THE ARCHIVES

100 years ago

Seaman William Cruickshanks, MM, RND; Sapper Philip Forsyth RE, Pte Ernest Smith, Seaforth Highlanders; and Pte Wm Milne, Cameron Highlanders, who were prisoners of war in Germany, have returned to their homes in Forfar. Seaman Cruickshanks, who was captured at the end of last year, was kept in captivity at Wesel, where he was put to work in a foundry, while the others, who were made prisoners in April, were all employed immediately behind the German lines.

50 years ago

A 62-year-old quarryman spoke of racing for his life as blazing fuel and wreckage from a crashed fighter jet fell on him. Mr Patrick Sweeney was working at the foot of the 130-foot quarry face at the Redstone Quarry, near Balmullo, when a “lame” Lightning jet fighter being nursed back to its base at RAF Leuchars struck the top of Lucklaw Hill, just yards from the tip of the quarry face and exploded shortly after 11am. The pilot ejected to safety seconds before the plane nosedived into the hill.

25 years ago

The crew of the Montrose pilot cutter Celurca was airlifted to safety after getting into difficulties in force eight gales four miles out. The incident turned into a double drama when the Montrose lifeboat crew, sent to assist in the operation, found themselves under threat from 30ft waves. Last night the stricken Celurca was found at Johnshaven. Harbourmaster Richard McBay found the boat near the lobster shed. Onlookers could do little as the swell drove the vessel on to the rocks.