THE ARCHIVES

100 years ago

From British HQ, France: “We have made substantial progress again today at a number of points along the front of our advance. North-east of Savy our troops this morning carried the villages of Francilly, Selency and Holnon and captured 32 prisoners and six field guns. We are now within two miles of St Quentin. St Quentin Wood, Vilecholle and Bihecourt have also been taken by us and posts have been established and posts have been established in Templeux-leGuerard and at Vancelette Farm.”

50 years ago

Three members of the Kinghorn inshore rescue boat – Stanley Robb, Clement Clark and Gordon Tulloch – should be automatic choices for any local tug o’ war team. After being called to assist a five-ton 30-foot yacht they had to grab a rope and tow it for three miles to reach the shelter of Aberdour Harbour. The yacht, the Iris, was mastless and carried no sails. The engine had developed a fault and when they dropped anchor it became stuck. Three Aberdour teenagers raised the alarm.

25 years ago

It was a romance born in the pages of dozens of letters that winged their way between Dundee and the war-torn Gulf. Tomorrow the pen pals – she the girl from Dundee and he the soldier from London – will walk down the aisle together after their wedding in the bride’s home city. By Niesha Ballantyne’s own admission, it has been a story “like something from a romantic film.” After an appeal, she started writing letters to Mark Luff, based in Germany and serving in the Gulf with the Royal Engineers.

One year ago

Pressure is mounting on rail operators to change their pricing structure, amid claims Fifers are being fleeced by ticket costs. The issue has been thrown into focus after a group of friends were charged more than £37 to travel between Markinch and Inverness, even though some seats on the Edinburgh to Inverness train – which passes through Markinch – were available for as little as £5. Passengers are angry and Fife Council has pressed train firm Abellio and the Scottish Government for action.