Fascinating People Fascinating Places

Gallipoli Part Two: The Forging of The Anzacs

The Anzac landings in Gallipoli quickly descend into chaos as Braund and other commanders try to lead their men to victory against overwhelming odds.

In this episode, I explore the story of the tragic tale of George Braund, Henry Edward White, and so many others. I interview two experts in the field: Brad Manera, and Ian Hodges, who provide fascinating insights into the battle, the legacy of Gallipoli, and how it helped forge the Anzac and Australian identities.

With thanks to:

Brad Manera, Senior Historian, and Curator of The Anzac Memorial

Ian Hodges, Historian from the Australian Department of Veteran’s Affairs

Advance Australia Fair recorded 1915, courtesy of The British Zonophone Company. Public Domain

Herbert Asquith recording 1909. Public Domain

Simon Jackson as the voice of Lt William Malone

Jack Timothy as the voice of the government clerk

Sound Effect from Pixabay

National Archives of Australia

Gallipoli Part One: For King and Empire

In August 1914, New South Wales politician George Braund was tasked with forming the 2nd Infantry Battalion of the newly created Australian Imperial Force. One of his recruits was Henry Edward White. Both men had some prior military experience, and like many of their countrymen, they had been born in England. When the call came to defend the British Empire against the Central Powers of Europe, they quickly enlisted and within a few months set sail for Europe. But they never reached the proposed journey’s end: training grounds in England. Instead, they were unexpectedly propelled into action in the Gallipoli peninsula. In this episode, I explore the story of these two soldiers and the evolution of the Australian armed forces prior to and during the tragic yet heroic events of Gallipoli. I interview two experts in the field: Brad Manera, and Ian Hodges, who provide fascinating insights into the background, the people, and the events that helped to forge the national identity of a nation. With thanks to: Brad Manera, Senior Historian, and Curator of The Anzac Memorial Ian Hodges, Historian from the Australian Department of Veteran’s Affairs Advance Australia Fair recorded 1915, courtesy of The British Zonophone Company. Public Domain Herbert Asquith recording 1909. Public Domain Simon Jackson as the voice of Lt William Malone Jack Timothy as the voice of the government clerk Sound Effect from Pixabay National Archives of Australia

Explore Your Carlow or Irish Roots

Do you have Irish ancestry? Are you intrigued about the history of Carlow? John Kelly of the Carlow Historical and Archaeological Society offers advice and resources for anyone thinking of making a visit or delving into genealogical research. This is bonu

The Battle of Carlow and the 1798 Irish Rebellion

On the 24 May 1798, simultaneous revolts across cities and towns in Ireland signified the start of the long anticipated Irish rebellion. The insurectionists — many of whom were members of The Society of United Irishmen — were both protestant and catholic, rich and poor. But they shared a vision of an Irish republic — free from British rule. In this episode, I investigate the events surrounding the rebellion, recall its progress and aftermath with a focus on events in the small South Eastern town of Carlow. Professor Thomas Bartlett, Emeritus Professor at the University of Aberdeen, is one of the leading experts on Irish history in this era. He provides his insights on the background to the rebellion and the events that unfolded. Additionally, historian John Kelly, Editor of The Carloviana, and member of The Carlow Histrocial and Archeaological Society shares his expertise on the tragic events in Carlow. Credits: Guest interviewees: Prof. Thomas Bartlett John Kelly Audio: Boolavogue performed by Sarak Kinsella Sound Effects from Pixabay Additional Resources: Carlow Historical and Archeaological Society Carloviana

Westboro Baptist Church: Shirley Phelps-Roper Interview

When you hear people talk about zealots and religious hate groups, you tend to think of some dour old cave dweller with a long beard or a 17th century puritan with an obscenely large and seemingly unnecessary buckle on his hat. You don’t typically think of a smiling, colorfully dressed, personable wife and mother who drops terms of endearment like “hun” into conversation while discussing serious topics such as hellfire and brimstone.

But just down the road from where I live here in Kansas, a small Calvinist protestant congregation – the Westboro baptist church – has made international headlines for their novel approach to funerals. Instead of offering flowers and sympathy cards and attending services for friends and family, they hold signs proclaiming damnation for the deceased and frequently show up at the funerals of strangers.

They’ve also been particularly critical of anyone engaged in sexual activity outside of procreation and male/female marriage.

In fact today, here in Kansas City they are holding a protest against comedian Jim Gaffigan who as they put it was raised in the grotesque idolatry and perversion of the catholic pedophile machine. As a Catholic myself, and coincidentally a fan of Gaffigan, I’ve always been curious about this group not in terms of what they do – as that’s been pretty well documented. But rather why they do it.

The Bible prompts me to go to Mass once a week and to try not to do anything that can’t be offset by a few Hail Marys after confession. The same book or rather collection of books has had a profoundly different impact on them. With covid restrictions still in effect – I reached out to spokesperson Shirley Phelps-Roper whose father Fred, now deceased, founded the church. She agreed to a Skype interview. Now, this is the bit where ordinarily I’d jump into the audio but on this occasion, I have to offer a trigger warning. It would take a while to list everything that might be triggering in the following interview, but pretty much if you’re not in good standing as a member of the Westboro baptist church then you will hear something from Shirley that could well offend you. If you’re OK with that and like myself curious to hear how they reconcile conventional understandings of Christianity with their activities, then buckle in.

With thanks to Shirley Phelps-Roper and The Westboro Baptist Church

Sounds from Pixabay

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Season 3 Preview

In season 3 Dan talks to NASA astronauts Jim Wetherbee and Steve Hawley as well as Smithsonian space historian Cathy Lewis. He discusses Gallipoli with Australian Department of Veteran’s Affairs historian Ian Hodges and explores the 1798 rebellion in Ireland.

Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland

In the Spring of 2019, Scottish police launched investigations into incidents at two football matches. In the first, Aberdeen fans were accused of using colorful language to suggest that English football manager Steven Gerrard was an Orange man. A few weeks later, Aberdeen’s own manager Derek McInnes was targeted with similar chants from Celtic fans. The fact that fans from Aberdeen – a largely secular city could find themselves on either side of this type of incident is indicative of the fact that many of us have little understanding of the subject.

For one thing, when you remove the accompanying pejoratives, any actual member of the Orange Order would be quite proud of his membership and his heritage. But it’s this kind of conflict, based around misunderstanding and prejudice that I was all too familiar with having grown up in the 1980s. On one hand, we saw in the news how the IRA a nominally Catholic terrorist group would plant bombs and do battle with nominally protestant groups like the UVF.

But somehow, in the back and forth, amid accusations of doing right and wrong, a group of people known as the Orange Order would get drawn into the conflict seemingly just for holding commemorative marches. Meanwhile, outspoken firebrand protestant politician Ian Paisley was often held up by rivals as the archetypal Orange man even though he had long since left the group. Incidentally, the apparently extremist Paisley went on to form a close friendship with former IRA leader Martin McGuinness.

The stereotypes you hear are of presbyterian, Scots Irish doing battle with Irish Catholics. But anyone with even a cursory knowledge of Irish history could tell you this was an inaccurate oversimplification.

As someone with mixed Irish and English, Catholic, and Protestant heritage, I’ve always been curious to learn more about the Orange Order. Who they are, what are their origins, and what they actually believe. And above all, to understand the group in the context of its origins versus what it represents today.

I was fortunate enough to find an expert in the field. Dr. Jonathan Mattison, Curator of the Museum of Orange Heritage.

Music from Pixabay.com

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Modern Day Hero: NASA Astronaut Jim Wetherbee

Heroes of Space. Part I

I have always had a fascination with heroic figures. In the modern world, it’s difficult to think of a task requiring more courage and skill than flying as a test pilot — unless of course you decide to go into space. Jim Wetherbee is one man who did both. A decorated Navy veteran, NASA pilot and commander, he later brought his skills to the private sector. It was here that he realized his experience could provide valuable lessons not just to businesses but to private citizens conducting mundane every day tasks. His book: Controlling Risk in a Dangerous World, provides not just incredible anecdotes from his extraordinary career. It also provides valuable guidance that each of us can apply to our every day lives. In this episode I have the honor to talk to the real-life spaceman who lived every kid’s dream. I highly recommend Jim’s book “Controlling Risk in a Dangerous World” which you can find on his official website: Jim Wetherbee as well as retailers including Amazon. Available in both hardcover and paperback, here is an overview: Jim Wetherbee, the only five-time Space Shuttle commander, presents thirty techniques that astronauts use—not only to stay alive in the unforgiving and deadly environment of space, but also to conduct high-quality operations and accomplish complex missions. These same techniques, based on the foundational principles of operating excellence, can help anyone be successful in high-hazard endeavors, ordinary business, and everyday life. Controlling Risk shows you how to embrace these techniques as a way of operating and living your life, so you can predict and prevent your next accident, while improving performance and productivity to take your company higher. You can also learn more about Jim at his official website: https://www.jimwetherbee.com/about-1 Episode Credits: Jim Wetherbee Capitan US Navy Ret., NASA Astronaut sound from Pixabay.com Cover art: Space Shuttle Columbia launching. Public domain.