Yes a good Surname indeed,besides for Seaman wasn't there an Alan Quartermaine that was some adventurer!?
Must look that up!
Cheers
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king Solomon's mines doc?jp
Hi Louis, it is not all that common so I have with the help of an English Heritage lady. We came across from Normandy in 1066 'and all that'. The name was originally Quatremayne but over the centuries it lost it's final 'e' even became Caterman. The name is from quatre (four) and mains (hands) and it seems to have been from our battle prowess. My father used to say we were either good fighters or clever pickpockets.
It appears we were rewarded by land grants in Oxfordshire and whilst there is no apparent direct line to my family there is an interesting record on the Web of Richard Quartermaine of Rycote Manor in Thame. My grandfather moved to London from near Thame and over the last six generations (including my son) five are Richard. All our line previous to my father have lived in Oxfordshire in the villages near Thame.
Ryder Haggard used the name in his stories 'King Solomon's Mines' and 'Alan Quartermain' etc. It appears that he was a prolific writer and got TB about 1900 BC. He went to a farm owned by a quartermaine and was eventually cured. I remember going to the pictures to see King Solomon's Mines. As Stewart Granger I think it was bent down and entered an African kraal he stood up and said "My name is Quartermaine. Allan Quartermaine" - just about every button popped off my shirt!! My eldest brother is, if he is still on his perch, Allan Quartermaine. There are other times it has been used. 'General Hospital' and Quartermaine's Terms are a couple.
As for sail Louis, my father was on the SS Beltana before WWI, was in the British Cavalry Queens Royal 9th Lancers from 1914 to 1918 in Amiens, France and then on the SS Benalla working his way for 1/- a month as sick bay attendant to Australia. I would like to know more about that time.
Well there you go. Cheers, Richard
Took my brother into hospital yesterday for his op. Phoned this morning to see how he is, on fluids only for a day or so until the drains come out. I assume he means the drains in him and not the hospital ones. I had intended to take him a bunch of fresh grapes as they are in plentiful supply now, but as it is fluids only I guess he will have to do with a bottle of wine instead.
mr strange. how the hell did you know i was a secret member?.