The BackTracker History Show

Crossroad Burials

Season: 4 Episode: 41

William Birt was supposed to be the first man hanged on the gatehouse of the new Gloucester Prison, but he had other ideas. Find out more about William's story and the custom of burials at crossroads.

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 RedBubble, 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

Twitter: @BackTrackerUK

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SOURCES

Gloucester Journal, 11 April 1791, 18 August 1791

Bennett’s History of Tewkesbury, 1830, p.214, note (via archive.org)

Gloucestershire Archives:

Gaol Calendars, Easter 1791 (Q/SG1)

Gloucester County Gaol, Surgeon’s Journal, 13 Aug 1791 (Q/Gc32/1)

Gov.UK

Parliament

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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 2023

Emmeline Pethick Lawrence: The Bristol Suffragette

Season: 4 Episode: 40

Bristol born Emmeline Pethick-Lawrence was one of the leaders of the ‘suffragette’ campaign. Imprisoned six times, she was treasurer of Mrs Pankhurst’s Women’s Social and Political Union and jointly edited ‘Votes for Women’ magazine. 

In this episode, we delve into the life and accomplishments of this remarkable woman who strove to make the world a better place for all.

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 RedBubble, 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

Twitter: @BackTrackerUK

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SOURCES

Bristol Live

Gov.UK

Encyclopedia of Women Social Reformers - Helen Rappaport. Bloomsbury Academic, 2001

Museum of London

Daily Herald - Friday 12 March 1954

Dorking 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 2023

The Bristol Blitz

Season: 4 Episode: 39

Bristol was bombed heavily between June 1940 and May 1944. The longest period of regular bombing, known as the ‘Bristol Blitz’ began in autumn 1940 and ended the following spring.

The first bombs of the Bristol Blitz fell at around 6 pm on Sunday 24 November 1940. A further six bombing raids took place until the last major attack in April 1941.

The city was decimated, with many dead or injured. Here are just a few eye witness reports from those terrible, dark days in Bristol's history.

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

Twitter: @BackTrackerUK

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SOURCES

Western Daily Press - Tuesday 18 March 1941

The Burton Observer and Chronicle - Thursday 09 December 1943

Bristol Evening Post - Wednesday 21 November 1990

Western Daily Press - Monday 07 April 1941

Western Daily Press', 28 June 1946 [2]

Historic England

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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 2023

Murder in Austria

Season: 4 Episode: 38

It was a marriage made in hell. The 35 year old Montague Cyril Williams and the 21 year old Private Margaret Laughlan Williams spent more time drinking and fighting than anything else. She had never wanted to get married but couldn't find. way out. Things had to change and on 4th July 1949, they did.

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 RedBubble, 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

Twitter: @BackTrackerUK

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SOURCES

The Black Calendar

Hull Daily Mail - Thursday 15 September 1949

Daily News (London) - Saturday 17 September 1949

Dundee Evening Telegraph - Monday 19 September 1949

Leicester Evening Mail - Friday 05 August 1949

West Lothian Courier - Friday 07 October 1949

Aberdeen Evening Express - Monday 13 September 1954

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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 2023

Remembrance Day Special 2023

Season: 4 Episode: 37

Remembrance day is a time to reflect on the lives of those who gave their today's for our tomorrows. I always try to respectfully highlight  the achievements of some of those whom you may never have heard of. Here we have just three, Thomas Edward Rendle, Walter Ayles and Clifford Granville Shaw.

If you can help with tracing Clifford’s family, please call Louise on 01452 712612 extension 5465 or email her at: [email protected].

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 RedBubble, 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

Twitter: @BackTrackerUK

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SOURCES

Bodmin Museum

Remembering the Real WW1

Bristol Radical History Group

Ministry of Defence

Ancestry

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Sound Effects by zapsplat.com

Intro music by The Model Folk 

Back In The Day music by Freesoundmusic

Cover Image by David Rowlands

© THE BACKTRACKER HISTORY SHOW 2023

Halloween Special: Thomas Thorneycroft & Tettenhall Towers

Season: 4 Episode: 36

In this special seasonal episode, we explore Tettenhall Towers in Wolverhampton and find out more about it's most famous resident, Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Thorneycroft.

We also hear from well known and very well respected Paranormal Investigator, Karin Beasant. She tells us about an investigation she did at the building as well as her other spooky encounters.

Here's a complete list of Thomas' inventions...

Thomas’s Inventions:

1. Application of a stream of air to blow up large sitting-room or hall fires in houses. 

2.Elastic dancing floors. 

3.Burning sewer gas (in which microbes are found to exist), at a temperature of 400 degrees. 

4. Cascades, as applied to his theatre. 

5.Windows at the back of the stage in his theatre, thereby utilising one or two acres for a stage on his pleasure grounds, where river scenes and forests are arranged almost naturally, with lime, electric, and Bengal lights; real water is also used in these scenes, the cascade having a drop of 44ft. 

6.Apparatus for warming clothes, boots, awl shoes in his dressing-room, which apparatus runs through his boot-case, thus keeping these articles of clothing in good condition. 

7.Washing stand and dressing table in one. 

8.New roof for racquet court, where there are also Turkish, swimming, and saltwater baths. 

9.New water closet, where the lid lifts up, thus making it into a urinal.

10.New hot water and gas stove for his business room, which also warms shoes, boots, and socks.

11.Two mechanical horses trotting, with carriage behind.

12.New glass door wardrobe invented in 1846 (the year before he married), and now used in nearly all countries.

13.New corkscrew box for ladies' use, there being no danger of the cork bursting.

l4.A warship made of bar iron, each side, with wood in the middle, so that at most cannon balls can only make a small hole, which can easily be plugged up.

15.A new apparatus that can steer a balloon to the extent of 250 yards in a drop of a mile, the idea being to avoid falling on trees or houses. This was invented by Colonel Thorneycroft after his experience of ballooning on the 11th September, 1882.

16.New mangers, to contain a supply of hot or cold water.

17.New Victoria-Clarence carriage. When open no glass can be seen; when shut it resembles a perfect Clarence.

18.New hansom brougham, invented in 1867. Now regularly used as a Court brougham.

19.A new charabanc, where a small brougham can be arranged behind the driver, if wet, and another sort of mail phaeton hood fitted up in two minutes behind. A staircase is also fitted to this carriage, so that ladies can get up safely and easily if the carriage is on the move.

20.An alteration in the stage coach, where the last seat but one is turned round, and an opening thus made in the roof for the legs, so that passengers ride facing the horses when they wish. Can be altered into its old state in two minutes. Also a set of steps for ladies to get up inside the coaches. A glass window fits in the front boot, so that the inside of the coach really forms a comfortable Court brougham, in which the view of the horses is not interrupted, while a good view of the country beyond can also be enjoyed.

21.Picnic wagon where 14 can dine comfortably. Under some canvas wings more can dine. Often used with three cobs abreast.

22. A small ash shovel, made of wire, to preserve the small ashes, yet allowing the dust to fall through, thus affecting a great saving in coals.

23. A new ballroom for moderate sized houses in London or elsewhere, on carriage wheels. Can be enlarged at pleasure, put up in the street in front of the houses in two hours, and taken down in two hours, only covering the area, footpath, and 10 feet of the street. It is necessary to obtain permission to use this. Usual size 50 by 20ft.

24. A fire escape of network on wheels. can be placed in front of houses on fire, for people to jump into, or be thrown into safety. Above 100ft. high.

25. A house canal boat, with a new sort of deck; a 72ft. long boat with deck, dining, bandsmen's rooms and kitchen, as well as two cabins. Gas is used from cylinders to cook and warm the rooms.

26. A brake that horses can, and do work themselves when going downhill, and take off when going along the level road or uphill. It applies to a one-horse cart or a pair-horse carriage or coach.

27. A galvanised thin sheet of steel in boot and shoe soles, to keep feet dry and warm, as no wet can get through.

28. A galloping horse, life size, on a magic lantern slide, with jockey.

29. Composed 16 songs, words and music, one march, two waltzes; all the words and parts of the music of an opera called the "Thorneycroft Cousins," which was performed for three nights at Tettenhall 'rowers, before 1,400 people.

The image used on the advert is a drawing by Tettenhall Tower's former groundsman Alex Poile.

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 RedBubble, 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

Twitter: @BackTrackerUK

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SOURCES

Smithsonian

Wolverhampton History and Heritage Society

Find-A-Grave

Black Country History

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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 2023

Murder of a Taxi Driver: The Hunt for Percy Toplis (Part Two)

Season: 4 Episode: 35

Francis Percy Toplis was a British criminal and imposter active during and after the First World War and well known to the police. He became the main suspect in the murder of Salisbury taxi driver Sidney Spicer on Saturday 24th April 1920.

He fled the scene and the nationwide manhunt lasted six weeks. Find out what happened to this lifelong criminal and how the hunt ended.

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 RedBubble, 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

Twitter: @BackTrackerUK

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SOURCES

https://www.ancestry.co.uk/imageviewer/collections/61808/images/61808_ho140_297-00766?backlabel=ReturnSearchResults&queryId=08706ecc3765774de1edab6fd4834c34&pId=61920

Hampshire Constabulary History Society

Leeds Mercury - Monday 07 June 1920

Penrith and Eden Museum

No.47551, WO 372/20/59027, Toplis, Percy: Royal Army Medical Corps, National Archives, Kew

Sunday Post - Sunday 13 June 1920

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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 2023

Murder of a Taxi Driver (Part One)

Season: 4 Episode: 34

On the morning of Sunday 25th April 1920, the body of Sidney George Spicer was found in a hedgerow on a quiet country road near Thruxton Down, Andover. He had been shot in the head and it was quickly established that Spicer was a taxi driver from nearby Salisbury who had collected a fare the night before and driven five people to the Rose and crown public house in Bulford. He was not seen alive again.

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 RedBubble, 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

Twitter: @BackTrackerUK

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SOURCES

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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 2023

England V Wales: When International Football came to Town

Season: 4 Episode: 33

It’s clear now that if England is chosen to stage the 2028 European football championships, none of the matches will be played in Bristol. (They won’t be played anywhere in the South outside the capital, in fact, but that’s a different story.) And yet, there was a time when the city provided a welcoming home to the national side.

In 1913, there was an incredible match between England and Wales. The England team was in a poor run of form, in fact, having recently lost to Ireland for the very first time. As a result, the side chosen by a Football Association committee, and then entrusted to the Bristol City trainer Dick Batten, was an experimental one, with fully seven members who had never played international football before.

Hear more about what happened as well as a podcast only background of Bristol's Football icon, Billy Wedlake.

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 RedBubble, 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

Twitter: @BackTrackerUK

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SOURCES

David Hewitt

England Football Online

Western Daily Press - Tuesday 18 March 1913

Clifton Society - Thursday 20 March 1913

Post Green 'un (Bristol) - Saturday 09 August 1958

Bristol Evening Post - Saturday 21 September 1968

Western Daily Press - Thursday 18 June 1981

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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 2023

His Masters Voice: Nipper The HMV Dog & other tails

Season: 4 Episode: 32

When you think of famous dogs there are quite a few that spring to mind: Scooby doo or Toto for instance, there are few as instantly recognisable as Nipper, the terrier from Bristol. The cute little Jack Russell's face puzzling over the sound coming from the horn of an early wind-up gramophone became the enduring image of the global His Master’s Voice (HMV) brand for more than 100 years.

Listen to his lovely stories and find out more about a few other incredible furry friends

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 RedBubble, 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

Twitter: @BackTrackerUK

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SOURCES

Dundee Evening Telegraph - Thursday 07 February 1889

Western Daily Press - Tuesday 17 July 1928

Bristol Evening Post - Thursday 24 July 1975

Bristol Evening Post - 15th Sept 1988

Evening Post - 14 May 1992, Thu · Page 16

Evening Post - 07 Feb 1997, Fri · Page 22

Historic UK

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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 2023