THE ARCHIVES

100 years ago

Mr Lachlan MacKinnon, first class warder, Dundee Prison, has just received the sad news of the death from wounds of his son Gunner Neil MacKinnon RFA. The intelligence was contained in a letter from an officer, who stated: “He was wonderfully brave and cheery over it, and not only in his life but in his death was a son to be proud of.” Gunner MacKinnon was employed as a machineman with the “Dundee Courier” and was for some time prior to enlistment in the Manchester office.

50 years ago

Week by week the Alexander Brothers’ show at the Theatre Royal, Dundee, gets better and the audiences get bigger – but last night’s performance was the daddy of them all! Great music, singing, dancing and comedy were all there. Johnny Beattie, chief gag man, along with Hector Nicol and the rest of the company provided plenty of laughs. Top of the bill and the favourites of the packed audience were the Alexander Brothers. They brought the show to a rousing finish.

25 years ago

The past two weeks have seen Dr John Blicharski (26) of Newport, receiving a PhD in pharmacology and the presidency of Dundee Rotoract. Graduating from Dundee University last Friday, John previously received news of his presidential post which he officially adopted at the start of the month. A list of qualifications precede his PhD, including an HND in biological sciences from Dundee Institute of Technology. At present he is project officer with the Centre of Medical Education, Dundee Uni.

One year ago

The Queen gave regulars at one of Edinburgh’s best-known pubs a shock when she stopped by for lunch – washed down with half a bottle of white wine and a martini. The Sheep Heid Inn in Duddingston is the oldest pub in Scotland, with the first drinks poured in 1360. The Queen made the trip from Holyrood Palace – a short drive around Arthur’s Seat and through Holyrood Park. It is said that she and her companions also ordered two portions of lamb and a fillet of sea bass.