The History Podcast — "The House at Number 48: Made in Britain"
Host: Charlie Northcott, BBC Radio 4
Date: October 17, 2025
Main Guest: Antony Easton
Overview
This episode launches the story of Antony Easton's investigation into his family's long-buried secrets. After his enigmatic father's death, Antony begins to piece together mysterious clues—German banknotes, a hidden family tree, and a birth certificate with an unfamiliar name—uncovering his father’s double life and the devastating events that scattered his family, destroyed their wealth, and left unanswered questions about their true heritage. The episode explores themes of identity, family trauma, postwar migration, memory, and the search for justice.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
Introducing Antony Easton and His World
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Antony Easton, a successful advertising executive living in eccentric comfort in West London, introduces himself, giving context about his everyday life and personality.
- "I like to have as good a time as possible, as often as possible… I go and watch Chelsea Football Club… I like rock and roll, dance music, classical music, jazz. Simple pleasures really." (Antony Easton, 02:40)
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Host Charlie Northcott paints a vivid picture of Antony's home, full of character, and sets up his “quirky” nature.
Early Family Dynamics and Secrets
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Antony describes growing up with a distant, formal, almost severe father, Peter Roderick Easton, whom he found hard to relate to.
- “There was a cloud around my dad. There was a darkness around his world.” (Antony Easton, 05:06)
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Antony’s sister, Nicola, echoes these impressions:
- “He had quite dark moods. He was quite anti-social, would be very happy with his own company. There was a sort of, a mysterious side to him.” (Nicola Easton, 05:51)
The Ubiquitous Suitcase and Clues to Another Life
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Throughout his childhood, Antony is drawn to a mysterious brown suitcase his father always keeps nearby.
- “It was always under his bed… I was intrigued by it because I knew it was full of interesting things.” (Antony Easton, 07:03)
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Sneaking a look inside, he finds strange items: articles about a fatal car accident, a neighbor’s suicide after the war, global postcards, medals, and crisp German banknotes.
- “I found these two banknotes and one was for 5 million marks… that was kind of confusing for a young person. And I guess I sort of pushed it to the back of my mind. But it never went away.” (Antony Easton, 08:14)
Other Signs: The German Connection
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Antony remembers a black trunk arriving filled with dishes, all wrapped in old German newspapers featuring Nazi imagery. He is disturbed and more confused about his family's background.
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Antony and Nicola note their father’s strange accent, which he would always deny:
- “Where are you from? ‘What do you mean I have an accent? I don’t have an accent, I’m British.’ That was kind of odd…” (Antony Easton, 09:30)
- Nicola recalls a moment a friend accidentally confronts their father about his German roots and he is “totally thrown.” (Nicola Easton, 10:17)
A Family Fixer: “Mr. Man”
- During stressful times, a mysterious figure—“Mr. Man”—would visit, mediating family tensions, especially around finances. Antony suspects he, too, is German.
- “Mr. Man was an enigma. And I guess if you’re going to be an enigma, you might as well be called Mr. Man.” (Antony Easton, 10:47)
Confronting the Hidden Past
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Antony reflects on his father’s failed political campaign run as a “British-made” candidate—when he already realized the truth:
- “I noticed it said Made in Britain… well, that’s not true, is it? You know, my dad wasn’t made in Britain because he was made in Germany.” (Antony Easton, 12:30)
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The ultimate secret: discovering his father’s birth certificate with another name—Peter Hans Rudolf Eisner.
- “I realized that there were two people I was dealing with: Peter Roderick Easton and Peter Hans Rudolf Eisner. What is that thing that Seamus Heaney says? Whatever you say, say nothing. You know, he really didn’t want anything to do with his past.” (Antony Easton, 13:25)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
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On his eccentric father:
"I never saw my dad in a T-shirt. I don't think he possessed a T-shirt."
(Antony Easton, 04:08) -
Antony’s childhood realization:
"I want to be everything he's not."
(Antony Easton, 05:06) -
Mr. Man’s influence:
"Mr. Man seemed to have some sway over my dad’s family, which had to do with money. And… the person who seemed to be able to solve this was this mysterious character called Mr. Man.”
(Antony Easton, 10:57) -
The hidden German identity:
“My dad wasn’t made in Britain, because he was made in Germany.”
(Antony Easton, 12:30) -
On secrecy:
“What is that thing that Seamus Heaney says? Whatever you say, say nothing. You know, he really didn’t want anything to do with his past.”
(Antony Easton, 13:25)
Key Segment Timestamps
- [01:48] — Antony Easton introduces himself
- [03:19] — Discussing early suspicions about his father
- [05:06] — Antony recalls the emotional distance from his dad
- [07:03] — The suitcase discovery and its contents
- [08:48] — The "German trunk" and family confusion
- [10:47] — Introduction of Mr. Man
- [12:30] — Father's political campaign and realization of dual identity
- [13:25] — Antony discovers his father’s true name and heritage
Episode Tone & Style
True to BBC Radio 4’s tradition, the episode balances investigative journalism with personal storytelling, blending warmth, subtle humor, and reflective melancholy. Antony’s voice is open, direct, at times vulnerable, while host Charlie Northcott deftly guides the narrative with a mix of curiosity and empathy.
Looking Ahead
The episode closes with a promise to delve further into the secrets hidden in Peter Easton’s suitcase—hinting at video tapes and further revelations—setting up the story’s next chapter as Antony’s quest expands.
For listeners:
This episode artfully sets up a tale of hidden identities, postwar trauma, and a quest for truth about family and fortune—inviting continued listening to Antony’s search for justice and for self-understanding.