THE ARCHIVES

100 years ago

The Maryfield district of Dundee has lost many young lives on the battlefield and yet another is added to the number by the death – killed in action – of Private Alexander T. Cooper, of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. Private Cooper was a bright young man who early in the war showed his patriotic fervour by joining the army long before he was of military age. He met his death on the Western front on his birthday, on his attaining 19 years of age, having been in France for five weeks.

50 years ago

At least 32 people were killed when 10 coaches overturned after a London-bound train was derailed at Hither Green, London. Many people were trapped in and underneath overturned carriages, said a London Fire Brigade spokesman. Those rescued had been taken to hospital. Many carriages were ripped apart and a spokesman said that 55 people were injured. The train was the 7.43pm from Hastings to Charing Cross. Emergency services were at the scene.

25 years ago

Guy Fawkes night ended in fear, confusion and near tragedy in Dundee last night after vandals threw a pressurised propane gas cylinder on to a bonfire, causing a massive explosion which could be heard over a mile away. The force of the blast on waste ground in Mains Road, near the Dens Road junction, smashed windows, demolished a wall and sent pieces of red hot shrapnel into nearby buildings. A number of youths were seen running away from the scene.

One year ago

A Fife driver led police on a 100mph chase across a football pitch then a fairway in a banger he bought online. Stewart Munnoch’s escape route took him and two passengers straight down the middle of Cowdenbeath Golf Course before he abandoned the Honda Civic and hid in the woods. He had hit speeds of 100mph on a dual carriageway and 80mph in built-up areas with 30mph limits. Munnoch, 23, of South Street, Lochgelly, was jailed at Dunfermline Sheriff Court.