Lapsed Historian

The Forgotten Prime Minister

Spencer Perceval is the only British Prime Minister ever to be assassinated. He deserves to be remembered for much more than that.

Walter Tull: From Footballer to Soldier

One hundred years ago today pioneering black footballer and British Army officer Walter Tull died. His story deserves more than a few passing paragraphs.

The Thousand Quiet Tragedies of Commonwealth War Graves

Pictures showing rows of graves at…

Pristina: An Airport Too Far

In 1999, an incident at Pristina airport in Kosovo almost brought NATO…

The Long Way Round: Getting Home

In WW2 Captain Ford and the crew of the Pan Am California Clipper…

The Day the World Didn’t End

At the height of the Cold War, with alarms screaming, one Soviet officer stopped to think. It cost him his career. It may also have saved the world.

Deeds Not Words: The Women of Endell Street

One hundred years ago today, a black flag emblazoned with…

Breaking the Zimmermann Telegram

Just over one hundred years ago, the British carried out one of the most audacious acts in the history…

Five Minutes to Save a Nation

The split-second decision that helped win at Gettysburg