the Queen’s College newsletter supplement

The Mysterious Mr Blackadder

Compiled by Lucy Hudson Old Members’ Assistant

Did he exist? The answer is an emphatic yes. Almost 60 Old Members have written to confirm that there was indeed a Mr Blackadder (known as Joe, Joey or Jack, but chiefly as Joe) working for the College between the 1940s and the 1970s. There was even some outrage at one Old Member’s suggestion that no such person ever existed.

At least two Old Members went to the trouble of checking various telephone directories to verify that this unusual surname exists, and Mr N H Hughes (1958) writes that to his recollection Blackadar was the correct spelling—although no one else seems to agree. His Honour Judge Dobkin (1966) points out that ‘to suggest that Joe Blackadder did not exist is absurd. If he had not existed it would have been quite impossible to invent him. Or his name!’ Mr J S Morris (1950) declares ‘Let no-one doubt whether Joe Blackadder really existed. He certainly did and will never be forgotten by those who knew the life at Iffley Road.’

Who was he? Mr Blackadder is first remembered, by those who (1960) remembers ‘our College servants’ as ‘a friendly were here in the early 1940s, as a scout in Drawda but very distinguished band of men’, Mr A Wilkinson Hall and Little Drawda. Others inform us that by (1945) comments that ‘we didn’t seem to know what the mid- to late 1940s (and right up until the 1970s) status the various College servants enjoyed or what he was caretaker of the Iffley Road Annexe, where they specifically were responsible for; we accepted he had living quarters in the basement with his wife them simply as polite but friendly people – the same and daughter. By the early 1950s he was also SCR as our fellow undergraduates, except that they had a Butler. In the 1960s Mrs Blackadder seems to have different life-style’. Mr J S Morris (1950) writes of Mr been in charge at Iffley Road, and Mr Blackadder Blackadder, ‘We sometimes asked ourselves what more in evidence in his role as College butler. He is exactly his rank and position were. He was obviously also referred to as the Provost’s butler, steward ‘or the boss in Iffley Road, and we could see that he some other high official’. In the early to mid-1970s was the butler at High Table every evening at dinner. another correspondent recalls Mr Blackadder working In time we also learnt that he was the Provost’s in the Buttery, in a position that remains unclear. He private steward. We were unaware that his official may have moved between roles or worked in various position was that of SCR Butler as shown on your capacities simultaneously, as descriptions overlap or photograph.’ Perhaps it would have been considered slightly contradict each other. impertinent to ask.

This uncertainty may reflect a certain distance between Where did he come from? students and College staff. While Mr M S Harrington According to Dr R B Angus (1963) Mr Blackadder came from Tyneside. The surname itself may originate in the North-East or Scottish Border areas. during the war he was employed at Pressed Steel at Mr M S Harrington (1960) has found a ‘tiny settlement Cowley, where because of his experience in dealing of Blackadder’ near Berwick, to the north of which are with the upper classes, his workmates elected him as the Blackadder Water and the Whiteadder Water, both their shop steward. However this post did not last for tributaries of the Tweed; he recalls Mrs Blackadder long because Joe could always see the employers’ saying that her name came from the Berwick area. point of view so that the workers’ demands we seldom met.’ Piecing together the anecdotes we have received regarding Mr Blackadder’s life before Queen’s, a Finally, Dr S R F Price (1972) has this unlikely story: rather patchy and uncertain biography emerges, it was ‘our belief that his previous employment had although it begins plausibly enough. It is thought been as a hangman, and that he had the distinction that Mr Blackadder previously worked as a valet or of having hanged the last man in England.’ (The latter butler. According to Dr R A Lee (1952), ‘before arriving claim is incorrect.) in Oxford he had been butler to Judge Greenwell of Greenwell Ford at Lanchester in County Durham’. Mr W Etherington (1943) recalls: ‘His story as he told it Appearance and character to me was that he had been a gentleman’s gentleman Mr Blackadder was distinguished by his ‘upright in London but his employer had moved owing to the carriage’ and ‘general smartness of manner’ according war, so Joe had to go down the ladder and come to to Mr W Etherington (1943), and there is unanimous Queen’s’. And Prof G C L Hazlehurst (1970) writes: agreement. He was ‘always impeccably dressed, ‘He told me had been valet to Sir Reginald Brade… head held back and high’, according to who had been Secretary to the War Office 1914-20’. Mr G J Beakhust (1962), who writes that ‘as you can see from the photo—a classic pose—he was a proud By 1943 Prof G L Wilson (1942) believes that and short man’. Mr M S Harrington (1960) writes, Mr Blackadder ‘had just been invalided out of ‘Although he was a small man, his erect stance and the army—his health at that time wasn’t good.’ dignified bearing made him instantly recognisable’. Dr R A Lee (1952) relates the following: ‘It is said that Mr J R E Shaw (1968) remembers him wearing a grey double-breasted suit; Mr K W Frankland (1963) describes him wearing a raincoat and bicycle clips Joe Blackadder did indeed exist, was certainly over a suit and tie when cycling to and from the Iffley SCR Butler in the 1960s, and did indeed live Road Annexe. His Honour Judge Dobkin (1966) in the Iffley Road Annexe. In fact he and his remembers him as ‘not the tallest man in the world, wife lived in a flat in the basement, and it was about 5ft 3ins I’d imagine, but he had a way of Mrs Blackadder who was in charge of the lengthening his stride as he walked’. building—at least when I lived there (1962-63). She served unforgettable breakfasts—frequently Many remember Mr Blackadder with affection. cold by the time we arrived—and had a daughter Mr A R Brown (1960) found him ‘an amiable man’, who had ‘married a Queen’s graduate’. In fact Mr A Wilkinson (1945) ‘friendly without trying to be Mrs Blackadder provided me with my scholar’s “chummy”’, and Prof G L Wilson (1942) ‘very cheerful gown (previously belonging to her son-in-law) and friendly’. Mr W H Alexander (1944) recalls his for a knockdown price of 30/-. Her bacon and ‘willingness to put one’s wristwatch right if it had other fried items had such a peculiar flavour that gone wrong’ as does Dr R B Angus (1963). one of my contemporaries speculated that she Mr W Etherington (1943) remembers Joe Blackadder probably manufactured her own oil. as ‘very kind and tolerant of the raw lad from Hull who was my younger self’. She ruled us and the scouts with a rod of iron, while Joe was a much milder character, He seems to have elicited a mixture of responses in departing early for College on a bike larger than others, ranging from awed respect to fear, or even in a he was, and returning late. We hardly ever saw few cases resentment—particularly in his capacity as him there, but he was always in evidence in Hall, the Iffley Road caretaker, where he had the authority serving at High Table. to punish misbehaviour. His Honour Judge Dobkin Prof B R A Jenner (1962) (1966) describes Mr Blackadder as ‘redoubtable’, and Mr J S Morris (1950) writes ‘Joe was formidable… we treated him with the very greatest respect, especially as he could charge us cash and even lock us out if we came home too late in the evening’. Wonderful photo of the College scouts in the Dr S A Cockle (1964) describes him as the Queen’s newsletter of Michaelmas Term 2009! Joe ‘ever-vigilant eagle-eyed caretaker of the Blackadder was indeed the SCR Butler and no figure Iffley Road Annexe’; Mr R N Smith (1951) of fun. He had little to do with us undergraduates, of remembers him in his capacity of SCR Butler course, but presented himself round the College with as ‘a person we first year undergraduates were much dignity. slightly in awe of’. Mr N Coulton (1953)

To add to this confusing picture, Mr Blackadder is also remembered as a convivial spirit. The Mrs Blackadder Blackadders’ parties at the Iffley Road Annexe were Many correspondents remember Mrs Lily Blackadder ‘splendid occasions’ according to Dr R A Lee (1952), as the more imposing figure, and the Iffley Road and Mr D B Bryan (1954) remembers that ‘at formal Annexe as her domain. Prof B R A Jenner (1962) meals he would ensure that his Iffley Road gentlemen writes ‘it was Mrs Blackadder who was in charge of had their glasses refilled frequently!’ His Honour the building… she ruled us and the scouts with a rod Judge Dobkin (1966) recalls that (as College butler) of iron, while Joe was a much milder character’. ‘he was best known for the punch he prepared for Mr G S Palmer (1951) agrees: ‘He was a reserved and summer parties. It was very cold, very fruity, and very precise man, but Mrs Blackadder was very different.’ deadly; it must have been at least 98% pure gin!’ Mr R D Wilson (1960) remembers ‘a formidable lady’ Dr S R F Price (1972) writes, ‘The story told at the who ‘ran a very tight ship’. Mr M S Harrington (1960) November Gaudy, which I attended as a scholar, was recalls that Mrs Blackadder ‘was fair but she stood no that the drink in the Loving Cup was mixed to a secret nonsense’, and took ‘her responsibilities in loco matris recipe known only to Mr Blackadder.’ very seriously’.

Mr G J Beakhust (1962) describes his manner as Mrs Blackadder seems to be remembered chiefly in ‘invariably polite but equally firm… someone well connection with the provision of breakfast, which in aware of his role and its importance. While sounding itself appears to have been a source of some anxiety like a servant he managed nevertheless to transmit to and discomfort. Mr J S Morris (1950) rather plaintively us the timelessness of his position compared to our recalls that ‘rationing was still fairly severe in the transient tenure.’ For Mr R E S Brimelow (1953) ‘Joe outside world, and we depended on Mrs Blackadder and his wife were in charge of the Iffley Road Annexe for our breakfast bacon and egg’. in my time, so the 16 inmates there came to know them both very well. Joe was a great character as Mr K W Frankland (1963) writes, ‘it was Mrs College butler, great humour but no nonsense.’ Blackadder who ruled the roost at Iffley Road. A round, ample bosomed lady, she struck fear into our hearts and lead into our stomachs – her porridge and stewed kidneys were I was turning the pages of the Michaelmas Newsletter capable of an existence independent of when lo and behold! there was a photo of my old crockery!’ Dr D M Hirst (1957) relates ‘the scout, Joe Blackadder, on p. 9. There is not a shadow scurrilous theory that the toast served in of doubt as to his identity; though he is standing the Annexe at breakfast was toast leftover sideways on to the camera, he is unmistakeably the Joe from breakfast in Hall the previous day Blackadder who was my scout in Drawda Hall when I which had been taken back to Iffley Road was up between 1947-50… Joe quite rightly did not in Mr Blackadder’s raincoat pocket’. But, stand any nonsense for us undergraduates, but he and again, accounts vary. Mr D A Shirley (1959), I got on well together. I hope this will dispel suggestions while rather uncharitably comparing Mrs that Joe did not exist, or was never employed by the Blackadder to Lady Macbeth, does concede College. In Nigel Lewendon’s excellent photo, Joe that she ‘produced a fine breakfast’. seems to be telling a joke, as all eyes are focussed on him! Prof R M Savory (1947) Iffley Road Blues Impressions of the Blackadders seem Joe Blackadder was my scout in the Hilary and inextricably linked to conditions at the Iffley Trinity Terms of 1943, when I had a sitting room in Back Road Annexe, which is remembered with Quad 5 and a bedroom in Drawda Hall. I think he had greater or lesser fondness. Prof A T Tolley just been invalided out of the army—his health at that (1948) describes it as ‘a dreadful place for a time wasn’t good, but he was always very cheerful and new student. It had no life of its own. There friendly, both then and in the few years afterwards, when was no common room; and breakfast was I was in and out of college a lot. I remember seeing him the only time that you saw anybody else who again some years ago at an Old Members’ function, lived there. It was too far from the college to when he was serving at High Table. He managed to pop back to one’s rooms between lectures come up to me and greet me, a great pleasure on both or tutorials.’ sides. Prof G L Wilson (1942) somewhat draconian adherence to College rules: ‘for The Michaelmas ‘Newsletter’ arrived today. mild misdemeanours they would happily inform the I was interested to find that no one seems to Dean, Mr Parker (a fining fellow)’. know much about Joe Blackadder (from whom in later years Rowan Atkinson perhaps borrowed His Honour Judge Dobkin (1966) is also less than the name). He did in fact exist and was indeed enthusiastic, recalling when ‘as a lamb to the the ‘warden’ of the Iffley Road Annexe, while his slaughter’, he arrived in Oxford for his first term, being wife Lily looked after the domestic side, cooking ‘sent off to the chilly surroundings of the Iffley Road breakfasts and organising the domestic staff. Annexe’. The extreme cold was a source of misery They were a hospitable couple whose parties for many, particularly during the great freeze of 1963. were splendid occasions. The drinks cupboard Mr G J Beakhust (1962) writes ‘62-3 was one of the was very well stocked! Joe’s official status was coldest years in memory. All the bathrooms froze Senior Common Room Butler; perhaps the last except the one next to me, which somehow survived two statements are connected. In later years he 19 undergraduates for almost 2 months. There was always made sure his old residents were well also a slow down among gas workers which added looked after at College functions. to the frozen misery—on occasions the shaving water Dr R A Lee (1952) brought by a scout would freeze in the giant ceramic bowls if you didn’t get up fast enough.’ He recalls being reprimanded by Mr Blackadder for his ‘attempts Mr J S Morris (1950) recalls getting off to a bad start: to stay warm and awake by pacing the room above them’. ‘One night he appeared at my door dressed ‘I matriculated in 1950… In those days, by far the rather differently than the dapper butler of college majority of students at Queen’s came up by train, fame. He was wearing a full length night gown plus and in order to bring my heavy trunk with me to medieval night cap (with tassel), an apparition right out the College, I indulged in the unusual extravagance of A Christmas Carol. Invariably polite but equally firm of taking a taxi. To my dismay, after unloading the about the disturbance to his sleep.’ trunk at the College I was told at the lodge that I would be accommodated in the hostel at 115 Iffley Mr A Preston (1951) remembers conditions at 113- Road. I could not spare the cash for another taxi, 119 Iffley Road being dire enough to inspire a song, so I borrowed the college four-wheeled trolley and ‘The Iffley Road Blues’, which was composed by one trundled my trunk amidst all the traffic to my place of of his contemporaries and performed at the Tabs’ residence.’ Room smoking concert in December 1951.

But despite this inauspicious beginning he remembers Links to another Blackadder his first year at College as a very happy one, at least As to whether the widespread rumour of a link to in part because of ‘a clannish familiarity among Rowan Atkinson’s character has any basis in reality, the denizens of 115 – The Iffley Road Hostel’. He many think it plausible that Joe Blackadder was the describes it as ‘four adjacent Victorian houses, each original inspiration for the choice of name, and some with four floors and a semi-basement. The four floors believe a connection is beyond doubt. But the accommodated 15 undergraduates – all freshmen Revd A E M Shorter (1952) writes: ‘At the Needle and – and one graduate, who had stayed on at college Thread Gaudy… I took the opportunity of asking Mr for further study. The semi-basement provided a Rowan Atkinson if his choice of the name Blackadder dining room for our breakfast and accommodation was inspired by the SCR Butler. He told me that he for the Blackadders.’ Discipline ‘was ensured by the never knew Joe Blackadder and had thought up the graduate, whom we referred to as The Dean, but who name on his own.’ So perhaps it is only a coincidence did nothing at all, and by Mr and Mrs Blackadder’. after all, which may be a disappointment for some, but Mr D A Shirley (1959) is more critical: ‘Deeply possibly a relief to College employees past or present unfortunate were we scholars who spent the year who would prefer not to be immortalised as comedy 1959-60 at Blackadder Towers: “The Iffley Road characters. We have so far not managed to unearth Annexe”’. He describes Mr and Mrs Blackadders’ any records of a Mr Bean…

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