Why go to all the trouble of migrating Historical Ephemera off Substack and making Beehiiv its new home? I’m not sure anyone actually enjoys moving - the process can be disruptive and bewildering, but if I’ve done things right (and that’s a big if), the transition to Beehiiv should be a ‘seamless transition’ for my subscribers. How many times have I heard that phrase when talking about change?
But don’t worry. This post is meant to be the equivalent of making you a nice cup of tea to welcome you to the new site. Just don’t ask for sugar or teaspoons - I packed them in one of the boxes that haven’t been unpacked yet. All my posts should be available here, but shout if you spot any problems. I will only be posting new content to this site going forward - you’ll still be sent a newsletter update by email - and I will eventually switch off the Substack site. Whilst you’re sipping your tea, let me tell you a bit about why I write this newsletter.
I began Historical Ephemera in 2024 to explore some of the rabbit holes that I stumble across as part of my research into organised entertainment within the military and its impact on troop morale. I’m passionate about public history, and I hope that my posts go a little way in raising awareness of some important aspects of our past. Since launching this newsletter, I’ve been amazed and delighted by the opportunities and interesting conversations it has provoked.
Most significantly, I’ve ended up co-authoring the biography of Virginia Vernon after her godson, Professor Adam Fairclough, contacted me after reading one of my early Historical Ephemera posts about this remarkable woman. A link to the publication’s page on The History Press website is included on the Home page. Earlier in 2026, I was invited to film an interview at the Cinema Museum in London for a new documentary about Leslie Howard, after the producer read my article on this quintessential English actor. Most recently, I've been helping to research the wartime service of William Chappell, who served in the Royal Artillery but went on to be deeply influential in the development of modern ballet production. So nothing is changing, and long may it continue!
As a subscriber, you will continue to receive regular articles that shine a light on lesser-known aspects of military and social history. I try to post new articles on a bi-weekly basis (life, etc., permitting). This new site will also be a place where I can share some of the events and talks I will be giving in the coming months. If you have topics you’d like me to explore further (and they’re not too far removed from my main areas of research), let me know.
OK, why did I move again? Side-stepping the virtuous diatribe about Nazis, the manosphere, rewarding extreme content, and all the things that have already been said about the questionable ethics of Substack, I just wanted a simple newsletter hosting site rather than another social media network. Oh Beehiiv!
Just a reminder, Historical Ephemera is now here: https://matteatonmedia-newsletter.beehiiv.com/.
I hope you enjoy!