Hall of Fame: The Master of Memorials

Hall of Fame: The Master of Memorials

Author: trappedhistory March 5, 2026 Duration: 4:06

Sculptor Ian Wolter accompanied us on a cold and windy day to the mesmerising Memorial to Heroic Self-Sacrifice. The insights of a practising artist were priceless and so his choice for the Trapped History Hall of Fame is equally insightful.

Charles Jagger was a prize-winning young sculptor on the up when the First World War broke out. He quickly signed up and served in the trenches and at Gallipoli. He was awarded the Military Cross and was wounded three times.

On his return to civilian life, Charles was a changed man. And a changed artist too. Because while he would create many sculptures and statues which were not war-related, it is for his war memorials which he is remembered. They can be found in Belgium, France, Egypt and Australia but perhaps his most famous and heart-breaking one is London's Royal Artillery Memorial.

Ian is the perfect guide to the work and the emotions behind it. So when you've listened to this, head over to the main episode to hear Remembering the Ordinary: The Memorial to Heroic Self-Sacrifice.



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Trapped History digs into the corners of the past that standard narratives often overlook, guided by James Baldwin's idea that people and history are mutually confined. This podcast is a deliberate effort to loosen that grip, one story at a time. You'll hear detailed accounts of individuals and events sidelined by traditional textbooks, from strategic minds in forgotten battles to cultural pioneers whose influence was deliberately minimized. Each episode reconstructs a specific moment or life, focusing on the nuanced realities of women's history, Black history, military history, and cultural history. The aim is to provide a more complete and human picture, moving beyond dates and dominant names to the textures of lived experience. By engaging with these overlooked chapters, the podcast invites a deeper understanding of how our present is shaped. It’s for anyone who suspects there's more to the story, offering a thoughtful and researched alternative to the history many of us were first taught. Listening feels like a conversation with a knowledgeable friend, one committed to unearthing truths that resonate with our contemporary world. The result is an educational and compelling narrative that challenges simple takeaways, encouraging listeners to question what they think they know about the forces that have built and bound our societies.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 76

Trapped History
Podcast Episodes
Remembering the Ordinary: The Memorial to Heroic Self-Sacrifice [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:19
The Memorial to Heroic Self-Sacrifice is the memorial we all need. It's 120 years old but feels like it was made yesterday – it's about you and me, and about how we remember. Join Oswin and Carla, and our guest Ian Wolte…
The Four Heroic Lives of Johnny Smythe [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:11
Johnny Smythe is one of the best people you could ever meet. He fought for freedom over the skies of Europe, back home in Sierra Leone and onboard one particularly important ship – the Windrush. Join Oswin, Carla and Tre…
Adelaide Hall: The Greatest Singer you've Never Heard Of [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:12
Adelaide Hall is the greatest singer you've never heard of. She was the Queen of the Cotton Club and the most popular singer in Britain during the Blitz. But she's virtually unknown now. Tune in to find out who Adelaide…
The Many Tangled Lives of Peter Stevens [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:20
He's a decorated war hero. A loving father. The inspiration for a character in The Great Escape. And a convicted fraudster and a spy. But what else is Peter Stevens and who exactly is he really? Join Oswin and Carla as t…
Nellie Bly: The Greatest Person Ever! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:27
Ever heard of Nellie Bly? She was a journalist, travel writer, anthropologist, entrepreneur . . . a pioneer who decided not to be defined by what she couldn’t do but by what she could. Join us as we hear from historian R…