THE ARCHIVES

100 years ago

West Perthshire District Committee, which was the only committee of Perthshire County Council to carry through a scheme last year of rat extermination, receiving a grant of £100 from the Board of Agriculture, have resolved to proceed with a similar scheme this year, the cost to the committee not to exceed twice the amount of the sum received from the Board. It was reported that the scheme, which was organised in connection with the saving of the food supplies, had been very successful.

50 years ago

Two tanks containing more than 100 tons of oil were threatened by fire at Dundee Harbour. The alarm was raised by a passer-by who saw smoke coming from electrical switchgear beneath the tanks at the Victoria Dock entrance opposite the Harbour Chambers. The blaze is thought to have been due to an electrical fault. There was a further 150 tons of batching oil for jute mills in three other tanks nearby. After two of the machines had been withdrawn oil or water began to seep through the ground.

25 years ago

A replica hand gun was unearthed by a Dundee student engaged in an environmental clean-up effort on the outskirts of the city. Police praised Wendy Shepherd for immediately contacting them and handing over the fake weapon, which only a firearms expert could tell was not the real thing. Tayside Police spokesman Ron Wilkie said: “We are delighted to have this in our possession rather than have it put back into the community.” Wendy found the .45 revolver at the Dighty Burn at Dalclaverhouse.

One year ago

The family of a forgotten Angus soldier have spoken of their pride at finding out they are related. Retired couple Ernie and Eva Orrock from Carnoustie said it was a shame they did not know of his existence until 2012. Private George Turnbull Orrock of the 8th Black Watch was shot in the leg at the Battle of Loos in 1915, an injury from which he never fully recovered. He died after a long illness in Arbroath Infirmary in 1918 aged 24 and was buried in Inverkeilor Churchyard.