The Happy Pod: Soldiers' letters from 1916 finally home

Global News Podcast

BBC

Society & Culture, Daily News, News, Documentary

4.2 • 7.8K Ratings

🗓️ 1 November 2025

⏱️ 28 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Messages in a bottle from two Australian World War One soldiers have been found on a beach and are now back with their relatives. Debra Brown's family were cleaning up on Wharton Beach when they found a thick glass bottle with the notes inside. Herbie Neville, the great nephew of one of the soldiers, says it's unbelievable to receive the letters. Plus, the memorial unveiled in the UK for veterans who were expelled from the armed forces because of their sexuality. The oldest woman to finish the Iron Woman competition. The students here in Britain helping to restore an Ancient Egyptian mummy. Happy stories and positive news from around the world - our weekly collection.

Presenter: Alex Ritson. Music composed by Iona Hampson.

Transcript

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0:00.0	BBC Sounds, music, radio, podcasts.
0:06.5	Conspiracy theories really can impact the way the world works.
0:10.0	Disinformation, you think you're winning.
0:12.3	There could be a thousand deep face.
0:14.0	But it's because of you, we work 24-7 to verify the facts with digital tools and reporters on the ground.
0:21.8	BBC News, Moscow, Lecoodje.
0:23.8	In the West Bank.
0:24.6	So, no matter how quickly disinformation spreads, we'll be ready.
0:30.0	The fight for truth is on.
0:32.6	Trust is earned.
0:34.0	This is our BBC.
0:36.1	This is the Happy Pod from the BBC World Service.
0:44.0	I'm Alex Ritson and in this edition.
0:47.2	What an amazing thing.
0:48.7	And, you know, thanks to Deb, any other person,
0:51.9	probably could have walked past it,
0:53.8	wouldn't have taken any notice of it.
0:55.4	The man reunited with a very special piece of his family history.
0:59.2	We talked to him and the woman who found it.
1:02.4	The memorial for LGBT veterans kicked out of the armed forces
1:06.7	because of their sexuality.
1:08.5	Words that were used to condemn us are now actually there in gold letters to actually
	...

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