THE ARCHIVES

100 years ago

British war dogs, or “canine soldiers” as the speaker described them, was the subject of a lecture by Lieutenant-colonel Richardson at Longforgan. Colonel Richardson’s name was honourably associated when living in Carnoustie district with the training of dogs for military purposes before war broke out. As commandant of the British War Dog School, he rendered splendid service. He contrasted the service of dogs with pigeons for military purposes, greatly to the advantage of the former.

50 years ago

Reports of allegations that the Ministry of Defence conducts experiments on elderly people who are subsequently put to death are “completely without foundation”, MPS were assured. Mr William Hamilton (West Fife) had asked what experiments had been carried out in establishments under the department’s control involving the use of human beings, how old the people were and what representations had been received about them. Minister of Defence John Morris said the allegations were without foundation.

25 years ago

Tayside Aviation, the Dundee-based air training and engineering group, has purchased Glenrothes Airport outright and yesterday announced ambitious expansion plans. Managing director R. Lovat Fraser said yesterday the company’s commitment to its base in Dundee remained undiminished and could be measured by the recent acquisition of another hangar at Riverside. Under the terms of the agreement, no disclosure of the purchase price for Glenrothes Airport is being made.

One year ago

The site of a closure-hit Dundee tyre factory could provide more jobs than ever before and has already been subject to significant interest, according to the city’s council leader. John Alexander said there had been “a lot of progress” in efforts to secure opportunities for Michelin Dundee workers and a potential repurposing of the plant. Mr Alexander, who sits on the Michelin Dundee Action Group, added that while there is “much more work to be done”, members are already honing in on what the site will look like.