This week in history – 60, 40 and 20 years ago.

Romford Recorder: Romford and Hornchurch Recorder, June 13 1975Romford and Hornchurch Recorder, June 13 1975 (Image: Archant)

Sixty years ago

Two Havering men were awarded OBEs in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.

The recipients were Alderman Kenneth Glenny, of Hall Lane, Upminster, and Bertram Nettleton, of Parkway, Gidea Park.

Alderman Glenny was a member of the county council and a former chairman of its public health committee.

Romford Recorder: Romford Recorder, June 19 1995Romford Recorder, June 19 1995 (Image: Archant)

The Conservative, also a JP, was awarded the OBE for political and public services in Essex.

Mr Nettleton was deputy director of audit in the exchequer and audit department of the treasury.

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A 23-year-old pleaded guilty to obtaining money by false pretences and intending to defraud the Post Office.

The woman, of Bruce Avenue, Hornchurch, went to the branch in Elm Road, Hornchurch, and filled in a withdrawal form for £3, signing it in the name of her sister.

She then went to another branch a few days later and it was noticed a page was missing from the book.

It was sent to headquarters and the woman admitted it was not her book.

She also admitted another charge of intending to defraud the Post Office of £3 by false pretences.

She was committed in custody to the next meeting of the Appeals Court.

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A man was fined five shillings for being drunk in South Street, Romford.

The bricklayer, of Ravensbourne Crescent, Harold Wood, pleaded guilty at Romford Court.

He said: “Instead of going to Southend for the day, I had a few rums and blackcurrants in Romford and I was quite happy.”

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Forty years ago

A Scout was in a serious condition in hospital after a campfire exploded in his face.

Paul Jones, 11, had been at a barbecue near La Salette Church, Rainham, when the accident happened.

Eugene Boyle, Paul’s uncle, said: “Paul is a lively little lad, full of fun.

“He is enormously proud of being in the Scouts and loves wearing the uniform.”

Paul was taken to Oldchurch Hospital, Romford, before being transferred to University College Hospital, London.

He had suffered extensive burns to his face, hands and chest.

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Hospital staff were warned that cutbacks could lead to a “rapid deterioration” of the health service.

The Confederation of Health Service Employees had just held a meeting to discuss the cash crisis facing hospitals.

Glyn Head, branch secretary for the Brentwood area, said: “The nurse shortage is already bad and there can’t be an efficient health service and cutbacks.

“This could lead to the closing down of wards and a rapid deterioration in the health service.”

Aubrey Keep, the area administrator for the Barking and Havering Health Authority, said: “No definite decisions have been made concerning any cutbacks.

“We are hell-bent on not letting the tough economic situation affect the hospital service, but we are having to do a thorough stocktake of our position.”

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One of Upminster’s oldest residents died.

Kate Blake, of Courtenay Gardens, died just three days after celebrating her 91st birthday.

During her marriage to late husband Percy, Mrs Blake became a keen golfer.

At one stage in the 1900s, she was captain of the ladies’ team at Upminster Golf Club.

She won a competition at the club at the age of 70.

Her sister Cicily Fildes said: “My sister was full of life and many of her friends popped in to wish her a happy birthday.

“She passed away watching television.”

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Twenty years ago

A 73-year-old veteran was left for dead metres from his doorstep in a callous attack which appeared to have no motive.

Cliff Davis, who served in the RAF, suffered such severe injuries that police officers were not able to interview him for three days.

The veteran, of Victoria Road, Romford, said: “I left the RAFA Club in Carlton Road at 11pm, but I didn’t take the shortcut over the railway bridge, as I’m always worried about being attacked.

“I got to my door, took out my keys and was suddenly grabbed round the throat and dragged behind my front gateway.

“It is the last thing I remember happening.”

Mr Davis was left unconscious and bleeding, with a fractured jaw, for almost three hours.

He was discovered, suffering from hypothermia, by neighbours.

Det Ch Insp Dave Easy said: “I will not accept this kind of thing in Havering and we will do our utmost to catch those responsible.”

Mr Davis added: “I’m not going to let it spoil my life. I am looking forward to visiting my girlfriend in New York soon.

“It’s ironic, but I feel safer there than in Romford. But I’d rather it was me attacked than some young girl walking to a nightclub.”

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A pigeon which perched on overhead cables sparked off three days of chaos for train passengers.

The bird’s death caused a short circuit which triggered a fire in a signal control box near the bridge spanning Waterloo Road, Romford.

As firefighters tackled the blaze, signals covering three sections of the four tracks were put out of action. A spokesman for Railtrack said: “There were no trains through Romford for an hour.”