Gentlemen's gentlemen: My friends in service

by Rosina Harrison

You've read tales of lady's maids and cooks, housekeepers and nannies, but now it's time to hear from the other side of life as a servant. From the lamp boy to the butler, here are the fascinating storis from the men below stairs.This treasure-trove of memories, collected together by Rosina Harrison, bestselling author of The Lady's Maid , includes the night the ill-fated Edward VIII came to dinner; the time Charlie Chaplin scandalised the servants with his 'familiar' behaviour - and the occasion when a hot potato dropped down a lady's décolletage at a very exclusive supper party . . .

Genres: Nonfiction, History

283 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1976

About the author

Rosina Harrison (known as Rose) was born in Aldfield, North Yorkshire, in 1899. Her mother was a laundry maid and her father a stonemason. Rose became a lady's maid in 1918, and she was later lady's maid to Lady Astor for 35 years. She later retired to Worthing where she died in 1989.

- from Random House

Reviews

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written after her retirement, this is the sequel to Rosina Harrison's bestselling memoir, Rose: My Life In Service. Gentleman's Gentleman is about the author's male colleagues and friends in service: the valets, gardeners, footmen, and butlers. Their work was often of a very different sort from hers, but they all shared the same achingly long hours and immense pride in keeping their employers' huge houses running like clockwork. These people were passionate about their vocation and had no time for fellow servants who loafed or didn't take their work seriously. However, they still managed to have time for inside jokes and good times! In this book you will find yourself behind the scenes, below stairs, and in the vast estate greenhouses and grounds of British aristocracy and royalty in the 1930's, 40's and beyond.

Downton Abbey is enjoyable, and I love to watch it, of course! But it is an often inaccurate and very Hollywood-ized portrayal of the glory days of the British country estates. If you love that era and British culture, you will find these books so much more satisfying. I reread them recently and was riveted all over again, as much by Rosina Harrison's excellent writing style and sense of humor as by her amazing life. I believe her books are all back in print, as they deserve.

[Carol Beckman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting recollections of the life of men in service

I was interested to read this as my great great grandfather was in service, although not in such exalted houses as those described here. I learned a lot about what his life must have been like.
All the five men had lead interesting lives but because they are recounted by the same author their voices are rather similar. They mostly come over as ambitious hard workers with loyalty and respect but proud, pragmatic and down to earth as well. There was nothing of the downtrodden, servile drudge. They lived fairly well with generally good food and accommodation compared with their non servant peers and some had the chance to travel in style. They seemed to accept the fact that their own family lives were limited as a result of their work.

[Barbara Rogers · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very easy read. A series of brief memoirs by various male servants - butlers, under butlers, valets and footmen. We got off to a great start with Gordon Gimlett, I have to say I liked his storytelling style the best, it was the most engaging. Now keen to read Rosina’s own account as a lady’s maid.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

If you are interested in life below stairs this is a well written book telling the personal stories of some of the men behind the scenes who helped keep the houses running perfectly! Great follow up to Rosinas book about her life in service.

[Steven Haythorne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some repetition in all accounts but a fascinating insight into a way of life which will never return.