HistorySociety & CultureTrue Crime

The BackTracker History Show

The Backtracker

Based in the UK, this self confessed history geek takes you for a stroll down memory lane and shares stories and interesting nuggets of information that has been discovered along the way. From tales of tragedy and sadness to epic stories of human courage or creativity, there are many people in history who have made their mark, however small.

If you enjoyed the show, don't forget to share or leave feedback. It all helps!
Keep in touch via either Twitter or Facebook by using @BackTrackerUK

Play

Open in

23 episodes
weekly
Avg 23 min
English

Support the show

Goes straight to the publisher. podnod takes nothing.

Want to Support the Show?

Episodes 23

Newest Oldest Longest

All20 Unplayed20 In progress0 Played0

Counted on this page — what you have heard stays on this device, so it is not something the list can be paged by.

S7 · E33
Monday · 19 min
The Albert Medal (Part Two)
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: info@backtracker.co.uk Facebook: @BackTrackerUK Instagram: @backtrackeruk Bluesky: @BackTrackerUK - 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 - Sound Effects by zapsplat.com Intro music by The Model Folk Back In The Day music by Freesoundmusic © THE BACKTRACKER HISTORY SHOW 2026
S7 · E32
September 21 · 18 min
The Albert Medal (Part One)
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: info@backtracker.co.uk Facebook: @BackTrackerUK Instagram: @backtrackeruk Bluesky: @BackTrackerUK - SOURCES The Royal Society of Arts victoriacrossonline UK Parliament London Gazette Thursday, 6 January 1972 - Sound Effects by zapsplat.com Intro music by The Model Folk Back In The Day music by Freesoundmusic © THE BACKTRACKER HISTORY SHOW 2026
S7 · E31
September 7 · 21 min
Edward Kelley: The English Alchemist
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: info@backtracker.co.uk Facebook: @BackTrackerUK Instagram: @backtrackeruk Bluesky: @BackTrackerUK - SOURCES Prague Tourism Hull and East Yorkshire Times Saturday, 20 November 1920 The Alchemical Writings of Edward Kelly (1893) by Arthur Edward Waite - Sound Effects by zapsplat.com Intro music by The Model Folk Back In The Day music by Freesoundmusic © THE BACKTRACKER HISTORY SHOW 2026
S7 · E30
August 31 · 18 min
Accident or Murder?
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: info@backtracker.co.uk Facebook: @BackTrackerUK Instagram: @backtrackeruk Bluesky: @BackTrackerUK - 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 - Sound Effects by zapsplat.com Intro music by The Model Folk Back In The Day music by Freesoundmusic © THE BACKTRACKER HISTORY SHOW 2026
S7 · E29
August 24 · 24 min
The Welsh Tank Hero
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: info@backtracker.co.uk Facebook: @BackTrackerUK Instagram: @backtrackeruk Bluesky: @BackTrackerUK - 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. - Sound Effects by zapsplat.com Intro music by The Model Folk Back In The Day music by Freesoundmusic © THE BACKTRACKER HISTORY SHOW 2026
S7 · E28
August 17 · 28 min
From Doctor To Patient (Part Two)
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: info@backtracker.co.uk 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) - Sound Effects by zapsplat.com Intro music by The Model Folk Back In The Day music by Freesoundmusic © THE BACKTRACKER HISTORY SHOW 2026
S7 · E27
August 10 · 23 min
From Doctor To Patient (Part One)
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: info@backtracker.co.uk 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) - Sound Effects by zapsplat.com Intro music by The Model Folk Back In The Day music by Freesoundmusic © THE BACKTRACKER HISTORY SHOW 2026
S7 · E26
August 3 · 20 min
The Pioneering WPC
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: info@backtracker.co.uk Facebook: @BackTrackerUK Instagram: @backtrackeruk Bluesky: @BackTrackerUK - SOURCES Gloucestershire Police Archives Western Daily Press - Monday 11 February 1985 Ancestry - Sound Effects by zapsplat.com Intro music by The Model Folk Back In The Day music by Freesoundmusic © THE BACKTRACKER HISTORY SHOW 2026
S7 · E25
July 27 · 27 min
The Crimes & Death of Phoebe Harris
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: info@backtracker.co.uk Facebook: @BackTrackerUK Instagram: @backtrackeruk Bluesky: @BackTrackerUK - 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 - Sound Effects by zapsplat.com Intro music by The Model Folk Back In The Day music by Freesoundmusic © THE BACKTRACKER HISTORY SHOW 2026
S7 · E24
July 6 · 27 min
The Sinking of the SS Stella (Part Two)
The Sinking of the SS Stella (Part Two) Season: 7 Episode: 24 Often called the "Titanic of the Channel Islands", the SS Stella met a tragic end when it struck the Casquets reef in thick fog on Easter Thursday 1899. In Part Two, we move beyond the disaster itself to explore the remarkable personal stories of those who lived through it, and those who made the ultimate sacrifice. From the courage of stewardess Mary Ann Rogers, who gave her life helping others, to the extraordinary accounts of survivors whose lives were changed forever, these are the human stories behind one of Britain's greatest maritime tragedies. CAST Character - Actor William McGonagall - Martin Palmer The Times - Cerise Reed The Spectator - Joe Wilson Greta Williams - Sam Roberts W.P. Harwood - 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: info@backtracker.co.uk Facebook: @BackTrackerUK Instagram: @backtrackeruk Bluesky: @BackTrackerUK - SOURCES Western Mail - Saturday 01 April 1899 Western Daily Mercury - Tuesday 04 April 1899 The Sketch - Wednesday 12 April 1899 Manchester Evening News - Friday 14 April 1899 Jersey Independent and Daily Telegraph - Saturday 03 June 1899 Jersey Express and Channel Islands Advertiser - Friday 14 July 1899 Southampton Tourists Guide Association Southampton Museum Guernsey Museum - Sound Effects by zapsplat.com Intro music by The Model Folk Back In The Day music by Freesoundmusic © THE BACKTRACKER HISTORY SHOW 2026
S7 · E23
June 29 · 20 min
The Sinking of the S.S Stella (Part One)
The Sinking of the S.S Stella (Part One) Season: 7 Episode: 23 On Easter Thursday 1899, the SS Stella set sail from Southampton bound for Guernsey. Just hours later, in thick fog, the luxury passenger steamer struck the notorious Casquets reef and sank within minutes, claiming more than 100 lives in one of Britain's worst Victorian maritime disasters. CAST Mr James Parton - Steve Sheperd Man in Dinghy - 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: info@backtracker.co.uk Facebook: @BackTrackerUK Instagram: @backtrackeruk Bluesky: @BackTrackerUK - SOURCES Western Mail - Saturday 01 April 1899 Western Daily Mercury - Tuesday 04 April 1899 Jersey Independent and Daily Telegraph - Saturday 03 June 1899 Southampton Tourists Guide Association Southampton Museum Guernsey Museum - Sound Effects by zapsplat.com Intro music by The Model Folk Back In The Day music by Freesoundmusic © THE BACKTRACKER HISTORY SHOW 2026
S7 · E22
June 22 · 22 min
Postman's Park
Postman's Park Season: 7 Episode: 22 Postman’s Park is a peaceful green oasis in the heart of the City of London, free for everyone to enjoy. Tucked away from the surrounding busy streets, it is best known for its moving Memorial to Heroic Self-Sacrifice, which honours ordinary people who lost their lives while saving others. CAST George Watts - Steve Sheperd Alice's Memorial - Sam Roberts Mandell Creighton - Martin Palmer 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: info@backtracker.co.uk Facebook: @BackTrackerUK Instagram: @backtrackeruk Bluesky: @BackTrackerUK - SOURCES Holy Sepulchre London Windsor Local History Group Kentish Mercury - Friday 01 May 1885 South London Observer - Saturday 09 May 1885 Faringdon Advertiser and Vale of the White Horse Gazette - Saturday 09 May 1885 - Sound Effects by zapsplat.com Intro music by The Model Folk Back In The Day music by Freesoundmusic © THE BACKTRACKER HISTORY SHOW 2026
S7 · E21
June 15 · 29 min
The Tragic Murder of Alice Hole
The Tragic Murder of Alice Hole Season: 7 Episode: 21 The murder of Alice Hole sent shockwaves through Bristol, becoming one of the city's most talked-about crimes of the Victorian era. As news of the killing spread through the narrow streets of Temple, horror quickly turned to fascination. By morning, crowds had gathered, rumours were rife, and newspapers carried lurid accounts of the tragedy. Behind the headlines lay a story of heartbreak, decline, and a brutal act that left an entire city stunned. CAST William Hole - Guy Pass Alice Hole - Kate Kendell Home Secretary - 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: info@backtracker.co.uk Facebook: @BackTrackerUK Instagram: @backtrackeruk Bluesky: @BackTrackerUK - SOURCES South Staffordshire Examiner - Saturday 05 September 1874 Ancestry Executed Today Monmouthshire Beacon - Saturday 10 April 1875 Western Daily Press - Monday 26 April 1875 Morning Advertiser - Tuesday 27 April 1875 - Sound Effects by zapsplat.com Intro music by The Model Folk Back In The Day music by Freesoundmusic © THE BACKTRACKER HISTORY SHOW 2026
S7 · E20
June 8 · 24 min
Victorian Street Sweepers
Victorian Street Sweepers Season: 7 Episode: 20 Before modern roads and pavements, crossing a busy city street could be filthy, dangerous, and sometimes impossible without help. In the crowded towns and cities of the 19th century, horse-drawn traffic left roads thick with mud, waste, and grime, creating an opportunity for one of Victorian Britain’s most overlooked jobs, the crossing sweeper. CAST Richard Rowe - Steve Sheperd Parson - Joe Wilson Henry Mayhew - Guy Pass Sam Scrape - Martin Palmer 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: info@backtracker.co.uk Facebook: @BackTrackerUK Instagram: @backtrackeruk Bluesky: @BackTrackerUK - SOURCES Mayhew, Henry (2009). "London Labour and the London Poor, Vol. II The Dictionary of Victorian London. London Labour and the London Poor, p. 259 Cheltenham Chronicle - Thursday 25 January 1844 - Sound Effects by zapsplat.com Intro music by The Model Folk Back In The Day music by Freesoundmusic © THE BACKTRACKER HISTORY SHOW 2026
S7 · E19
June 1 · 31 min
Christina Keith: Frontline Teacher
Christina Keith: Frontline Teacher Season: 7 Episode: 19 She crossed into a shattered world few dared to witness. In the final days of the First World War, Scottish academic and author Christina Keith travelled to France, not as a soldier, but as a lecturer sent to inspire weary troops standing in the shadow of history’s bloodiest conflict. But what she encountered would stay with her forever. As Europe struggled to emerge from the horror of war, Keith and a close companion became two of the first women to venture deep into the devastated battlefields left behind by the Armistice. They walked through ruined villages, scarred landscapes, and the silent aftermath of unimaginable destruction, scenes still haunted by the echoes of millions lost. Her extraordinary memoir captured a world suspended between relief and ruin, offering a rare and deeply human glimpse into the emotional wreckage left behind by the Great War. In this gripping episode, discover the remarkable story of Christina Keith, the fearless woman who stepped into the ruins of war and lived to tell the tale. CAST Christina Keith - Cerise Reed Edinburgh Evening News - Martin Palmer Friend - Sam Roberts The Scotsman Newspaper 1 - Joe Wilson The Scotsman Newspaper 2 - Simon Criddle 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: info@backtracker.co.uk Facebook: @BackTrackerUK Instagram: @backtrackeruk Bluesky: @BackTrackerUK - SOURCES Flora Johnston. (Stories from Scotland and beyond) Edinburgh Evening News - Thursday 05 April 1906 The Scotsman - Wednesday 22 May 1963 The Scotsman - Thursday 23 May 1963 - Sound Effects by zapsplat.com Intro music by The Model Folk Back In The Day music by Freesoundmusic © THE BACKTRACKER HISTORY SHOW 2026
S7 · E18
May 25 · 26 min
Capt. Bertram Dickson: Aviating Pioneer
Capt. Bertram Dickson: Aviating Pioneer Season: 7 Episode: 18 Captain Bertram Dickson FRGS, RHA, was one of the great daredevils of the early flying age, a pioneering Scottish aviator who became the first British serviceman to earn a pilot’s licence. At a time when flight was still dangerous and experimental, Dickson thrilled crowds with his fearless displays in fragile aircraft of wood and canvas. His dramatic aerial demonstrations, watched by Winston Churchill and Lord Kitchener, helped awaken Britain to the military potential of aviation and played an important role in the creation of the Royal Flying Corps. CAST Capt. Bertram Dickson - Joe Wilson Memorial Stone - Guy Pass Chelmsford Chronicle - 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: info@backtracker.co.uk Facebook: @BackTrackerUK Instagram: @backtrackeruk Bluesky: @BackTrackerUK - SOURCES Wells Journal - Thursday 16 December 1909 Morning Post - Tuesday 11 October 1910 Ross-shire Journal Aberdeen Press and Journal - Thursday 22 September 1994 - Sound Effects by zapsplat.com Intro music by The Model Folk Back In The Day music by Freesoundmusic © THE BACKTRACKER HISTORY SHOW 2026
S7 · E17
May 4 · 22 min
Inverness
Inverness Season: 7 Episode: 17 In this week's show, we’re heading to the Scottish Highlands, to the city of Inverness and its striking landmark, Inverness Castle. Overlooking the River Ness, this historic site has witnessed centuries of power struggles, royal intrigue, and legend. From medieval beginnings to its place in stories like that of Macbeth, Inverness and its castle hold a rich and dramatic past waiting to be explored. CAST Mary Queen of Scots - Rose Hales George Buchanan - Martin Palmer 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: info@backtracker.co.uk Facebook: @BackTrackerUK Instagram: @backtrackeruk Bluesky: @BackTrackerUK - SOURCES Coventry, Martin. Castles of the Clans: The Strongholds and Seats of 750 Scottish Families and Clans (2010) Historic Environment Scotland – Inverness Castle Official Site: https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/inverness-castle/ Gifford, John. Highland and Islands (The Buildings of Scotland series, 1992) – Architectural history of Inverness Castle and other Highland structures. Calendar State Papers Scotland. Vol. 1. p. 651. Bain, Joseph, ed. (1898) Tabraham, Chris. Scotland’s Castles (1997) MacGibbon, David and Ross, Thomas. The Castellated and Domestic Architecture of Scotland (1887–92) – Culloden Battlefield and Visitor Centre Prebble, John. Culloden (1961; revised editions 1991, 2002) Lenman, Bruce. The Jacobite Risings in Britain 1689–1746 (1980) Duffy, Christopher. The ‘45: Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Untold Story of the Jacobite Rising (2003) – Historic Environment Scotland – Culloden Battlefield Official Site: https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/culloden/ Mackillop, Andrew. More Fruitful Than the Soil: Army, Empire, and the Scottish Highlands, 1715–1815 (2000) BBC - Sound Effects by zapsplat.com Intro music by The Model Folk Back In The Day music by Freesoundmusic © THE BACKTRACKER HISTORY SHOW 2026
S7 · E16
April 27 · 23 min
The Horfield Horror
The Horfield Horror Season: 7 Episode: 16 In 1841, Horfield was rocked by the violent murder of Martha Shedden, a crime that drew intense attention across the country. Suspicion fell on a young former servant, and the case quickly became tangled in conflicting witness accounts and uncertain evidence. As the investigation unfolded, it raised more questions than answers, leaving the truth of what happened that day deeply uncertain. CAST Charles Rudge - Guy Pass Alexander Sheddon - Steve Sheperd Mrs Rudge - Kate Kendell 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: info@backtracker.co.uk Facebook: @BackTrackerUK Instagram: @backtrackeruk Bluesky: @BackTrackerUK - SOURCES Gloucestershire, England, Prison Records, 1728-1914 London Evening Standard - Thursday 28 January 1841 London Courier and Evening Gazette - Friday 29 January 1841 English Chronicle and Whitehall Evening Post - Tuesday 13 April 1841 - Sound Effects by zapsplat.com Intro music by The Model Folk Back In The Day music by Freesoundmusic © THE BACKTRACKER HISTORY SHOW 2026
S7 · E15
April 20 · 24 min
Titanic’s Bristolians (pt2)
Titanic’s Bristolians (pt2) Season: 7 Episode: 15 In Part One of this tale, we covered the life and death of Rev. Robert Bateman. A man born in Bristol who emigrated to America and used his skills as a preacher and stonemason to help make a difference in the lives of many people. In this episode, we cover the tale of his Sister-in-Law, Ada Balls, who was encouraged to travel with him to America on a journey that would change her life. As a special extra for podcast listeners, there's also an extra tale about another survivour who lived in Bristol, Alice Louch. CAST Revd Robert James Bateman - Guy Pass Ada Balls - Sam Roberts Minister - Martin Palmer Dr. W.A. Hobson - Steve Sheperd Bruce Bateman - Tony Allen 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: info@backtracker.co.uk Facebook: @BackTrackerUK Instagram: @backtrackeruk Bluesky: @BackTrackerUK - SOURCES Find-A-Grave Encyclopedia Titanica Ancestry Family Search Titanic Archive ‘A Night to Remember’ by Walter Lord (1912) Record of Bodies and Effects (Passengers and Crew S.S. Titanic) - Sound Effects by zapsplat.com Intro music by The Model Folk Back In The Day music by Freesoundmusic © THE BACKTRACKER HISTORY SHOW 2026
S7 · E14
April 11 · 20 min
Titanic's Bristolians
Titanic's Bristolians Season: 7 Episode: 14 Among the thousands who departed from Southampton, bound for a new life in America, was one man whose story embodies both the hope and the heartbreak of that journey, Red. Robert James Bateman. As the great liner pushed across the Atlantic, everything changed in a single, devastating moment, when an iceberg tore through her hull, sealing her fate, and the fate of so many on board. Today, we uncover his story. CAST Revd Robert James Bateman - Guy Pass Ada Balls - 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: info@backtracker.co.uk Facebook: @BackTrackerUK Instagram: @backtrackeruk Bluesky: @BackTrackerUK - SOURCES Find-A-Grave Encyclopedia Titanica Ancestry Family Search Titanic Archive ‘A Night to Remember’ by Walter Lord (1912) Record of Bodies and Effects (Passengers and Crew S.S. Titanic) - Sound Effects by zapsplat.com Intro music by The Model Folk Back In The Day music by Freesoundmusic © THE BACKTRACKER HISTORY SHOW 2026

Showing 1–20 of 23 episodes