THE ARCHIVES

100 years ago

How our young Scottish officers bore themselves in face of strong enemy attacks, how they cheered their men and exposed themselves fearlessly to danger – these are the keynote of the deeds which earned for our heroes the Military Cross. One, Lt. Herbert Murray, Gordon Highlanders, when in command of a company helped to beat off four enemy attacks, keeping his men well in hand when troops on the left were falling back. Many others showed similar acts of courage and resource in difficult situations.

50 years ago

The RAF co-ordination centre at Pitreavie, Dunfermline, had its busiest spell of emergencies for years. In a hectic spell of three hours yesterday afternoon they organised six mercy missions. A call came for a helicopter to be sent out from Leuchars to search in the Leven area. Minutes after it returned to base it was called out to aid in the search for four-year-old Kathleen Wallace, who had been reported missing on the sands near Bridge of Don. She was found safe. The other sorties were to England.

25 years ago

Glasgow Rangers blamed an “illegal organisation” for orchestrating violent scenes at a friendly against Sunderland at Roker Park. More than 40 people were arrested before and after the match but Rangers insisted a group known as the “Inter City Firm” instigated the trouble in an attempt to “discredit the club and Scottish football in general.” Rangers executive Alister Hood returned to Wearside to interview witnesses and issued a statement aimed at clearing its name.

One year ago

An Arbroath minister whose church was stuck by lightning will not have to make an “act of God” insurance claim. The Rev Martin Fair was at St Andrew’s Parish Church when a torrential downpour started. Things took an ominous turn when two lightning strikes occurred above the Hamilton Green building, one of which knocked out electricity in the church. The minister said: “I was waiting for a couple to arrive for a service to mark their 30th wedding anniversary.”