Well I'm not gonna mention the wars themselves, but I don't mind referring to the memorial.
When the idea sprung up, it was first suggested that the memorial should be placed in Albert Square. Then soon after, the Law Hill location was preferred.
However, you can see from the first 2 efforts here (dated Dec 1920 & Feb 1921) that their vision of what the memorial ought to look like was somewhat oversized and overbearing.
At the end of the day, I'm glad this pair were overruled!
When the idea sprung up, it was first suggested that the memorial should be placed in Albert Square. Then soon after, the Law Hill location was preferred.
However, you can see from the first 2 efforts here (dated Dec 1920 & Feb 1921) that their vision of what the memorial ought to look like was somewhat oversized and overbearing.
At the end of the day, I'm glad this pair were overruled!
So the powers that be ended up choosing a more modest sized memorial for the top of the Law, and the photo of it in mid construction is dated Aug 1924.
Forward-wind 2 decades to Jan 1943, and an ever smaller one was built - inside a light bulb!
This amusing piece of work was made by Robert McDonald of Strathmore Avenue.
Forward-wind 2 decades to Jan 1943, and an ever smaller one was built - inside a light bulb!
This amusing piece of work was made by Robert McDonald of Strathmore Avenue.
Feb 1948 and a fire in the museum was successfully snuffed out just as it started to reach the famous Tay Whale exhibit.
Although the skeleton was tarnished by smoke, the bones weren't damaged. The flames had actually shot along the "snow" of the Arctic display and some of the stuffed animals (walrus, bison and seals) had begun to smoulder! The firemen had to smash the glass panels of the exhibit case to extinguish the fire, which was caused by a short circuit in the case lighting display. That'll be the warmest those exhibits have ever been! |
This may very well be the same sweep who rescued the cat in the previous item, as this photo too was taken in Sandeman Street.
The reason for the picture was because the tenants hanging out the window were getting a free view of the United v Dundee match across the street, but the sweep, who had the best view of all, just kept concentrating on his work and showed no interest in watching the football. This was in Feb 1951. |
This is more like the fun kids could have when sweeping - helping out when the stormy river has washed debris across the street.
The picture was snapped in Broughty Ferry in March 1954.
The picture was snapped in Broughty Ferry in March 1954.
When the weather is stormy, it's still possible to turn the gusts into your advantage, like in Broughty Ferry in October 1952 when the local women hung their washing out...en masse!
Some stormy weather can ruin a weekend's fun, like the time in June 1949 when the gales were so strong that they ripped the canvas off the stands at the Royal Highland Show at Riverside.
Not a very pleasant day for wearing kilts!
Not a very pleasant day for wearing kilts!
This was an era when the local press used to accompany their daily weather forecasts with witty little illustrations. Even when the weather was lousy, the cartoonist still managed to generate a wee smile!
Here's 3 examples from the 1930's.
Here's 3 examples from the 1930's.
The photographer managed to capture this image just as the car replicated the wave crashing over the wall on Riverside.
The picture says it all, so there was no story, only a caption and amusing title!
September 1950.
The picture says it all, so there was no story, only a caption and amusing title!
September 1950.
You'd think Dundee and the rest of Scotland would be loaded with mobile chips shops, like they have ice cream vans.
This Dundee mobile fish & chip shop here was the first of its kind.
Invented by A & R Paladini and built by A Molinari in December 1930.
No idea why they didn't catch on.
This Dundee mobile fish & chip shop here was the first of its kind.
Invented by A & R Paladini and built by A Molinari in December 1930.
No idea why they didn't catch on.
Performing highland cows?
They are actually highland bulls to be more exact and they belonged to Ron Smart of Billy Smart's Circus.
He bought the bulls in Oban, trained them for 2 years and the act was unique.
This particular circus was in town in July 1954.
They are actually highland bulls to be more exact and they belonged to Ron Smart of Billy Smart's Circus.
He bought the bulls in Oban, trained them for 2 years and the act was unique.
This particular circus was in town in July 1954.
Although horse & carts were commonplace in Dundee back in May 1932, this wagon being pulled by cattle still must have been a rather strange sight for the locals.
Although this illustration was published in December 1947, it is actually a reprint from the original dated 1898.
I found the article rather amusing because it describes how a passenger carriage used a sheet of tarpaulin as a sail to travel along the Dundee - Newtyle railway line on windy days.
Like a yacht on wheels!
As for the horse, I'll let you read about that yourselves.
I found the article rather amusing because it describes how a passenger carriage used a sheet of tarpaulin as a sail to travel along the Dundee - Newtyle railway line on windy days.
Like a yacht on wheels!
As for the horse, I'll let you read about that yourselves.
In 1933, the one & only Louis Armstrong played a gig in Dundee.
This was all organised at the very last minute as Louis had arranged only to play in Glasgow & Edinburgh when in Scotland, but owner of the New Palais, James Duncan, opened negotiations on 27 November when Louis was in Edinburgh, and as a result, a show at the Palais was given the thumbs up for 1st December.
News reached the Courier on 28th November and the adverts for the gig appeared on 29th & 30 November.
This was all organised at the very last minute as Louis had arranged only to play in Glasgow & Edinburgh when in Scotland, but owner of the New Palais, James Duncan, opened negotiations on 27 November when Louis was in Edinburgh, and as a result, a show at the Palais was given the thumbs up for 1st December.
News reached the Courier on 28th November and the adverts for the gig appeared on 29th & 30 November.