100 years ago

The British State did its best by the legitimate use of its armed forces to keep off the invaders. But it would have been as difficult to keep seagulls out of England as it was to completely bar the air to German aircraft.

Unfortunately, against night attacks by Zeppelins we could put forth no fleet of suitable vessels.

In this case we trusted to special guns and searchlights to guard the important areas, and we had not a few natural allies to protect the country.

The most suitable conditions for a Zeppelin raid were: a dark night; a calm or very light wind from the east; a slight haze over sea.

Natural enemies to the Zeppelin with designs on England were: disturbed or uncertain weather; westerly or south-westerly winds; rain; fog; squalls.

The conjunction of the three favouring conditions came about very seldom in our climate, and months could pass before a favouring period offered.


50 years ago

Winston Churchill had died at the age of 90 with his wife Lady Clementine Churchill and other members of the family at his bedside.

There would be a service of Commemoration and Thanksgiving in York Minster on Sunday, January 31.

The address would be given by the Archbishop of York, Dr Donald Coggan.

Special prayers were said at morning and evening services at churches of every denomination in York.

Many preachers making special reference in their sermons to the life and achievements of Sir Winston. Flags were flown at half-mast on buildings all over York.


25 years ago

Defence Secretary Tom King was expected to answer questions on the future of RAF Fylingdales.

Speculation that the famous North Yorkshire “Golf Balls” base was being equipped to serve as part of the United States’ Star Wars programme had prompted Labour MP Max Madden to table a Parliamentary question to Mr King.

Work was thought to have started some months before on a £300 million project to install a sophisticated radar system at the base.