ON THIS DAY

31 years ago ( 1989)

Following the massacre of 10 Royal Marine bandsmen by the IRA, we claimed poor security at the army barracks in Deal, Kent, following Tory cuts had left them vulnerable.

Another soldier would die in hospital a month later.

The bombing came as Republicans stepped up attacks on British troops, now in their 20th year of deployment in Northern Ireland.

69 years ago ( 1951)

King George VI underwent an operation to remove part of his lung while bulletins on his condition were pinned to the railings at Buckingham Palace, where well- wishers gathered.

A heavy smoker, the king failed to make a full recovery and died quietly in bed on February 6 the following year.

20 years ago ( 2000)

British rower Steve Redgrave won his fifth consecutive gold medal, at the Sydney Olympics, making him the most successful male rower in Olympic history.

He won gold alongside Matthew Pinsent, Tim Foster and James Cracknell in the coxless fours.