Just thought I would post this in case anyone is interested in life's ups and downs .in about 1920 or 1930 my granfather was personal valet to one of the Dewar family, I do not know which one.Mr Dewar lived in Whitehall Court which is just about as exclusive and expensive as it gets, and my grandfather looked after him there. Now I do not know how many people know this but Mr Dewar used to pronounce his name De wor or Dewaugh the same as the famous writers. I do not drink whisky but if I did it seems that I should ask for a glass of De wors.Mr dewar, would assume lead a privileged lfe, as he was perfectly entitled to.However my grandfathers life was just the opposite. He was born in Tiger Bay, one of 9 children, no telly in those days, .When he was very young his father was killed when he fell down the hold of a ship he was unloading and the family were awarded 1 shilling a week to live on, yes that's right a whole shilling.When he was fourteen he left school and walked to London to find work as he did not want to work in the docks or the mines.I know he had jobs as a waiter and during the first war he served as a cook in the Royal Navy .He was a very good cook but after the war and after working for Mr Dewar he worked as a waiter in Londons West End at one of the top restaurants .At that time famous hollywood actors and American singers flooded into London to work and play and they were generous to a fault, my Grandad made a fortune in tips he was no way going back to 1 shilling a week.The rich could afford it and if they offered it he took it alright , like millions of others he knew hard times As different as he was to Mr De Wor he also had a living to make, he was the nicest, ki ndest man and I loved him dearly, I never knew him to ever lose his temper with anyone.Thanks for taking the time to read this I hope it has given an insight into how the other half live as if we didn't know already.I did not realise Dewars whisky was still going but I gather the Americans love the stuff, and at up to £65 per bottle .it seems ironic to me that both Mr Dewar and my grandad both made a good living out of the americans and I am glad because my father was American and my mother was English, Oh how the World turns, All the best, Richard.
