A quarter-century of my dedicated research unveils the narrative of one of the most renowned and painstakingly rediscovered incidents in British Victorian history. This story centres on a man whose existence dangled on the precipice—the individual who encountered the gallows not once, not twice, but thrice.This work delves into the […]
m’Blog
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As a lifelong supporter of the British Labour Party, I have been there through the highs and lows, unwavering in my dedication. To me, being a true socialist means advocating for a fairer society, where everyone has equal opportunities and access to basic necessities. I have witnessed the Labour Party’s […]
If it happened, it was in the news. 1750 – 1950. My voluntary research service. As an avid enthusiast of British history, my passion for this captivating subject knows no bounds. I’ve immersed myself in its depths, delving into its intricacies and unearthing hidden aspects that have long remained concealed. […]
I am slowly but surely digitising my collections of Georgian, Victorian, Edwardian and early 20th century personal letters, documents and photographic images acquired over several decades. This process is currently ongoing and will gradually reveal itself here. The collections enables us to look into the lives, loves, ups and downs […]
Since auction websites like eBay entered the online arena the success of moneymaking ventures by some has in a way caused serious social and devastating historic damage. I am referring here to the thousands who have unwittingly taken advantage of these websites by selling off literally tons of “family junk”, […]
Whilst doing more family research I sadly discovered that my great, great grandmother (Emily Cave (nee Windebank)) committed suicide in 1892 after drinking the contents of a bottle of Carbolic Acid. I found out about this after conducting routine research through the London newspapers. London Evening Standard – Wednesday 14 […]
The railway station at Princetown was the scene of an unusual event in September 1895 when a released convict went back to Dartmoor Prison as he felt uncomfortable in the clothes he was wearing. Royal Cornwall Gazette – Thursday 19 September 1895: A Fastidious Convict. An amusing scene was witnessed […]
John Witton was transported in 1834 for stealing from a grocer. John asked if the Court could do him a favour. Cambridge Chronicle and Journal – Friday 10 January 1834 reports the following: John Witton, of Wisbech St. Peter, was convicted of stealing a cheese, on the 1st November last, […]
The expense of operating a horse driven tramway system in London was exposed in the Worcester Journal on Saturday 31 July 1886: “The cost of horsing the tramway cars in London forms, as maybe imagined, a heavy item in the accounts of several companies. The largest of these is the […]
A moment in wartime. Here is an AP WirePhoto dated May 15 1941 taken in Malta during the war: “They live on a “Fortress Island”. These children and the 69 year old woman with them are residents of Malta, British Island Fortress in the Mediterranean. British sources say they’re looking […]
In 1842 a man called H. Wright Esquire received a letter from his proud and excited son, Frank Edward Wright: “Southampton September 17, 1842 My dear Papa, We went to London in the holidays with mamma and stayed there three weeks. I hope you are quite well and I send […]
Todd Ragsdale Scudder was a friend of mine during his and my time in Malta. He was from Virginia (USA) and was supposed to be a student in Malta – he and I used to hang around in Gzira, Sliema and Paceville. Todd was a person with enormous enthusiasm for […]
I am lucky in many ways and happily have travelled and flown a lot from countries across Europe to nations throughout Africa. I have seen and experienced so much as a result. Funny how things come back to haunt. I was trying to remember this morning the worse flights I […]
This is a very long story about a valuable 1867 silver commemoration trowel used in the laying of the foundation stone of Torquay’s Haldon Pier, that was later used to weed a driveway, lost during late 1800’s, then found in the rubbish on Rainham Marshes by an Edwardian Chatham bricklayer, acquired […]
On 25 September 1907 two police inspectors were witness to statements and certain letters at the offices of Buck & Dicksons, 17, Winckley Street, Preston, Lancashire, England. These were written by George Douglas Clementson aged 27 of Ashton Under Lyne to Ernest Leslie Bassett Dixon aged 22 of Bushell Place, […]
My role at DevonAir Radio was of no great consequence. I was, between 1980 and 1987, a loyal member of the station team – hard-working and grossly underpaid. We had built a radio station with local news and information in it’s core – it’s very foundation. My time at this […]
Richard Bettison was my great great grandfather. He was born and brought up just outside Liskeard in Cornwall where, apart from a brief spell in the 1870s when he was in the Durham area, he spent the best part of his long life. My great grandmother Lily was his daughter […]
I am somewhat confused with the British Broadcasting Corporation. When is it okay to use colourful language? At one end of the BBC the use of any words very slightly offensive or indeed with sexual references are banned before 2100 hours on television. Meanwhile at the other end of the […]
I think I have a fairly strong constitution. But there is one aspect of television presentation that really does make me heave. I cannot stand watching people eating or tasting food on camera. To be honest it makes me feel so uncomfortable and even a little nauseous. I quite enjoy […]