THE ARCHIVES

100 years ago

Reuter’s Agency tells of a Canadian soldier, who has been a prisoner in Germany for 12 months, but escaped to Britain last month. He has made an interesting statement regarding parcels despatched to prisoners. “After being two months in Germany,” he said, “I received my first parcel and since then they have arrived regularly. The contents were just such things as we wanted and could appreciate. I would recommend that instead of bread being sent, rusks or biscuits should be substituted.”

50 years ago

Most Scottish morning and evening newspapers again did not appear yesterday owing to an industrial dispute. Supplies of English daily newspapers from Manchester and London to Scotland have also been interrupted. The dispute arises from action by members of one of the printing unions, the Society of Graphical and Allied Trades, in support of a claim by the Printing and Kindred Trades Federation. The employers said the claim was “unrealistic and unjustified”.

25 years ago

Britain’s most famous hangman, Albert Peirrepoint, was “a perfect gentleman”, the proprietor of the nursing home where he spent his last years said. Patricia Wynne, matron of the Melvin nursing home, Southport, said: “He died peacefully and his past never played on his conscience. He was totally opposed to capital punishment, but he did not brood over what he had done.” During his 25-year career, Mr Pierrepoint executed several hundred murderers including Ruth Ellis.

One year ago

Rory McIlroy thinks he’s been too tentative on the course this year but if he’s as bold as he was throwing golf’s Olympic adventure under a bus, it bodes well for his chances of regaining the Claret Jug at Royal Troon. No longer pussyfooting about issues like the zika virus or even golf’s crowded schedule, the 2014 Open champion could hardly have been more dismissive of the Olympic tournament he’s declined to take part in, saying that he doubted he’d even watch the Rio golf event.