Loyal soldier dog gets gong after saving a mountain climber in arctic conditions

Regimental honours for brave dog that saved mountaineer’s life in blizzard Aberdeen Press and Journal Monday 13 May 1935 Betty the Irish Wolfhound was awarded a gallantry medal after saving a stricken mountain climber in the French Alps. Troops from the 99th Infantry Brigade were sent to rescue a climber who broke his leg whileContinue reading “Loyal soldier dog gets gong after saving a mountain climber in arctic conditions”

The monkey, the magistrate and the organ grinder

Magistrate frees monkey and organ grinder Magistrate and monkey The Beverley Recorder and General Advertiser Saturday February 2 1907 A pernickety policeman got more than he bargained for after arresting a monkey and his Italian pal. The monkey, who was not named, appeared in the dock at the South Western London Police Court along withContinue reading “The monkey, the magistrate and the organ grinder”

Who is Ted?

The Beverley Recorder and General Advertiser Saturday February 2 1907 A gentle pleasant-looking youth was released from Wandsworth Prison to the care of the Church Army after serving a short term for begging. The only name he was able to give was Ted. He was ignorant of ever having a surname and had no notionContinue reading “Who is Ted?”

Hard labour and scratchy suit for Naked navvy

Naked in a police cell The Maryport Advertiser Saturday December 3 1892 Thomas Lane, a labourer, charged with assaulting the police, tore up his clothes while in his cell, thereby to avoid an appearance before the magistrate. But the little ruse failed miserably. The officials at West Ham dressed him in a rough canvas suitContinue reading “Hard labour and scratchy suit for Naked navvy”

Three weeks’ hard labour for taking tuppence-worth of tatties 

A strange theft  The Shipley Times and Express  Saturday 15 August 1891 At the Enfield Petty session James Nash, 40, of Sweet Briar Cottage, Edmonton, was charged with stealing a quantity of potatoes value at twopence, the property of Charles Richard Pike, farmer and market gardener. Nash was seen to pull the potatoes from theContinue reading “Three weeks’ hard labour for taking tuppence-worth of tatties “

Feisty parrot scuppers Fife thief

Burglar trapped by a parrot   The Fife Free Press Saturday July 20 1889 With the advent of the holiday season and the consequent departure from home of innumerable householders, the enterprising burglar has been making himself conspicuous in various Suburbs in Glasgow, and already the police authorities have a considerable number of successful robberies onContinue reading “Feisty parrot scuppers Fife thief”

Retriever plucks Blyth boy from watery grave

A Blyth dog to the rescue Blyth News  18 July 1896 On Friday evening a remarkable case of canine sagacity and usefulness took place near the Old Fish Quay, Blyth. It appears that a number of boys were playing on a jetty which projects some distance into the river, when a boy, who lives nearContinue reading “Retriever plucks Blyth boy from watery grave”

Fearless Newfoundland saves terrier tot pal

Reported in Illustrated Weekly Telegraph 1 October 1887 His big friend A crowd gathered on a wharf in San Francisco had an opportunity to see a dog rescue another dog from drowning and go about his work as intelligently as if he had been the trained officer of a humane society.  A small terrier fellContinue reading “Fearless Newfoundland saves terrier tot pal”

Scoundrel squaddie seized by plucky pooch in soup attack

Reported in the Globe newspaper on Friday 13 April 1888. A Dog to the rescue Madame Brunot, an elderly Parisian bourgeoise, has good reason to be grateful to her Newfoundland dog Phoebus. She was preparing soup when she suddenly felt herself seized from behind, and five fingers were planted on her throat. She had beenContinue reading “Scoundrel squaddie seized by plucky pooch in soup attack”

Where there’s muck there’s brass

Reported in the Teesdale Mercury on 4 July 1855. A lesson for over particular people –  on Saturday last, says the Carnarvon Herald, a person reading a few miles from Ruthin, having a bed of early potatoes got them up. In consequence of the early rains they were very dirty, he accordingly washed them thinkingContinue reading “Where there’s muck there’s brass”