THE ARCHIVES

100 years ago

One of the most sensationally interesting stories of secret service during the war has just come to light. It is a personal account of the daring work performed for the Allies by a Belgian Jesuit, Pere Meeus. Father Meeus risked his life continually to keep up the spirit of the Belgians under the German yoke and to assist Allied soldiers to escape. He worked with Miss Edith Cavell in her mission of helping soldiers to cross the frontier and in this way he assisted 400 British soldiers to regain freedom.

50 years ago

Dr Jean Herring, who has retired from the post of consultant in charge of the department of obstetrics and gynaecology in Maryfield Hospital, Dundee, received retiral gifts there yesterday. It was Dr Herring’s wish that the money collected for a presentation to her should be used to endow two prizes, if possible – one to the best woman medical student in her final year at Dundee University, and the other to the best pupil midwife of her year in the obstetrics division of Dundee General Hospitals.

25 years ago

Firefighters battled for more than two hours to bring a blaze at Brechin under control. People living nearby had to be evacuated after a police patrol spotted the outbreak at a flat at 18a High Street just before 4am. It was initially reported that someone was trapped inside – but, after an extensive search, it became clear that the flat was empty and no one was injured. Fighting the fire proved awkward as the building is old and the fire travelled between lath and plaster walls and got in behind the ceiling.

One year ago

Vandals may have caused incalculable damage to a historic wall in Dundee city centre. Talentless graffiti taggers have spray-painted the western wall of the Howff, which was originally built in the 17th Century. Experts say it is too early to tell how badly damaged the brickwork is, but removing the paint will take a lot more than just a power-hose and soap, according to the chairman of the Howff preservation group Simon Goulding. Similar damage perpetrated on Arbroath Abbey has not been able to be removed.