As news emerges that actor Ricky Tomlinson and members of the so-called Shrewsbury 24 are to have their 1970s convictions reviewed by the Criminal Cases Review Commission, we look at the role played in that conviction by Woodrow Wyatt’s Red Under the Bed documentary on which Monocled Mutineer author, John Fairley served as executive producer….
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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….
Man in Chains- Arthur Henry Wagstaff and the 1919 Revolution
The story of ‘Man in Chains’, Arthur Henry Wagstaff who became a symbol for the plight of demobilized soldiers in Britain.