The Magnificent O'Connors: 2. The Murder of Donk Ambridge
Jimmy O’Connor was a small-time thief, making the most of the opportunities war torn London presented to him. How did he end up in a condemned cell at Pentonville? On the Easter weekend 1941, a man is murdered in a London suburb. The police have little evidence to go on, and the usual suspects are pulled in for questioning. Among them is 23-year-old Jimmy O’Connor. He’s eventually charged and tried for the crime, though he maintains his innocence. Sentenced to death, the outlook is bleak as Jimmy awaits his final appointment with hangman Albert Pierrepoint. Presenter: Ragnar O’Connor
Producer: Emily Esson, Victoria McArthur
Research: Elizabeth Ann Duffy, Louise Yeoman
Script Assistant and Additional Research: Marisha Currie
Script Writers: Emily Esson, Jack Kibble-White
Original Music: Lomond Campbell
Theme Music: Barry Jackson
Addition mixing and sound effects: Charlie McPhee, Kayleigh Raphel
Story Consultant: Jack Kibble-White
Script Editor: Graham Russell
Executive Editor: Gillian Wheelan
Commissioning Executive: Tracy Williams
Commissioning Editor: Dan Clarke A BBC Audio Scotland production for BBC Radio 4Archive: The Russell Harty Show, ITV, April 1976 Thanks to Cheryl Field, Richard Field and Kirsty Williams
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28:37
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28:37
The Magnificent O'Connors: 1. The Saturday Girl
In order to unspool a family saga that has lasted over 80 years, Ragnar heads back to where it all began. He starts with the story of his mum, Nemone Lethbridge. Her younger years were spent watching The Battle of Britain over the skies of Kent, and visiting the bunker where Hitler took his own life. This extraordinary childhood gave way to an extraordinary career as Nemone is one of the UK’s first female barristers. From defending the Kray Twins, to Winston Silcott, she’s made an incredible name for herself in her legal career. And yet it was a chance meeting in a London pub in 1958 that changed the course of her life forever.
Presenter: Ragnar O’Connor
Producer: Emily Esson, Victoria McArthur
Research: Elizabeth Ann Duffy, Louise Yeoman
Script Assistant and Additional Research: Marisha Currie
Script Writers: Emily Esson, Jack Kibble-White
Original Music: Lomond Campbell
Theme Music: Barry Jackson
Addition mixing and sound effects: Charlie McPhee, Kayleigh Raphel
Story Consultant: Jack Kibble-White
Script Editor: Graham Russell
Executive Editor: Gillian Wheelan
Commissioning Executive: Tracy Williams
Commissioning Editor: Dan Clarke A BBC Audio Scotland production for BBC Radio 4 Archive: The Russell Harty Show, ITV, April 1976Thanks to Cheryl Field, Richard Field and Kirsty Williams
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28:49
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28:49
The Magnificent O'Connors: Trailer
For 80 years, the O'Connors have battled what they believe to be a miscarriage of justice. Small time criminal Jimmy O'Connor was arrested for the murder of 'Donk' Ambridge and narrowly escaped the noose. Fast-forward 25 years and Jimmy is living a wonderful life on the Greek island of Mykonos. Now a sought after TV scriptwriter, he rubs shoulders with The Rolling Stones and Jackie Onassis and entertains the great and the good with his wife Nemone Lethbridge, one of the UK's first female barristers who defended the Kray twins. Yet the shadow of his conviction looms large over them both. His son, Ragnar O'Connor, along with his brother Milo and their 93-year-old mother are intent upon trying one last time to finally get to the truth.
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2:43
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2:43
The Fort: Introducing Rory Stewart: The Long History of Heroism
Rory Stewart explores ideas of what it means to be a hero from the ancient world to the present day. How have these ideas changed? Why do heroes matter? Who are the heroes we need today?With the help of leading historians, psychologists, philosophers and theologians, he examines how heroism is continually questioned and re-invented in every age, and how these contrasting visions of the hero might speak to us in our own time. What does it mean for our moral life? How should we perceive and pursue human excellence?In this first episode of the series, Rory explores ideas of the hero from the classical world to the middle ages. To hear more episodes, search "Rory Stewart: The Long History of..." on BBC Sounds.
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27:46
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27:46
The Fort: 10. Mathew
A gruelling, emotional mission draws to a close. In the aftermath of the operation and recovery at Jugroom Fort, the risks and rewards are analysed, but some costs are incalculable.The Fort was told solely by current and former members of the Armed Forces, many speaking for the first time. Produced by Kev Core
Edited by Sue Roberts
Sound by Sharon Hughes
Commissioning Executive Tracy Williams
Commissioned by Dan Clarke
Small time criminal Jimmy O'Connor was arrested for the murder of 'Donk' Ambridge and narrowly escaped the noose.Fast-forward 25 years and Jimmy is living a wonderful life on the Greek island of Mykonos. Now a sought after TV scriptwriter, he rubs shoulders with The Rolling Stones and Jackie Onassis and entertains the great and the good with his wife Nemone Lethbridge, one of the UK's first female barristers who defended the Kray twins.Yet the shadow of his conviction looms large over them both. His son, Ragnar O'Connor, along with his brother Milo and their 93-year-old mother are intent upon trying one last time to finally get to the truth.