THE ARCHIVES

100 years ago

One hundred and four British soldiers, mostly wounded, and some suffering from disease, arrived at Roosendaal this afternoon from Germany for exchange. They proceeded to Flushing. One of the men said that a working party was sent to North Germany and on arrival found that they were expected to construct Zeppelin sheds. They refused and eight men were consequently sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment with hard labour. They appealed and the case is to be heard in Berlin.

50 years ago

Two Angus towns want to expand and both Carnoustie Town Council and Monifieth Town Council said they were going to apply for extensions to their burgh boundaries. Carnoustie agreed to submit an application to Angus County Council for the extension to meet the needs for development in the next five years. Monifieth are to apply to Angus Planning Committee who have approved in principle proposals to build houses on 46 acres forming part of the North and South Grange of Monifieth.

25 years ago

The IRA tried to assassinate members of the Cabinet yesterday when it fired a salvo of mortar bombs at Downing Street from the heart of Whitehall. Three mortars were launched through the cut-out roof of a white van on the corner of Horse Guards Avenue just 200 yards from their target. One of the Semtex- packed pipe bombs exploded in the garden of No 10 – sending Prime Minister John Major and his senior ministers ducking for cover just feet away. The Queen condemned the attack.

One year ago

A family’s dream to bring their Angus ancestor’s book back to print after 115 years has come to fruition. Bob McHardy, the author’s great-great-grandson, decided to re-issue the forgotten book as a gift for his father’s 70th birthday. Montrose man William F. McHardy penned a series of tributes to his hometown and the North East, depicting life in the “Eden of Scotland”. First published in 1899, it includes stories of locals, the beauty of the changing seasons and the harsh Angus winters.