Private Baldrick was from Londonderry

It may be remembered as one of the best BBC comedies of recent times, but it may come as a surprise to learn that Captain Blackadder, Captain Darling and Private Baldrick actually did fight in the First World War.
By The Newsroom
Published 25th Jun 2014, 12:05 BST
Rowan Atkinson as Captain Edmund Blackadder (left) with Tony Robinson as Private Baldrick, promoting the series of Blackadde set during the First World War. Photo: Martin KeeneRowan Atkinson as Captain Edmund Blackadder (left) with Tony Robinson as Private Baldrick, promoting the series of Blackadde set during the First World War. Photo: Martin Keene
Rowan Atkinson as Captain Edmund Blackadder (left) with Tony Robinson as Private Baldrick, promoting the series of Blackadde set during the First World War. Photo: Martin Keene

And research has revealed that Private James Baldrick was from Londonderry - although unlike his famously dense fictional counterpart, he could actually read and write.

Inspired by the comedy show Backadder Goes Forth, military genealogy experts have delved into the records and the results are published today on the website Forces War Records.

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The stories of Captain Robert John Blackadder, Private James Baldrick, Captain John Clive Darling and Lieutenant Athelstan Key Durance George are all detailed.

Sadly, there is no trace of a General Melchett from the 1914 conflict- although they have found one who fought in World War Two.

Dominic Hayhoe, CEO of Forces War Records explains: “We were uploading new information onto our database when we came across a Captain Blackadder. As fans of the television show, we wondered if we could find the military records of the other characters’ namesakes.

“So we challenged our team of professional researchers and military experts, who are all based in the UK so are familiar with the Blackadder series, to find them, which they did.

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According to the records they unearthed James Baldrick was born in 1892 to Mrs Martha Baldrick.

Little is known about his early life, although he is registered as living in Londonderry in 1901, aged nine.

The only one of his family who could read, Baldrick worked as a porter in Omagh, before enlisting in the Reserves.

At the outbreak of war he was called up for regular service. Attached to the British Expeditionary Force, Baldrick was sent almost immediately to action at the Battle of Le Cateau. Tragically, he was killed in action on 20th October 1914 aged 23. The date suggests that he was killed at the Battle of Messines and his name appears on the Ploegsteert Memorial in Belgium. He is also commemorated at the Diamond War Memorial in Londonderry.

On the first anniversary of Private Baldrick’s death, his uncle and aunt, Hugh and Maggie Baldrick, had a commemorative poem printed in the local Derry newspaper.

Related topics:BBC