parking spot, and was rather taken aback by the VIP treatment. When Vic Horwood arrived later in his blue Audi, he plunged security into chaos and John lost his parking spot.

John blended in with the Record’s news team as the Glasgow City Council reporter, and soon became known as “The Major” due to his military bearing and demeanour. There was great rivalry between the news teams at the Record and Mail, so when John crossed the floor to join the Sunday Mail he was promoted to “Brigadier”, and that name stuck. He was appointed deputy news editor. He later left the company to join the Caledonia Group, which was seeking to win a television franchise. The bid was unsuccessful and he rejoined SDR&SM, becoming editorial manager. John retired in 1994.

AMP committee member Malcolm Speed, who was news editor of the Record and who became managing editor in 1994, said: “John was an accomplished journalist who fitted in well, first with the rest of the news team and later as Glasgow City Council reporter. He had an eye for a story and was capable of any job he was asked to tackle.

“Old hands will remember John as a good on-the-road operator, and later, on the news desk and later still, in management. He was personable and well-liked.” After his time at the Record John retained an interest in politics, standing unsuccessfully in Ayr as a candidate for the Referendum Party in 1997. John’s wife Chris said: “John was a personality, well-liked and well-respected.”

Sincere condolences to Chris and all the family – to whom he was known as “Papa John”.