100 years ago

The following telegram had been received from Vienna: “The Austrian and Hungarian Governments, in conjunction with the Ministry of War, have decided to summon all men between the ages of 24 and 36, liable for service with the landsturm who have hitherto not served owing to physical disability or other causes.

"They will be re-examined and, if found fit, will in case of necessity, be called to the army as substitutes for the troops sent to the front. .”


50 years ago

The Battle of Britain handlebar moustache was not now practical for the RAF, said a Ministry of Defence spokesman.

Colonel David Evans, 27, had had his handlebar moustache trimmed by order at RAF Wyton and now his wife Margaret, 25, was writing to the Minister of Defence, Mr Dennis Healey, appealing for her husband to be allowed to grow his moustache back to “its full glory again.”

The Ministry of Defence spokesman said: “This chap is not aircrew, but we do not make regulations for one person. Whiskers and beards are not permitted.”


25 years ago

A powerful earthquake in San Francisco had killed 271 people and injured more than 500.

The quake, which struck at the height of the evening rush-hour, ripped 10ft cracks in roads, and a packed Bay Bridge collapsed, crushing motorists.

Rescue workers struggled to free people from collapsed buildings, and fires roared in the fashionable marina area near the famed Golden Gate Bridge and other parts of the hilly tourist city.

More than one million homes were plunged into darkness, and troops were guarding the streets against looters. California officials estimated damage at 1 billion dollars.

The death toll of 271 stated by the California Office of Emergency Services came after hours of wildly fluctuating casualty figure.