100 years ago

A correspondent who had visited the Indian Expeditionary Force in France said that the Indian troops marched with martial, but solemn and almost sacerdotal steps, while the immense number of cows, sheep, and goats which followed them gave the appearance of a pastoral tribe emigrating to the Promised Land.

Crowds were always to be seen watching their passing, which evoked frantic enthusiasm and cries of “Vive les Indiens,” while the French girls covered the men with flowers and offered them fruit.

One Indian, asked what he thought about the war, answered, “The British Empire is threatened by a nation called Germany. The Empire, in self-defence, appealed to all its subjects. If it had been threatened in India British soldiers would have gone there, but being threatened in Europe we have come here.”

Then, with an air of deep pride, he concluded: “We are Indians, but Britishers.”


50 years ago

The amount of sulphur dioxide discharged into the air over Britain was 50 per cent higher in 1963 than in 1938, said Dr Albert Parker in his Presidential address to the National Society for Clean Air conference.

Dr Parker, who was executive vice-president of the Royal Society of Health, said that in order to reduce pollution by smoke it was essential that much of the bituminous coal used in inefficient domestic appliances should be replaced by solid smokeless fuel, electricity, gas and oil.

Changes would come as householders recognised the advantages in comfort and convenience, but they would be far too slow unless local authorities in densely populated districts took steps to establish smoke control areas as rapidly as was practicable.

Carbon monoxide was discharged into the air of Great Britain at 20m tons a year - three times the amount of sulphur dioxide - and this included at least 5m tons from the exhaust pipes of vehicles.

Dr Parker added: “In my opinion research efforts should be directed to the design and methods of operation of the engines of road vehicles that will achieve complete combustion of the motor spirit.”


25 years ago

The man behind plans to bring cable television to York and Harrogate was convinced that 78,500 households were waiting to tune in.

Mr Ted Fielder, chief executive of YorCan Communications, stressed that what his company would be offering was choice, with 60 channels. YorCan proposed to carry BBC and ITV channels plus 55 other stations, including satellite television from Sky and BSB, new local operators and others.

“My prediction is that in 10 years' time, if not five, you will not be able to distinguish between TV and telephone in terms of how technology is used,” he said.

He predicted cable would eventually expand into data transmission, electronic mail service and advanced telephone systems.