THE ARCHIVES

100 years ago

On the 21st inst. the fine weather continued and the improvement in visibility enabled a great deal of artillery observation work and photography to be done. During the day a total of four tons of bombs were dropped by our aeroplanes on aerodromes near Courtrai and Roulers, on a large gun position near Douai, on billets east of Lena and on other targets in the battle area. At night nearly three tons of bombs were dropped by us on Roulers and Lichtenvelde railway stations.

50 years ago

The crew of the cargo ship Lady Patricia had a surprise when they saw two young girls in a corridor of the ship, then in the middle of the Irish Sea. It appeared that at Dublin, Pauline Shannon, 9, and her sister Marie, 13, both of Donnybrook, had hidden themselves in a ventilator on the ship’s deck. They were wearing print dresses with no coats and at 6am, cold and hungry, decided to give themselves up. A hot breakfast was provided for them. They will be returned home today.

25 years ago

Regulars at Scotties in Dundonald Street, Dundee – officially called the Airlie Bar – gathered last night to enjoy a final drink poured by publicans Arthur and Angus Nicoll, and to pass on good wishes for the brothers’ retirement. Arthur and Angus have been mine hosts at Scotties for the past 30 years. Before that, Arthur worked at the long-lost Belmont Bar in the old Hawkhill. The brothers have enjoyed dispensing refreshment – and occasionally advice – to their regular customers.

One year ago

A warning has been issued after two Fife students were struck down with potentially fatal meningitis. The St Andrews University pair were hit by two different strains of the bacterial infection, with one taken to hospital in a “critical” condition. That person’s condition has improved, although they remain “stable” in intensive care, while the second student has been discharged. All students have been contacted and told to be wary about the disease’s spread.