Tom Skeyhill found fame and fortune as the “blind soldier poet” on the US speaking circuit - a World War I hero from country Victoria rendered sightless by an exploding Turkish shell. But a century on, he’s been exposed as a conman who faked blindness to escape the trenches. Author Jim Haynes shares the story.
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Read Jim's book: http://www.jimhaynes.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The fake war hero

From alleyway gangsters to cold war spies to eccentric entrepreneurs, Australian history is full of colourful but forgotten characters. Host Jen Kelly talks with experts, historians and yarn spinners to uncover the untold stories of some of our most interesting and offbeat ancestors. 

History

Society & Culture

Before Ned Kelly, the bushranger that most struck fear into the hearts of lawmen was Dan Morgan.
And while he started out as a champion of the downtrodden, Morgan became increasingly unhinged and dangerous, and was once named the most bloodthirsty ruffian that ever took to the bush.
Historian Aidan Phelan joins the show with more.
 
More on Phelan's research and books: https://aguidetoaustralianbushranging.com/
Like the show? Get features, backgrounders and more at: heraldsun.com.au/ibaw See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How Mad Dog Morgan went from hero to villain: Part 2

How Mad Dog Morgan went from hero to villain: Part 1

Running away to join the circus has been the quixotic goal of many the bored teenager. But by the time Mabel Worley took that path, her life was anything but ordinary. Corinne Ball, senior curator at the History Trust of South Australia, joins the show to tell the tale.

More about Corinne's book at:
https://scholarly.info/book/three-ring-circus/

Like the show? Get features and more at heraldsun.com.au/ibaw See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A high-wire act for poor Mabel Worley: Part 2.

A high-wire act for poor Mabel Worley: Part 1.

Redmond Barry is best known for sending Ned Kelly to the gallows. But he never would have sat in judgement if it wasn't for some poor judgement of his own.
State Library Victoria librarian Andrew McConville joins the show to tell the tale of Barry's torrid love affair at sea, and how it changed the young lawyer's life.

Like the show? Read more at heraldsun.com.au/ibaw See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The fake war hero

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