100 years ago

September 21, 1918

LETTERS were received from Island prisoners of war in Turkey that described their conditions and spoke of sadness at lost men.

Sergt. H. Porter, of Newport, who was in Angora, wrote: "We had a very severe winter but are having good weather now. I am very sorry to tell you that we have lost a lot of our men since we left Kut.

"We are in good spirits and I hope to be with you all under the old Flag."

***

The IW Branch of the Farmers Union has protested against the Board of Agriculture's new measures regarding grain inspection.

A representative did not consult the Branch when visiting the Island regarding farmer's wages or quality of employment.

On top of this, the board appointed Vice-Admiral de Horsey, a man with no practical knowledge of grain, as grain inspector. This caused outrage.

75 years ago

September 18, 1943

A body was found about 40ft below the high water mark at Bembridge.

Mr George H. Hayward was walking on the cliffs above Howe Chine when he spotted the badly decomposed body of a middle aged man.

The clothing description matched that of a Mr Clarke who had been reported missing from his home in Dorset.

***

A fatal accident occurred at Totland Bay when a four-year-old boy wandered from his home onto the main Freshwater road.

The boy was knocked down by a passing military truck.

The inquest heard that the truck was travelling at a moderate speed and would the driver would not be held criminally responsible.

50 years ago

September 14, 1968

The Education Committee reported that the 11-plus examination was to be abolished.

The process would take place through a transition stage but by the following year, entry to secondary schools would be non-selective.

After this, three types of school were set to come into being — primary, middle and high.

***

Islanders called for the Island to have a separate policy of its own in relation to speed limits.

A majority of those at the Ministry of Transport meeting expressed the view that the Island should have autonomy as the situation was different to that on the mainland.

The proposal for a general 50mph limit on the Island was met with objections.

25 years ago

September 17, 1993

Winds gusting up to violent storm force 11 brought disruption to all the Island's ferry services, losses to power supply, minor flooding and a heavy workload for maintenance workers.

Two gusts of at least 58 knots were reported. One passenger on board a Wightlink ferry suffered injury when she fell from her seat during a rough crossing.

Falling trees damaged park cars, while flooding was reported in Ryde, Newport and Sandown areas.

***

A fire destroyed most of the former Shanklin Cottage Hospital when strong winds fanned flames and firefighters, called in the early hours of the morning, were unable to save the roof and top two floors of the building.

Police officers and fire investigators were treating the incident as arson.

The police officer who led the inquiry appealed for a group of people to come forward so they could be eliminated from the investigation.

10 years ago

September 19, 2008

Twin investigations were launched after the historic paddle steamer, The Waverley, damaged an Island pier and then another on the mainland the following day.

Yarmouth Pier had to be shut after the collision which passengers described as sounding like an explosion.

A spokesperson from the Waverley Trust said: "She was pushed out of position by strong currents. There was no damage to the famous steamer."

Picture: 0908-R08572 Egypt coach crash survivors Holly Cameron with her mum, Becca Cameron-Robson, and Jamie Franklin with her mum, Lesley Franklin.