In Helsinki, Davie meets former members of a Roma children’s home once visited by William Webb. He discovers the forced assimilation of Roma and Travellers in Finland mirrors much of what happened to Scottish Travellers. Then, in the course of his investigation, Davie uncovers a frightening secret, buried in Scotland’s past.
--------
30:24
2. Fear and Sacrifice
Suspicion falls on William Webb, a Chaplain from The Church of Scotland. His “Cruelty Van” would arrive at Scottish Traveller camps and take children from their families. Then, Davie’s trip to Leeds turns up clear evidence of the actors involved in the forced removal of Scottish Travellers.
--------
36:51
1. Truth and Half Truths
The Unknown Bairn’s siblings tell Davie frightening stories that motivate him to look into the disappearance - and forced removal - of Traveller children. And as yet more Travellers come forward, Davie starts to question the scale of the state’s historic intervention into the lives of Traveller families in Scotland.
--------
37:01
Introducing - The Cruelty - Stolen Generations
In 2021, Davie Donaldson sought to solve the long-standing mystery of the Unknown Bairn, a young boy whose body washed up on a Scottish beach and was never claimed. Since that time, a number of Scottish Travellers have contacted him with stories of children being forcibly removed from their families. This becomes the catalyst for Davie’s investigation into why this happened and whether it was sanctioned by the church and state. Along the way, the mystery that began it all re-enters Davies’ life, taking him to a truth that’s been hidden in the shadows for too long.Presenter: Davie Donaldson
Producer: Kate Bissell
Research: Kate Bissell and Emily Essen
Story Consultants: Jack Kibble White and Kirsty Williams
Music, Mix and Sound Design: Julian Corrie
Executive Editor: Susie Crumless
Commissioning Editor: Heather Kane Darling
--------
3:13
9. The Wee Boy
In Tayport Cemetery on the 51st anniversary of the discovery of the Unknown Bairn, Davie meets again with the Robertson family.Presenter: Davie Donaldson Producer: Kate Bissell, BBC Scotland Productions. Researchers: Rachael Fulton and Catrina RoseAdditional reporting: Cameron Mackay Story consultants: Jack Kibble White and Kirsty Williams Sound Designer: Julian Corrie Music : Julian Corrie with additional tracks by Barry Jackson Executive Editor: Heather Kane Darling With thanks to Martin Conaghan for developing the initial podcast idea with BBC Scotland Productions.
In 2021, Davie Donaldson sought to solve the long-standing mystery of the Unknown Bairn, a young boy whose body washed up on a Scottish beach and was never claimed. Since that time, a number of Scottish Travellers have contacted him with stories of children being forcibly removed from their families. This becomes the catalyst for Davie's investigation into why this happened and whether it was sanctioned by the church and state. Along the way, the mystery that began it all re-enters Davies' life, taking him to a truth that's been hidden in the shadows for too long.
UK