THE ARCHIVES

100 years ago

Pte John Haggart, Black Watch, arrived at his home in Springfield, Fife, after being in the hands of the Huns for six months. Pte Haggart was captured in March last after lying wounded in a dug-out for two days without food. He was taken to Jullich, where his left leg was amputated. From Jullich he was removed to Munster, thence to Saltau, from where he had the good luck to be one of the prisoners selected for exchange. Pte Haggart said he had not much to complain about apart from the lack of food.

50 years ago

The best-kept “secret” of the year is out in the village of Breinton, Hertfordshire – the wedding of Harry Sibson to Rose Jenkins – 50 years after they met and fell in love. Despite a half-century courtship, and 44-year engagement, Harry and Rose, both 73, wanted a quiet wedding. In fact it was so quiet that when they married by special licence to avoid having the banns read, only members of the family and close friends knew of the wedding plans. The couple met at Portsmouth in 1918.

25 years ago

Angus couple Ian and Jackie Kerr recently welcomed home three bundles of joy representing the rewarding result of their brave attempt to have more children. This is the Kerrs’ second set of triplets, the first being born in April 1988. Tragically, of that first set only Jennifer was to survive, her brother and sister dying in hospital. The couple waited five years to add to the family and, seven weeks premature, Fraser, Philip and Riona entered the world. Mother and babies are fine.