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A high society wedding that took place in Somerset more than 160 years ago forged an astonishing family connection to Winston Churchill. Here I look at how my mum’s family were connected to an aristocrat and adventurer who became Churchill’s stepfather. When he married the most famous woman of … [Read more...] about Revealed: my family’s connection to Winston Churchill

A police constable who sent more than 600 love letters and cards to Minnie Burnett found himself at the centre of an extraordinary court case more than a century ago. Here, I look at how Minnie – a niece of my great-grandmother – sued the officer for a breach of promise. Dressmaker Minnie Burnett … [Read more...] about Minnie and the police officer who sent her 600 love letters and cards

I am thrilled and honoured to be featured in the latest series of the popular Family Histories Podcast, presented by Andrew Martin. A trailer for the new podcast – which has listeners in a remarkable 71 countries – has just been released. The show is growing in popularity. Last December it … [Read more...] about Family Histories Podcast: Series 4

She had seen John Lee White go to war in April 1916. Six months later, Rose Webber was told that he had died in hospital from severe injuries. Here, I look at the moving, poignant tributes she paid to John - who was connected to my mum's family - in a local newspaper between 1917 and 1919. Rose … [Read more...] about Broken-hearted Rose’s heartfelt tributes to the soldier she loved

David Stephen Penny was a teenager when he lost his life in the Battle of Jutland, the greatest naval confrontation of the Great War. Some 250 warships – 150 of them British – manned by more than 100,000 officers and men fought in the battle near the Skagerrak, about 60 miles off the west coast of … [Read more...] about The explosion that rocked the world

Arthur Finley may well have been the only soldier connected to my family to die in the Second Boer War. He lost his life in 1901 – in a brutal battle in which dozens of wounded British soldiers were ‘murdered’ by the Boers. He died in one of the bloodiest – and most controversial – battles of … [Read more...] about Arthur killed in one of the most brutal battles of 2nd Boer War

Devon-born Frank Saffin was twice-honoured for his immense bravery as a runner for the Australian Army in the Great War. He once ran vital messages virtually non-stop for18 hours in a battle near Ypres in 1917. Here, I reveal the extraordinary story of Frank – who was connected to my mother’s … [Read more...] about The day Frank ran for 18 hours – delivering key Great War battlefield messages

This month I am paying tribute to eight men connected to my family who died in the First and Second World Wars. They were among 104 men connected to my family who died in the two world wars and the 2nd Boer War. Because of other commitments in June, I have been unable to pay tribute to the eight … [Read more...] about My family at war: part three

Mystery still surrounds two explosions which destroyed the battleship HMS Vanguard in the Great War. A total of 843 officers and men died as Vanguard sank within minutes on July 9, 1917. There were only two survivors. I reveal here how an officer and an ordinary seaman connected to my family had … [Read more...] about Revealed: Two lucky escapes from death as Vanguard blew up in the Great War

This month, I have continued to honour the 104 men connected to my family who died in the two world wars and the 2nd Boer War. I am remembering them all on Twitter on the anniversaries of their deaths. The second group – including six who died in the two world wars and my great-great grandfather, … [Read more...] about My family at war: Part two