The Times Crossword Archive 1930 to 1985
Preface:
When Adrian Bell, our founder, died on the 5th September 1980, it was left to my father, Edmund Akenhead as Crossword Editor of The Times, to assume Adrian’s role as resident historian. When my father died on 21st December 1990, that role was transferred jointly to John Grant, as the new Crossword Editor and myself where I acted as his proofer throughout his tenure, and later, acting Editor pre the appointment of Brian Greer. When John died on 16th July 2012, that responsibility was left with me as Guardian of the Archive (now lodged with HarperCollins). I have tried to live up to the high standards of my predecessors as well as expand on their illustrious brief.
My research has revealed a rich, and hitherto untapped area in this history, namely the War Years. Doubtless for reasons of security, old adages like ‘be like dad, keep mum’ became the order of the day, and somehow forgotten, or overlooked in the subsequent development of the crossword thereafter, thanks to the fine ongoing efforts of the three prime movers, Adrian Bell, Ronald Carton and his wife Jane. When my father came on the scene in 1965 as the new Crossword Editor he still had Adrian Bell and Jane to support him, but when he too eventually handed over the reins to John Grant, sadly the old guard were no longer with us, and now that John’s gone, it just leaves me to try to fulfil my brief until October 2000,
I see that brief now as one where I can apply my energies to the first fifty five years of The Times crossword, with all its birthing pains, which I’m afraid, with the exception of the stalwarts already mentioned, varied between the sublime and ridiculous in the early stages by modern standards – put bluntly some contributors were not up to it, and this became particularly clear in the war years where much needed crossword, bridge and chess brains were needed in the hallowed fields of intelligence and counter-intelligence in which The Times Atlas of the Second World War gives instances of not just breaking codes, and scrambling codes, but on much-needed occasions such as D-Day actually altering the original messages to our benefit, taking a line from our adversaries who were already rather good at that particular game too, with one or two notable inclusions in both The Daily Telegraph and The Times a couple of which I appear to have unearthed as well! Doubtless, harmless 80 years later, but deadly earnest, with due respect, for all parties thus involved at the time, and in particular for those who had to live through it all or perished in the process.
I am actively pursuing my Chronology of the War Years as an ongoing labour aided principally by The Times Atlas of the Second World War and The Times Archive, beginning with Neville Chamberlain’s ominous and reluctant opening address, and ending with the Emperor Hirohito’s gracious exhortation to his people to accept surrender with honour, and a concession by both Allied and Axis powers that the ways of peace between all nations were infinitely preferable to what had befallen both their alliances in six terrible intervening years. Would that we could learn from past grievous mistakes, but it seems we never will! Perhaps the new generation will prove me wrong. I sincerely hope so!
Please note that this is a historical record and some clues may appear offensive to modern eyes. You will doubtless observe too that definitions, or indeed part-definitions were a secondary concern to the compiler in those far-flung days! Only in extreme cases will I exercise a little editorial discretion, or if they are totally incongruous to a modern reader, I’ve placed a suitable alternative but in the same style. Most clues come from February editions, and later, during Edmund Akenhead’s tenure we switch to December. Note too that these are my Top Ten and intentionally range between those that may inspire, such as this in Crossword no. 1,567 from 1935 ▬ The first is played by mouth, the second and whole by hand (5,4) TRUMP CARD ▬ to the occasionally dire!
Below you will find our NEW Top Ten Tree, mostly from the month of February until 1945 courtesy of my ace developer, Deepak Kumar, I have extended this new concept as a work in progress with the first crossword of the month in question and a selected crossword clue and solution from succeeding Februarys. This continues until the start of my father’s term as editor when there is a switch to the month of December and thenceforward to 1985, when my source, The Times Archive at Times On-Line, ceases. So from 1946 until 1985 expect a work in progress, which will eventually culminate with all its branches filled and a full Top Ten all the way from 1930 until 1985, complete with any useful pieces of correspondence in the Times Archive I’m able to add as well as indicators as to where you can actually enjoy solving a fair number of the crosswords via my digital crosswords extracted therefrom under both The War Years and The Akenhead Years. If you enjoy both my labours and challenges, feel free to continue to spread the Good Word! – David Akenhead, May 5th 2022
1930 – Times crosswords
1. Saturday, February 1st
Crossword 1, 38 Across: This elephant has lost his head (4) UMBO
2. Thursday, February 6th
Crossword 5, 31 Down:
Has driven many a good man to drink (6) THIRST
3. Monday, February 17th
Crossword 14, 16 Across:
Proust produces this if mis-read (6) STUPOR
4. Wednesday, February 19th
Crossword 16, 1 Across:
Theirs is a sort of pillar-to-post existence (7) POSTMEN
5. Tuesday, March 18th
Crossword 39, 25 Across:
This causes the sort of catch you would rather miss (5) VIRUS
6. Wednesday, April 2nd
Crossword 52, 1 Across:
Dervish becomes absolved here (7) SHRIVED
7. Tuesday, April 15th
Crossword 63, 4 Down:
In spite of appearances at the outset he’s liable to hit the rocks (7) FOUNDER
8. Friday, May 2nd
Crossword 77, 38 Down:
These birds may be found by beheading a founder (4) EMUS
9. Tuesday, May 20th
Crossword 92, 26 Down:
This tumbler might rob a cat (7) ACROBAT
10. Friday, May 23rd
Crossword 95, 1 Across:
This store expects what a gardener does to seed bags (5) DEPOT
Letters to the Editor, Friday May 30th 1930
1931 – Times crosswords
1. Wednesday, April 1st
Crossword 361, 26 Across: An affair of love and war (10) ENGAGEMENT
2. Tuesday, April 7th
Crossword 365, 5 Down:
Meditate in bed (7) BEMUSED
3. Thursday, April 9th
Crossword 367, 35 Across:
Taken on departure (5) LEAVE
4. Monday, April 13th
Crossword 370, 13 Across:
East coast laundry (4) WASH
5. Tuesday, April 14th
Crossword 371, 16 Down:
Pleasant for the horse, unpleasant for the airman (8) STALLING
6. Friday, April 17th
Crossword 374, 21 Across:
A cockney might so describe the last horse in a line (7) ENDORSE
7. Friday, May 1st
Crossword 386, 25 Across:
This sort of chap may well get fed up with his fellow-creatures (15) ANTHROPOPHAGOUS
8. Saturday, May 2nd
Crossword 387, 10 Across:
Such bows are nonsense (12) FIDDLESTICKS
9. Friday, May 15th
Crossword 398, 10 Across:
This instrument should have appealed to Micawber (7) LATHE
10. Saturday, May 30th
Crossword 411, 8 Down:
They might be described as Statesmen (5) YANKEES
February 1932 – Times crosswords
1. Wednesday, February 3rd
Crossword 622, 24 Across:
C.H. wear? (8) BATHROBE
2. Thursday, February 4th
Crossword 623, 2 Down:
City father’s foster-mother (3-4) SHE-WOLF
3. Friday, February 5th
Crossword 624, 9 Across:
Lose a quid (anag.) (9) ODALISQUE
4. Saturday, February 6th
Crossword 625, 22 Across:
Chinese post is Han’s (6) SHANSI
5. Monday, February 8th
Crossword 626, 18 Down:
Swindle the people with a gift (8) DONATION
6. Tuesday, February 9th
Crossword 627, 26 Across:
What one expects to get from a run on a card (4) JOKE
7. Thursday, February 11th
Crossword 629, 21 Down:
Used for drawing people out (5) RACKS
8. Friday, February 12th
Crossword 630, 12 Across:
I got nothing thanks! (4) IOTA
9. Saturday, February 13th
Crossword 631, 6 Across:
Play about in a Cornish river (5) FINAL
10. Monday, February 15th
Crossword 632, 10 Across:
It’s a crime for a well-grown girl (6) BIGAMY
February 1933 – Times crosswords
1. Tuesday, February 14th
Crossword 943, 24 Across:
Frustrated condition of an egg (6) UNLAID
2. Wednesday, February 15th
Crossword 944, 19 Across:
Might we call her “Pinkie”? (7) MILDRED
3. Thursday, February 16th
Crossword 945, 3 Down:
Harmonised in a kind of love-nest (6) AGREED
4. Friday, February 17th
Crossword 946, 5 Down:
Omnibus overturned on purpose (10) SUBMISSION
5. Saturday, February 18th
Crossword 947, 9 Down:
The girl goes after the musicians to get something for the pocket (9) BANDANNA
6. Monday, February 20th
Crossword 948, 11 Across:
Proverbial courtship handicap (5,5) FAINT HEART
7. Tuesday, February 21st
Crossword 949, 1 Across:
A problem to be tackled squarely (9) CROSSWORD
8. Wednesday, February 22nd
Crossword 950, 9 Down:
Most sincere flatterers (9) IMITATORS
9. Thursday, February 23rd
Crossword 951, 15 Down:
Land of Hope and glory (9) RURITANIA
10. Friday, February 24th
Crossword 952, 10 Across:
Love of sugar (7) NOTHING
Letters to the Editor, Monday April 24th 1933
This Puzzle appeared in The Times on Saturday, April 22nd 1933
February 1934 – Times crosswords
1. Thursday, February 1st
Crossword 1,242, 14 Across:
What rowdy Cockney schoolboys want to call their teachers? (6) USHERS
2. Friday, February 2nd
Crossword 1,243, 9 Across:
Andrew’s goes astray (7) WANDERS
3. Saturday, February 3rd
Crossword 1,244, 18 Across:
Its choir is made famous (8) HISTORIC
4. Monday, February 5th
Crossword 1,245, 31 Down:
Liquor in baths, perhaps (7) ABSINTH
5. Tuesday, February 6th
Crossword 1,246, 8 Down:
Mid-term (anag.) (7) TRIMMED
6. Wednesday, February 7th
Crossword 1,247, 21 Across:
Marco Polo brought some of these back with him (10,5) TRAVELLERS TALES
7. Thursday, February 8th
Crossword 1,248, 2 Down:
Conservative golfer in an unbearable position (9) DORMITORY
8. Friday, February 9th
Crossword 1,249, 8 Down:
Deafening applause? (11) THUNDERCLAP
9. Saturday, February 10th
Crossword 1,250, 21 Across:
They dig up the dirty past (14) ARCHAEOLOGISTS
10. Tuesday, February 13th
Crossword 1,252, 9 Across:
Just the girl to invite back for a meal (4) ENID
February 1935 – Times crosswords
1. Friday, February 15th
Crossword 1,564, 30 Across:
Cause of inflation in the shoe trade (4) PUMP
2. Saturday, February 16th
Crossword 1,565, 5 Across:
Put out your money and get half back (6) BETIMES
3. Monday, February 18th
Crossword 1,566, 6 Down:
Lesson for a day at the end of spring (8) WELL-A-DAY
4. Tuesday, February 19th
Crossword 1,567, 14 Down:
The first is played by mouth, the second and whole, by hand (5,4) TRUMP CARD
5. Wednesday, February 20th
Crossword 1,568, 1 Across:
Suitable form of horticulture for Gibraltar (4,6) ROCK GARDEN
6. Thursday, February 21st
Crossword 1,569, 3 Down:
He shows me initiative in action (9) DEFENDANT
7. Friday, February 22nd
Crossword 1,570, 22 Across:
The last chapter of Leviticus and the first of Deuteronomy are (8,7) OPPOSITE NUMBERS
8. Monday, February 25th
Crossword 1,572, 6 Down:
Fondle a theologian in a silk hat (6) TIDDLE
9. Tuesday, February 26th
Crossword 1,573, 2 Down:
The green are not caught thus (3-6) RED-HANDED
10. Wednesday, February 27th
Crossword 1,574, 1 Down:
Some people find them elevating, others quite the reverse (6,9) MOVING STAIRWAYS
Letters to the Editor, Saturday October 19th 1935 (Crossword 1,770, 25 Down)
February 1936 – Times crosswords
1. Saturday, February 1st
Crossword 1,862, 11 Across:
“To love her was a liberal ___ ” (Steele) (9) EDUCATION
2. Monday, February 3rd
Crossword 1,863, 18 Down:
Tut, ladies! (anag.) (9) LATITUDES
3. Tuesday, February 4th
Crossword 1,864, 23 Across:
An impressive device (8,7) PRINTING MACHINE
4. Wednesday, February 5th
Crossword 1,865, 28 Across:
Sounds a suitable dish for the race starter (4) SAGO
5. Thursday, February 6th
Crossword 1,866, 24 Across:
What is it that makes one? (5) UNITY
6. Friday, February 7th
Crossword 1,867, 25 Down:
A graduate in the steerage (5) ABAFT
7. Saturday, February 8th
Crossword 1,868, 36 Down:
Sea-horse? (4) MARE
8. Monday, February 10th
Crossword 1,869, 8 Down:
Master of a bark? (3,3) SEA DOG
9. Tuesday, February 11th
Crossword 1,870, 4 Down:
Words for Hamlet and Aladdin? (6,3,3) THERES THE RUB
10. Wednesday, February 12th
Crossword 1,871, 30 Across:
The reverse of competent is to remain in exile (4) ELBA
Letters to the Editor, Tuesday July 14th 1936
February 1937 – Times crosswords
1. Monday, February 15th
Crossword 2,184, 18 Down:
Her success seems contingent upon colour (7) WINIFRED
2. Wednesday, February 17th
Crossword 2,186, 1 Across:
Cars are rated as many times this (6,2,1,5) STRONG AS A HORSE
3. Thursday, February 18th
Crossword 2,187, 22 Across:
The exhausted artist having lost his balance may be (9) OVERDRAWN
4. Friday, February 19th
Crossword 2,188, 10 Across:
Eat too much cheddar (5) GORGE
5. Saturday, February 20th
Crossword 2,189, 2 Down:
A random choice of men (3,4,3,5) TOM DICK AND HARRY
6. Monday, February 22nd
Crossword 2,190, 3 Down:
Theatre that prompted Shakespeare to write: “All the world’s a stage”? (5) GLOBE
7. Tuesday, February 23rd
Crossword 2,191, 18 Across:
The infantry assault begins as the climber’s ends (4,3,3) OVER THE TOP
8. Wednesday, February 24th
Crossword 2,192, 10 Across:
I’ll be among the French in France (5) LILLE
9. Thursday, February 25th
Crossword 2,193, 7 Down:
She should be a good chess player (5) MATER
10. Friday, February 26th
Crossword 2,194, 18 Down:
Wooden junk (6) LUMBER
Letters to the Editor, Monday July 12th 1937
February 1938 – Times crosswords
1. Tuesday, February 1st
Crossword 2,482, 4 Down:
Close when this and this (4) NECK
2. Wednesday, February 2nd
Crossword 2,483, 2 Down:
Four excluded weeks? (1,5,2,7) A MONTH OF SUNDAYS
3. Thursday, February 3rd
Crossword 2,484, 11 Across:
Was he paid blood money? (5) LEECH
4. Friday, February 4th
Crossword 2,485, 9 Across: (See Letter to the Editor below).
Ungrammatical products of a stereoscopic camera (6,9) DOUBLE NEGATIVES
5. Saturday, February 5th
Crossword 2,486, 14 Across:
Horseman (7) CENTAUR
6. Monday, February 7th
Crossword 2,487, 10 Across:
Kipling’s hero returns with difficulty in comic opera (6) MIKADO
7. Tuesday, February 8th
Crossword 2,488, 17 Across:
Suggestion of Blackheath (7) INKLING
8. Wednesday, February 9th
Crossword 2,489, 22 Down:
It is around me in front of you (5) TIMES
9. Thursday, February 10th
Crossword 2,490, 5 Down:
Hidden in a van that took a piano away (5) OKAPI
10. Friday, February 11th
Crossword 2,491, 27 Across:
Ornithological Whip (4) CROP
Letters to the Editor, Tuesday February 11th 1938
Note: Re. Mr Richards’s dilemma with Hamlet’s father’s ghost? Wrong play! But very much in keeping with Macbeth’s remark about Banquo’s! “If I stand here, I saw him”.
Crossword 2,485, 11 Across:
What a Shakespearean ghost wished to be (5) BRIEF
February 1939 – Times crosswords
1. Tuesday, February 14th
Crossword 2,804, 1 Across:
A bit crude (6,8) VULGAR FRACTION
2. Wednesday, February 15th
Crossword 2,805, 9 Across:
Suggests that the bugler will not be able to get another job (4,4) LAST POST
3. Thursday, February 18th
Crossword 2,806, 24 Across:
Does it reason that two singers are deceitful? (9) EQUIVOCAL
4. Friday, February 19th
Crossword 2,807, 5 Down:
The joys of travel (11) TRANSPORTS
5. Saturday, February 20th
Crossword 2,808, 9 Across:
Levi once displayed it (8) VIOLENCE
6. Monday, February 22nd
Crossword 2,809, 14 Across:
Wood nearly burning (5) ARDEN
7. Tuesday, February 23rd
Crossword 2,810, 16 Down:
She gives the giant a first class return (7) TITANIA
8. Wednesday, February 24th
Crossword 2,811, 29 Down:
Baby aboard, very slippy (5) SKIDS
9. Thursday, February 25th
Crossword 2,812, 7 Down:
To the racegoer the reverse of a postscript (8,6) STARTING PRICES
10. Friday, February 26th
Crossword 2,813, 15 Down:
An engaging act (7) PROMISE
Letters to the Editor, Wednesday September 27th 1939
5th Columnists at The Times? Angels and Ministers of grace defend us! (insightful for a’ that!) – Yet, had I been Editor of The Times, I’d have thought twice about publishing such a letter three weeks after hostilities had been declared! It was surely asking for trouble which wasn’t too short in coming – see my Blitz article and the Doorman’s infiltration it seems in Crossword 3,104 published on 2nd February of the following year, seemingly under the protection of the anonymity of Times crossword compilers which continues to this day! – Doorman’s sign-off is clear (with extreme irony, I venture to suggest, if I’m correct), with one of Kipling’s impostors from his celebrated poem If – DA
This letter appeared in the The Times on Tuesday, October 10th 1939
February 1940 – Times crosswords
1. Thursday, February 1st
Crossword 3,103, 14 Down:
here people get hung (7) ACADEMY
2. Friday, February 2nd
Crossword 3,104, 1 Down:
A writer of the present day (7) DIARIST
3. Saturday, February 3rd
Crossword 3,105, 17 Across:
Qualified for brief employment (6,2,3,3) CALLED TO THE BAR
4. Monday, February 5th
Crossword 3,106, 24 Across:
He often takes a bath (6) OLIVER
5. Tuesday, February 6th
Crossword 3,107, 11 Across:
It was more interested in the fleet than Fleet Street (5,4) PRESS GANG
6. Wednesday, February 7th
Crossword 3,108, 10 Across:
Motorists engage in this, generally, after beginning the drive (3,4) TOP GEAR
7. Thursday, February 8th
Crossword 3,109, 24 Down:
Old stockings (5) HOSEN
8. Friday, February 9th
Crossword 3,110, 2 Down:
Musical sleeves (5) GREEN
9. Saturday, February 10th
Crossword 3,111, 9 Across:
Implying that the accountants are unsteady (7) TOTTERS
10. Monday, February 12th
Crossword 3,112, 9 Down:
Evidently not once more at a loss (5) AGAIN
This sobering announcement appeared on Page 6 of The Times – Monday April 29th, 1940
SIZE OF PAPERS
SAFEGUARDING STOCKS OF NEWSPRINT
As an additional measure of precaution designed to conserve the stocks of newsprint, The Times, in common with other newspapers, is for the present further limiting the number of its pages. Scandinavia is an important source of supply for the pulp from which newspapers are made, and imports from that area are necessarily suspended. At the same time, the great demand for shipping for all war purposes has restricted access to other sources of supply.
The standard size of The Times under these conditions will from today be 12 pages, other newspapers making a proportionate reduction. That means inevitably the curtailment of some of the established features of the paper, though every effort will be made to preserve them so far as that is compatible with the full presentation of essential news, and preparations for saving space in other directions have long been put in hand. Thus such regular features as Monday’s agricultural notes, news of music, films, and the theatre; the crossword puzzle and the contributions on fashion and household matters; the Tuesday bridge article, the Saturday religious article, and the golf article will all be continued, though it may be necessary to shorten some of them.
City news must also undergo some compression; but nothing will be spared to give the fullest practicable record of the day’s events in finance and commerce. The same will hold true of the Parliamentary and Law Reports. The need for conciseness in letters to the Editor will manifestly be greater than ever. It is intended, however, to maintain to the full The Times service of dispatches from all parts of the Empire and from foreign countries.
Meanwhile the space that can be devoted to advertisements will be carefully apportioned with the aim of helping every advertiser who uses the columns of The Times.
February 1941 – Times crosswords
1. Saturday, February 15th
Crossword 3,426, 11 Down:
Infuse ‒ was the usual truth about Don Bradman? (6) INSTIL
2. Monday, February 17th
Crossword 3,427, 10 Across:
In the French we discover intelligence (4) NOUS
3. Tuesday, February 18th
Crossword 3,428, 18 Across:
Is such flattery affected by rationing? (9) BUTTERING
4. Wednesday, February 19th
Crossword 3,429, 3 Down:
A Nile swamp is turned to tapestry (7) GOBELIN
5. Thursday, February 20th
Crossword 3,430, 5 Across:
Office the worse for drink and reserved (6) OFFISH
6. Friday, February 21st
Crossword 3,431, 8 Down:
Raid? I’m going up here as the airman might have said (6) MIDAIR
7. Saturday, February 22nd
Crossword 3,432, 21 Down:
It suggests a sound picture of a pleased cat (7) PURVIEW
8. Monday, February 24th
Crossword 3,433, 4 Down:
Many owe much to the old stage coach (6) ACTORS
9. Tuesday, February 25th
Crossword 3,434, 13 Across:
No sugar, I’m reformed (9) IGNORAMUS
10. Wednesday, February 26th
Crossword 3,435, 19 Down:
Did this creature invent the sidewalk? (8) LANDCRAB
This tribute was found alongside Times Crossword Puzzle No. 3,560 dated Wednesday, July 23rd 1941
February 1942 – Times crosswords
1. Monday, February 2nd
Crossword 3,724, 25 Down:
Port, did you say? (4) SAID
2. Tuesday, February 3rd
Crossword 3,725, 1 Down:
The substance of tears (8) SOBSTUFF
3. Saturday, February 7th
Crossword 3,729, 14 Down:
With this creature “it’s tails you lose” (8) SCORPION
4. Monday, February 9th
Crossword 3,730, 32 Across:
Cupid’s necktie? (6,4) LOVERS KNOT
5. Thursday, February 12th
Crossword 3,733, 18 Down:
One cannot be compelled to do so (9) VOLUNTEER
6. Monday, February 16th
Crossword 3,736, 1 Across:
Figurative couple who are literally held up to ridicule (5,3,4) PUNCH AND JUDY
7. Wednesday, February 18th
Crossword 3,738, 9 Down:
Order for a bed? ‒ or perhaps not (5,3) APPLE PIE
8. Tuesday, February 24th
Crossword 3,743, 3 Down:
Harmful effect of bowling eight balls? (10) OVERSTRAIN
9. Wednesday, February 25th
Crossword 3,744, 8 Down:
The making of a harmless crocodile (11) SCHOOLGIRLS
10. Saturday, February 28th
Crossword 3,747, 5 Down:
Slangily it is anything but refreshing fruit (9) RASPBERRY
This found in The Times dated Wednesday, April 8th 1942
Prices doubtless reflecting the cost of newsprint (earlier article of 29th April 1940) which had soared!
February 1943 – Times crosswords
1. Monday, February 1st
Crossword 4,033, 13 Across:
Hen emu at a club, ‒ very irregular! (9) ATHENAEUM
2. Tuesday, February 2nd
Crossword 4,034, 13 Down:
One isn’t expected to put on court dress for it (4,6) LAWN TENNIS
3. Saturday, February 6th
Crossword 4,038, 27 Across:
One does it, of course, in aviation circles (7,3,4) LOOPING THE LOOP
4. Tuesday, February 9th
Crossword 4,040, 1 Down:
Evidently it should be “wide enough to wrap a fairy in” (9) PERISCOPE
5. Wednesday, February 10th
Crossword 4,041, 20 Down:
He waits in France (6) GARCON
6. Thursday, February 18th
Crossword 4,048, 25 Across:
A cautionary cricketing rival of Little Jack Horner? (4,6) PLUM WARNER
7. Friday, February 19th
Crossword 4,049, 1 Across:
Won by Nelson, ridden by Wellington (10) COPENHAGEN
8. Monday, February 22nd
Crossword 4,051, 23 Across:
A nice garden for a girl (10) GRANDNIECE
9. Tuesday, February 23rd
Crossword 4,052, 2 Down:
Nymphs in reeds, perhaps (7) NEREIDS
10. Friday, February 26th
Crossword 4,055, 20 Down:
Name of thin Scot (7) MACLEAN
This appeared in The Times on Wednesday, September 22nd 1943
February 1944 – Times crosswords
1. Tuesday, February 1st
Crossword 4,343, 16 Across:
The royal sorcerer’s job (6,8) PRINCE CHARMING
2. Wednesday, February 2nd
Crossword 4,344, 26 Across:
It wasn’t a layman who sought to discuss this lay matter (3,7,3) THE CURATES EGG
3. Friday, February 4th
Crossword 4,346, 14 Down:
Story-teller to the children of Romulus? (5,5) UNCLE REMUS
4. Saturday, February 5th
Crossword 4,347, 17 Down:
This deficiency might have hair-raising results in a wind (3,4) NET LOSS
5. Tuesday, February 8th
Crossword 4,349, 1 Across:
Frog’s restricted ubiquity? (5) BOUNDS
6. Wednesday, February 9th
Crossword 4,350, 19 Across:
Dyy (9) PENNYWISE
7. Tuesday, February 15th
Crossword 4,355, 19 Across:
Retreat of the self-conscious guest (3,3,3) TIP AND RUN
8. Wednesday, February 16th
Crossword 4,356, 23 Down:
More like an earl? (7) EARLIER
9. Friday, February 25th
Crossword 4,364, 18 Across:
Very tired of Hampshire, are they? (10) SYCOPHANTS
10. Saturday, February 26th
Crossword 4,365, 9 Across:
It goes always south to north (6) SEVERN
This from an article in The Times dated Monday, October 2nd 1944
February 1945 – Times crosswords
1. Thursday, February 1st
Crossword 4,654, 1 Across:
Let surf be soothing (7) RESTFUL
2. Friday, February 2nd
Crossword 4,655, 25 Across:
I need corn, being somewhat secretive (9) ENDOCRINE
3. Saturday, February 3rd
Crossword 4,656, 28 Across:
It is a puzzle to gardeners (9) ARAUCARIA
4. Thursday, February 8th
Crossword 4,660, 14 Down:
Smith’s dishonest product (7) FORGERY
5. Friday, February 9th
Crossword 4,661, 11 Across:
A mount habituated to the black-out (4,5) DARK HORSE
6. Saturday, February 10th
Crossword 4,662, 8 Down:
Briefly describing merciless bridge-players (2,6) NO HEARTS
7. Thursday, February 15th
Crossword 4,666, 8 Down:
It’s between two feet (6) STRIDE
8. Friday, February 16th
Crossword 4,667, 21 Down:
Motor degeneration through vegetation (6) CARROT
9. Saturday, February 17th
Crossword 4,668, 16 Down:
Bad men found in wild country and in ships (8) BRIGANDS
10. Monday, February 19th
Crossword 4,669, 18 Down:
Peak fraud in Devon (7) TOPSHAM
Crossword No. 4,735 Published in The Times on Tuesday, 8th May 1945 VE Day marking the end of hostilities in Europe.
&
Crossword No. 4,819 Published in The Times on Wednesday, 15th August 1945 VJ Day marking the end of hostilities in Japan.
You can now solve these crosswords yourself under War Years (see attachments beneath) – DA.
February 1946 – Times crosswords
1. Friday, February 1st
Crossword 4,963, 26 Across:
These songs make one prone to retire colouring (6) LIEDER
2. February
Crossword
3. February
Crossword
4. February
Crossword
5. February
Crossword
6. February
Crossword
7. February
Crossword
8. February
Crossword
9. February
Crossword
10. Thursday, February 28th
Crossword 4,986, 3 Down:
They are not fit to be so called (8) INVALIDS
February 1947 – Times crosswords
1. Saturday, February 1st
Crossword 5,272 13 Across:
French baths back (5) NAIVE
2. February
Crossword
3. February
Crossword
4. February
Crossword
5. February
Crossword
6. February
Crossword
7. February
Crossword
8. February
Crossword
9. February
Crossword
10. Friday, February 28th
Crossword 5,295 25 Down:
Make amends, — when’s luncheon? (5) ATONE
February 1948 – Times crosswords
1. Monday, February 2nd
Crossword 5,582, 7 Down:
Sound as a bell in the South Seas (5) ATOLL
2. February
Crossword
3. February
Crossword
4. February
Crossword
5. February
Crossword
6. February
Crossword
7. February
Crossword
8. February
Crossword
9. February
Crossword
10. Saturday, February 28th
Crossword 5,605, 22 Across:
District in Lower Hants (5,5) NORTH WALES
February 1949 – Times crosswords
1. Tuesday, February 1st
Crossword 5,892, 11 Down:
The century in the balance? (13) HUNDREDWEIGHT
2. February
Crossword
3. February
Crossword
4. February
Crossword
5. February
Crossword
6. February
Crossword
7. February
Crossword
8. February
Crossword
9. February
Crossword
10. Monday, February 28th
Crossword 5,915, 15 Down:
A man of parts, no doubt (5) ACTOR
February 1950 – Times crosswords
1. Wednesday, February 1st
Crossword 6,202 7 Down:
This professional stop-gap looks down in the mouth (7) DENTIST
2. February
Crossword
3. February
Crossword
4. February
Crossword
5. February
Crossword
6. February
Crossword
7. February
Crossword
8. February
Crossword
9. February
Crossword
10. Tuesday, February 28th
Crossword 6,225 27 Across:
Enough to keep a politician in drink (5) AMPLE
February 1951 – Times crosswords
1. Thursday, February 1st
Crossword 6,512, 19 Down:
Pull whither, sailor? (5,2) HEAVE TO
2. February
Crossword
3. February
Crossword
4. February
Crossword
5. February
Crossword
6. February
Crossword
7. February
Crossword
8. February
Crossword
9. February
Crossword
10. Wednesday, February 28th
Crossword 6,535, 8 Down:
In matron’s embrace I take sides about a mixed cult (13) MATRICULATION
February 1952 – Times crosswords
1. Friday, February 1st
Crossword 6,822, 4 Down:
French shores reached by pigeons (5) COTES
2. February
Crossword
3. February
Crossword
4. February
Crossword
5. February
Crossword
6. February
Crossword
7. February
Crossword
8. February
Crossword
9. February
Crossword
10. Friday, February 29th
Crossword 6,846, 13 Across:
She doesn’t make a hit, evidently (4) MISS
February 1953 – Times crosswords
1. Monday, February 2nd
Crossword 7,133, 16 Across:
Clean as a convalescent from measles (8) SPOTLESS
2. February
Crossword
3. February
Crossword
4. February
Crossword
5. February
Crossword
6. February
Crossword
7. February
Crossword
8. February
Crossword
9. February
Crossword
10. Saturday, February 28th
Crossword 7,156, 14 Across:
She’s minted (4) ANNA
February 1954 – Times crosswords
1. Monday, February 1st
Crossword 7,442, 1 Across:
Australian folk dancer (8,7) WALTZING MATILDA
2. February
Crossword
3. February
Crossword
4. February
Crossword
5. February
Crossword
6. February
Crossword
7. February
Crossword
8. February
Crossword
9. February
Crossword
10. Saturday, February 27th
Crossword 7,465, 25 Across:
Earth in most of the ginger at twilight (8) GLOAMING
February 1955 – Times crosswords
1. Tuesday, February 1st
Crossword, 7,752 10 Down:
I sing of the fire of Rome (5) IGNIS
2. February
Crossword
3. February
Crossword
4. February
Crossword
5. February
Crossword
6. February
Crossword
7. February
Crossword
8. February
Crossword
9. February
Crossword
10. Monday, February 28th
Crossword, 7,775, 16 Down:
Old sailor shows what to do when bombarded (9) SHELLBACK
February 1956 – Times crosswords
1. Wednesday, February 1st
Crossword 8,041, 19 Down:
Jumpers popular in Kent (7) HOPPERS
2. February
Crossword
3. February
Crossword
4. February
Crossword
5. February
Crossword
6. February
Crossword
7. February
Crossword
8. February
Crossword
9. February
Crossword
10. Wednesday, February 29th
Crossword 8,065, 6 Down:
The strength to bowl six balls? (9) OVERPOWER
February 1957 – Times crosswords
1. Friday, February 1st
Crossword 8,352, 17 Across:
A turn for the cat in Puss in Boots (4) STAR
2. February
Crossword
3. February
Crossword
4. February
Crossword
5. February
Crossword
6. February
Crossword
7. February
Crossword
8. February
Crossword
9. February
Crossword
10. Thursday, February 28th
Crossword 8,375, 24 Down:
Bite — the dust? (5) ERODE
February 1958 – Times crosswords
1. Saturday, February 1st
Crossword 8,662, 8 Down:
Beastly definition of a gander across the border (8) MONGOOSE
2. February
Crossword
3. February
Crossword
4. February
Crossword
5. February
Crossword
6. February
Crossword
7. February
Crossword
8. February
Crossword
9. February
Crossword
10. Saturday, February 28th
Crossword 8,685, 20 Down:
What’s set out here may be expanded in a few minutes (6) AGENDA
February 1959 – Times crosswords
1. Monday, February 2nd
Crossword 8,972, 4 Down:
Little adders? (4) TOTS
2. February
Crossword
3. February
Crossword
4. February
Crossword
5. February
Crossword
6. February
Crossword
7. February
Crossword
8. February
Crossword
9. February
Crossword
10. Saturday, February 28th
Crossword 8,995, 10 Across:
Solemn lemons or melons grow insular (6) LEMNOS
February 1960 – Times crosswords
1. Monday, February 1st
Crossword 9,281 15 Across:
One sting is nothing to this (7) NESTING
2. February
Crossword
3. February
Crossword
4. February
Crossword
5. February
Crossword
6. February
Crossword
7. February
Crossword
8. February
Crossword
9. February
Crossword
10. Monday, February 29th
Crossword 9,305 11 Across:
Character appearing to have swallowed his half-brother (3,3) ROB ROY
February 1961 – Times crosswords
1. Wednesday, February 1st
Crossword 9,592, 16 Down:
Make sure his tables are turned (7) ESTABLISH
2. February
Crossword
3. February
Crossword
4. February
Crossword
5. February
Crossword
6. February
Crossword
7. February
Crossword
8. February
Crossword
9. February
Crossword
10. Tuesday, February 28th
Crossword 9,615, 25 Across:
Otherwise a German river (4) ODER
February 1962 – Times crosswords
1. Thursday, February 1st
Crossword 9,902, 13 Across:
Doctor, I have an impulse! (5) DRIVE
2. February
Crossword
3. February
Crossword
4. February
Crossword
5. February
Crossword
6. February
Crossword
7. February
Crossword
8. February
Crossword
9. February
Crossword
10. Wednesday, February 28th
Crossword 9,925, 1 Across:
Arachnid on the make (5-7) MONEY SPINNER
February 1963 – Times crosswords
1. Friday, February 1st
Crossword 10,212, 21 Down:
The motor I half bought is well equipped with horns (7) CARIBOU
2. February
Crossword
3. February
Crossword
4. February
Crossword
5. February
Crossword
6. February
Crossword
7. February
Crossword
8. February
Crossword
9. February
Crossword
10. Thursday, February 28th
Crossword 10,235, 13 Across:
Just some water from Cumbrian butter (4) MERE
February 1964 – Times crosswords
1. Saturday, February 1st
Crossword 10,522, 13 Across:
Wealthy barmaid (7) PORTIA
2. February
Crossword
3. February
Crossword
4. February
Crossword
5. February
Crossword
6. February
Crossword
7. February
Crossword
8. February
Crossword
9. February
Crossword
10. Saturday, February 29th
Crossword 10,546, 17 Down:
Could be one of those to be counted (8) BLESSING
December 1965 – Times crosswords
1. Wednesday, December 1st
Crossword 11,091, 22 Across:
Little brother is among the clinkers back in Glasgow (7) GORBALS
2. Tuesday, December 7th
Crossword 11,096, 1 Across:
“Terriers”? (4,2,3) DOGS OF WAR
3. Wednesday, December 8th
Crossword 11,097, 9 Across:
Is a ram able to produce singers? (8) CANARIES
4. Friday, December 10th
Crossword 11,099, 19 Across:
Money for safari charge account? (5) RHINO
5. Friday, December 10th
Crossword 11,099, 26 Across:
What you will play (7,5) TWELFTH NIGHT
6. Tuesday, December 21st
Crossword 11,108, 27 Across:
Canis (3,5) DOG LATIN
7. Thursday, December 23rd
Crossword 11,110, 11 Across:
Duty that England expected of her country (4,3) LAND TAX
8. Friday, December 24th
Crossword 11,111, 7 Down:
Scoffing at father turning up in a dive (8) DERISIVE
9. Friday, December 31st
Crossword 11,115, 2 Down:
World-makers, all of them (5) SORTS
10. Friday, December 31st
Crossword 11,115, 15 Down:
Does it make aunt eager to buy the washing-machine? (9) GUARANTEE
December 1966 – Times crosswords
1. Thursday, December 1st
Crossword 11,401, 21 Across:
No swank about this early record-maker (6) EDISON
2. Friday, December 2nd
Crossword 11,402, 7 Down:
Sauce with an infernal flavour! (9) TARTAREAN
3. Tuesday, December 6th
Crossword 11,405, 15 Down:
Its men-of-war get beached (8) PORTUGAL
4. Friday, December 9th
Crossword 11,408, 11 Across:
They’re seen round some low Scottish joints (5) TREWS
5. Thursday, December 15th
Crossword 11,413, 16 Across:
Scene of summit meetings (7) OLYMPUS
6. Saturday, December 17th
Crossword 11,415, 17 Down:
Judge in untidy bar attire (9) ARBITRATE
7. Thursday, December 22nd
Crossword 11,419, 12 Across:
They go out by direction (6) EXEUNT
8. Saturday, December 24th
Crossword 11,421, 9 Down:
Have a thought for the bird! (5) MERRY
9. Wednesday, December 28th
Crossword 11,422, 13 Down:
How turncoats retreat? (7,4) REVERSE GEAR
10. Saturday, December 31st
Crossword 11,425, 7 Down:
Wherein to find the young lady of Berne (8) OBERLAND
December 1967 – Times crosswords
1. Friday, December 1st
Crossword 11,711, 13 Across:
No play here (5) JAPAN
2. Monday, December 4th
Crossword 11,713, 14 Across:
Daughter of the Revolution? (8) SPINSTER
3. Friday, December 8th
Crossword 11,717, 7 Down:
A send-up for boarders (2,3,4) ON TOP ONLY
4. Tuesday, December 12th
Crossword 11,720, 6 Down:
Warnings from cards? (8) CAUTIONS
5. Friday, December 15th
Crossword 11,723, 4 Down:
A suitable vehicle for Puskin? (12) PERAMBULATOR
6. Tuesday, December 19th
Crossword 11,726, 13 Across:
Musical mnemonic? (4-6) BELL-RINGER
7. Thursday, December 21st
Crossword 11,728, 25 Across:
Add nine in the end (8) APPENDIX
8. Saturday, December 23rd
Crossword 11,730, 1 Down:
Hung up, expecting another call? (9,8) CHRISTMAS STOCKING
9. Thursday, December 28th
Crossword 11,732, 15 Across:
Winnie in the nude? Sounds like it! (4) BEAR
10. Saturday, December 30th
Crossword 11,734, 8 Down:
Block order (6) BEHEAD
December 1968 – Times crosswords
1. Monday, December 2nd
Crossword 12,021, 2 Down:
How is Janus looking? (3-5) TWO-FACED
2. Tuesday, December 3rd
Crossword 12,022, 20 Across:
Money spent but not in song (6) OUTLAY
3. Thursday, December 5th
Crossword 12,024, 12 Across:
He’s not exactly a worthless knave (9) CHEAPJACK
4. Monday, December 9th
Crossword 12,027, 22 Down:
Brass hats are decidedly feminine! (5) WOMEN
5. Thursday, December 12th
Crossword 12,030, 22 Down:
Hot-air drier by the Osric company (7) SIROCCO
6. Wednesday, December 18th
Crossword 12,035, 11 Across:
Maunder about like the Venus de Milo (7) UNARMED
7. Friday, December 20th
Crossword 12,037, 25 Down:
What top people do? (4) SPIN
8. Monday, December 23rd
Crossword 12,039, 17 Across:
Aids to hindsight (7) MIRRORS
9. Friday, December 27th
Crossword 12,041, 22 Down:
Thus Alice demonstrates Frank’s law (5) SALIC
10. Tuesday, December 31st
Crossword 12,044, 19 Down:
Is a landau unusual in this part of Spain? (9) ANDALUSIA
December 1969 – Times crosswords
1. Monday, December 1st
Crossword 12,329, 9 Across:
Their aim is to strike gold (7) ARCHERS
2. Monday, December 8th
Crossword 12,335, 10 Across:
A classy establishment, but not modern (3,6) OLD SCHOOL
3. Tuesday, December 9th
Crossword 12,336, 8 Down:
Scottish web of deceivers (7) TANGLED
4. Wednesday, December 10th
Crossword 12,337, 15 Across:
Therein Ted is tied (8) TETHERED
5. Saturday, December 13th
Crossword 12,340, 20 Down:
Elizabeth I gets round to transposing an air (6) ORIANA
6. Wednesday, December 17th
Crossword 12,343, 9 Across:
Following the bidding (9) OBEDIENCE
7. Thursday, December 18th
Crossword 12,344, 6 Down:
Club for Hokey Cokey addicts? (2,3,3) IN AND OUT
8. Friday, December 19th
Crossword 12,345, 6 Down:
Stage direction superfluous with a bear in pursuit? (4) EXIT
9. Saturday, December 27th
Crossword 12,350, 19 Across:
Most exclusive, this shop (6) CLOSED
10. Wednesday, December 31st
Crossword 12,353, 13 Across:
A shine’s difficult with this cloth! (7) HESSIAN
December 1970 – Times crosswords
1. Tuesday, December 1st
Crossword 12,635, 1 Across:
What a bluestocking, strikingly, is not (5-3) BLACK-LEG
2. Wednesday, December 2nd
Crossword 12,636, 20 Across:
Musical state (8) OKLAHOMA
3. Friday, December 4th
Crossword 12,638, 17 Across:
They are not expected to do homework (12) MISSIONARIES
4. Monday, December 7th
Crossword 12,640, 10 Across:
The Cheshire Cat was so expressive (7) GRINNED
5. Thursday, December 10th
Crossword 12,642, 25 Across:
“Can I get there by candlelight?” Only if you hurry! (7) WICKLOW
6. Saturday, December 12th
Crossword 12,644, 21 Across:
How interest grows on hearing of a sea voyage (7) ACCRUES
7. Tuesday, December 15th
Crossword 12,646, 2 Down:
Parade of bonnets (9) MOTORCADE
8. Friday, December 18th
Crossword 12,649, 14 Across:
Poems of the downs (5) EPSOM
9. Monday, December 21st
Crossword 12,651, 20 Across:
I love Kay like crazy (4) AMOK
10. Thursday, December 31st
Crossword 12,658, 21 Across:
England’s lion proves of sterling worth (4,4) HALL MARK
December 1971 – Times crosswords
1. Wednesday, December 1st
Crossword 12,937, 24 Across:
Wolf-cry (5,5) FALSE ALARM
2. Friday, December 3rd
Crossword 12,939, 12 Across:
Having no head for fashion? (7) TOPLESS
3. Wednesday, December 8th
Crossword 12,943, 24 Down:
Help a criminal perhaps as a matter of course (4) ABET
4. Friday, December 10th
Crossword 12,945, 20 Down:
Assemble for prayer (7) COLLECT
5. Saturday, December 11th
Crossword 12,946, 12 Across:
The tribe’s matriarch is in the pink (5) MASAI
6. Monday, December 13th
Crossword 12,947, 21 Down:
Doctor take in Ireland? A fine yarn! (6) MERINO
7. Wednesday, December 15th
Crossword 12,949, 23 Across:
Your return includes a bill for a boat (5) YACHT
8. Monday, December 20th
Crossword 12,953, 11 Across:
One-man trunk-moving business (7,3,5) TOSSING THE CABER
9. Friday, December 24th
Crossword 12,957, 5 Down:
Waits for them (9,6) CHRISTMAS CAROLS
10. Friday, December 31st
Crossword 12,961, 28 Across:
Exalted quality of Münchausen’s stories (8) TALLNESS
December 1972 – Times crosswords
1. Friday, December 1st
Crossword 13,244, 21 Down:
Champion Hen Trophy? (3-3) EGG-CUP
2. Tuesday, December 5th
Crossword 13,247, 26 Across:
Invariably, say law-breakers (6) ALWAYS
3. Wednesday, December 6th
Crossword 13,248, 20 Down:
The more disturbing proposition (7) THEOREM
4. Thursday, December 8th
Crossword 13,249, 20 Across:
Look, a Newfoundland bird (6) GANDER
5. Monday, December 11th
Crossword 13,252, 21 Across:
Contend with some peculiar guests (5) ARGUE
6. Tuesday, December 12th
Crossword 13,253, 10 Across:
Speedy way to lose weight (4) FAST
7. Saturday, December 16th
Crossword 13,257, 18 Down:
Come along, Sisyphus! (4,2) ROLL UP
8. Wednesday, December 20th
Crossword 13,259, 16 Down:
Occasionally switching (3-3-2) OFF-AND-ON
9. Thursday, December 28th
Crossword 13,264, 21 Across:
Divine vale (5) ADIEU
10. Saturday, December 30th
Crossword 13,266, 11 Across:
Instruction one has in hot weather (6) LESSON
December 1973 – Times crosswords
1. Saturday December 1st
Crossword 13,551, 2 Down:
Asking for batting sheets (7) INQUIRE
2. Monday, December 3rd
Crossword 13,552, 11 Across:
They admit being swingers (5) GATES
3. Thursday, December 6th
Crossword 13,555, 1 Across:
Fall guy (6) FAWKES
4. Saturday, December 8th
Crossword 13,557, 21 Across:
Apple-sinner Herbert tried nothing funny (9) APHRODITE
5. Wednesday, December 12th
Crossword 13,560, 23 Across:
Authority left by an anonymous French caller? (5-7) CARTE-BLANCHE
6. Thursday, December 13th
Crossword 13,561, 11 Across:
Music rooms? (5) SUITE
7. Saturday, December 15th
Crossword 13,563, 23 Down:
Fine Scots half muster of pipers causing affray (5) BRAWL
8. Tuesday, December 18th
Crossword 13,565, 23 Across:
Of course poor aunt is going to recover (9) NATURALLY
9. Monday, December 24th
Crossword 13,570, 1 Down:
Not even house mice are stirring now (9,3) CHRISTMAS EVE
10. Monday December 31st
Crossword 13,574, 15 Across:
Musical passages for beginners? (8) PRELUDES
December 1974 – Times crosswords
1. Monday, December 2nd
Crossword 13,857, 23 Across:
Unwritten rule at Clapham? (6,3) COMMON LAW
2. Tuesday, December 3rd
Crossword 13,858, 1 Across:
Verbosity adding weight at the end of the line (10) PADDINGTON
3. Wednesday, December 4th
Crossword 13,859, 11 Across:
Call it a day? (6-4,5) TWENTY-FOUR HOURS
4. Thursday, December 5th
Crossword 13,860 21 Down:
Sound advice to architect of such a heavenly body (6) PLANET
5. Saturday, December 7th
Crossword 13,862, 23 Across:
Swim back from France for a Shakespeare part (5) REGAN
6. Wednesday, December 11th
Crossword 13,865, 21 Across:
Flora’s rings (7) WREATHS
7. Friday, December 13th
Crossword 13,867, 2 Down:
Formal wear for dogs (5) TAILS
8. Tuesday, December 24th
Crossword 13,876, 23 Across:
Heavenly bead (8) RAINDROP
9. Monday, December 30th
Crossword 13,879, 26 Across:
You can safely put your shirt on it (7,5) CLOTHES HORSE
10. Tuesday, December 31st
Crossword 13,880, 7 Down:
Strikes essential for circulation (5-5) HEART-BEATS
December 1975 – Times crosswords
1. Monday, December 1st
Crossword 14,164, 12 Across:
Business as usual? Yes or no (6,4) CLOSED SHOP
2. Wednesday, December 3rd
Crossword 14,166, 23 Across:
Sign of amusement at missing man’s homicide (8) LAUGHTER
3. Thursday, December 4th
Crossword 14,167, 19 Across:
He can be charming to his mother (4) SCOT
4. Friday, December 5th
Crossword 14,168, 6 Across:
High honours for airmen (4) ACES
5. Monday, December 8th
Crossword 14,170, 13 Down:
Angle for dignity (9) ELEVATION
6. Tuesday, December 9th
Crossword 14,171, 13 Across:
Worker bees make them, but one is helpless in them (8) STITCHES
7. Friday, December 12th
Crossword 14,174, 28 Across:
No one’s well out of these? (5) SORTS
8. Friday, December 12th
Crossword 14,174, 16 Down:
Unlimited advice for the excessively jumpy (9) BOUNDLESS
9. Friday, December 19th
Crossword 14,180, 1 Across:
War time (7,5) HUNDRED YEARS
10. Wednesday, December 31st
Crossword 14,188, 30 Across:
A flaming streaker! (6) METEOR
December 1976 – Times crosswords
1. Wednesday, December 1st
Crossword 14,473, 9 Down:
Stage director (8) COACHMAN
2. Friday, December 3rd
Crossword 14,475, 23 Down:
It might be made from honey (4) MEAD
3. Monday, December 6th
Crossword 14,477, 19 Across:
Browning’s girt appears good at exams (5) PIPPA
4. Tuesday, December 7th
Crossword 14,478, 16 Down:
Avoid friction by changing clue a bit? Right (9) LUBRICATE
5. Monday, December 20th
Crossword 14,489, 7 Down:
Put in a word for the opposition (7) ANTONYM
6. Wednesday, December 22nd
Crossword 14,491, 19 Down:
German prince making mark of the cross (7) ELECTOR
7. Thursday, December 24th
Crossword 14,493, 21 Down:
With dislocated hip Eve’s irritable (7) PEEVISH
8. Wednesday, December 29th
Crossword 14,494, 6 Down:
Let in and let on (5) ADMIT
9. Friday, December 31st
Crossword 14,496, 15 Across:
Makes the canter tricky for a ballet dancer (9) ENTRECHAT
10. Friday, December 31st
Crossword 14,496, 22 Down:
Club porter utterly devoted to tea (5) CADDY
December 1977 – Times crosswords and a gentle extract from a reply to one of my father’s critics during his tenure.
1. Thursday, December 1st
Crossword 14,773, 26 Across:
How players get out (6) EXEUNT
2. Saturday, December 3rd
Crossword 14,775, 4 Down:
If divided we fall — Adam’s did (4) WIFE
3. Saturday, December 3rd
Crossword 14,775, 8 Down:
Brief her to take legal action (5) SUSAN
4. Tuesday, December 6th
Crossword 14,777, 22 Across:
Our obligation (4) ONUS
5. Wednesday, December 7th
Crossword 14,778, 6 Down:
Don’t go out with airmen (6) REMAIN
6. Friday, December 9th
Crossword 14,780, 16 Down:
Describing a standard feature of ancient Rome (8) AQUILINE
7. Saturday, December 10th
Crossword 14,781, 25 Across:
Grace initially embraces, for example, Silas (4) WEGG
8. Friday, December 23rd
Crossword 14,792, 26 Across:
Measure up (6) HEIGHT
9. Wednesday, December 28th
Crossword 14,794, 20 Across:
They are continually on point duty (9) SIGNPOSTS
10. Saturday, December 31st
Crossword 14,797, 12 Across:
Needed for deadlocks? (8,4) SKELETON KEYS
1978 – Problematic year for the publication of Times crosswords. December for the most part was disastrous. We have decided on the highlights from February instead!
1. Wednesday, February 1st
Crossword 14,823, 4 Down:
Norse girl framed? (6) INGRID
2. Friday, February 3rd
Crossword 14,825, 21 Across:
Orando laborando for (not only Rugby) grammarians (7) GERUNDS
3. Tuesday, February 7th
Crossword 14,828, 13 Across:
Cannon Mark Ten? (4) KISS
4. Thursday, February 9th
Crossword 14,830 20 Across:
Henry’s fish-wife done in going to Canterbury (8) PARDONER
5. Monday, February 13th
Crossword 14,833 2 Down:
A crooner fellow in Oxfordshire (8) ABINGDON
6. Wednesday, February 15th
Crossword 14,835, 11 Across:
Thomas R.A. is winner of a local election (12) GAINSBOROUGH
7. Wednesday, February 15th
Crossword 14,835 13 Across:
Force that gives one globe a new shape (6) OBLIGE
8. Wednesday, February 15th
Crossword 14,835 14 Across:
Supervised love poetry in French (8) OVERSEEN
9. Wednesday, February 15th
Crossword 14,835, 17 Down:
Culprit walking the plank? (8) OFFENDER
10. Thursday, February 23rd
Crossword 14,842, 1 Down:
Poet has tea to cure indisposition (7) CHAUCER
December 1979 – Times crosswords
1. Saturday, December 1st
Crossword 15,087, 14 Down:
What makes the Arctic so puzzling? (8) ACROSTIC
2. Tuesday, December 4th
Crossword 15,089, 5 Down:
Resort supreme, sea town? Right (6-5-4) WESTON-SUPER-MARE
3. Wednesday, December 5th
Crossword 15,090, 23 Across:
Friar’s bound to be well-known to schoolboy (4-4) TUCK-SHOP
4. Friday, December 7th
Crossword 15,092, 21 Across:
(Sounds like) the last thing done to a new shoe (4) SOLD
5. Tuesday, December 11th
Crossword 15,095, 14 Down:
Rival finds bird dead (7) EMULATE
6. Wednesday, December 12th
Crossword 15,096, 3 Down:
Providing outlook from “Sea View” (3,6) BAY WINDOW
7. Friday, December 14th
Crossword 15,098, 11 Across:
Possessions acquired by breaking the law! (6) WEALTH
8. Monday, December 17th
Crossword 15,100, 1 Across:
Romeo gets nothing right (5) LOVER
9. Thursday, December 20th
Crossword 15,103, 15 Across:
Defence is the business of the world (9) EARTHWORK
10. Monday, December 31st
Crossword 15,110, 27 Across:
Consequences of changes at the farm (9) AFTERMATH
December 1980 – Times crosswords
1. Monday, December 1st
Crossword 15,388, 17 Across:
Lively school-half with zero vandalism (7) SCHERZO
2. Thursday, December 11th
Crossword 15,397, 1 Across:
Following not so quiet penguins perhaps (7) ENSUING
3. Thursday, December 11th
Crossword 15,397, 5 Across:
Hors d’oeuvre at the races? (7) STARTER
4. Friday, December 12th
Crossword 15,398, 2 Down::
Are there seers more elevated than ‘e, say you? (6) ISAIAH
5. Wednesday, December 17th
Crossword 15,402, 10 Across:
Bird needed at bar at opening time (4) CROW
6. Wednesday, December 17th
Crossword 15,402, 26 Across:
Periods of world revolution (4) DAYS
7. Thursday, December 18th
Crossword 15,403, 12 Across:
Ian McRae’s upset the natives (9) AMERICANS
8. Tuesday, December 23rd
Crossword 15,407, 6 Down:
Wine from a Spanish river gets OK in Germany (5) RIOJA
9. Wednesday, December 24th
Crossword 15,408, 4 Down:
Go out like a light (7) RADIATE
10. Wednesday, December 31st
Crossword 15,412, 1 Across:
Lit up new bulb (5) TULIP
December 1981 – Times crosswords – at the end of this year, Edmund Akenhead, wrote the attached Guide to a competition crossword with a sample analysis. I have reproduced the same for your enjoyment under the Akenhead Years – DA
1. Tuesday, December 1st
Crossword 15,694, 8 Down:
Put too much weight on superior accent (10) OVERSTRESS
2. Thursday, December 3rd
Crossword 15,696, 8 Down:
In which a dancer’s ankle was dislocated? (4,4) SWAN LAKE
3. Saturday, December 5th
Crossword 15,698, 1 Across:
In the long run, no honourable revolutionary (5) MARAT
4. Wednesday, December 9th
Crossword 15,701, 18 Down:
Bit of a fall in the dinar or possibly the penny (8) RAINDROP
5. Thursday, December 10th
Crossword 15,702, 5 Down:
How one can use a brogue to say the wrong thing (3,4,4,2,2) PUT ONE’S FOOT IN IT
6. Monday, December 14th
Crossword 15,705, 1 Across:
Quiet times for bookmakers (5) PAGES
7. Tuesday, December 15th
Crossword 15,706, 6 Across:
Term equivalent to a score of forty (4) HALF
8. Wednesday, December 16th
Crossword 15,707, 1 Across:
Garment for the Race of Man (7) DOUBLET
9. Monday, December 21st
Crossword 15,711, 16 Down:
Make a great fuss, as Eve had to do? (5,4) RAISE CAIN
10. Thursday, December 31st
Crossword 15,718, 6 Down:
Speech from “Love on the dole” (7) ORATION
December 1982 – Times crosswords were limited to 20th December due to industrial action. Despite the challenges, Edmund Akenhead produced some classic clues.
1. Wednesday, December 1st
Crossword 16,000, 22 Across:
Rover on land or sea (5) TRAMP
2. Tuesday, December 7th
Crossword 16,005, 12 Across:
Editors hold new leader over (5) ENDED
3. Tuesday, December 7th
Crossword 16,005, 25 Across:
Supporter of present Queen (8) SECONDER
4. Tuesday, December 7th
Crossword 16,005, 8 Down:
Hardly one’s best suit in whist! Or cricket game (8) SHORTEST
5. Tuesday, December 7th
Crossword 16,005, 22 Down:
In which Berliners soak? (5) SPREE (auf trinken! v. UK pub crawl)
6. Wednesday, December 8th
Crossword 16,006, 13 Across:
Premises used by Holmes, for instance (4) DATA
7. Wednesday, December 8th
Crossword 16,006, 26 Across: (contribution by DA)
“Madam, I’m Adam” — the world’s first? (10) PALINDROME
8. Saturday, December 11th
Crossword 16,009, 21 Across:
Advantage point in a tennis match (5) ASSET
9. Monday, December 13th
Crossword 16,010, 6 Down:
Subject of Lawrence’s letters about border (5) THEME
10. Monday, December 20th
Crossword 16,016, 8 Down:
River crossing made by eight (8) CAMBRIDGE
December 1983 – Times crosswords
1. Thursday, December 1st
Crossword 16,298, 5 Down:
Proposition for Merioneth not in order (7) THEOREM
2. Wednesday, December 7th
Crossword 16,303, 12 Across:
Springs on church cup (7) CHALICE
3. Friday, December 9th
Crossword 16,305, 13 Across:
Poor liar to be source of intelligence for Shylock (6) RIALTO
4. Monday, December 12th
Crossword 16,307, 1 Down:
A drawing instrument (9) CORKSCREW
5. Wednesday, December 14th
Crossword 16,309, 10 Across:
Regret not shifting car into reverse, he tells us (9) RACONTEUR
6. Friday, December 16th
Crossword 16,311, 14 Across:
One very rich sucrose mixture (7) CROESUS
7. Saturday, December 17th
Crossword 16,312, 5 Down:
Point of balance — in the middle of mass? (6,2,7) CENTRE OF GRAVITY
8. Thursday, December 22nd
Crossword 16,316, 18 Down:
Fabric of type rats ruin (or moths?) (8) TAPESTRY
9. Wednesday, December 28th
Crossword 16,320, 26 Across:
Revolver charged? (8) ELECTRON
10. Saturday, December 31st
Crossword 16,323, 10 Across:
Fellows fighting — like Lion and Unicorn? (8-2-4) COMRADES-IN-ARMS
December 1984 – Times crosswords
1. Saturday, December 1st
Crossword 16,600, 6 Down:
Timber! Warning cry covers road and rail (8) FORESTRY
2. Monday, December 3rd
Crossword 16,601, 14 Across:
Nail to cross in Yorkshire (8) BRADFORD
3. Tuesday, December 4th
Crossword 16,602, 14 Down:
As of old, he unfolds a story (9) FALSEHOOD
4. Wednesday, December 5th
Crossword 16,603, 12 Across:
Happy to be one of this beauty queen’s associates (4,5) SNOW WHITE
5. Monday, December 10th
Crossword 16,607, 27 Across:
He who deserves a pound from a novice (6) EARNER
6. Tuesday, December 11th
Crossword 16,608, 5 Down:
Armed alliance to regularize foreseeable issue (7,7) SHOTGUN WEDDING
7. Tuesday, December 18th
Crossword 16,614, 17 Down:
Increase urgency where presidents dominate the scene (8) RUSHMORE
8. Saturday, December 22nd
Crossword 16,618, 29 Across:
Oddly Crete not Italy gave us this art style (8) TRECENTO
9. Monday, December 24th
Crossword 16,619, 4 Down:
Lack of water around Aden damaged a warship (11) DREADNOUGHT
10. Monday, December 31st
Crossword 16,623, 1 Across:
Stormy Atlantic is one scourge of sailors (3-1-4-5) CAT-‘O-NINE-TAILS
December 1985 – Times crosswords
1. Monday, December 2nd
Crossword 16,909, 29 Across:
Cunning of little significance outside Gravesend (7) SLEIGHT
2. Tuesday, December 3rd
Crossword 16,910, 5 Down:
Staff of newspaper in Shanghai? (5-4) PRESS-GANG
3. Thursday, December 5th
Crossword 16,912, 6 Down:
A Manx cat having lost one of its nine lives? (7) OCTOPUS
4. Monday, December 9th
Crossword 16,915, 13 Across:
What host can make such an appeal? (4,4) HOW’S THAT
5. Wednesday, December 11th
Crossword 16,917, 22 Down:
Spinner gives potter a rest (6) SPIDER
6. Thursday, December 12th
Crossword 16,918, 8 Down:
The beauty of Italy grows somewhat deadly (10) BELLADONNA
7. Monday, December 16th
Crossword 16,921, 14 Across:
Stateliest of homes expels one comrade (3) PAL
8. Thursday, December 19th
Crossword 16,924, 7 Down:
Having no defence, half the members are gone (7) UNARMED
9. Saturday, December 21st
Crossword 16,926, 6 Down:
In bed it helps a woman (5) EDITH
10. Friday, December 27th
Crossword 16,929, 27 Across:
Become old-fashioned and perhaps steady (4) DATE
Visits: 420