In the aftermath of a fractious year that had seen the much feared General Strike promise to set Britain ablaze with devastating flames of crisis and sedition, the national papers made the most of an unremarkable start to the New Year. The famous Winnats Pass in the craggy High Peaks of Derbyshire, a favourite rambling…
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Lovers Suicide in Castleton: The Pass Finally Reveals its Secrets
On Saturday January 8th 1927 the bodies of Toplis accomplice Harry Fallows and his sweetheart Marjorie Stewart were found dead in a cave in Castleton. Within weeks the leading detective in the Toplis investigation was also dead and the first eye witness account of the Etaples Mutiny would be published in the British Press. Was…
Harry Reeve – The Boxer, The Ripper and The Mutiny in France
A look at the life of the man who triggered the Etaples Mutiny and his links to Whitechapel and Jack the Ripper
Captain Francis Percy Toplis, DCM – Really?
If this is a picture of Percy masquerading as ‘Captain Toplis, DCM’, then why isn’t he wearing a Captain’s uniform? And why is there no DCM? Read on.
Etaples Mutiny – First Eyewitness Account
New Zealand’s Otago Daily Times was the first newspaper in the world to publish a full eyewitness account of the Etaples Mutiny
Toplis Detective Edwin Woodhall
A look at Toplis detective and intelligence officer, Edwin T. Woodhall and claims that he encountered Toplis at Etaples.
Monocled Mutineer – Mutiny at the BBC
Why did Bleasdale’s drama cause such a media storm? Why was the BBC Director Alasdair Milne removed? And what were Willie Whitelaw’s links to Toplis’ killer?
Victor Grayson & the Etaples Mutiny
On September 9th 1917 former Colne Valley Socialist MP and would-be revolutionary Victor Grayson (Charles Strange in the TV Series) arrived in Etaples Base Camp. A few hours later a mutiny was in full swing.
Percy’s REAL Aunt Annie – Links to Newport, South Wales
If you remember the BBC serial drama, The Monocled Mutineer you’ll doubtless remember Percy’s beleaguered guardians, the Websters. Annie was always being pestered for money, and Frank was always being pestered for his bike. But this is a look at the real Webster family. And it’s not what you’d expect. The tale might even provide…
Supt. James Lock Cox – Orontes or Salonika?
James Lock Cox was the Superintendent of Andover Police who led the investigation into the murder of taxi-driver, Sidney George Spicer at the end of April 1920. Toplis was his only suspect. In 1923, after 32 years of dedicated service, Detective Superintendent Cox retired. Over his career he’d served at Andover, Tidworth Garrison and Boscombe….