The History of Britain Magazine
Welcome to the History of Britain! The home nations share a varied and shared history unlike anywhere else, so we thought it only right to create a section dedicated to our mutual heritage.
Indian Cavalry Units in British Wars: Diversity and Gallantry
Multi-ethnic cavalry was as essential to the British during the days of Empire as it had been to the Romans in the days of the Roman Empire.
Voices of War: How Radio Shaped Everyday Life in World War Two
At the outbreak of the Second World War, around three quarters of Britain’s homes owned a radio, known as the “wireless”. It was a lifeline during the dark days of World War Two, entertaining and informing the public, and through the BBC Forces Programme, making those at home feel more connected with those serving abroad.
Sir Charles Parsons – the Man who Powered the World
Electricity: it is impossible to imagine the modern world without it. Simply turn the switch on and it works, but how is it generated? Well, that can be traced back to something called a steam turbine, invented by Charles Algernon Parsons back in 1884…
Frank Whittle and the Jet Engine
British engineer Sir Frank Whittle patented his pioneering design for the turbojet engine in 1932. His invention would go on to revolutionise aviation.
Isambard Kingdom Brunel – King of Engineers
In a 2002 poll by the BBC, Isambard Kingdom Brunel was voted the second greatest Briton of all time, after Winston Churchill. This prolific and gifted engineer designed railways (Great Western Railway), bridges (the Clifton Suspension Bridge) and transatlantic steamships (SS Great Western, Great Britain and Great Eastern), all of cutting edge design and technology.
The Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree
What could possibly connect Ian Fleming, author of the James Bond novels, an exiled King, and the unquestionable bravery of Norwegian Motor Torpedo Boat (MTB) crews and commandos during World War II? The answer? A tree.
The Adventures of Isabella Bird
Isabella Bird: adventurer, explorer, writer, photographer, naturalist. Despite ill health and defying Victorian conventions for women, Isabella travelled the world, mostly solo, visiting and documenting her trips to Australia, Hawaii, Colorado, Japan, China, Korea, Vietnam, and more.
The Lost Souls of World War One
In the blockbuster film, “Saving Private Ryan’ Captain John Miller takes his men behind enemy lines to find Private James Ryan, whose three brothers were believed to have been killed in combat. This article tells the true story of the Souls family who tragically lost five sons in the First World War…
