First birth of the day goes to John the Fearless aka John of Valois and John I of Burgundy who showed what he was made of in 1371. Selim II of the Ottoman Empire was given a few years grace from 1524 until he was made to wear large puffed out hats. George I King of the United Kingdom and Ireland started the trend of royals bearing their name from 1660. Non-inventor of the guillotine and death penalty opponent, Joseph-Ignace Guillotin spliced through in 1738. Youngest British Prime Minister to take up the post, William Pitt the Younger was a real Tory wet in 1759. Pierre Gustave Toutant-Beauregard the American Confederate States Army General put up less resistance being born in 1818. Inventor of the blowtorch, Carl Richard Nyberg felt the heat after being delivered in 1858. Designer of ornate village Portmerion, (in North Wales), Bertram Clough Williams-Ellis took a different view of things from 1883. Writer of spy series James Bond, (yawn), and children’s book, ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’ – Ian Lancaster Fleming wasn’t shaken or stirred after 1908. Matriarch to far left acting dynasty, Rachel Redgrave, (née Kempson), had a touch of love in 1910. Blues guitarist Aaron Thibeaux ‘T-Bone’ Walker also entered this mean old world 1910. Sit-com star who also presented God slot programmes, and not forgetting the Churchill stairlift ads, Thora Hird thought she was the entertainer from 1911. Four time Prime Minister of Turkey, Mustafa Bülent Ecevit democratically left his party in good time from 1925. Canadian politician Claude Forget hasn’t forgotten his birthday since 1936. Ex-Mayor of New York who held steady after the 9/11 attacks – Rudolph William Loius ‘Rudy’ Giuliani didn’t flinch at being delivered 78 years ago. Also arriving 78 years ago – four time Grammy award winning singer Gladys Knight, (minus her pips). Chesty impressionist born Eunice Irene Carroll, but known as Faith Brown, has been up front about being born in 1944. Actress known for her character ‘Marlene’ in Only Fools and Horses, Susan Joan Pringle ‘Sue’ Holderness found that’ll be the day in 1949. New Romantic synth popster Steven John Harrington or as his make up artist knew him, Steve Strange had a normal birth in 1959. Singer with 80’s band Fine Young Cannibals, Roland Lee Gift found it’s ok to be born in 1962. Dishevelled know all comedian, David Lionel Baddiel found what time bedtime was from 1964. Gay friendly hot pant loving pop minstrel Kylie, (Boomerang), Minogue had tears on her pillow in 1968. Living Norwegian of the day, Jørgen Strickert started his fan club in 1980.

As for people taking up the undertaker’s offer, Archbishop of Canterbury – Lanfranc started counting worms in 1089. Afonso IV of Portugal was brave to the end in 1357. American lexicographer Noah Webster Jr., kept the same spelling for dead in 1843. Youngest sis of the Brontë clan, Anne Brontë dropped her quill in 1849. John Russell, 1st Earl Russell or even Lord John Russell, two time British Prime Minister found his luck ran out, (again), in 1878. One of the Nazi sympathising Mitford Sisters, Unity Mitford found more than her arm rigidly straight in 1948. Edward VIII King of the United Kingdom and its associated Dominions of the British Empire, (before he was snagged by Wallis Simpson), found he didn’t have to clean his medals after 1972. Known as Mr Grainger in 1970’s sit-com Are You Being Served? Frederick Arthur Baker/Arthur Brough checked out in 1978. Hero of the Falklands War, Lieutenant Colonel Herbert ‘H’ Jones (VC) didn’t manage to dodge the bullet in 1982. Comedian John Eric Bartholomew, or as he was better known, Eric Morecombe, found eternal sunshine in 1984. Actor/comedian Philip Edward Hartmann wasn’t the houseguest from 1998. Actress Martha Ellen Scott had more than one foot in heaven in 2003. Dead Norwegian of the day goes to ski jumper/author Thorleif Schjelderup who started enjoying the apres-ski from 2006. Artist known for her portly ladies, Beryl Cook has left the smock unwashed from 2008. Actor Terence Joseph Alexander found death is a number in 2009. Diminutive sit-com actor Gary Coleman was left wondering what Willis was talkin’ about before expiring in 2010. Not terribly popular ex-owner of both Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Manchester United, Michael Glazer wasn’t granted extra time in 2012. Finally, children’s television presenter known for his stint with Shep on Blue Peter – John W Bottomley aka John Noakes, weighed anchor in 2017.
With thanks to http://www.onthisday.com for filling in the gaps.