The BackTracker History Show

More Albert Medal Heroes

Season: 7 Episode: 34

Today, we’re going back to the stories of some remarkable people who found themselves in extraordinary situations, and chose to put their own lives at risk to save others.

We’ve already heard about a few recipients of the Albert Medal, but there are many more stories worth telling. Some faced enemy fire, others disasters, accidents or impossible conditions, but all were recognised for acts of exceptional courage.

So, in this episode, we’re going to meet some of those other Albert Medal recipients, discover what happened to them, and find out what drove them to do something so brave when most of us would probably have run in the opposite direction.

CAST

Ernest Joyce - Steve Sheperd

Ernest Joyce Citation - Guy Pass

Nanette Hanson Citation - Cerise Reed

THIS PODCAST

This podcast has been specially edited from a Bradley Stoke Radio show in Bristol, England.

If you liked it please leave a rating and maybe a comment and if you’d like to support the show with a donation, however small, you can go to Ko-Fi.com

Some more great news for you, if you were interested in buying merchandise featuring the show’s logo, then pop over to Teepublic, you’ll find lots of things to choose from.

So, thankyou for listening and until next time guys, take care and look after each other.

CONTACT ME

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: @BackTrackerUK

Instagram: @backtrackeruk

Bluesky: @BackTrackerUK

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SOURCES

Victoria Cross Online

University of Cambridge

British Antarctic Survey

UK Parliament

Birmingham Daily Post. Saturday, 12 January 1918

London Gazette Thursday, 6 January 1972

Imperial War Museum

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Sound Effects by zapsplat.com

Intro music by The Model Folk

Back In The Day music by Freesoundmusic

© THE BACKTRACKER HISTORY SHOW 2026

The Albert Medal (Part Two)

Season: 7 Episode: 33

The Albert Medal was a very special British award for extraordinary bravery, particularly for saving lives. Created in 1866 and named after Prince Albert, it was rarely given, making it a hugely prestigious honour. In 1971, it was replaced by the George Cross.

In the episode, we take a look at more extraordinary acts of bravery that earned the Albert Medal.

CAST

The War Office - Steve Sheperd

Frederick William Weeks - Joe Wilson

Cowichan Lake - Sam Roberts

THIS PODCAST

This podcast has been specially edited from a Bradley Stoke Radio show in Bristol, England.

If you liked it please leave a rating and maybe a comment and if you’d like to support the show with a donation, however small, you can go to Ko-Fi.com

Some more great news for you, if you were interested in buying merchandise featuring the show’s logo, then pop over to Teepublic, you’ll find lots of things to choose from.

So, thankyou for listening and until next time guys, take care and look after each other.

CONTACT ME

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: @BackTrackerUK

Instagram: @backtrackeruk

Bluesky: @BackTrackerUK

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SOURCES

The Royal Society of Arts

victoriacrossonline

UK Parliament

Birmingham Daily Post. Saturday, 12 January 1918

London Gazette Thursday, 6 January 1972

Imperial War Museum

The Dover Historian

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Sound Effects by zapsplat.com

Intro music by The Model Folk

Back In The Day music by Freesoundmusic

© THE BACKTRACKER HISTORY SHOW 2026

The Albert Medal (Part One)

Season: 7 Episode: 32

The Albert Medal was one of Britain’s highest awards for bravery. Created in 1866 and named after Prince Albert, it recognised extraordinary acts of courage, particularly saving lives when no military action was involved. It was awarded for bravery both at sea and on land, but was rarely given, making it a very special honour.

THIS PODCAST

This podcast has been specially edited from a Bradley Stoke Radio show in Bristol, England.

If you liked it please leave a rating and maybe a comment and if you’d like to support the show with a donation, however small, you can go to Ko-Fi.com

Some more great news for you, if you were interested in buying merchandise featuring the show’s logo, then pop over to Teepublic, you’ll find lots of things to choose from.

So, thankyou for listening and until next time guys, take care and look after each other.

CONTACT ME

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: @BackTrackerUK

Instagram: @backtrackeruk

Bluesky: @BackTrackerUK

-

SOURCES

The Royal Society of Arts

victoriacrossonline

UK Parliament

London Gazette Thursday, 6 January 1972

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Sound Effects by zapsplat.com

Intro music by The Model Folk

Back In The Day music by Freesoundmusic

© THE BACKTRACKER HISTORY SHOW 2026

Edward Kelley: The English Alchemist

Season: 7 Episode: 31

What happens when a respected Elizabethan scholar becomes convinced he can speak to angels, and the mysterious man claiming to communicate with them turns out to have a talent for more than just the supernatural? This is the extraordinary story of John Dee and Edward Kelley, a partnership involving crystal balls, secret languages, alchemy, royal courts, mysterious visions, accusations of fraud and more than a little deception. Their journey would take them from England to the courts of Europe, from dreams of turning lead into gold to imprisonment, betrayal and ultimately tragedy.

CAST

John Weever - Martin Palmer

17th-Century Manuscript - Cerise Reed

Edward Kelley - Steve Sheperd

Arthur Edward Waite - Joe Wilson

THIS PODCAST

This podcast has been specially edited from a Bradley Stoke Radio show in Bristol, England.

If you liked it please leave a rating and maybe a comment and if you’d like to support the show with a donation, however small, you can go to Ko-Fi.com

Some more great news for you, if you were interested in buying merchandise featuring the show’s logo, then pop over to Teepublic, you’ll find lots of things to choose from.

So, thankyou for listening and until next time guys, take care and look after each other.

CONTACT ME

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: @BackTrackerUK

Instagram: @backtrackeruk

Bluesky: @BackTrackerUK

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SOURCES

Prague Tourism

Hull and East Yorkshire Times Saturday, 20 November 1920

The Alchemical Writings of Edward Kelly (1893) by Arthur Edward Waite

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Sound Effects by zapsplat.com

Intro music by The Model Folk

Back In The Day music by Freesoundmusic

© THE BACKTRACKER HISTORY SHOW 2026

Accident or Murder?

Season: 7 Episode: 30

In 1942, Bristol soldier Frederick James Austin was accused of murdering his young wife, Lilian, with a service rifle in their home. Austin insisted the shooting was a tragic accident, but evidence presented in court raised serious questions about his story. What really happened that day would ultimately lead to a murder conviction, an appeal, and the death penalty.

CAST

Frederick Austin - Joe Wilson

Dr James Webster - Martin Palmer

Lilian Austin - Sam Roberts

THIS PODCAST

This podcast has been specially edited from a Bradley Stoke Radio show in Bristol, England.

If you liked it please leave a rating and maybe a comment and if you’d like to support the show with a donation, however small, you can go to Ko-Fi.com

Some more great news for you, if you were interested in buying merchandise featuring the show’s logo, then pop over to Teepublic, you’ll find lots of things to choose from.

So, thankyou for listening and until next time guys, take care and look after each other.

CONTACT ME

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: @BackTrackerUK

Instagram: @backtrackeruk

Bluesky: @BackTrackerUK

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SOURCES

Western Daily Press Published Tuesday, 17 February 1942

Daily Herald Publication Date: Thursday 19 February 1942

Birmingham Mail. Published Monday, 2 March 1942

Dundee Courier. Publication Date: Tuesday 3 March 1942

Western Daily Press. Published Friday, 1 May 1942

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Sound Effects by zapsplat.com

Intro music by The Model Folk

Back In The Day music by Freesoundmusic

© THE BACKTRACKER HISTORY SHOW 2026

The Welsh Tank Hero

Season: 7 Episode: 29

Captain Richard William Leslie Wain VC was a soldier whose story is one of extraordinary courage under fire. During the First World War, his actions earned him the Victoria Cross, Britain’s highest military decoration for bravery. But behind the medal is a remarkable story of courage, sacrifice and determination, and today we’re going to find out what happened that made Captain Wain worthy of the VC.

CAST

2nd Lt Kenneth Callan-Macardle - Joe Wilson

Private Joseph Mossman - Guy Pass

Rifleman Walter Wilkinson - Martin Palmer

VC Citation - Cerise Reed

THIS PODCAST

This podcast has been specially edited from a Bradley Stoke Radio show in Bristol, England.

If you liked it please leave a rating and maybe a comment and if you’d like to support the show with a donation, however small, you can go to Ko-Fi.com

Some more great news for you, if you were interested in buying merchandise featuring the show’s logo, then pop over to Teepublic, you’ll find lots of things to choose from.

So, thankyou for listening and until next time guys, take care and look after each other.

CONTACT ME

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: @BackTrackerUK

Instagram: @backtrackeruk

Bluesky: @BackTrackerUK

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SOURCES

The Victoria Cross and George Cross Association

Glamorgan Star

South Wales Daily News - Monday 26 November 1917

Commonwealth war graves commission

Australian Dictionary of Biography

East Suffolk Gazette Tuesday, 4 November 1919.

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Sound Effects by zapsplat.com

Intro music by The Model Folk

Back In The Day music by Freesoundmusic

© THE BACKTRACKER HISTORY SHOW 2026

From Doctor To Patient (Part Two)

Season: 7 Episode: 28

Dr. James Pownall's story is one of Victorian Britain's most remarkable mental health cases. A respected surgeon, asylum owner and former mayor of Calne, he suffered recurring bouts of severe mental illness that transformed his personality.

CAST

Lucretia Pownall - Cerise Reed

Sergeant Pope - Guy Pass

Patient Notes - Andrea Reid

Dr Davey - Steve Sheperd

Inquest - Sam Roberts

Louisa Cook - Carrie Ball

THIS PODCAST

This podcast has been specially edited from a Bradley Stoke Radio show in Bristol, England.

If you liked it please leave a rating and maybe a comment and if you’d like to support the show with a donation, however small, you can go to Ko-Fi.com

Some more great news for you, if you were interested in buying merchandise featuring the show’s logo, then pop over to Teepublic, you’ll find lots of things to choose from.

So, thankyou for listening and until next time guys, take care and look after each other.

CONTACT ME

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: @BackTrackerUK

Instagram: @backtrackeruk

Bluesky: @BackTrackerUK

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SOURCES

Devizes & Wiltshire Gazette 3 Dec 1840

Bristol Mercury 12 Dec. 1840

Gloucester Quarter Sessions 7th July 1849

Gloucestershire Trinity Sessions: Renewal of Dr Fox’s License. Gloucester Journal 5th July 1851

Commission of Lunacy. The Times 14th June 1852

Ancestry

National Library of Medicine

Swindon Advertiser & North Wiltshire Chronicle 24th Oct 1859

The History of the Old Private Lunatic Asyum at Fishponds, Bristol 1740– 1859. Bristol: University of Bristol. Phillips HT (1973)

A History of the Bristol Royal Infirmary. Bristol: J W Arrowsmith. Smith GM (1917)

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Sound Effects by zapsplat.com

Intro music by The Model Folk

Back In The Day music by Freesoundmusic

© THE BACKTRACKER HISTORY SHOW 2026

From Doctor To Patient (Part One)

Season: 7 Episode: 27

Dr Pownall was a surgeon, asylum owner and former mayor of Calne whose recurring mental illness ended in tragedy. After being discharged from Northwoods Asylum as "recovered", he murdered his servant, Louisa Cook, and spent the rest of his life in Broadmoor, where he died in 1882. Behind the headlines lay a story of bitter disagreements between doctors and officials, where blame often took priority over working together.

CAST

Lucretia Pownall- Cerise Reed

Rev. John Guthrie - Martin Palmer

Samuel Arden - Joe Wilson

THIS PODCAST

This podcast has been specially edited from a Bradley Stoke Radio show in Bristol, England.

If you liked it please leave a rating and maybe a comment and if you’d like to support the show with a donation, however small, you can go to Ko-Fi.com

Some more great news for you, if you were interested in buying merchandise featuring the show’s logo, then pop over to Teepublic, you’ll find lots of things to choose from.

So, thankyou for listening and until next time guys, take care and look after each other.

CONTACT ME

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: @BackTrackerUK

Instagram: @backtrackeruk

Bluesky: @BackTrackerUK

-

SOURCES

Devizes & Wiltshire Gazette 3 Dec 1840

Bristol Mercury 12 Dec. 1840

Gloucester Quarter Sessions 7th July 1849

Gloucestershire Trinity Sessions: Renewal of Dr Fox’s License. Gloucester Journal 5th July 1851

Commission of Lunacy. The Times 14th June 1852

Ancestry

National Library of Medicine

Swindon Advertiser & North Wiltshire Chronicle 24th Oct 1859

The History of the Old Private Lunatic Asyum at Fishponds, Bristol 1740– 1859. Bristol: University of Bristol. Phillips HT (1973)

A History of the Bristol Royal Infirmary. Bristol: J W Arrowsmith. Smith GM (1917)

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Sound Effects by zapsplat.com

Intro music by The Model Folk

Back In The Day music by Freesoundmusic

© THE BACKTRACKER HISTORY SHOW 2026

The Pioneering WPC

Season: 7 Episode: 26

Rosa was a trailblazing police officer who transferred from Bristol to Gloucestershire Constabulary in 1927 because she could ride a motorbike, an extraordinary skill for a woman at the time. Stationed at Staple Hill from 1928 to 1936, she broke new ground while investigating a series of high-profile cases that regularly captured the attention of the local press, proving that determination and ability mattered more than convention.

CAST

The Baird Committee - Steve SheperdRev. John Guthrie - Martin Palmer

Rosa Rouse - Sam Roberts

Savidge Inquiry - Carrigan Rosamond

Sergeant Pope - Guy Pass

THIS PODCAST

This podcast has been specially edited from a Bradley Stoke Radio show in Bristol, England.

If you liked it please leave a rating and maybe a comment and if you’d like to support the show with a donation, however small, you can go to Ko-Fi.com

Some more great news for you, if you were interested in buying merchandise featuring the show’s logo, then pop over to Teepublic, you’ll find lots of things to choose from.

So, thankyou for listening and until next time guys, take care and look after each other.

CONTACT ME

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: @BackTrackerUK

Instagram: @backtrackeruk

Bluesky: @BackTrackerUK

-

SOURCES

Gloucestershire Police Archives

Western Daily Press - Monday 11 February 1985

Ancestry

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Sound Effects by zapsplat.com

Intro music by The Model Folk

Back In The Day music by Freesoundmusic

© THE BACKTRACKER HISTORY SHOW 2026

The Crimes & Death of Phoebe Harris

Season: 7 Episode: 25

In the summer of 1786, thousands of people gathered outside Newgate Prison to witness the execution of Phoebe Harris. Convicted of a serious offence at the Old Bailey, she became the focus of one of the largest public spectacles of the year. Her case attracted widespread attention, from the dramatic police raid that led to her arrest to the crowded courtroom where her fate was decided. It is a story of deception, betrayal, and the harsh realities of justice in Georgian Britain.

CAST

Old Bailey - Carrigan Rosamond

Phoebe Harris - Sam Roberts

The Hanging Tree - Joe Wilson

Date Book - Steve Sheperd

THIS PODCAST

This podcast has been specially edited from a Bradley Stoke Radio show in Bristol, England.

If you liked it please leave a rating and maybe a comment and if you’d like to support the show with a donation, however small, you can go to Ko-Fi.com

Some more great news for you, if you were interested in buying merchandise featuring the show’s logo, then pop over to Teepublic, you’ll find lots of things to choose from.

So, thankyou for listening and until next time guys, take care and look after each other.

CONTACT ME

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: @BackTrackerUK

Instagram: @backtrackeruk

Bluesky: @BackTrackerUK

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SOURCES

Executed Today

Old Bailey Proceedings Online

The Moncton Transcript - Tue, Mar 26, 1907 ·Page 6

Nottingham Advertiser - Friday 11 September 1936

‘The Hanging Tree’ by V. A. C. Gatrell

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Sound Effects by zapsplat.com

Intro music by The Model Folk

Back In The Day music by Freesoundmusic

© THE BACKTRACKER HISTORY SHOW 2026