Fri 19 Jan 2007
At the present time, the entry for mystery writer John Dellbridge in Crime Fiction IV, by Allen J. Hubin, looks like this:
DELLBRIDGE, JOHN (1887-?)
* * * -The Moles of Death (Diamond, 1927, hc) [India]
* * * Sons of Tumult (Long, 1928, hc) [Pakistan]
* * * The Honourable Sir John (Long, 1929, hc) [England]
* * * Searchlight on Hambledon (Hurst, 1947, hc) [Rupert Hambledon; England] Story collection:
• Conversation Piece with Postscript • ss
• The Defeat of Hambledon • ss
• Devastating Sanity • ss
• Entirely Self Made • ss
• The Fire That Was Quenched • ss
• Horses Can’t Be Trusted • ss
• Last of the Screwleighs • ss
• Letter to His Bishop • ss
• Modern Messalina • ss
• Ronnie the Rat • ss
* * * Unfit to Plead (Hurst, 1949, hc) [Rupert Hambledon; England]
* * * The Lady in the Wood (Hurst, 1950, hc) [Rupert Hambledon; England]
British bookseller Jamie Sturgeon, however, has discovered the website for The University of the West Indies at St. Augustine, Trinidad & Tobago, where the papers of Frederick Joseph De Verteuil are stored.
On the page describing their holdings for him it states that De Verteuil was born in Trinidad in 1887, and that he “went to England at the age of fourteen in 1901 and later qualified as a lawyer at Gray’s Inn. He practised as a barrister in India for several years and later returned to England where he continued practising law until he was debarred from practice due to misrepresenting his clients in court. [See FOOTNOTE.] He then became a little known writer of novels and short stories, historical works and semi-scientific commentaries. He wrote under three different pseudonyms: John Dellbridge, Freddy Bannister and Francis Vere.”
Neither Bannister nor Vere are in CFIV, but John Dellbridge’s identity has clearly now been revealed.
Jamie emailed Al Hubin with his discovery, who in turn did some followup investigating:
[Later] The only reference (other than the one Jamie gives) that turned up in a google search was a wedding notice for one Carl Frederick de Verteuil, which mentions that his father (a novelist!) retired as managing director of cruise ship newspapers published by the Thomas Skinner company in Toronto! The groom’s age (35) makes it virtually impossible that he was the son of “Dellbridge” (who would have been some 88 years old when Carl was born), but could he be the grandson? Incidentally, there’s no trace of anyone name de Verteuil in the Canada National Catalogue. But in the British Library Catalogue is a book by one Anthony de Verteuil, The de Verteuils of Trinidad 1797-1997, which might very likely shed further light on “Dellbridge” and perhaps others And Frederick Joseph de Vertueil (almost certainly “Dellbridge”) published an autobiographical book under his real name in 1938, Fifty Wasted Years, which might also make interesting reading And there’s a Carl de Verteuil with several novels ca.1950-1960 (the groom’s father?). Anthony de Verteuil has quite a number of books going back to 1973 though they don’t seem to be novels. All very interesting!
And here is where the matter stands. Even if nothing further is found, we now know considerably more about on the pseudonymous John Dellbridge than we did before. As for Rupert Hambledon, there’s nothing known about him at the moment, but there will be soon. I (this is Steve) have purchased a copy of The Lady in the Wood, pictured above, and it’s now on its way to me from England. When I know more, you’ll read about it here.
[UPDATE: 01-20-07] Here’s a short note received by email from John Herrington:
It appears that Francis Vere was used on a 1952 novel Don Ricardo and the 1955 Salt in Their Blood about Dutch admirals. There are also some 1950s works on Piltdown Man and evolution which have the same name as author. Coincidence or same writer I know not.
Cannot find anything by Freddy Bannister. A Google search is hampered by the fact that that was the name of the man who organised the Knebworth concerts.
And who was the Frederick Benedict De Verteuil who wrote the 1949 Almost Glory as F. Benedict? Presume he must be related.
Regards
John
[UPDATE: 04-04-07] Taken from an email from Carl de Verteuil, mentioned above, who also has two posts in the comments section —
Steve,
My grandfather died in 1963 (I don’t have the exact date) but it was sometime in the autumn — at about the same time as JFK and Aldous Huxley !
I’ll see if I can gather some more information from my uncle “Cook” (son of Frederick) about his mystery writing. He was a prolific author and is well regarded in his native Trinidad (the de Verteuils were one of the French families to have settled there after the French revolution).
Unfortunately, he wrote under several different names which probably didn’t help his cause too much. Uncle Cook (who is also referred to in your blog) is now 88 years old and was himself an author although not of mystery books.
I’ll see what I can find and will get back to you.
Carl
[FOOTNOTE.] 10-04-08. John Eggeling sent me this information about De Verteuil’s legal problems in an email a few weeks ago, but I’ve only now been able to add it to this post. Says John:
“In July 1938 Frederick Joseph De Verteuil was found guilty of conspiracy and fraud and he was sentenced to 5 years in prison. A report of his appeal, which failed, appeared in The Times for November 29, 1938.”
John sent me an attachment containing a copy of that appeal, which is far too long for me to reproduce here. If anyone’s interested, email me, and I should be able to forward it on to you.
January 20th, 2007 at 2:17 pm
Steve:
A search through the British Library catalog
reveals another pseudonym for John Dellbridge.
Can’t swear it’s the same guy, but the pseudonym is “Plummy.”
Victor
>> Hi Victor, and thanks for the additional info. Who knows where leads like this will take us?
January 23rd, 2007 at 9:56 am
My family tree shows Frederick de Verteuil (born 21 January 1887) married Winifred Dellbridge on the 10th February 1913. Hence the choice of pseudonym. Frederick and Winifred had 5 children – Charles, Yvonne, Leonie, Frederick and Mary.
>> Geoff
>> I’m glad you saw this post on John Dellbridge and thanks for leaving the information. If I may ask some questions — I hope you don’t mind: Do you happen to know when he died? Did you know him at all? Are you familiar with the fiction (especially the mysteries) that he wrote?
Steve
No – I am not familiar with his work, and do not have a date of death for him. Indeed, I am grateful for your information which fills out details I am missing. My connection is that my great Grandfather was the brother of Winifred’s father. If I find anything more, I will let you know.
The de Verteuills do seem to be a big family – see http://oechasse.free.fr/dat21.htm#24 and links from that.
Regards
Geoff Dellbridge
February 16th, 2007 at 6:40 pm
Hi
I am looking for Mary de Verteuil daughter of Frederick and Winifred.
She knew my father Julian before the war and wrote to him all through the war but they have never contacted each other since.
Could you help please.
Regards, Hugh Gardner
February 18th, 2007 at 2:15 pm
Hi All
I have in my hand a copy of “Almost Glory.” The name of the author on the cover is “F. Benedict”. However inside the front cover there is a note that reads “To Julian from Cook the author 28th Oct 1950 F.B. de Verteuil.” Julian is my father. He was a friend of the de Verteuil family before the war but met Cook (Frederick) de Verteuil only once briefly in 1950.
The book is a novel set in Poland (where he spent all the war years as a prisoner of war)
My father is now 87 and still very fit and able though not computer literate or he would be writing this himself. He has asked me to find out what happened to Mary de Verteuil. Can anyone help?
Regards, Hugh
April 1st, 2007 at 2:42 am
I’m Carl de Verteuil, grandson of Frederick, alias Dellbridge, Bannister, Vere. Please tell me exactly what you want to know and why about the family and I will try and help you.
Sincerely,
Carl
April 1st, 2007 at 2:55 am
Hugh,
Unfortunately, Mary passed away in 1976. She was my aunt. She had two children, Robert and Leonie.
Carl
>> Thanks for posting this comment, Carl. I’ve emailed Hugh directly, in case he doesn’t happen to look here very often. He’ll pass the word along to his father, I’m sure. And I’ll be in touch with you myself, with a few questions I have about Frederick de Verteuil. Best, Steve
April 8th, 2007 at 8:02 pm
[…] As readers of this blog will know full well, it has recently been discovered that “John Dellbridge” was the pen name of Frederick Joseph De Verteuil (1887-1963). A native of Trinidad, he became a barrister and practiced law in India and England before becoming a novelist. […]
October 4th, 2008 at 12:34 pm
Hi,
My name is Lesley Sagar, nee Yearwood. My grandmother, Marie de Verteuil, was Freddie’s sister. According to the book “The de Verteuils of Trinidad 1797 – 1997”, by Anthony de Verteuil, Freddie died in 1973 at 85years of age. There is a whole section devoted to him, unfortunately under the heading The Black Sheep.
My father, Fredrick Yearwood, his nephew, was very fond of Uncle Freddie and we visited him several times when we were in England. He taught me how to feed sugar cubes to his ponies!
I would love to get Carl de Verteuil’s email address.
Thanks,
Lesley Sagar
December 3rd, 2008 at 3:13 am
Hello,
My name is Joannah de Verteuil and I live in the US. My grandfather was Jean de Verteuil, who passed away at a young age about 64 years ago. The story I grew up with was that Jean was banished from the family for marrying a local Trinidadian girl that was half East Indian/African decent. This is interesting reading and I came upon it all by accident. I’m interested in obtaining a copy of the book “The de Verteuils of Trinidad 1797-1997”, and I’m having a difficult time doing so. Considering the time frame the book covers, I’m hoping to get a glimpse of my buried family history. Any ideas or comments would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Joannah
December 3rd, 2008 at 8:59 am
Joannah
I found one copy online, and I mean copy — apparently a photocopy of the book. It’s listed on ABE. I can’t vouch for the seller, but here’s a link that should work for now:
http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=1004101879&isbn=8477821402
Good luck on the hunt!
— Steve
December 10th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
Joannah,
You can get hold of a copy of “The de Verteuils of Trinidad” from the publisher – Litho Press in Trinidad or perhaps from Amazon who also list it. (ISBN 976-8157-25-9). The book was written by Anthony de Verteuil C.S.Sp. who is apparently a teacher at St. Mary’s College in Port of Spain. He was not particularly kind towards my grandfather Frederick de Verteuil (the mystery writer and subject of this blog) and those who knew my grandfather well were very disappointed with Anthony’s grossly inaccurate portrayal of his character. I would nevertheless recommend The de Verteuils of Trinidad as a reasonably well researched (albeit not extremely well written) history of the family from the colonial Trinidadian perspective.
Best
Carl de Verteuil
December 10th, 2008 at 12:31 pm
Hi Lesley,
Referring to your Oct. 4 entry in this blog: “My name is Lesley Sagar, nee Yearwood. My grandmother, Marie de Verteuil, was Freddie’s sister…”, you can get in touch through Facebook. I’m the only Carl de Verteuil listed!
Look forward to hearing from you.
Carl
December 10th, 2008 at 12:44 pm
I’ve forwarded Carl’s comments on to Joannah and Lesley. If anyone else would like to get in touch with Carl or any other of the de Verteuil family, leave a comment or email me directly.
— Steve
December 13th, 2009 at 2:15 pm
I am interested in tracing the Dellbridge connection as my father was a John Dellbridge whose father was connected to the JAmes Dellbridge who went to the Pole with Scott. I believe he was his Uncle. The family were based in Portsmoth around the late 1800s.
February 16th, 2010 at 3:57 pm
Paula,
Yes, you are almost certainly related to my Grandmother (Winifred Dellbridge) who was born near Portsmouth (Hamble I believe). I well remember her telling us the story of the explorer (must be James) who was associated with Amundsen and Scott.
Carl
February 22nd, 2010 at 4:30 pm
Hi
My great grandmother was a Dellbridge. She was sister to James (Antarctic) Dellbridge. Her father was John Alfred but I haven’t worked out where Winifred fits in yet!
I’d love to get in touch with Paula.
Catherine
February 22nd, 2010 at 4:53 pm
Have just discovered that Winifred (born 1885) was the daughter of Robert John Dellbridge (born 1855) who was son of John Alfred.
So yes, Paula, we must be distant cousins!!
Catherine
March 1st, 2010 at 4:19 pm
My great grandfather was William Alfred Dellbridge a naval engineer who married Eliza Downing from the Scilly Isles in 1881 in Kingston Church in Portsmouth. Their children were Lilian Lesley, Olive Elaine and Leonard William, (my Grandfather),who was father of John Leonard, my father (born 1919 died 1976). According to the 1891 census Frederick, Selina(?), Ellen, William James, William A, Winifrid and another name I can’t read, Dellbridge lived in an adjoining house in Powerscort Road Portsmouth to John A, Margaret and James Dellbridge… William Alfred was born in Portsmouth, but it says Fredrick was born in Deptford. I am sure that Frederick and William were brothers. So we must be cousins somewhere on the family tree!
Paula
June 13th, 2010 at 4:59 am
HI,
I’m from Poland and looking for any info about Benedict de Verteuil (or de Verteil).
He is my grandfather. He was a prisoner catched by German in 1944 in Góra ( a small village in nord of Poland )and met there my grandmother.My mom was born in 1945.Benedict left Poland and lived in Fawkham (Kent)in UK and still wanted my grandmother to come there.
She didn’t agree becouse of the land she had :-).Finally, she married Polish in 1965.
My mother has only a story about her father ( he was catholics, makes beautifull sculptures in wood – everything was burned when the Russian came to Poland).When my mom was 12, she lost contact with Benedict de Verteuil.After years she wrote to Arolsen (International Tracing Service)and got an answer they had no info about him.
10 years ago my brother was in London and tried to find something about Benedict. The only info he got was that is classified document???????He was a spy he he?
Ok, I’m going to go to Fawkham this summer and ask people about him ( it is his last address we have).
My mother is 65 and I would like to give her some info about her father.I can’t imagine how hard is to live without father…
if you can help me, please, write:
ali80@wp.pl
Regards
Alina Kwitniewska
February 27th, 2012 at 12:49 pm
Does anyone know where “Cook” or “Cookie” is now? Any info. would be appreciated. Is he the one that Alina referred to as her grandfather? Frederic (1887-1973) married M.W. Dellbridge ~ children Charles, Yvonne, Leonie, Mary and Frederic (Cookie) ~ was “Cookie” named Frederic Benedict?
Thanks you,
Dianne de Verteuil-Bump
March 21st, 2012 at 2:40 pm
My Uncle Cook died a few years ago just days before his 90th birthday. My mother was Mary. The only child left alive is my Auntie Leonie who is into her 90’s.
April 16th, 2020 at 5:01 am
Dear All,
My uncle, John Goodhart, as engaged to and according to my family records was married to Leonie De Verteuil (b, Sept 9 1917); he was killed a few days after their marriage 0n Sept 29 1928 in a flying accident.
Leonie remarried Alan G Stevenson in 1947 and they had two children – Mary Helen and William (?) whom I played with as a child. They lived in Nettlebed, Oxfordshire but moved to Canada in the late 50s or early 60s.
I lost contact until Mary was sent to college in London and we met up in 1969. She was exceedingly beautiful!
I have discovered that Alan Stevenson died on the 5th November 1978 and is buried in Outremont, Canada.
Sadly I suspect that their mother Leonie may now have passed on but I would love to make contact with her children, so if anyone can help I would be really grateful.
April 16th, 2020 at 7:26 am
Oops – my uncle’s name John Mason!
May 29th, 2020 at 9:43 am
I am interested in Charles de Verteuil, author of such novels as The House of Bamboo (he lived/worked in the Northern Shan States), and an intelligence officer late 40s in Cyprus, involved in British intelligence efforts to stop Jewish emigration to Palestine. Wrote for the Islamic Review on Palestine.
Anything more known about his intelligence career and other books/novels?
July 26th, 2020 at 2:24 pm
Sussex Writer’s Book
A Sussex writer, Mr John Dellbridge of Piltdown is the author of “The Lady in the Wood,” a new detective story just published by Hurst and Blackett Ltd. (9s. 6d) The finding of a naked corpse in a West Sussex wood provides ample scope for the skill of Sir Rupert Hambledon, the detective who achieved a high reputation among many connoisseurs of detective fiction when Mr Dellbridge’s earlier novels appeared.
Mr Dellbridge’s previous books include ” One Chose France,” “Ladies In Waiting,” and two Hambledon novels. “Searchlight on Hambledon” and “Unfit to Plead.” “Searchlight on Hambledon” was a best seller.
“The Lady In the Wood” is of special interest to those who know their Sussex countryside and all the action of the book takes place in this county.
Sussex Express 8 Sept 1950
Death Registration FREDERICK J A DE VERTEUIL Age 77
Death quarter 1 Death year 1964
District Uckfield Volume 5H Page 642
As a resident of Piltdown I winder where he lived? Piltdown is in Uckfield RD
July 26th, 2020 at 2:49 pm
Thank you, Andrew!