SWINDON

1947: The Swindon Division of the Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen’s Families Association, held its annual flag day. There was an urgent need for more collectors in the town to help out.

1957: Priscilla Bond was crowned May Queen at the Church of England school, King William Street, Swindon. Tony Richens was May King, and the queen was attended by Barbara Odey and Lyn Matthews. The pupils entertained an audience of parents with songs, dances and recitals.

1977: Life got a little bit easier for patients at St Margaret’s Hospital, Stratton St Margaret, thanks to Highworth Lions Club. The club provided the hospital with a much-needed water bed costing £655.

2013: Swindon-born runner-up of ITV’s X Factor Jahmene Douglas and Josh Kumra were announced to play the Oasis at a ‘The Best of Swindon’ concert. It was to be Jahmene’s first performance back in his home town since reaching the final of The X Factor back in December.

THE WORLD

1455: In the War of the Roses, the Lancastrians defeated the Yorkists at the Battle of St Albans.

1611: James I created the title ‘baronet’.

1897: The Blackwall Tunnel under the Thames was officially opened.

1908: The Wright Brothers patented their flying machine.

1972: Ceylon became the Republic of Sri Lanka.

1981: ‘Yorkshire Ripper’ Peter Sutcliffe, pictured, was found guilty at the Old Bailey of murdering 13 women and attempting to murder seven others. He was sentenced to 30 years minimum.

BORN

1813: Richard Wagner, operatic composer (d. 1883) 1859: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, author who created Sherlock Holmes (d. 1930) 1924: Charles Aznavour, singer 1946: Howard Kendall, football manager 1949: Cheryl Campbell, actress 1950: Bernie Taupin, songwriter 1955: Dale Winton, TV host 1959: Morrissey, pictured, singer, 55 1970: Naomi Campbell, model 1978: Katie Price (Jordan), pictured, model, businesswoman

DIED

1972: Margaret Rutherford, actress (b. 1892) 1990: Rocky Graziano, American boxer (b. 1922) 1991: Stan Mortensen, footballer and manager (b. 1921) 2013: Murdered soldier Drummer Lee Rigby, pictured (b. 1987) 2013: Mick McManus, English wrestler (b. 1920)