Episodes

  • 256:Why Is David Livingstone Buried Without His Heart?
    Jun 18 2026

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    Britain's most famous explorer, David Livingstone, is buried in Westminster Abbey, but why was he buried without his heart?

    Chris Green is The History Chap; telling stories that brings the past to life.

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    19 mins
  • 255: Charles Gordon's Forgotten War in China - The Taiping Rebellion.
    Jun 12 2026

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    Charles "Chinese" Gordon, one of the great Victorian British military heroes, famously killed defending Khartoum against the Mahdi.
    But, how did he get the nickname "Chinese" Gordon?

    This is the story of his forgotten war in China, and the legendary Ever Victorious Army he led against the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom.

    In the 1860s, Qing China was tearing itself apart. The Taiping Rebellion — one of the deadliest conflicts in human history — which cost over 20 million lives.

    Chris Green is The History Chap; telling stories that brings the past to life.

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    21 mins
  • 254: Breaker Morant - War Criminal or Scapegoat?
    Jun 6 2026

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    The execution of Harry "Breaker" Morant for the shooting of unarmed prisoners during the Anglo Boer War in South Africa (1899-1902) continues to stir emotions and debate.
    Not just about whether he and his comrades were scapegoats or treated with double standards but whether claiming to be following orders is a justifiable defence in military operations.


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    Chris Green is The History Chap; telling stories that brings the past to life.

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    26 mins
  • 253: The WW1 White Feathers
    May 28 2026

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    Whilst the films about "The Four Feathers" are ripping yarns from the age of the British Empire, the real life white feathers handed out to supposed cowards in WW1 had a devastating effect.

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    Chris Green is The History Chap; telling stories that brings the past to life.

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    22 mins
  • 252: What Happened to Private Hitch VC After Rorke's Drift?
    May 21 2026

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    In the classic war film "Zulu", Private Fred Hitch is called a "slovenly soldier".
    He nevertheless goes on to be awarded the Victoria Cross at the battle of Rorke's Drift.
    But the story about what happened to him afterwards, as an invalid veteran in Victorian Britain that is every bit as fascinating, working for the world's oldest security company, losing his VC, accused of theft and becoming a London cabbie.

    A story of what happened to Victorian soldiers when then entered civvy street.

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    Chris Green is The History Chap; telling stories that brings the past to life.

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    14 mins
  • 251: The Forgotten Scandal Behind Britain's Favourite Poem, "If-"
    May 15 2026

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    The forgotten Victorian scandal behind Britain's favourite poem - Rudyard Kipling's "If-".

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    Chris Green is The History Chap; telling stories that brings the past to life.

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    17 mins
  • 250: The Man Who Named "The Great Game" & Who Was Executed Playing It.
    May 7 2026

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    In 1842, the man who coined the phrase "The Great Game" was executed whilst playing it in a remote city in central Asia.

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    Chris Green is The History Chap; telling stories that brings the past to life.

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    27 mins
  • 249: Why Kitchener Blocked Winston Churchill's Victoria Cross.
    Apr 29 2026

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    How Winston Churchill's recommendation for a Victoria Cross, during the Anglo-Boer War, was blocked by Lord Kitchener.

    Chris Green is The History Chap; telling stories that brings the past to life.

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    15 mins