The stranger at my brother's grave (FULL DOCUMENTARY) BBC Stories

Summary

The video script narrates the enduring mystery of a brother, Carl, who drowned at the age of 12, leaving his sister, Anne, with a lifelong quest to uncover more about his life. For over 70 years, an unidentified visitor has been leaving flowers and gifts on Carl's grave, sparking Anne's curiosity. With the help of a journalist, they delve into Carl's past, exploring his school, scouting days, and the fateful day of his death. Through interviews, archival research, and poetry analysis, they piece together clues, eventually leading to a touching reunion with a fellow scout who has been the silent visitor all along, offering Anne a sense of closure and a deeper connection to her brother's memory.

Takeaways

• 😢 Kier's brother Carl drowned when she was only seven, leaving her with few memories of him.
• 🕵️‍♀️ For decades, Kier has been searching for someone who might help her learn more about Carl.
• 💐 A mystery visitor has been leaving flowers and gifts on Carl's grave for up to 70 years.
• 🤔 Kier is determined to solve the mystery of who this visitor is and why they have been paying tribute to Carl.
• 📜 The visitor has also left messages and poems, some of which are personalized and suggest a deep connection to Carl.
• 🏫 The investigation leads to Cheltenham Grammar School, where both Carl and the mystery visitor may have attended.
• 👴 Carl's death affected the whole village, and many still remember him and the impact of his passing.
• 👮‍♂️ Ron, a former classmate of Carl, is revealed to be a regular visitor to Carl's grave, but he is not the only one.
• 🌹 The mystery visitor's identity remains partially unsolved, as it's suggested there may have been multiple visitors over the years.
• 🤝 Kier finally meets Ron, and they share memories of Carl, providing Kier with a sense of closure and connection.

Q & A

How old was Kier when her brother Carl drowned?

Kier was only seven years old when her brother Carl drowned.

What has been the mystery that Kier has been trying to solve for decades?

The mystery Kier has been trying to solve is the identity of the person who has been leaving flowers and gifts on her brother Carl's grave for up to 70 years.

What unusual items have been left on Carl's grave besides flowers?

Besides flowers, a pheasant feather, a massive sheath of corn, and messages with Carl's name on them have been left on his grave.

What was the significance of the poems left at Carl's grave?

The poems left at Carl's grave were related to death and mourning, with one being 'The Lost Ship' mourning the loss of sailors, and lines by A.E. Housman titled 'To an Athlete Dying Young', which deals with the transience of youth and the loss of potential.

How did Carl die?

Carl died due to accidental drowning while he was out camping with a scout troop. He was found facedown in the shallows of the sea.

What was the connection between the poems and Carl's school?

The poems left at Carl's grave were by Robert Stephen Hawker, a Victorian poet who studied at Cambridge but attended Cheltenham Grammar School, the same school that Carl went to.

What was the role of Ronald Westboro in Carl's life and death?

Ronald Westboro was a fellow scout who was present on the day Carl drowned. He found Carl face down in the water and helped drag him out. This event influenced Ronald to become a police officer.

Why has Ronald been visiting Carl's grave for most of his life?

Ronald has been visiting Carl's grave out of respect and remembrance for his friend. He was deeply affected by Carl's death and has continued to honor his memory.

What was the outcome of Kier's search for the mystery visitor?

Kier's search led her to Ronald Westboro, who admitted to being the one who visited Carl's grave regularly. They met and shared memories of Carl, providing Kier with some closure.

What unresolved mystery remains after Kier's meeting with Ronald?

The unresolved mystery is the origin of the poems left at Carl's grave, as Ronald only admitted to leaving flowers and not the poems, suggesting there may have been other visitors honoring Carl's memory.

Outlines

00:00

🌹 The Mystery of Carl's Grave

The video script begins with Kier's quest to learn more about her brother, Carl, who drowned at the age of 12. For decades, an unidentified visitor has been leaving flowers and gifts on Carl's grave, sparking Kier's curiosity. She hopes to solve this mystery and find closure. The script describes the various items left, including flowers, a corn sheath, and a pheasant feather, and the messages with Carl's name, which have intrigued the village for 70 years. Kier's efforts to find the visitor include writing articles, attending scout reunions, and appearing on the news, but to no avail. The village's enduring grief over Carl's death is palpable, and Kier's search is driven by a desire to understand the impact her brother had on others.

05:02

🔍 Investigating the Mysterious Poems

The second paragraph delves into the investigation of the poems left at Carl's grave, which are believed to hold clues about the mysterious visitor. The poems, including 'The Lost Ship' and lines by A.E. Housman, are analyzed for their relevance to Carl's drowning and the visitor's possible identity. The investigator learns that the handwriting could be linked to Carl's school, and the poems are personalized, suggesting a deep connection to Carl. A significant discovery is made when a poem by Robert Stephen Hawk, who attended the same school as Carl, is found. This leads to the exploration of Carl's school days and the possibility that the visitor might be someone from his past, potentially a classmate.

10:04

📞 The Search for the Mysterious Visitor

In the third paragraph, the search for the mysterious visitor intensifies. Kier's determination to find answers leads her to contact people from Carl's past, including his classmates and those who were present during the tragic event. Despite many leads, the identity of the visitor remains elusive. However, a breakthrough occurs when Kier speaks with Dennis Parker, a close friend of Carl's, who denies being the visitor but provides valuable insights. The investigation continues with the discovery of another potential lead, Ronald Westboro, who was present on the day Carl died and has been visiting the grave for most of his life. The paragraph ends with the anticipation of a meeting between Kier and Ronald, which could potentially reveal the identity of the mysterious visitor.

15:06

🤝 The Emotional Reunion and Closure

The final paragraph brings the story to a poignant conclusion. Kier finally meets with Ronald, who confirms that he has been the one visiting Carl's grave all these years. Ronald shares his memories of Carl, including the fateful day of the drowning and the impact it had on his life, leading him to become a police officer. The meeting provides Kier with a sense of closure and a deeper understanding of her brother's legacy. The script also hints at the possibility of other unknown visitors who may have been touched by Carl's life. The emotional journey concludes with a reflection on the lasting impact Carl has had on those who knew him, even in his absence.

Keywords

💡Mystery Visitor

A 'Mystery Visitor' refers to an unidentified individual who has been leaving items on Carl's grave for up to 70 years. This person is central to the video's narrative as the sister, Anne, is on a quest to discover their identity. The mystery visitor symbolizes enduring memory and respect, as their actions have spanned decades without revealing their identity. The script mentions, '...a mystery visitor who's been leaving things on his grave for up to 70 years,' highlighting the enigmatic nature of this figure.

💡Drowning

Drowning is the act of dying by submersion in water, which is how Carl, the brother, met his tragic end. The term is significant as it sets the somber tone for the video and is the catalyst for Anne's search for closure. The script describes the incident: 'Carl died on the 1st of August 1947 in Wales... the verdict was death caused by accidental drowning.' This event is the core around which the story revolves.

💡Closure

Closure, in this context, refers to a sense of resolution or peace that comes from understanding or finding answers to a painful event. Anne seeks closure by finding the mystery visitor who has been honoring her brother's memory. The script captures her desire: 'I would love it and I, that I would have it war closure if you, like.' Closure is a central theme as it represents the emotional journey and the quest for understanding.

💡Grave

A grave is a place of burial, and in the video, it is where the mystery visitor leaves tokens of remembrance for Carl. The grave serves as a physical and emotional focal point for the narrative, symbolizing the lasting impact of Carl's life and death. The script mentions, '...leaving things on his grave,' indicating the ongoing connection to Carl through this act.

💡Memory

Memory, as used in the video, refers to the recollection of past experiences or knowledge. It is a key theme as Anne's limited memories of her brother drive her search for more information. The script reflects on this: 'I haven't got that many memories of him unfortunately.' Memory is also tied to the mystery visitor's actions, suggesting a deep and personal connection to Carl.

💡Mementos

Mementos are objects kept as reminders of a person, place, or event. In the video, the mystery visitor leaves various mementos on Carl's grave, such as flowers, a pheasant feather, and corn. These items are more than just gifts; they are symbolic and personal, suggesting a deep bond between the visitor and Carl. The script describes: '...one year there was a massive sheath of corn... a pheasant feather.'

💡Inquest

An inquest is a formal inquiry into a death, especially one that is sudden or unexplained. In the video, the inquest into Carl's death is mentioned, providing a factual basis for the cause of his drowning. The script states: '...at the inquest the coroner said the boy... might have collapsed from something.' The inquest is a legal procedure that adds to the authenticity of the story.

💡Legacy

Legacy refers to the lasting impact or influence of a person's life after their death. Carl's legacy is evident through the mystery visitor's actions and the community's enduring memory of him. The script touches on this: 'Carl's mom was sent more than a hundred letters from grieving neighbors.' His legacy is a testament to his character and the impact he had on others.

💡Search

Search, in the context of the video, refers to Anne's efforts to uncover the identity of the mystery visitor and to learn more about her brother. The search is both physical and emotional, as she delves into the past to find answers. The script illustrates this: '...she's been searching for the one person who she thinks might be able to help her.' The search is a driving force in the narrative, representing Anne's determination and hope.

💡Poetry

Poetry is used in the video as a form of expression and a potential clue to the mystery visitor's identity. The poems left at Carl's grave are analyzed for their significance and personal connections to him. The script mentions: '...these lines were titled to an athlete dying young.' Poetry serves as a poignant and cryptic message, adding depth to the mystery and the visitor's emotional investment.

💡Reunion

Reunion in the video refers to the eventual meeting between Anne and the mystery visitor, Ronald. This reunion is a culmination of Anne's search and represents the resolution of her quest for closure. The script describes the emotional reunion: '...the moment Anne has always hoped for is finally here.' The reunion is a significant event that brings the narrative to a close, offering a sense of completion and shared memories.

Highlights

Kier has been searching for decades to learn more about her brother Carl, who drowned when she was only seven.

A mystery visitor has been leaving flowers and gifts on Carl's grave for up to 70 years.

The visitor also leaves messages with Carl's name, sparking curiosity about their connection.

Kier's quest to find the visitor includes writing articles, attending reunions, and appearing on the news.

Carl's death was a significant event in the village, with over a hundred letters sent to his family from grieving neighbors.

Theories about the visitor include someone who was in the choir, scouts, or school with Carl.

Kier's search leads to the Gloucestershire archives, where she finds photos and names of people who were with Carl the day he drowned.

Expert analysis of the poems left by the mystery visitor suggests a personal connection to Carl's drowning.

The handwriting on the messages is similar to that taught at Carl's school, Cheltenham Grammar School.

Kier arranges a meeting with the church warden and villagers to discuss the mystery.

Dennis Parker, a close friend of Carl's from school, is initially thought to be the mystery visitor but denies it.

Ronald Westboro, who was with Carl the day he died, is discovered to have been visiting Carl's grave for most of his life.

Ronald and Kier meet, and he shares his memories of Carl, providing Kier with the closure she sought.

Ronald's visitation of the grave was motivated by a policeman's words at the inquest, which led him to become a police officer.

The poems left on Carl's grave remain a mystery, suggesting there may have been other visitors over the years.

Kier reflects on the journey to find the mystery visitor and the impact Carl has had on people's lives even after his death.

Transcripts

and Kier was only seven when her brother

Carl drowned and she's always wanted to

know more about what he was like so for

decades she's been searching for the one

person who she thinks might be able to

help her there's a mystery visitor who's

been leaving things on his grave for up

to 70 years when I do come here I think

wonder what's going to be on there today

and someone walks fast and perhaps

they'll they'll greet me and saying I

think oh you see there are three i

drained your heads there and there is

also a red rose which I swear wasn't

there on Sunday so somebody has been

here since I put my flowers there it's

not even just flowers one year there was

a massive sheath of corn a pheasant

feather a big tail feather it was it's

something I really dearly would love to

to solve and the mystery goes on and not

just finding flowers and gifts there

have also been messages with Karl's name

on them first time I heard the story

it's stuck in my mind what was it about

this boy that had led someone to do all

of this so one day I just gave his

sister a ring by the end of our chat I'd

signed up to help I was only seven when

he when he died I haven't got that many

memories of him unfortunately mom told

me afterwards she said I I just sat and

one tear ran down my cheek and she and I

just said never mind memory I'll see him

again one day of course I never went to

the funeral or anything like that you

know my mum used to say he was a boy

that was loved because he always had had

time for the elderly and that I need it

just was you know he was my brother so

I'd love to know if they take all this

trouble to do all these things they will

be able to tell me about him and and I

would love it and I

that I would have it war closure if you

like he must have made a big impression

on that person to do that it means

something to them but what does it mean

this has been a mystery in Carl's

village of press brief or decades his

death hit the whole village hard

Carl's mom was sent more than a hundred

letters from grieving neighbors years

later people are still talking about it

and have developed their own theories

from the evidence of the poems it is

obviously somebody who is familiar with

very well read in English literature of

course it could have been somebody who

was some who was in the choir in the

scouts and at the school with him we

don't know that's too far back to know

all his family orgs relations the fact

that somebody is going to such lengths

do it unknown I don't know we didn't

know crowd we've been trying to sort it

out but it's it evades us and done so

much to find the mystery visitor she's

written articles she's gone to scout

reunions talked on the radio

she's even been on the news I have tried

everything

I left a typewritten message asking if

the person who was doing it like to sort

of speak to them for the message in the

parish magazine see if anybody comes

forward still nobody comes forward maybe

they just don't want to be found

but I can see that it would mean so much

to Anne if she could meet them it's not

fading away but obviously eventually it

will because the person who was doing it

must be getting on in years Carl died on

the 1st of August 1947 in Wales he was

only 12

it was a Friday afternoon he'd been out

camping with a scout troop a docks which

Bay the Scout leader went off to buy

food and some of the boys snuck into the

sea

one boy never came out they found Kyle

facedown in the shallows the verdict was

death caused by accidental drowning at

the inquest the coroner said the boy

went into the water and might have

collapsed from something I suppose he

just turned over and

was the end Carl died 70 years ago so

any of his friends would be in their 80s

now if Ann stands a chance of unraveling

what's going on

she's got no time to waste step one who

was with Carl on the day he drowned I'm

taking an to the center of our

investigations the gloucestershire

archives

there are photos here the Anacin never

seen including what might be the last

photo of carl ever taken looks like they

were having a jolly time we write down

every name we can find and then we see

it there's an address got nothing - Eric

white did take those photos but he was

cooking back at camp when card round

another Scout George Lee was actually on

the beach he remembers watching people

trying to save Carl lots of other people

got back to me but none of them know

where Carl is buried or who might be

visiting his grave it's time to look

again at the evidence I've already drawn

a blank with the flowers same with the

gifts none of the experts can agree on

their exact meanings the messages aren't

especially helpful either the only thing

I learn is that similar handwriting

could have been taught at Carl's school

but I'm still hoping that the poems hold

a clue so I've come to talk to someone

in Durham who specializes in poetry

about death and mourning these are the

ones that we we know that Anna's found

and collected the lost ship is mourning

the loss of sailors a whole group of

sailors all-merciful

the day the doom were thine thou did

surround him on the seething sea in this

person clearly knows that Carl drowned I

think that's clear we also have some

lines by AE Housman

and these lines were titled to an

athlete dying young it has to do with

the transience of youth the loss of

potential

whoever's leaving the poems is also

changing words and missing outlines

making them personal to Carl

professor Reagan has also spotted

something else that's important about

one of the poets I was reading about the

life of Robert Steven Hauk this

Victorian poet who'd written his famous

poem about shipwreck studied at

Cambridge but before he went there he

being to school I discovered Cheltenham

Grammar School no way

Cheltenham Grammar School is the same

school that Karl went to I think we need

to find out more about Cole school days

a lot of it seems to be implying that

this was a person who might have known

him in real life and might have been the

same age as him and gone to the same

school had that same upbringing and has

for some reason never forgotten it

I can't wait tell em what I found maybe

we've been looking in the wrong place

all along Robert Walker went to

Cheltenham grammar school oh it's

obviously the same school yeah that car

went yeah and so he would have been an

old boy you know someone that you might

have heard of if you went to that school

oh I've got some details of school boys

have you tried to contact people from

that list already no I haven't I might

be able to help yeah I'm glad you found

something about the phones anyway maybe

someone who's maybe someone's leading

leading away from mr. Karadeniz know

exactly

I've contacted cars classmates but many

have already died the ones I do manage

to speak to can't remember him but word

is beginning to spread soon I've got

half of press be on the phone calling me

about the mystery I arranged a meeting

with the church warden Linder who invite

some friends everybody seems keen to

help I've been impressed free all my

life yes and it was a great tragedy when

this happened all really upset about it

and it was a terrible thing to happen

sort of trying to see anybody Kelly

some people have said oh you could find

out turbo said to pro camera nice I

thought no I honestly can't remember

anything when mum and dad were still

alive anything being left was it

somebody who was actually either in the

water on the beach when it happened I

would hate to think that all their life

they've thought that they couldn't save

him if they were there one time there

was a pheasant feather tail feather big

that was quite strange do you see that

another guy usually Polly Reeves um you

know the moment we go through rather a

spate of little ornaments which are

interesting Anne has a new theory that

she wants to put to the group she found

something while looking through a box of

cast schoolwork does anyone here know

Dennis Parker yes a close friend of

Carlos oh yes I wondered about him

because he's the only name that features

in any my mother Claire kept everything

obviously of course he mentions Park

they were school at school together and

went on to grammar school as well

together I mean no that's gross

very quiet man he certainly would not

want to be known if it was him I'm

desperate to find someone that must be

you know I haven't sort of let it rule

my life but I feel well if I can find

find this out about whoever is knew him

I'm doing something for mum and dad

really it feels that we might be getting

close and just a few days later and gets

a call tell me your new news strange

forcing this on yes I'm here yes this is

Dennis Parker I nearly late I nearly

said before you get too excited he said

it isn't me that's leaving their things

on Cosgrave well I was so excited to

think that he contacted me yeah I didn't

straightaway think on no it's not him I

didn't feel like that but there now

since I thought it is a shame because

it's like a dead end the cut off it's

all still open now isn't it yeah it is

[Laughter]

thinking you've done so much you feel

time running out keep going we've got to

be missing something going back to the

scouts there is one other name that

keeps cropping up a boy who shared a

temp with Karl the night before he died

but I just can't find him all trace of

him disappears in 2014 and then I make a

chance discovery he's remarried and

changed his surname it takes a bit of

digging but I track him down I'm on the

way to give an an update

[Music]

yeah I've actually got some quite

exciting new things tell you you're away

basically last week I spoke to somebody

who I think might be one the way we

possibly be the person I don't want to

say for sure because I want him to meet

you and have a proper conversation I

spoke to somebody called Ronald Westboro

he was there on the day that Carl died

he also spoke at the inquest when I saw

his name in the list of people who went

to the funeral that's what made me think

that it was important to find him

because he would obviously know where

Carl was buried if he had been he knows

so I called him on Friday I kind of want

him to tell you by himself he just sort

of said oh and I actually go to visit

the grave quite a lot and I asked him a

bit more and he says that he's been

visiting it for most of his life and

that he loved to meet you it must

I think so yeah I don't know shocked you

too much but I asked him if he would be

happy to meet you and he says that if

you like he could come and meet you

tomorrow where you come from you said

well even if yeah they haven't found

anything I can't get closure at least

we've done something a mum and dad what

pride was doing the memory of Carl yeah

[Laughter]

I'm gonna cry now as well

[Music]

seventy years after her brother's death

the moment and has always hoped for is

finally here haven't told down very much

so maybe you could tell her how your new

call and what you can remember obviously

nothing this counts and that we sort of

powered up there and then they cross

we've all went on this holiday

we got a template ugly so he knows well

go together

the only for two tiny look tents or two

but a bathing costumes on and walked off

but no dome land class it was about I

don't know maybe about twenty four boys

I suppose and I lost sight of him after

a bit because there were so many of us

rushing and they were throwing balls

about and things like that I got dressed

and then everybody else seemed to come

out there was just girls clothes in a

pile where we'd left my music oh yeah

I'm like hell back down to the beach all

the kids know most of the kids as well

I'll run down to the beach and started

looking around and found him you know a

few yards out face down you remember it

oh yeah oh yeah well things like that so

it's ticking mind oh they don't

it must have been quite a tough thing

for a thirteen-year-old yeah it was a

shock almost did their especially as I

say I was I think there was just tours

together with found him and dragged him

out no answer the hunter the son went to

court and I always remember that there

was a policeman there he said you did

very well and he said did you know when

you leave school you won't become you

want to go in the police force which I

thought later on it 16 I did so you

became a police officer because of this

really yeah yeah because of that yeah

because he was 13 at 16 I joined as I

became please

really enjoy I'm so surprised as I say

the first time I went in there you just

a thought well maybe they've barely been

there I don't really know and then I

thought I was so pleased that was such a

long time ago drove on the phone you

told me that sometimes you also just go

in and put your hand on them oh yeah oh

yeah yeah just just spoke to him you

just said you do yeah so was Carl your

closest friend in the scouts

yes yeah yeah if you said who else was

it was Gabe group I couldn't tell you

because I can always remember we were

kicking a football around and there and

it used to go up and hit the wall and

sometimes it left a mark on the wall so

he got told off for that well I always

said that she wanted to thank the person

he was leaving the flow it's been very

very touched by it there's still there

that won't talk to you there is one part

of the mystery that remains unsolved

the poems ron has cared for his friends

grave for decades but his only ever left

flowers the more I learn about Carl the

less it surprises me that there could

have been other mystery visitors over

the years the same day I found her on

someone else phoned me to say that their

dad had become a doctor because of Carl

and Ron both thought that they were the

only ones left who could remember him

Ron had no idea that Ann was looking for

him he didn't even know that Carl had a

sister now they each have someone else

to share their memories with

they'd probably be laughing really tough

Oh buzz off it's been really really

lovely quite journey really quite a

journey

I would never have done it on my own mum

and dad I just would like to think that

they know what's happened and that he's

still being looked after was it meant to

be was he meant to I don't know perhaps

he was too good I don't know I wish I'd

had a bit more time with him but there

you go

not to be touched so many people he's

not even here now but he's still

touching people um that's something

something pretty remarkable really isn't

it I don't think I put that there no you

didn't but there's still going to be a

mystery yeah yeah at least we've solved

yours

[Laughter]

[Music]