THE ARCHIVES

100 years ago

Engine-Room Artificer David Taylor, RN, who died from pneumonia at Armstrong College Hospital, Newcastle, was a very promising young man of 26 years of age. He was a son of Mr William Taylor, 16 Mains Loan, Dundee, and late of Monifieth. ERA Taylor served his apprenticeship with Charles Parker, Sons, & Co, Victoria Foundry, Dundee, and had been for six or seven years in the navy, first on torpedo boats and latterly on submarines. He had many exciting experiences.

50 years ago

Murder squad detectives were called early yesterday when the body of a young man from Glenrothes was discovered on a lonely stretch of the Clyde at Motherwell. The dead man was Thomas Watson, 20, whose home is at 51 Ryan Road, Glenrothes. He was a fourth-year apprentice turner and was living in lodgings at Wishaw. Later. it was reported that four young men had been arrested and charged with the murder of Watson. They will appear in court at Hamilton today.

25 years ago

The Princess of Wales announced she was all but quitting public life. She is to scale down her number of public duties and remove herself almost entirely from the public eye. In an emotionally-charged and courageous speech to charity workers she pleaded: “Give me time and space.” But Diana will retain links with a small number of charities and the units of the armed services with which she is associated. The announcement came after 12 years of cameras following her every move.

One year ago

A vital fishing ground in the Firth of Forth could be made a no-go zone by an offshore windfarm. Some of the eight turbines which could be built off the coast of Methil would be in an area trawled by East Neuk fishermen for high quality prawns. Industry leaders allege it would be too dangerous to fish near the turbines, despite developer’s assurances. The Scottish Fishermen’s Federation said the Forthwind windfarm would impinge on grounds vital to the viability of small trawlers.