THE ARCHIVES

100 years ago

The housing question was discussed at a meeting of Arbroath Burgh National Health Insurance Committee last night. Mr James R. Aitken, the chairman, said there was no doubt that not only in Arbroath but throughout the whole country there was a great want of housing accommodation, and the want was certain to be increased after the war. Mr John Quinn contended there was a want of houses, particularly of the three and four rooms type, and he submitted a resolution.

50 years ago

Fifty Dundee schoolboys from Harris and Morgan Academies and High School are to have the thrill of meeting Field Marshal Lord Montgomery on October 8. They are members of the Dundee branch of the Scottish Schoolboys’ Club, and will attend the morning service in St John’s Kirk, Perth – Monty will be at the service – and then meet the famous soldier informally. Two years ago Songs of Praise came from the camp. Lord Montgomery saw it and was most impressed by the boys’ enthusiasm.

25 years ago

Two Fife firefighters risked death last night in a brave bid to save the life of a baby girl trapped in a blazing flat. Lawrie Smith, in the service only 15 months, and his mate, Iain Duncan, donned breathing sets and fought their way through smoke and flames, to pluck toddler Paula Little from a couch in the living room. The youngster had stopped breathing but, after a desperate struggle, firefighter John Swann, assisted by colleague Robert Gough, managed to bring her round with the kiss of life.

One year ago

The remarkable story of pensioner Charles Ingram, who spent three years living at the side of one of Scotland’s most dangerous roads, could soon be told at film festivals around the world. The A9 camper, who was controversially evicted from his roadside home last year, is the subject of a new big-screen documentary. Film students Ruaridh Turner and Beth Woodcruff tracked Mr Ingram down and spent six months recording the challenges he faced after being forced from his camp.