The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
THE ARCHIVES
100 years ago
Mr David Allan, South George Street, Dundee, has received official intimation that his son, Private Alfred C. Allan, has been killed in action. Private Allan enlisted in the Cyclists’ Battalion in November 1915, but was transferred to the King’s Liverpools. He was 23 years of age and had been at the front for four months. His officer, in a letter to Mr Allan, said he was an excellent soldier in every way. Previous to enlisting he was employed in the commerical department of the Dundee Courier .
50 years ago
A special meeting of Anstruther branch of the Transport and General Workers’ Union is to be called to discuss a complaint by the bus conductresses in the Anstruther area about the manner of wearing the new issue of hats. The hats were issued to the conductresses about 10 days ago and the girls in Anstruther wish to wear the hat with a quarter of an inch tuck-in all round. There have been some complaints about the wearing of hats in this manner and so the girls have asked for a meeting.
25 years ago
Comedian Benny Hill was found dead at his home last night. Police were called to the home where he lived alone by worried neighbours and found him collapsed inside. His death came just one day after the death of another of Britain’s comic greats, Frankie Howerd. Mr Hill (67) suffered a series of heart scares earlier this year and was admitted to hospital for tests twice within the space of a few weeks. Richard Dunn of Thames Television said: “Benny’s colleagues will miss a professional and kind man.”
One year ago
Victoria Wood’s friend Julie Walters is leading tributes to the comedian who has died, aged 62, at home with her family after a short battle with cancer. Walters said: “Too heart sore to comment. The loss of her is incalculable.” The pair forged a lifelong friendship while auditioning at Manchester Polytechnic’s student theatre as teenagers. They went on to collaborate on a professional basis, most recently appearing together in December 2009 in Victoria Wood’s Mid Life Christmas.