The inside story of one of the most famous of all the 'back rooms' of the Second World War - and of the men and women who worked for it. Conceived by Winston Churchill to circumvent the delays, frustrations and inefficiencies of the service ministries, Department M.D.1. earned from its detractors the soubriquet 'Winston Churchill's Toyshop', yet from a tiny underground workshop housed in the cellars of the London offices of Radio Normandie in Portland Place, and subsequently from the 'stockbroker Tudor' of a millionaire's country mansion in Buckinghamshire, came an astonishing array of secret weapons ranging from the 'sticky bomb' and 'limpet mine' to giant bridge-carrying assault tanks, as well as the PIAT, a tank-destroying, hand-held mortar. Written by Colonel Stuart Macrae, who helped found M.D.1. and was its second-in-command throughout its life, the story is told of this relatively unknown establishment and the weapons it developed which helped destroy innumerable enemy tanks, aircraft and ships.
This fascinating selection of photographs traces some of the many ways in which Bedfordshire has changed and developed over the last century.
'There is some deep satisfaction in being born in a place like Chard', said Margaret Bondfield the UK's first female cabinet minister, in her book A Life's Work. 'The old cloth trade of Chard - the lacemaking industry - the dyeing houses - the iron foundries - the old radicalism and nonconformity of Chard - these must somehow have got into the texture of my life and shaped my thoughts, long before I had a thought or will of my own.' Much of what she wrote is still true today. The area around Chard has catered to various trades, many of which are still operating today, although on a smaller scale than in those days when this was the most industrialised small town in England. Some of the factories have been put to other uses, many have vanished, and some new ones have appeared. This book records examples of great change, alongside some changes that are not so great - Chard may not be what once was, but for many it will always be home.
Who wrote the works of Shakespeare? Revealing newly discovered evidence, John Casson and William D. Rubinstein definitively answer this question, presenting the case that the man from Stratford simply did not have the education, cultural background and breadth of life experience necessary for him to write the plays traditionally attributed to him. Instead, the most credible candidate is Sir Henry Neville, who certainly did have all the necessary qualifications. A colourful Renaissance man educated at Merton College, Oxford, Neville's life experience precisely matches that revealed in the plays. Casson and Rubinstein take us on a breath-taking journey of discovery through the development of Shakespeare's plays and poetry, compellingly drawing close parallels between the works and events in Neville's life. They reveal how Neville's annotated library books, manuscripts, notebooks and letters show he was the hidden author, who survived dangerous political times by keeping his authorship secret. The book contains a great deal of remarkable new evidence, expertly presented, that will challenge anyone's ideas about who really wrote the Shakespeare plays.
Wales, a small country, is littered with the relics of war - Iron Age forts, Roman ruins, medieval castles and the coastal forts of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. The biggest construction of fortifications in Wales took place during the reign of Edward I. They were not only built to deter an invader, but to control the frequent Welsh uprisings. The next wave of constructions occurred during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, when a number of forts and gun emplacements were built, mostly in South Wales, to deter a seaborne invasion. The twentieth century introduced a new mode of defence, especially during the two world wars, in the form of pillboxes, tank traps and gun emplacements. The various airfields constructed were the most visible form of defence and could be regarded as the castles of the period. This book looks at how Welsh castles protected Wales to make it what it is today.
The reports and despatches of Eustace Chapuys, Spanish Ambassador to Henry VIII's court from 1529 to 1545, have been instrumental in shaping our modern interpretations of Henry VIII and his wives. As a result of his personal relationships with several of Henry's queens, and Henry himself, his writings were filled with colourful anecdotes, salacious gossip, and personal and insightful observations of the key players at court, thus offering the single most continuous portrait of the central decades of Henry's reign. Beginning with Chapuys' arrival in England, in the middle of Henry VIII's divorce from Katherine of Aragon, this book progresses through the episodic reigns of each of Henry's queens. Chapuys tirelessly defended Katherine and later her daughter, Mary Tudor, the future Mary I. He remained as ambassador through the rise and fall of Anne Boleyn, and reported on each and every one of Henry's subsequent wives - Jane Seymour, Anne of Cleves, Catherine Howard, and Katharine Parr - as well as that most notorious of ministers Thomas Cromwell. He retired in 1545, close to the end of Henry VIII's reign. In approaching the period through Chapuys' letters, Lauren Mackay provides a fresh perspective on Henry, his court and the Tudor period in general.
Peckham & Nunhead Through Time is a unique insight into the illustrious history of this part of London. Reproduced in full colour, this is an exciting examination of Peckham and Nunhead, the famous streets and the famous faces, and what they meant to the people in these communities throughout the 19th and into the 20th Century. Looking beyond the exquisite exterior of these well-kept photos, readers can see the historical context in which they are set, and through the author's factual captions for every picture and carefully-selected choice of images, the reader can achieve a reliable view of this area's history. Readers are invited to follow a timeline of events and watch the changing face of Peckham and Nunhead, as we are guided through the local streets. There is something for everyone here, whether they have lived in the area all their lives, or whether they are just visiting. It also shows how photography has continually evolved to keep up with an ever changing society.
Less than a decade ago, a warlock sat in a cloud of incense in the car park at Rotherham United's tatty old Millmoor Ground, chanting incantations and putting a curse on the Millers. Since then, the South Yorkshiremen have plunged to the brink of losing their place in the Football League, been docked a bagful of points for financial irregularities, and came within minutes of extinction. Whether the warlock had anything to do with it all is anyone's guess, but the Millers were certainly in trouble. Rotherham United are now, a few short years later, playing in a brand-new GBP20 million stadium and looking to power their way back up the league. In May 2013 they were promoted to League One. It's been a real roller-coaster ride for the club, from their humble beginnings at the dawn of the game to today, but the years have certainly produced a legion of stories and characters - and will no doubt continue to do so. Rotherham United: A Pictorial History tells the story of the Millers, illustrated in full colour with pictures from the Rotherham Advertiser's archives.
Fully illustrated description of Nottingham's well known, and lesser known, places that have been lost over the years.
A celebration of Sheffield's rich heritage and identity - its special events, achievements, people, industry and landmarks.
An accessible history of Gloucester from prehistory to the present day highlighting the city's significant events and people.
In this book author Michael Meighan examines the history of Scotland through its monuments and memorials.
Photographs documenting the Irish railway scene in the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries.
David Christie delves into his archives to present a wonderful, evocative unpublished photographs of a golden age of Calmac ships.
Explore the interesting local history of the Yorkshire town of Harrogate in this handy illustrated A-Z guide.
With a wealth of teffific, previously unpublished photographs, telling the story of trolleybuses in Portugal.
A fascinating portrait of Chippenham in Wiltshire presented through a remarkable collection of historical photographs.
Eastbourne History Tour offers an insight into the fascinating history of this town on the coast of East Sussex. Author Kevin Gordon guides us around its well-known streets and buildings, showing how its famous landmarks used to look and how they have changed over the years, as well as exploring its lesser-known sights and hidden corners. With the help of a handy location map, readers are invited to follow a timeline of events and discover for themselves the changing face of Eastbourne.
When did the term 'Princes in the Tower' come into usage, who invented it, and to whom did it refer? To the general public the term is synonymous with the supposedly murdered boy King Edward V and his younger brother Richard, Duke of York, sons of Edward IV. But were those boys genuinely held against their will in the Tower? Would their mother, Elizabeth Widville, have released her son Richard from sanctuary with her if she believed she would be putting his life in danger? The children of Edward IV were declared bastards in 1483 and Richard, Duke of Gloucester, was offered the throne. But after Bosworth, in order to marry their sister Elizabeth of York, Henry VII needed to make her legitimate again. If the boys were alive at that time then Edward V would once again have become the rightful king. Following the discovery of some bones in the Tower in 1674 they were interred in a marble urn in Westminster Abbey as the remains of the two sons of Edward IV. What evidence exists, or existed at the time, to prove these indeed were the remains of two 15th-century male children? What did the 1933 urn opening reveal?John Ashdown-Hill is uniquely placed to answer these questions. By working with geneticists and scientists, and exploring the mtDNA haplogroup of the living all-female-line collateral descendant of the brothers, he questions the orthodoxy and strips away the myths.
Classic trucks are an important part of our heritage and are supported by many enthusiasts in the preservation world and the general public. Events nationwide throughout the year command lots of vehicle entries from the many clubs and preservation groups, and large numbers of the general public. It could be well known liveries from the past, the sound of a particular engine or the smell of diesel that stirs the interest of those who see them. This book has a wide selection of trucks from the early 1900s to late 1970s, some on the rally field, some at work or abandoned - each one has a story to tell. With a wealth of previously unpublished images, Roy Dodsworth offers a nostalgic and charming look at a range of classic trucks.
A fascinating portrait of Preston presented through a remarkable collection of historical postcards.
With previously unpublished, First Generation DMUs in Scotland covers virtually the whole of Scotland and encompasses locations from Arbroath in the north to just south of the border to Carlisle.
Secret Horsham explores the lesser-known history of the West Sussex town of Horsham through a fascinating selection of stories, unusual facts and attractive photographs.
The owner of the biggest Pokemon collection in the world (Guinness World Record) casts an eye over some of the most interesting items relating to a bona fide pop culture phenomena.
Fully illustrated description of Shrewsbury's well known, and lesser known, places that have been lost over the years.
A fascinating illustrated insight into this iconic Hall Class of locomotuves used by the Great Western Railway.
With a hundred haikus, each accompanied by a wonderful full-page illustration and enlightening commentary, this book is perfect for those looking for a more poetic exploration of the Roman Empire.
What it was like to grow up in 1980s Britain, from the Cold War to Duran Duran. This book combines memories, original documents and photos from that time.
With previously unpublished photographs documenting this famous and much-loved Crosville bus company.
Discover fifty of West Cork's landmarks and special places, which reflect the essence, character and beauty of this south-western corner of Ireland.
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