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….
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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.
Harry Fallows – Police Statement
Harry Fallows was the only witness who was able to place Toplis at the scene of the Andover murder. Read his 5,000 word Police Statement.
7 Oakley Square – J.W. Kolckmann & Family
Before we moving on, I think it should be remembered that the homes and contacts used by Vladimir Lenin and other political exiles during the early 1900s were critical to their safety. Trusted sources and associations were key to their survival and so when it came to lodgings when travelling abroad, the exiles were careful…
James Cullen – The Scottish Mutineer
The extraordinary story of Etaples Mutineer, James Cullen, who went on to led the Hunger Marches of the 1920s.
DJ Sharkey — ‘Unravelling The Beat Poetic’ Interview
He’s been compared to Beck, boasts the production credits of Beastie Boy producer Mario C and Midnite Vulture Mickey Petralia, is given mad love by Wyclef Jean, The Black Eyed Peas, Cannibal Ox and the Pharcyde and still you’re unlikely to have heard of him. That’s all about to change. Meet Sharkey. Sharkey is under…
The Avengers – London Evening News, Saturday, May 19, 1888
Given the Fenian associates of Ripper suspect Francis Tumblety and the fact that the Whitechapel murders ran parallel with the explosive Parnell Commission, it‘s hard to overlook that news of American and Irish Fenian Avengers in London coincided with Tumblety’s arrival in Britain around June 1888. This sensational article, likely to have been greatly exaggerated,…
Florence Nightingale Shore and the Truth of Her Murder
Toplis may be the most famous suspect in the case, but an unseen interview with Ernest C. Brown reveals another possibility.
Hilda Porter and the Georgian House Mystery
In September 1920, former Colne Valley MP and self-styled Socialist revolutionary Victor Grayson walked out of his plush apartment at the Georgian House in London’s St James’s, never to be seen again. Or at least that’s how the story goes. And we have two people to thank for this chilling narrative: 24-year old hotel manageress,…
Toplis Victim Spicer Had Killed A Man
Was taxi-driver Sidney Spicer the victim of a revenge killing and not Toplis