James Jennings Smith, chief engineer of the Lion steamship, found himself at the centre of two significant legal cases in 1848. (about 1400 words)

For many years the origins of the Hinksman name in our family was a mystery. We had discovered early on in our research that Richard Hinksman had been born in Beccles in Suffolk in the early 1830s, but we could find no trace of any other relations in the area. (about 6700 words)

This account is a tribute to my great grandfather, an ordinary man whose life story resonates with the experiences of many who lived during his time, the tail-end of the Victorian era when the accomplishments of Britain were seen through the lens of its vast military. (about 12000 words)