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Scotsman
a day ago
- Scotsman
The shot in the dark in July 1940 that robbed Edinburgh of one of its finest police officers
Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... July 1940 was probably the darkest month in this country's history. With only military reverses to count in the Second World War, Britain stood on the brink of invasion. The Battle of Britain had just begun. It was to be a brilliant victory, but at the time it seemed like a desperate defensive struggle. Eastern Scotland was on the front line. Within easy reach of Luftwaffe bombers and with shallow sloping beaches, we were considered a prime invasion site. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad But, contrary to popular myth, we had not been caught napping. From the mid-1930s, defence plans had been drawn up with numerous anti-aircraft batteries around Edinburgh and two Spitfires squadrons nearby. The man chosen to lead on civil defence was Edinburgh Assistant Chief Constable, Robert Thomson. At only 39, he was the rising star of Scottish policing. READ MORE: Why Kneecap and Bob Vylan are just repeating an old Edinburgh Festival Fringe trick Roadblocks were set up across the UK during the Second World War (Picture: Chris Ware/Keystone) | Getty Images False alarms and accidents Intelligent and a brilliant organiser, he had the people skills that allowed him to bring a host of different groups together – police, special constabulary, firefighters, ambulance, salvage squads, and air-raid wardens. It was a brilliant effort by Thomson and his team and, amid growing air-raid warnings, it needed to be. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The rigorously enforced blackout caused problems. With no street lighting and vehicles only allowed tiny 'slit ' headlights, accidents and injuries were common. With tensions high, there were numerous false alarms. In summer 1940, there were numerous sightings of enemy parachutists and crashing planes, none of which were true. READ MORE: Why big winners from West of Scotland gang wars will be the police By this time, ACC Thomson was working round the clock. By day he worked to keep his civil defence partners on their toes, by night, whenever an air-raid warning sounded he would attend police HQ to command the response. When the air-raid alert went off at midnight on July 12, after several previous raids, all went wearily to their posts or designated shelters, while Thomson was picked up from his Portobello home for another long night. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad A cruel trick of fate But on this night, a rogue actor appeared on the scene. RAF sergeant Alexander Macpherson was home on leave in Edinburgh. He had been out drinking in the Northfield pub and decided to carry out an impromptu road check on Willowbrae Road near his home. With a loaded rifle, he positioned himself at a main road junction just as the police car carrying ACC Thomson drove towards the city. Macpherson tried to wave the car down but the lighting was poor and the car sped by. Drunk and angry, the RAF man took a wild shot at the passing car. A drunken, unaimed shot in the dark of the night at a fast-moving target should have missed everything, but by a cruel trick of fate the bullet caught ACC Thomson in the jaw causing a severe but survivable injury. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad However, it was not to be, and he died of his wounds three days later, the most senior British police officer ever killed in the line of duty. His death was more than a personal tragedy. It was a grievous blow to Scottish policing. He would undoubtedly have led the service through the difficult post-war reforms. As it was, this brilliant young officer was another victim of 'the fog of war' at a time of our greatest peril.
Powys County Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- Powys County Times
What is next for Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois?
Oleksandr Usyk is once again undisputed world heavyweight champion after Saturday's devastating fifth-round stoppage of Daniel Dubois at Wembley. Usyk sent Dubois to the canvas with a vicious left-handed punch titled Ivan to win back his IBF belt and add it to his WBA, WBC and WBO titles. Here, the PA news agency takes a look at what next for Usyk and what this result means for the blue-riband division. Where does this leave Dubois? Warrior ⚔️ #UsykDubois2 — Queensberry Promotions (@Queensberry) July 20, 2025 Briton's Dubois is back in familiar territory and required to rebuild his career. The 27-year-old has managed it twice before after his shock loss to Joe Joyce in 2020 and his first defeat to Usyk two years ago. Frank Warren confirmed his fighter will not return for at least six months and a domestic affair with the likes of Derek Chisora or Dillian Whyte seems most likely at this point. So, who is next for Usyk? View this post on Instagram A post shared by Usyk. The Cat. Oleksandr (@usykaa) Usyk proceeded to namecheck Chisora, Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua and Joseph Parker in the ring immediately as potential opponents after Saturday's 24th victory of his undefeated professional career. The WBO has already implied that Usyk must next defend that belt against Parker. If Usyk, who has suggested his next fight would be his last, was to prefer a trilogy with Fury, he would have to vacate his WBO title and lose undisputed status again. Is Fury ready for another shot at Usyk? Fury wasted no time calling out Usyk after his victory as the 'Gypsy King' posted an Instagram video in the early hours of Sunday morning on a run. Fury retired after he lost to Usyk for a second time last December, but maintains he won those bouts and has already revealed he will return to the ring in 2026. Queensberry promoter Warren says Fury would love to fight Usyk at Wembley so it is all eyes on what the Ukrainian decides. No Fury vs AJ then? 🇬🇧⚔️ Oleksandr Usyk is now 8-0 against UK fighters: ✅ Tony Bellew✅ Derek Chisora✅ Anthony Joshua (x2)✅ Tyson Fury (x2)✅ Daniel Dubois (x2) — Ring Magazine (@ringmagazine) July 19, 2025 If Usyk does decide to fight Parker next, it would open the door for a long overdue Battle of Britain between Fury and Joshua. Whilst the duo no longer boast the status as world heavyweight champion, it is a contest that would draw huge interest and comfortably sell-out at Wembley. Joshua has been linked with a fight against YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul, but the best way to add to his legacy would be to take on compatriot Fury – even if it should have happened years earlier. Best of the rest View this post on Instagram A post shared by Moses ITAUMA (@ One of the next eye-catching fights in the division will see highly-rated Moses Itauma do battle with journeyman Whyte on August 16. Itauma, a 20-year-old southpaw, has 10 knock-outs from 12 wins and is widely regarded as the future of heavyweight boxing. Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh called for Itauma to fight Usyk on Saturday night. It feels too early for Itauma, but he is an option for Usyk along with Germany's Agit Kabayel, who is WBC mandatory, and WBA Regular champion Kubrat Pulev.
North Wales Chronicle
2 days ago
- Sport
- North Wales Chronicle
What is next for Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois?
Usyk sent Dubois to the canvas with a vicious left-handed punch titled Ivan to win back his IBF belt and add it to his WBA, WBC and WBO titles. Here, the PA news agency takes a look at what next for Usyk and what this result means for the blue-riband division. Warrior ⚔️#UsykDubois2 — Queensberry Promotions (@Queensberry) July 20, 2025 Briton's Dubois is back in familiar territory and required to rebuild his career. The 27-year-old has managed it twice before after his shock loss to Joe Joyce in 2020 and his first defeat to Usyk two years ago. Frank Warren confirmed his fighter will not return for at least six months and a domestic affair with the likes of Derek Chisora or Dillian Whyte seems most likely at this point. A post shared by Usyk. The Cat. Oleksandr (@usykaa) Usyk proceeded to namecheck Chisora, Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua and Joseph Parker in the ring immediately as potential opponents after Saturday's 24th victory of his undefeated professional career. The WBO has already implied that Usyk must next defend that belt against Parker. If Usyk, who has suggested his next fight would be his last, was to prefer a trilogy with Fury, he would have to vacate his WBO title and lose undisputed status again. Fury wasted no time calling out Usyk after his victory as the 'Gypsy King' posted an Instagram video in the early hours of Sunday morning on a run. Fury retired after he lost to Usyk for a second time last December, but maintains he won those bouts and has already revealed he will return to the ring in 2026. Queensberry promoter Warren says Fury would love to fight Usyk at Wembley so it is all eyes on what the Ukrainian decides. 🇬🇧⚔️ Oleksandr Usyk is now 8-0 against UK fighters: ✅ Tony Bellew✅ Derek Chisora✅ Anthony Joshua (x2)✅ Tyson Fury (x2)✅ Daniel Dubois (x2) — Ring Magazine (@ringmagazine) July 19, 2025 If Usyk does decide to fight Parker next, it would open the door for a long overdue Battle of Britain between Fury and Joshua. Whilst the duo no longer boast the status as world heavyweight champion, it is a contest that would draw huge interest and comfortably sell-out at Wembley. Joshua has been linked with a fight against YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul, but the best way to add to his legacy would be to take on compatriot Fury – even if it should have happened years earlier. A post shared by Moses ITAUMA (@
South Wales Guardian
2 days ago
- Sport
- South Wales Guardian
What is next for Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois?
Usyk sent Dubois to the canvas with a vicious left-handed punch titled Ivan to win back his IBF belt and add it to his WBA, WBC and WBO titles. Here, the PA news agency takes a look at what next for Usyk and what this result means for the blue-riband division. Warrior ⚔️#UsykDubois2 — Queensberry Promotions (@Queensberry) July 20, 2025 Briton's Dubois is back in familiar territory and required to rebuild his career. The 27-year-old has managed it twice before after his shock loss to Joe Joyce in 2020 and his first defeat to Usyk two years ago. Frank Warren confirmed his fighter will not return for at least six months and a domestic affair with the likes of Derek Chisora or Dillian Whyte seems most likely at this point. A post shared by Usyk. The Cat. Oleksandr (@usykaa) Usyk proceeded to namecheck Chisora, Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua and Joseph Parker in the ring immediately as potential opponents after Saturday's 24th victory of his undefeated professional career. The WBO has already implied that Usyk must next defend that belt against Parker. If Usyk, who has suggested his next fight would be his last, was to prefer a trilogy with Fury, he would have to vacate his WBO title and lose undisputed status again. Fury wasted no time calling out Usyk after his victory as the 'Gypsy King' posted an Instagram video in the early hours of Sunday morning on a run. Fury retired after he lost to Usyk for a second time last December, but maintains he won those bouts and has already revealed he will return to the ring in 2026. Queensberry promoter Warren says Fury would love to fight Usyk at Wembley so it is all eyes on what the Ukrainian decides. 🇬🇧⚔️ Oleksandr Usyk is now 8-0 against UK fighters: ✅ Tony Bellew✅ Derek Chisora✅ Anthony Joshua (x2)✅ Tyson Fury (x2)✅ Daniel Dubois (x2) — Ring Magazine (@ringmagazine) July 19, 2025 If Usyk does decide to fight Parker next, it would open the door for a long overdue Battle of Britain between Fury and Joshua. Whilst the duo no longer boast the status as world heavyweight champion, it is a contest that would draw huge interest and comfortably sell-out at Wembley. Joshua has been linked with a fight against YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul, but the best way to add to his legacy would be to take on compatriot Fury – even if it should have happened years earlier. A post shared by Moses ITAUMA (@
Glasgow Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
What is next for Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois?
Usyk sent Dubois to the canvas with a vicious left-handed punch titled Ivan to win back his IBF belt and add it to his WBA, WBC and WBO titles. Here, the PA news agency takes a look at what next for Usyk and what this result means for the blue-riband division. Where does this leave Dubois? Briton's Dubois is back in familiar territory and required to rebuild his career. The 27-year-old has managed it twice before after his shock loss to Joe Joyce in 2020 and his first defeat to Usyk two years ago. Frank Warren confirmed his fighter will not return for at least six months and a domestic affair with the likes of Derek Chisora or Dillian Whyte seems most likely at this point. So, who is next for Usyk? Usyk proceeded to namecheck Chisora, Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua and Joseph Parker in the ring immediately as potential opponents after Saturday's 24th victory of his undefeated professional career. The WBO has already implied that Usyk must next defend that belt against Parker. If Usyk, who has suggested his next fight would be his last, was to prefer a trilogy with Fury, he would have to vacate his WBO title and lose undisputed status again. Is Fury ready for another shot at Usyk? Tyson Fury wants to face Oleksandr Usyk for a third time (Martin Rickett/PA) Fury wasted no time calling out Usyk after his victory as the 'Gypsy King' posted an Instagram video in the early hours of Sunday morning on a run. Fury retired after he lost to Usyk for a second time last December, but maintains he won those bouts and has already revealed he will return to the ring in 2026. Queensberry promoter Warren says Fury would love to fight Usyk at Wembley so it is all eyes on what the Ukrainian decides. No Fury vs AJ then? 🇬🇧⚔️ Oleksandr Usyk is now 8-0 against UK fighters: ✅ Tony Bellew✅ Derek Chisora✅ Anthony Joshua (x2)✅ Tyson Fury (x2)✅ Daniel Dubois (x2) — Ring Magazine (@ringmagazine) July 19, 2025 If Usyk does decide to fight Parker next, it would open the door for a long overdue Battle of Britain between Fury and Joshua. Whilst the duo no longer boast the status as world heavyweight champion, it is a contest that would draw huge interest and comfortably sell-out at Wembley. Joshua has been linked with a fight against YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul, but the best way to add to his legacy would be to take on compatriot Fury – even if it should have happened years earlier. Best of the rest One of the next eye-catching fights in the division will see highly-rated Moses Itauma do battle with journeyman Whyte on August 16. Itauma, a 20-year-old southpaw, has 10 knock-outs from 12 wins and is widely regarded as the future of heavyweight boxing. Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh called for Itauma to fight Usyk on Saturday night. It feels too early for Itauma, but he is an option for Usyk along with Germany's Agit Kabayel, who is WBC mandatory, and WBA Regular champion Kubrat Pulev.
