THREE Malvern houses which had been occupied by the Ministry of Supply since 1942 had just been handed back, reported the Malvern Gazette of July 24, 1953.

The buildings were Oriel Villa, Worcester Road, Inglehope, Harcourt Road, and Ingledene, Somers Road.

During the Second World War, the government had extensive powers to requisition premises needed for the war effort.