THE ARCHIVES

100 years ago

An important circular was forwarded yesterday by the President of the Local Government Board to Military Tribunals enclosing memoranda setting forth further provisions that have been made for the use of the manpower of the country in a manner most effective for the successful prosecution of the war. The first memorandum states that every man under 26 years of age who is fit for general service is of more value to the country with the forces than he would be in civil employment.

50 years ago

Dundee United will have to wait for 10 days yet before they can get down to settling dates for their Fairs Cup second round cup-tie against the crack Italian side, Juventus. Manager Jerry Kerr returned yesterday afternoon from Lisbon, where he saw Juventus beat Setubal the previous evening to qualify with an impressive 5-1 win on aggregate to meet his own club in the next round. Mr Kerr was staying at the same hotel in Lisbon and found all the Juventus officials very friendly.

25 years ago

A full-scale hunt was under way last night for suspected IRA firebombers who targeted stores in London amid fears the terrorists planned a Christmas blitz. Scotland Yard’s anti-terrorist chief warned the public to be “extremely vigilant” after a spate of incidents in the West End and the discovery in east London of explosives in a lock-up garage and a bag of weapons. Police also issued photographs of the couple blown up by a bomb they were planting in St Albans city centre two weeks ago.

One year ago

A Fife climber who was savaged by a grizzly bear in the Canadian wilderness has lived to tell the tale. Greg Boswell’s website says he is “always looking for the next adventure”, but he didn’t have to search too far as his latest escapade unfolded before his eyes. The experienced mountaineer from Cupar was in the Rocky Mountains with friend Nick Bullock when a giant bear pounced in the darkness, inflicting serious injuries to Mr Boswell’s legs. Incredibly, the 24-year-old managed to break free.