THE ARCHIVES

100 years ago

Hostile artillery has shown considerable activity during the day north-east of Ypres and in the neighbourhood of Steenbeck. Our artillery activity has continued. In spite of stormy weather, a considerable amount of aerial work was carried out by our aeroplanes on the 11th inst., in conjunction with our artillery. A few bombs were dropped during the day on hostile billets and trenches, but bad weather conditions made observations of results difficult.

50 years ago

“Seven terrible months of worry,” was how 24-year-old Pam Forrester described an ordeal she and her husband have just come through in Singapore. David, 27, a senior aircraftman in the RAF was acquitted at the beginning of this month after being on trial charged with causing the death of a Malay by dangerous driving last March. The couple had to face the prospect of David being sentenced to six months in jail if found guilty. Yesterday they arrived at David’s parents’ home in Dundee.

25 years ago

The father of Hillsborough victim Tony Bland has asked the High Court to allow his son to die with dignity. Allan Bland said that Tony – who is in a permanent vegetative state with no hope of recovery – used to be “happy-go-lucky, sensitive and willing.” In the 3½ years since Tony was crushed in the disaster at the Sheffield football stadium – which killed 95 people – Mr Bland had never seen any sign of recognition or response from his 22-year-old son. “He certainly would not want to be left like this.”

One year ago

A food fraud inquiry is under way into alleged illegal practices in meat plants which could be duping shoppers who pay a premium for Scottish beef. Investigators at Food Standards Scotland’s (FSS) new food crime unit say they have information that inferior beef from eastern Europe, Ireland and England is being imported and repackaged with a premium Scottish label. FSS intelligence manager Duncan Smith said the investigation extended beyond one Scottish meat plant.