100 years ago

The grave statements which eyewitnesses had made in a recent dispatch regarding the privations of prisoners in the hands of Germans were confirmed by communications which the parents of Private JF Drake of the First West Yorkshire Regiment, had recently received.

Private Drake was the son of Mr Vincent Drake of Leeman Road, York, and he was now a prisoner of war at Doeberitz. Writing the previous month, Private Jack Drake said; “I have not got your parcel you said you sent. Will you send me a small parcel of groceries every week - tea, sugar, milk, anything you like to put in. Do not forget to send me a parcel every week. Don’t forget the cigarettes. You must not worry about Vincy, he will be alright. Tell M to send some cake.”

In another message Private Drake said “I think Vince must be in hospital. He was further down the line so cheer up he will be alright,” and then reiterated his request for groceries “send three loaves every week-anything you like to put in,” he asked.

 

50 years ago

Members of the National Association of Schoolmasters had urged at the final session of their conference at Edinburgh that the Government should delay raising the school leaving age from 15 to 16 years until there was better provision for education.

They had before them a resolution from the Birmingham Association, supported by six other local associations urging the government not to raise the leaving age until staffing, accommodation and equipment allowed such a step to be taken without detriment to the present educational provision. A substantial number of members had insisted that to raise the school-leaving age before there was an adequate supply of teachers would do harm rather than good.

Mr Jackson said there were two far more urgent priorities. Every class should have the right to a fully qualified teacher, and no class should consist of more than 30 pupils.

 

25 years ago

A North Yorkshire mother who gave birth to one of Britain’s earliest test tube babies had spoken out in favour of embryo research, as MPs were preparing to vote on the issue.

Mrs Susan White, of Hunmanby, said she could never thank researchers enough for the advances that made the birth of her daughter Sophie possible. “It is not just childless couples who benefit; it is couples whose children are at risk from genetic disease. This kind of research could prevent a lot of suffering in the future,” she said.

Sophie was born five years ago after Mrs White underwent treatment at test-tube baby pioneer Patrick Steptoe’s clinic.