THIS WEEK

DECEMBER 2, 1997

Big Daddy, the muchloved wrestler with the record-breaking 64-inch chest, died. Born Shirley Crabtree in Halifax in 1930, he started out as a ring villain, teaming up with Giant Haystacks, later to act as his nemesis. A favourite with the fans, especially kids, he’d come into the ring in a Union Jack jacket and top hat.

DECEMBER 2, 1995

“Rogue Trader” Nick Leeson, then 28, was jailed for six-and-a-half years for his part in the collapse of Barings, Britain’s oldest merchant bank.

The Singapore-based trader had lost heavily on the Japanese stock market, hiding £300m of losses in a secret account so his office appeared to be in profit.

DECEMBER 3, 1927

Putting Pants On Philip, the first Laurel and Hardy film, was released.

The plot involved Stan as a young Scot, arriving in America and suffering a range of kilt-related mishaps.

DECEMBER 5, 1952

The Great Smog, a cold fog that combined with air pollution descended on London in Britain’s worst air-pollution event.

It lasted for five days but made 100,000 ill and killed at least 12,000 in the weeks to follow, leading to the Clean Air Act of 1956.

DECEMBER 7, 1942

A

unit of the Royal Marines raided Bordeaux harbour using kayaks in a mission later celebrated in the Trevor Howard film The Cockleshell Heroes. Officially known as Operation Frankton, 10 ships were damaged by limpet mines but of the 10 men to take part, only two survived.