100 years ago

Particulars were now to hand of how the two Cumberland men, Acton and Smith, had each won a Victoria Cross by saving the life of David Ross.

Ross, it seemed, had been struck down by a shrapnel shell between the British and German trenches. He sustained a very severe wound in the back, quite a foot long, and he was also hit in three other places. He was virtually paralysed, and lay in the greatest pain for three days and nights, as owing to the German fusillade no one dared venture forth to his assistance.

The Germans kept a vigilant look-out, both night and day, but at length Acton and Smith in a quiet moment stole over the open ground at the risk of their lives, and conveyed him safely to the British lines just in time to save his life, as the doctor said that had he lain outside two or three hours more he would have died.

He had had no food for three days, but had managed to get a little rain water to drink. His injuries had left their mark on him, as he had now the appearance of an old man, whereas before so badly hurt he was both vigorous and young.

 

50 years ago

People in parts of Wensleydale and Swaledale could only receive television when it was foggy, said Mr Timothy Kitson, speaking in the Commons.

He asked Mr Anthony Wedgwood Benn, the Postmaster-General, to tell the BBC to get on with providing a booster station for the area. Mr Wedgwood Benn said that BBC1 was already generally available to 99 per cent of the population. He was aware of the difficulties.

“Increased Continental interference and hills, for which I am not responsible, have made things difficult,” he said. Mr Kitson also asked if legislation could be introduced to reduce the price of television and radio licences in areas where TV and radio reception was below a reasonable standard.

Mr Wedgwood Benn said it would be impossible to vary licence fees according to reception conditions, which might vary not only from place to place, but from time to time.

 

25 years ago

ITV was spending £20 million on a package of films including box office hits Fatal Attraction, Who Framed Roger Rabbit and Top Gun.

Unveiling the package, Mr Greg Dyke, managing director of London Weekend Television, said: “You don’t have to buy a satellite dish aerial and pay a subscription to a movie channel to watch major films on television. You can watch them for free on ITV.”

The package of 31 films would be screened over the next two years as ITV faced a fierce battle for viewers from satellite firms.