Fancy having this one in your tree?

[Cool Blue]

On the subject of confusing rellies, how about the man who on his deathbed was found to be a woman?
Dr Barry's deathbed sex secret: The extraordinary truth about a great war hero and medical pioneer | the Daily Mail

Fascinating story

Jane

[Northern Light]

I would love to have her in my tree, what a remarkable woman.

The bit about carrying the goat round made me titter..:D It just shows how determined us women are ..

Thanks for sharing that its a real interesting read.

[Olde Crone Holden]

My mum used to sing me a song when I was little about "Sweet Polly Oliver" who dressed up in her dead lover's uniform and went off to be a soldier. The song was based on fact but I cannot now remember the details!

OC

[deletejb]

I would like her in my tree as well.

What an interesting article reminds me a bit about a film think it was Barbara Streisand. Found it ----- Yentl.

[Elaine ..Spain]

My mum used to sing me a song when I was little about "Sweet Polly Oliver" who dressed up in her dead lover's uniform and went off to be a soldier. The song was based on fact but I cannot now remember the details!

OC

An old English folk song, dating back to the 1840's
Sweet Polly Oliver - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[deletejb]

An old English folk song, dating back to the 1840's
Sweet Polly Oliver - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I was just reading that as you posted the "disguising themselves as men" link brings up more including James Barry.

[Olde Crone Holden]

Oooh, thankyou Elaine! I see it was her dead BROTHER, not her dead lover, pmsl.

Nothing there about it being based on fact, but I am sure I heard something on Woman's Hour many moons ago.

OC

[Cool Blue]

I wonder how many similar cases there have been that no one ever found out about? Or you can imagine things being hushed up because the Establishment didn't want it known that women could walk the walk as well as men?

[Anne in Carlisle]

I think there was a Childrens' Hour series about Polly Oliver. she was my hero!!!! (I was a real tomboy!)

Anne

[jenoco]

Thank you for the article - very interesting. I also remember Polly Oliver - my dad used to sing it to us when when were little.

[Liz from Lancs]

Thanks for the links - very interesting. Liz

[Grampa Jim]

Try reading Terry Pratchett's Monstrous Regiment!