The Mystery Of Casement, Rebel Knight

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20241130

20241205 (RU)

Roger Casement became a household name in Britain and Ireland in the early 20th century. But his childhood gives no hint of what is to come.

Born in Dublin on 1st September 1864, his early life is a hand to mouth existence. His father is a retired army Captain which qualifies him to be seen as a ‘gentleman' - but he has little income and the family move many times to avoid creditors.

After the death of his parents when he is 12, Roger is taken in by his Uncle John and Aunt Charlotte in Magherintemple, near Ballycastle, County Antrim. This is a stable and supportive home but he knows he must go out into the world to make something of himself. Roger leaves school at 15 and is soon working in the office of a shipping line in Liverpool, then as a purser on one of their ships transporting goods to and from the Congo River in West Africa. He has found a place where he can advance himself and, over the next ten years, moves through a succession of jobs in the region with both commercial companies and missionary groups. In 1892, a job with the British government's Consular Service (part of the Foreign Office) signals that he has indeed made something of himself.

Yet, Casement cannot ignore the terrible treatment of local people in the Congo by the Europeans who have come to exploit the rich resources there. In 1903, he is asked to produce a report into atrocities committed against local people by the rubber industry in a region controlled by the Belgian king, Leopold II. His Congo report breaks new ground in giving a voice to those people in the corridors of power in London and he is still revered today as a pioneering humanitarian campaigner.

But for Roger Casement, this is just the beginning of his political activism.

From a difficult childhood to a revered knighthood - then finally the ultimate rebellion.

Series about Sir Roger Casement, executed in 1916 for his role as an Easter Rising rebel.

From a difficult childhood to a revered knighthood - then finally the ultimate rebellion. What drives this man to make his mark on Africa, South America and Ireland?

[LISTEN NOW]

20241207

20241212 (RU)

Eps 2/4

By the early years of the twentieth century, Roger Casement has become known for his humanitarian work exposing the atrocities of the rubber industry in the Congo. But other causes he supports are much closer to home.

In 1904 he helps organise the Feis na nGleann in Cushendall – part of a resurgence of gaelic culture at the time. It re-awakens Roger's Irish identity dating from his youth spent on the north coast of County Antrim.

However, he is soon called back to his work in the British Consular Service and is appointed consul-general in Rio de Janeiro. Just as in the Congo, the rubber industry in the Amazon region uses indigenous people to gather the raw material it needs – with similarly catastrophic results.

But the company behind abuses of local people is British and Roger is made part of an official Commission of Enquiry to investigate its activities in the remote Putumayo region. The scale of the abuse and murder of local people he uncovers is greater even than that in the Congo. But this time he is more politically savvy. He knows the government cannot ignore a commission is has set up and he systematically puts witness testimony before the other members. What is happening in Putumayo becomes undeniable and the report he writes finally forces the government to act. Roger is awarded a knighthood and Arthur Conan-Doyle even bases one of the characters in The Lost World on him.

But Roger's political aims in Ireland are coming to the fore. He addresses a public meeting in Ballymoney, County Antrim, arguing passionately against the Unionist leader, Edward Carson and his Ulster Volunteer Force. As Britain and Ireland slide inexorably towards World War One, Roger is being drawn into actions which will change his life for ever.

From a difficult childhood to a revered knighthood - then finally the ultimate rebellion.

Series about Sir Roger Casement, executed in 1916 for his role as an Easter Rising rebel.

From a difficult childhood to a revered knighthood - then finally the ultimate rebellion. What drives this man to make his mark on Africa, South America and Ireland?

[LISTEN NOW]

20241214

Roger Casement plays a central role in the formation of the Irish Volunteers in 1913. One of the public faces, he travels around Ireland to raise support for this nationalist organisation. As his political commitment grows, he also masterminds the importing of guns for the Volunteers into Howth outside Dublin.

World War One breaks out and nationalism is split in two and Roger leaves Ireland. Throughout this time, he is assisted by his lover, Adler Christensen but his mental health is going downhill.

Hearing of plans for the Easter Rising in 1916, he returns to Ireland on a German submarine. But the British authorities are on his trail.

From a difficult childhood to a revered knighthood - then finally the ultimate rebellion.

Series about Sir Roger Casement, executed in 1916 for his role as an Easter Rising rebel.

From a difficult childhood to a revered knighthood - then finally the ultimate rebellion. What drives this man to make his mark on Africa, South America and Ireland?

[LISTEN NOW]

20241221

Roger Casement is sent to the Tower of London and then put on trial at the Old Bailey. Things go from bad to worse as his infamous Black Diaries are brought to light by the British government. As defence and prosecution teams battle it out, the odds seem stacked against him. The jury delivers its devastating verdict and Casement bravely faces his enemies in court with a speech that is still remembered in the legal world today. A few days later, the Battle of the Somme begins and with the world in turmoil Casement faces his inescapable future. But the Ireland he imagined has in many ways come to pass. Today, Casement is remembered at his burial plot in the Irish national cemetery at Glasnevin in Dublin. Why are we still fascinated by this man who set out to change the world? Some would point to his undeniable flaws – but others would say he succeeded in so much of what he set to do. Roger Casement's legacy is with us today.

From a difficult childhood to a revered knighthood - then finally the ultimate rebellion.

Series about Sir Roger Casement, executed in 1916 for his role as an Easter Rising rebel.

From a difficult childhood to a revered knighthood - then finally the ultimate rebellion. What drives this man to make his mark on Africa, South America and Ireland?

[LISTEN NOW]

Episodes

Episode	First Broadcast	Repeated	Comments
01	20241130	20241205 (RU)	Roger Casement became a household name in Britain and Ireland in the early 20th century. But his childhood gives no hint of what is to come. Born in Dublin on 1st September 1864, his early life is a hand to mouth existence. His father is a retired army Captain which qualifies him to be seen as a ‘gentleman' - but he has little income and the family move many times to avoid creditors. After the death of his parents when he is 12, Roger is taken in by his Uncle John and Aunt Charlotte in Magherintemple, near Ballycastle, County Antrim. This is a stable and supportive home but he knows he must go out into the world to make something of himself. Roger leaves school at 15 and is soon working in the office of a shipping line in Liverpool, then as a purser on one of their ships transporting goods to and from the Congo River in West Africa. He has found a place where he can advance himself and, over the next ten years, moves through a succession of jobs in the region with both commercial companies and missionary groups. In 1892, a job with the British government's Consular Service (part of the Foreign Office) signals that he has indeed made something of himself. Yet, Casement cannot ignore the terrible treatment of local people in the Congo by the Europeans who have come to exploit the rich resources there. In 1903, he is asked to produce a report into atrocities committed against local people by the rubber industry in a region controlled by the Belgian king, Leopold II. His Congo report breaks new ground in giving a voice to those people in the corridors of power in London and he is still revered today as a pioneering humanitarian campaigner. But for Roger Casement, this is just the beginning of his political activism. From a difficult childhood to a revered knighthood - then finally the ultimate rebellion. Series about Sir Roger Casement, executed in 1916 for his role as an Easter Rising rebel. From a difficult childhood to a revered knighthood - then finally the ultimate rebellion. What drives this man to make his mark on Africa, South America and Ireland? [LISTEN NOW]
02	20241207	20241212 (RU)	Eps 2/4 By the early years of the twentieth century, Roger Casement has become known for his humanitarian work exposing the atrocities of the rubber industry in the Congo. But other causes he supports are much closer to home. In 1904 he helps organise the Feis na nGleann in Cushendall – part of a resurgence of gaelic culture at the time. It re-awakens Roger's Irish identity dating from his youth spent on the north coast of County Antrim. However, he is soon called back to his work in the British Consular Service and is appointed consul-general in Rio de Janeiro. Just as in the Congo, the rubber industry in the Amazon region uses indigenous people to gather the raw material it needs – with similarly catastrophic results. But the company behind abuses of local people is British and Roger is made part of an official Commission of Enquiry to investigate its activities in the remote Putumayo region. The scale of the abuse and murder of local people he uncovers is greater even than that in the Congo. But this time he is more politically savvy. He knows the government cannot ignore a commission is has set up and he systematically puts witness testimony before the other members. What is happening in Putumayo becomes undeniable and the report he writes finally forces the government to act. Roger is awarded a knighthood and Arthur Conan-Doyle even bases one of the characters in The Lost World on him. But Roger's political aims in Ireland are coming to the fore. He addresses a public meeting in Ballymoney, County Antrim, arguing passionately against the Unionist leader, Edward Carson and his Ulster Volunteer Force. As Britain and Ireland slide inexorably towards World War One, Roger is being drawn into actions which will change his life for ever. From a difficult childhood to a revered knighthood - then finally the ultimate rebellion. Series about Sir Roger Casement, executed in 1916 for his role as an Easter Rising rebel. From a difficult childhood to a revered knighthood - then finally the ultimate rebellion. What drives this man to make his mark on Africa, South America and Ireland? [LISTEN NOW]
03	20241214		Roger Casement plays a central role in the formation of the Irish Volunteers in 1913. One of the public faces, he travels around Ireland to raise support for this nationalist organisation. As his political commitment grows, he also masterminds the importing of guns for the Volunteers into Howth outside Dublin. World War One breaks out and nationalism is split in two and Roger leaves Ireland. Throughout this time, he is assisted by his lover, Adler Christensen but his mental health is going downhill. Hearing of plans for the Easter Rising in 1916, he returns to Ireland on a German submarine. But the British authorities are on his trail. From a difficult childhood to a revered knighthood - then finally the ultimate rebellion. Series about Sir Roger Casement, executed in 1916 for his role as an Easter Rising rebel. From a difficult childhood to a revered knighthood - then finally the ultimate rebellion. What drives this man to make his mark on Africa, South America and Ireland? [LISTEN NOW]
04	20241221		Roger Casement is sent to the Tower of London and then put on trial at the Old Bailey. Things go from bad to worse as his infamous Black Diaries are brought to light by the British government. As defence and prosecution teams battle it out, the odds seem stacked against him. The jury delivers its devastating verdict and Casement bravely faces his enemies in court with a speech that is still remembered in the legal world today. A few days later, the Battle of the Somme begins and with the world in turmoil Casement faces his inescapable future. But the Ireland he imagined has in many ways come to pass. Today, Casement is remembered at his burial plot in the Irish national cemetery at Glasnevin in Dublin. Why are we still fascinated by this man who set out to change the world? Some would point to his undeniable flaws – but others would say he succeeded in so much of what he set to do. Roger Casement's legacy is with us today. From a difficult childhood to a revered knighthood - then finally the ultimate rebellion. Series about Sir Roger Casement, executed in 1916 for his role as an Easter Rising rebel. From a difficult childhood to a revered knighthood - then finally the ultimate rebellion. What drives this man to make his mark on Africa, South America and Ireland? [LISTEN NOW]