Forget-me-Nots
Esther Chilton’s family heirlooms have a wonderful royal connection
IT wasn’t until I was in my twenties that I first learned my great-grandfather, Arnold John Deller, had been wine butler to Queen Alexandra, wife of King Edward VII, and her son, George V. My grandmother, Joan, was a private woman and didn’t talk about her family much. But when I turned twenty-one, she decided it was time I had a few things handed down to me.
One was her china doll, which had been given to her by her beloved father. There was also a pretty wooden money-box made for her at Sandringham, where she spent time as a child in the 1920s, and some doll’s house furniture.
As it turned out, this wasn’t any old doll’s house furniture. It had belonged to Queen Alexandra. I felt so honoured that my grandmother trusted me with these pieces. I placed them on display, wondering about my great-grandfather and the sort of life he’d had.
It was when a relative died recently that several artefacts linked to the Royal Family and my greatgrandfather were discovered, firing my interest again. One of my aunts discovered that Arnold entered into service for the Royal Family in 1902. In the 1911 census he has been included as one of the household living at Marlborough House. He went there as part of the Royal staff moved from Buckingham Palace when King Edward VII died and the Queen moved out. His occupation was given as cellarman to Queen Alexandra.
Arnold was listed as being single at this time so hadn’t yet met my great-grandmother, Bertha Woolliams. Again according to the 1911 census, Bertha was a kitchen servant at Bute House (now the Egyptian Embassy) for Mrs Clarissa Bischoffsheim whose husband, a Dutch financier, was related to the Rothschilds. Bertha left their service and joined the Royal household staff as a kitchen maid.
Arnold was required to travel, so as well as being present at Sandringham and Marlborough House, he’d often find himself at St James’s Palace and Windsor Castle. I wonder about all the interesting historical figures he must have encountered. Did he serve kings and queens, politicians and many other prominent people their wine? How I wish I could ask him.
He clearly held Queen Alexandra in high esteem. Among the artefacts is the order of service from a private sermon that took place in the Church of St Mary Magdalene at Sandringham on 22 November, 1925. It is in pristine condition and Arnold kept it until he died. The sermon was preached by the Rev. A. Rowland Grant, Rector of Sandringham and Domestic Chaplain to the King, and the words inside describe the Queen as The Royal Lady who was possessed in the highest degree with the gift of human sympathy.
As well as the order of service, we found several wine lists from Marlborough House and Sandringham dated between 1924 and 1926. On the front of one is written Marlborough House – Wines packed for HRH Princess Victoria – January 1926. From the list, Rudesheim wine seems to have been a favourite. There is also an envelope with the Buckingham Palace stamp on it, addressed to my greatgrandfather at Sandringham in February 1925. Inside is a note, on St James’s Palace headed paper, from a Mr Luxon.
With regard to the small quantity of 1906 champagne remaining at Marlborough House (about 80 bottles) I think the best thing to do is to keep them for they will last a long time yet, never having been moved, but if Sir Henry wishes I think I could make a good exchange for some younger wines.
It seems, though we’re not certain, that Arnold was responsible for ordering wines and keeping the overall figures. My aunt is looking forward to when the 1921 census is released, hopefully yielding more information. She has discovered a voters’ list of some years later, where his occupation was recorded as retired butler.
My great-grandfather was nearly eighty when he died in 1951, when my father was only nine. We do know though that he had understandably been one for duty and had, of course, been immensely proud to have worked in the Royal household. But all these wonderful mementoes have brought him to life, as well as giving a small insight into the lives of the Royal Family. They will be treasured.