THE ARCHIVES

100 years ago

The sad intelligence has been received by the relatives of Robert Robertson, police constable, Hong Kong, that he has been fatally shot while quelling a riot among the natives there. The unfortunate young man, previous to joining the Hong Kong police some six years ago, was a ploughman at Balgillo, Broughty Ferry, where his father was to grieve for a lengthy period. He, along with other local young men, came from their station in the Far East to do their bit in France during the war. He was about 27 years of age and was unmarried.

50 years ago

The Perthshire village of Bankfoot was hit twice by electrical power failures on Saturday night. The first, which left part of the village without light or cooking facilities at teatime, was rectified within an hour. Then shortly after 8pm an articulated lorry travelling south on the main road struck a wooden pole carrying overhead lines, one of which came down on the pavement. Witnesses saw a brilliant flash as the wire hit the ground. Simultaneously a number of fuses blew at the sub-station, plunging the street into darkness.

25 years ago

Tayside Regional Council endured its longest-ever meeting yesterday as business lasted for over 13 hours. Save for three recesses lasting little over an hour in total, the council was in permanent session from 10.30am to early this morning, with over 15 votes being taken on various matters. While the majority of councillors stayed for all of the business, some were less than impressed with the length of the meeting. One berated members for “only having three hours of meaningful discussion in 12 hours.”

One year ago

An inquiry has heard tragic Dundee boxer Mike Towell’s last words after he collapsed in the ring “Iron Mike” told trainer, Stevie Graham, “get me up off the deck boss”, the hearing into his death has heard. Giving evidence at the fatal accident inquiry, Mr Graham said he raced to Mr Towell’s side after he was knocked to the ground. Mr Graham, who is no longer in boxing, tried to get him on to a stool. He described Mr Towell’s performance in the British welterweight title eliminator as “the best he ever boxed”.