12th January 1932: the Birth of Des o'connor
On this day in 1932 Des O'Connor was born in Stepney. A comedian, singer and presenter, he was active for over six decades. O'Connor had a close friendship with comedians Morecambe & Wise, who would frequently make fun of his singing on their show (“Des O’Connor’s a self-made man. Well, it’s nice of him to take the blame.").
Des O'Connor with Morecambe & Wise
19th January 1917: The Silvertown Explosion
On this day in 1917 an explosion occurred at a munitions factory in West Ham. Known as the Silvertown Explosion, around fifty tonnes of TNT detonated, killing seventy-three and damaging up to 70,000 properties - including the Savoy Hotel seven miles away, whose windows were blown out. The blast was heard as far away as Sandringham, one hundred miles from Silvertown.
The Silvertown Explosion
26th January 1871: the Founding of the Rugby Football Union
On this day in 1871 the Rugby Football Union was founded, when representatives from twenty-one clubs met at the Pall Mall Restaurant on Cockspur Street. Supposedly representatives from Wasps and Ealing were invited to attend, but both got drunk elsewhere and missed the meeting.
RFU plaque on Cockspur Street [image credit: blackcablondon.net]
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