THE ARCHIVES

100 years ago

Britain’s greatest soldier is dead and the Empire is in mourning. His Majesty’s ship Hampshire (Capt. Herbert J. Savill RN) with Lord Kitchener and his staff on board, was sunk last night about 8pm to the west of the Orkneys, either by a mine or torpedo. It is feared that there are no survivors. Lord Kitchener’s has been a glorious life and his name is written indelibly in British history. Horatio Herbert Kitchener would have completed his 66th year on 24th inst. having been born in 1850.

50 years ago

Three driving test centres for Dundee are being recommended by the Town Planning Committee. Their suggestion is that the main one should be in the Logie area, with two sub-centres in other parts of the city. On a vote last night, it was decided to offer no objection to the retention of the existing centre in Broughty Ferry as one of the sub-centres. At the same meeting Balgay Bowling Club were given permission to extend their clubhouse on ground level to provide a dining and clubroom and a bar.

25 years ago

Joe Crow from Glenrothes is the apple of his daddy’s eye – perhaps not surprising. Indeed, to suggest anything else might ruffle a few feathers since two-week old Joe is, in fact, a fledgling baby crow. “I found him in the woods at the back of our house,” said retired oilman Bruce Hall who “adopted” Joe only when it became obvious that his natural parents were not going to come to his aid. “After a few false starts, he now wolfs down more than a pound of mince a week and is having flying ‘lessons’.”

One year ago

A community group is celebrating saving the Angus legacy of Peter Pan creator JM Barrie. The Camera Obscura in Kirriemuir closed exactly 85 years on from the day it was created by the famous author. The final straw came when Angus Council was unable to pay the National Trust for Scotland £10,000 to operate the building. Kirriemuir Regeneration Group was quickly formed and established a service level agreement with the council and yesterday the pavilion reopened to the public.