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Paget’s Disease – Is arsenic the cause?
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One man who was heavily involved in the manufacture of an arsenic-based weapon known as the ‘M’ device was the author’s Tasmanian great-uncle, Major Thomas Davies DSO, MC. It was during the production of this weapon in 1918-19 that large numbers of young women were exposed to highly toxic arsenic-based chemicals. It is suggested…
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Major Tom and the secret ‘M’ device
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“Secret” is a word which is heavily overused, but in this case, it seems to be appropriate. All those involved in the development, manufacture deployment and disposal of this weapon were sworn to secrecy, and it appears that they kept their word. A detailed examination of over 70 documents held at The National Archives,…
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The most fearless woman in the world
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In 1924, a 33-year-old British woman, the daughter of a bricklayer, settled in Southern California. She claimed that she secretly held a royal title, Lady Mountbatten, had great academic credentials and a wartime honour. Furthermore, she had travelled to practically every country in the world, had lived among cannibals and walked from Lhasa in…
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From Arabian oases to Peruvian peaks
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The 1970’s in the UK saw great industrial unrest, fuel shortages and protests. Much of the Western world entered a recession in 1973 which lasted for over two years. The UK construction industry needed to find work elsewhere. A “golden period” of overseas work for UK contractors in the mid to late 70’s came…
