Alfred H. Wood: Difference between revisions
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On 6 july 1906, he was present at Conan Doyle's [[Louisa Hawkins|first wife]] funerals. According to Georgina Doyle (''Out of the Shadow'', Calabash Press, 2004), Lena Jean Conan Doyle told that Wood's nephew told her that Alfred Wood felt it was easier to work as secretary under [[Louisa Hawkins|Louisa]]'s regime than under [[Jean Elizabeth Leckie|Jean]]'s. | On 6 july 1906, he was present at Conan Doyle's [[Louisa Hawkins|first wife]] funerals. According to Georgina Doyle (''Out of the Shadow'', Calabash Press, 2004), Lena Jean Conan Doyle told that Wood's nephew told her that Alfred Wood felt it was easier to work as secretary under [[Louisa Hawkins|Louisa]]'s regime than under [[Jean Elizabeth Leckie|Jean]]'s. | ||
On 20 october 1906, [[Arthur Conan Doyle]], [[Innes Doyle]], [[Fletcher Robinson]], Alfred Wood and his nephew Sholto Wood played | On 20 october 1906, [[Arthur Conan Doyle]], [[Innes Doyle]], [[Fletcher Robinson]], Alfred Wood and his nephew Sholto Wood played golf at Hindhead. | ||
On 15 august 1907, Conan Doyle and Wood played cricket for the Authors vs the Actors. Actors won. | On 15 august 1907, Conan Doyle and Wood played cricket for the Authors vs the Actors. Actors won. | ||
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On 17 september 1907, he was present for [[Arthur Conan Doyle]]'s wedding-eve dinner party at The Gaiety Restaurant. | On 17 september 1907, he was present for [[Arthur Conan Doyle]]'s wedding-eve dinner party at The Gaiety Restaurant. | ||
In 1916, during his visit to the war front, Conan Doyle met Wood in Beauquesne and Amiens. See Conan | In 1916, during his visit to the war front, Conan Doyle met Wood in Beauquesne and Amiens. See Conan Doyle's report in [[Memories_and_Adventures#XXVIII._EXPERIENCES_ON_THE_BRITISH_FRONT|Memories and Adventures]] | ||
From august 1920 to march 1921, he accompagnied [[Arthur Conan Doyle]] and his family for his Australian lecture tour. See Conan Doyle's report in [[The Wanderings of a Spiritualist]]. | From august 1920 to march 1921, he accompagnied [[Arthur Conan Doyle]] and his family for his Australian lecture tour. See Conan Doyle's report in [[The Wanderings of a Spiritualist]]. | ||
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In his will, [[Arthur Conan Doyle]] bequeathed to Wood £250 per year for life. | In his will, [[Arthur Conan Doyle]] bequeathed to Wood £250 per year for life. | ||
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{{#ev:youtube|UYsRtlvdXj0|777x583}} | {{#ev:youtube|UYsRtlvdXj0|777x583}} | ||
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File:1925ca-arthur-conan-doyle-and-major-wood.jpg|[[Arthur Conan Doyle]] and Major Alfred H. Wood (ca. 1925). | File:1925ca-arthur-conan-doyle-and-major-wood.jpg|[[Arthur Conan Doyle]] and Major Alfred H. Wood (ca. 1925). | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
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== Cricket matches with Conan Doyle == | |||
{| class="wikitable" | |||
!style="width:105px;"| Date !! Matches !! R !! W !! C !! Res !! Loc | |||
|- | |||
| 29.08.1884 || [[Hanover Rovers v. Borough of Portsmouth|Borough of Portsmouth v. Hanover Rovers]] <ref>Alfred H. Wood was in opponent team.</ref> || 2 || || || Won || Southampton | |||
|- | |||
| 28.08.1886 || [[Portsmouth C.C. v. United Service (Men's) Club]] || 22 || || || Draw || Portsmouth | |||
|- | |||
| 08.09.1886 || [[Portsmouth C.C. v. Sarisbury C.C.]] || 115 || 3 || 1 || Draw || Portsmouth | |||
|- | |||
| 14.09.1887 || [[Portsmouth v. United Services (article 17 September 1887)|Portsmouth v. United Services]] || 5 || || || Draw || Portsmouth | |||
|- | |||
| 26.06.1888 || [[Portsmouth C.C. v. Fareham]] || 0 || 5 || 1 || Won || Portsmouth | |||
|- | |||
| 09.08.1888 || [[Ye Olde Carawan v. South Hants Rovers|South Hants Rovers v. Ye Olde Carawan]] || 35 || 4 || 1 || Draw || Adhurst St Mary | |||
|- | |||
| 30.08.1888 || [[Portsmouth v. Southampton]] || 7 || 2 || 0 || Won || Portsmouth | |||
|- | |||
| 14-15.09.1888 || [[Hampshire Challenge Cup|Portsmouth v. Winchester C.C.]] || 16 || 3 || 1 || Lost || Southampton | |||
|- | |||
| 01.06.1889 || [[South Hampshire Rovers v. Royal Navy]] || 4 || 1 || 0 || Won || Portsmouth | |||
|- | |||
| 04.07.1889 || [[Portsmouth v. Southampton]] || 1 || 1 || 0 || Lost || Southampton | |||
|- | |||
| 27.07.1889 || [[Portsmouth Grammar School v. South Hampshire Rovers|South Hampshire Rovers v. Portsmouth Grammar School]] <ref>Alfred H. Wood was in opponent team.</ref> || 63 || 0 || 2 || Lost || Portsmouth | |||
|- | |||
| 28.06.1890 || [[Hampshire Rovers v. Portsmouth Grammar School]] <ref>Alfred H. Wood was in opponent team.</ref> || 24 || 2 || 1 || Lost || Portsmouth | |||
|- | |||
| 18-19.07.1890 || [[Green Jackets v. Hampshire Rovers|Hampshire Rovers v. Green Jackets]] || 0 || || || Draw || Winchester | |||
|- | |||
| 20-21.08.1890 || [[United Services v. Free Foresters]] || 33 || 1 || 0 || Lost || Portsmouth | |||
|- | |||
| 25-26.08.1890 || [[United Services v. M.C.C.]] || 16 || 5 || 0 || Draw || Portsmouth | |||
|- | |||
| 28-29.08.1890 || [[Hants County XI v. Nineteen Young Players]] || 9 || 4 || 1 || Won || Winchester | |||
|- | |||
| 15.09.1890 || [[Hants County Challenge Cup - Final tie|Portsmouth v. Winchester]] || 13 || 1 || 2 || Lost || Southampton | |||
|- | |||
| 20-21.05.1892 || [[Hampshire Rovers v. United Services]] || 59 || 3 || 1 || Won || Portsmouth | |||
|- | |||
| 06.09.1892 || [[Norwood v. The Idlers]] || 8 || 0 || 1 || Draw || South Norwood | |||
|- | |||
| ??.06.1896 || [[Hampshire Rovers v. Army Medical Staff (Netley)]] || 4 || 3 || 1 || Won || Netley Hospital | |||
|- | |||
| 10-11.08.1896 || [[Littlehampton v. Hampshire Rovers|Hampshire Rovers v. Littlehampton]] || 32 || 3 || 0 || Lost || Littlehampton | |||
|- | |||
| 20-21.08.1896 || [[Hampshire Rovers v. Kensington C.C.]] || 100 || || || Draw || Portsmouth | |||
|- | |||
| 24-25.08.1896 || [[Hampshire Rovers v. Old Malvernians]] || 12 || || || Draw || Portsmouth | |||
|- | |||
| 09-10.08.1897 || [[Littlehampton v. Hampshire Rovers (article 14 august 1897)|Hampshire Rovers v. Littlehampton]] || 6 || 7 || 1 || Lost || Littlehampton | |||
|- | |||
| 22-23.07.1898 || [[Hampshire Rovers v. United Services]] || 45 || 7 || 1 || Draw || Portsmouth | |||
|- | |||
| 01.08.1898 || [[Undershaw v. Haslemere]] || 12 || || || Won || Haslemere | |||
|- | |||
| 03.08.1898 || [[Undershaw v. Mr. Turle's Eleven]] || 12 || || || Won || Churt | |||
|- | |||
| 04.08.1898 || [[Undershaw v. Churt]] || 28 || || || Won || Churt | |||
|- | |||
| 05.08.1898 || [[Undershaw v. Captain Clerk's Eleven]] || 65 || || || Won || Churt | |||
|- | |||
| 21-22.07.1899 || [[Hampshire Rovers v. United Services]] || 57 || 7 || 1 || Won || Portsmouth | |||
|- | |||
| 23-24.08.1899 || [[Incogniti v. Hampshire Rovers]] <ref>Alfred H. Wood was in opponent team.</ref> || 29 || 1 || 0 || Draw || Portsmouth | |||
|- | |||
| 03-04.06.1901 || [[Sherborne School v. Incogniti (article 8 june 1901)|Incogniti v. Sherborne School]] || 57 || 3 || 0 || Draw || Sherborne | |||
|- | |||
| 05-06.06.1901 || [[Lansdown v. Incogniti|Incogniti v. Lansdown]] || 45 || 5 || 0 || Draw || Bath | |||
|- | |||
| 07-08.06.1901 || [[Cheltenham College v. Incogniti (article 10 june 1901)|Incogniti v. Cheltenham College]] || 43 || 5 || 0 || Draw || Cheltenham | |||
|- | |||
| 19-20.07.1901 || [[Hampshire Rovers v. United Services]] || 106 || 0 || 4 || Draw || Portsmouth | |||
|- | |||
| 02.08.1901 || [[Eashing v. Dr. Conan Doyle's XI|Dr. Conan Doyle's XI v. Eashing]] || 65 || 2 || 0 || Lost || Eashing | |||
|- | |||
| 02.08.1902 || [[Undershaw v. Eashing]] || 49 || 3 || 4 || Won || Lynchmere | |||
|- | |||
| 04.08.1902 || [[Undershaw v. Haslemere]] || 8 || 1 || 1 || Won || Haslemere | |||
|- | |||
| 05.08.1902 || [[Undershaw v. Frensham Hill]] || 32 || 0 || 0 || Won || Frensham Hill | |||
|- | |||
| 07.08.1902 || [[Undershaw v. Broadwater]] || 53 || 0 || 0 || Won || Godalming | |||
|- | |||
| 08.08.1902 || [[Undershaw v. Lynchmere]] || 10 || 7 || 0 || Won || Lynchmere | |||
|- | |||
| 06.08.1903 || [[Broadwater v. Sir A. Conan Doyle's XI|Sir A. Conan Doyle's XI v. Broadwater]] || 0 || 0 || 0 || Won || Broadwater | |||
|- | |||
| 07.08.1903 || [[Eashing v. Sir A. Conan Doyle's XII|Sir A. Conan Doyle's XII v. Eashing]] || 3 || 0 || 0 || Lost || Eashing | |||
|- | |||
| 21.06.1904 || [[Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Cricket Tour: Hawick and Wilton|M.C.C. v. Hawick and Wilton]] || 54 || 0 || 1 || Won || Hawick | |||
|- | |||
| 22.06.1904 || [[Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Cricket Tour: Galashiels|M.C.C. v. Gala]] || 58 || 0 || 1 || Won || Galashiels | |||
|- | |||
| 23.06.1904 || [[Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Cricket Tour: Selkirk|M.C.C. v. Selkirk]] || 0 || 0 || 2 || Won || Philiphaugh | |||
|- | |||
| 24-25.06.1904 || [[M.C.C. v. South of Scotland]] || 56 || 0 || 1 || Won || Galashiels | |||
|- | |||
| 30.07.1904 || [[Cricket at Broadwater (Broadwater v. Army Service Corps)|Broadwater v. Army Service Corps]] || 40 || || || Draw || Broadwater | |||
|- | |||
| 19.05.1905 || [[Authors v. Artists]] || 116 || 0 || 0 || Won || Esher | |||
|- | |||
| 26-27.05.1905 || [[Hants Rovers v. United Services]] || 34 || 0 || 0 || Draw || Portsmouth | |||
|- | |||
| 13.07.1905 || [[Incogniti v. Lythe Hill (article 15 july 1905)|Lythe Hill v. Incogniti]] || 63 || 0 || 1 || Lost || Haslemere | |||
|- | |||
| 21-22.07.1905 || [[Hampshire Rovers v. United Services]] || 62 || 6 || 1 || Draw || Portsmouth | |||
|- | |||
| 31.07.1905 || [[Undershaw v. Haslemere]] || 135 || 6 || 1 || Won || Haslemere | |||
|- | |||
| 01.08.1905 || [[Undershaw v. Broadwater]] || 4 || 2 || 2 || Won || Broadwater | |||
|- | |||
| 02-03.08.1905 || [[Undershaw v. Frensham Hill]] || 0 || 0 || 2 || Draw || Frensham Hill | |||
|- | |||
| 04-05.08.1905 || [[Undershaw v. Lythe Hill]] || 51 || 0 || 0 || Won || Lythe Hill | |||
|- | |||
| 26.05.1906 || [[R.M.C. (Sandhurst) v. M.C.C. and Ground|M.C.C. v. R.M.C. (Sandhurst)]] || 24 || 0 || 0 || Won || Camberley | |||
|- | |||
| 16.06.1906 || [[A.S.C. v. Broadwater|Broadwater v. Army Service Corps]] || 17 || 0 || 3 || Draw || Broadwater | |||
|- | |||
| 24-25.05.1907 || [[Hampshire Rovers v. United Services]] || 12 || 0 || 1 || Draw || Portsmouth | |||
|- | |||
| 15.06.1907 || [[M.C.C. v. Charterhouse School]] || 0 || 0 || 0 || Draw || Godalming | |||
|- | |||
| 19.06.1907 || [[M.C.C. v. Egypt and the Soudan]] || 14 || 0 || 1 || Won || St John's Wood | |||
|- | |||
| 20.06.1907 || [[Aldenham School v. M.C.C.|M.C.C. v. Aldenham School]] || 0 || 5 || 0 || Lost || Elstree | |||
|- | |||
| 29-30.07.1907 || [[M.C.C. v. Royal Navy]] || 19 || 0 || 0 || Draw || St John's Wood | |||
|- | |||
| 15.08.1907 || [[Authors v. Actors]] || 0 || 0 || 0 || Lost || St John's Wood | |||
|- | |||
| 01.06.1908 || [[Lewes Priory v. Blue Mantles|Blue Mantles v. Lewes Priory]] || 11 || 4 || 0 || Lost || Lewes | |||
|- | |||
| 05.06.1908 || [[Tunbridge Wells v. Fulham]] || 1 || 0 || 0 || Draw || Tunbridge Wells | |||
|- | |||
| 30.06.1908 || [[Blue Mantles v. Mr. F. H. Gresson's XI]] || 21 || 0 || 0 || Draw || Crowborough | |||
|- | |||
| 09.07.1908 || [[M.C.C. v. Egypt and The Soudan (MCC 1908)|M.C.C. v. Egypt and The Soudan]] || 26 || 0 || 0 || Lost || St John's Wood | |||
|- | |||
| 15.07.1908 || [[M.C.C. v. The Mote (MCC 1908)|M.C.C. v. The Mote]] || 2 || 2 || 2 || Lost || Yalding | |||
|- | |||
| 16.07.1908 || [[Authors v. Actors]] || 0 || 0 || 0 || Draw || St John's Wood | |||
|- | |||
| 28.07.1908 || [[Blue Mantles v. Upper Tooting]] || 18 || 0 || 1 || Draw || Tunbridge Wells | |||
|- | |||
| 14-15.08.1908 || [[Blue Mantles v. Mr. J. F. Hope's XI]] || 1 || 0 || 0 || Lost || Tunbridge Wells | |||
|- | |||
| 27.05.1911 || [[Sussex Martlets v. Lewes Priory]] || 6 || 0 || 3 || Draw || Lewes | |||
|- | |||
| 03.06.1911 || [[Sussex Martlets v. Eastbourne College]] || 12 || 0 || 0 || Draw || Eastbourne | |||
|- | |||
| 08.06.1911 || [[Sussex Martlets v. Mr. F. H. Gresson's XI]] || 13 || 0 || 1 || Lost || Crowborough | |||
|- | |||
| 10.06.1911 || [[Sussex Martlets v. Westminster School]] || 50 || 2 || 1 || Draw || Westminster | |||
|- | |||
| 25.05.1912 || [[Sussex Martlets v. Lewes Priory]] || 4 || 0 || 0 || Won || Lewes | |||
|} | |||
== Performers == | == Performers == | ||
<gallery mode="packed" heights="200px"> | <gallery mode="packed" heights="200px"> | ||
File:Henri-virlojeux-1960.jpg|[[Henri Virlojeux]] | File:Henri-virlojeux-1960.jpg|[[Henri Virlojeux]] as Alfred H. Wood in radio show [[Sir Arthur mène l'enquête (radio 1959)|Sir Arthur mène l'enquête]] (1966) | ||
File:1966-conan-doyle-und-der-fall-edalji-wood.jpg|[[Alfons Höckmann]] as Alfred H. Wood in movie [[Conan Doyle und der Fall Edalji]] (1966) | File:1966-conan-doyle-und-der-fall-edalji-wood.jpg|[[Alfons Höckmann]] as Alfred H. Wood in movie [[Conan Doyle und der Fall Edalji]] (1966) | ||
File:silhouette-man.jpg|[[Graham Armitage]] | File:silhouette-man.jpg|[[Graham Armitage]] as Alfred Wood in radio show [[Conan Doyle Investigates (radio 1972)|Conan Doyle Investigates]] (1972) | ||
File:1972-the-edwardians-conan-doyle-s01e04-wood.jpg|[[John Nettleton]] as Alfred H. Wood in TV episode [[Conan Doyle (The Edwardians S01E04)|Conan Doyle]] (1972) | File:1972-the-edwardians-conan-doyle-s01e04-wood.jpg|[[John Nettleton]] as Alfred H. Wood in TV episode [[Conan Doyle (The Edwardians S01E04)|Conan Doyle]] (1972) | ||
File:1985-the-stamp-of-greatness-s01e01-wood.jpg|Alfred H. Wood in documentary [[Sir Arthur Conan Doyle: The man who was Sherlock Holmes]] (1985) | File:1985-the-stamp-of-greatness-s01e01-wood.jpg|Alfred H. Wood in documentary [[Sir Arthur Conan Doyle: The man who was Sherlock Holmes]] (1985) | ||
File:silhouette-man.jpg|[[John Church]] | File:silhouette-man.jpg|[[John Church]] as Major Wood in radio show [[Conan Doyle and The Edalji Case (radio 1987)|Conan Doyle and The Edalji Case]] (1987) | ||
File:2015-arthur-and-george-wood.jpg|[[Charles Edwards]] as Alfred H. Wood in TV mini-series [[Arthur & George]] (2015) | File:2015-arthur-and-george-wood.jpg|[[Charles Edwards]] as Alfred H. Wood in TV mini-series [[Arthur & George]] (2015) | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> |
Latest revision as of 19:36, 19 August 2023
Major Alfred Herbert Wood aka "Woodie" (23 april 1866 - 19 april 1941) was a school master who became friend, private secretary and business manager to Arthur Conan Doyle from 1897 to 1930.
Biography
Alfred H. Wood was born in Portsmouth (Hampshire, England) on 23 april 1866. Member of an old Portsmouth family, he was educated at the Portsmouth Grammar School and in his last year there, had the unusual experience of being Hon. Secretary the Church Congress which met at Portsmouth. Winning an open scholarship to Brasenose College, Oxford, he took his M.A. [1] degree, and returned to Portsmouth as a master at the Grammar School.
Alfred Wood was initiated to the Phoenix Lodge of Freemasons (No. 257) in 1895 and became W.M. in 1904. At the time of his death he was Treasurer. He was also P.P.J.G.D. [2] in the Provincial Grand Chapter of Hants and Isle of Wight, and was a member of the Authors' Club Lodge (No. 3456). In Royal Arch Masonry was P.Z. [3] of Friendship Chapter (No. 257) and P.P.G.S.N. [4] in the Provincial Grand Chapter. He was also interested in the Phoenix Mark Lodge (No. 2).
For many years Alfred Wood was a member of the Royal Albert Yacht Club, latterly acting as Hon. Secretary. He was keenly interested in the work of the Victoria Nursing Association, being Chairman of the Finance Committee of the Portsmouth branch.
He had played cricket for Hampshire and also on occasions for the Hampshire Hogs and Hampshire Rovers, and was a member of the M.C.C. (Marylebone Cricket Club). He was formerly for 15 years President of Portsmouth Football Association. Arthur Conan Doyle played in both teams as well.
In may 1905, he joined the Hindhead Golf Club, and was elected to the committee. In 1906, he was elected Honorary Treasurer.
Throughout the Great War he served in France in the 5th Royal Sussex Territorials, where he was Town Major of Beauquesne. He also served in Italy in 1918.
Major Wood died at 75 in Southsea, Hampshire, England on saturday 19 april 1941. He was bachelor. He is buried at Highland Road Cemetery.
Wood and Conan Doyle
Between 1882 an 1890, he met Arthur Conan Doyle in Southsea when Conan Doyle was practising medicine and they became close friends.
On 6-7 september 1892, he played cricket with Conan Doyle (as captain) in the cricket team The Idlers versus Norwood. Match Drawn.
In 1897, Alfred Wood became private secretary of Arthur Conan Doyle.
In may 1905, he joined the Hindhead Golf Club, where Conan Doyle was also member.
On 6 july 1906, he was present at Conan Doyle's first wife funerals. According to Georgina Doyle (Out of the Shadow, Calabash Press, 2004), Lena Jean Conan Doyle told that Wood's nephew told her that Alfred Wood felt it was easier to work as secretary under Louisa's regime than under Jean's.
On 20 october 1906, Arthur Conan Doyle, Innes Doyle, Fletcher Robinson, Alfred Wood and his nephew Sholto Wood played golf at Hindhead.
On 15 august 1907, Conan Doyle and Wood played cricket for the Authors vs the Actors. Actors won.
On 17 september 1907, he was present for Arthur Conan Doyle's wedding-eve dinner party at The Gaiety Restaurant.
In 1916, during his visit to the war front, Conan Doyle met Wood in Beauquesne and Amiens. See Conan Doyle's report in Memories and Adventures
From august 1920 to march 1921, he accompagnied Arthur Conan Doyle and his family for his Australian lecture tour. See Conan Doyle's report in The Wanderings of a Spiritualist.
In march 1925, he took entries for the billiards competition at Windlesham.
Wood was often writing letters dictated by Conan Doyle (examples from 1904 to 1928) :
- Letter to Mr Robson about a dinner to Balfour (1904)
- Letter to Mr. Stapleton (9 july 1905) (1905)
- Letter to Arthur Schütz (1906)
- Letter to decline invitation (1906)
- Letter about a contribution to the Edalji Fund (1907)
- Letter about Grete Beyer's trial (1908)
- Letter about joining a Local Committee (1910)
- Letter about a goblin photo (1924)
- Letter to Ernst Brundenberger ; Letter about prohibition ; Letter about a rendezvous in town (1925)
- Letter to Mr Carleson declining invitation to Stockholm ; Another letter ; Letter to Harry Price (1926)
- Letter to Harry Price ; Letter to Dr. Johanna W. de Stoppelaar (1927)
- Letter refusing invitation because of doctor's orders (1928)
In his will, Arthur Conan Doyle bequeathed to Wood £250 per year for life.
Video
The 1st footage from the Conan Doyle 16 minutes home movie (Richard Lancelyn Green collection) shows Alfred H. Wood with a chauffeur and another man.
Photos
-
Alfred H. Wood coaching Arthur Conan Doyle'son Kingsley at ACD shooting range at Hindhead (april or may 1906).
-
Arthur Conan Doyle, his children and Alfred H. Wood (right) in Colombo, Ceylan, Sri Lanka (september 1920).
-
Arthur Conan Doyle with children, nurse Mary Jakeman and secretary Alfred H. Wood (left) in Mumbai, India (september 1920).
-
"The Wanderers" in Australia. From left to right: Major Alfred H. Wood, Adrian, Lady Jean Conan Doyle, Lena Jean, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Denis and Mary Jakeman. (1920-1921)
-
Arthur Conan Doyle and Major Alfred H. Wood (ca. 1925).
Major Wood, a model of Dr. Watson ?
Arthur Conan Doyle never stated that his friend Alfred H. Wood was a model for Dr. Watson. But his son Adrian in a private letter to Pierre Nordon suggested the idea:
« ... My father never disclosed the model for Watson. It is my own opinion that he used Wood and I think that we have a stronger case than any other to support that supposition. Major Wood was, in common with Watson, a very clear-cut type. He was a thickset moustached Englishman, intelligent without being brilliant, reliable and a keen sportsman. Bearing in mind my father's power of character drawing coupled with my own knowledge of Major Wood, I have no doubt whatever that Wood was the matrix from which Watson was hewn. Wood was a friend of my father's in Southsea when he was first writing the original Holmes book. When my father moved to Norwood, Wood was a frequent visitor, and, about 1897, became his secretary. He was working daily with my father at the time of the Edalji, Slater cases, etc., and, as I can confirm from personal knowledge, over a period of years, he was as much a foil to my father as Watson was to Holmes. » (Adrian Conan Doyle, 15 february 1957)
Also, the description of Watson : « He was a middle-sized, strongly built man — square jaw, thick neck, moustache... » (CHAS 433, april 1904) is a striking resemblance with Alfred Wood.
Note that Alfred H. Wood had a nephew named Sholto Wood. Bartholomew and Thaddeus Sholto were the twin sons of Major John Sholto in Arthur Conan Doyle's novel: The Sign of Four (1888).
Cricket matches with Conan Doyle
Date | Matches | R | W | C | Res | Loc |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
29.08.1884 | Borough of Portsmouth v. Hanover Rovers [5] | 2 | Won | Southampton | ||
28.08.1886 | Portsmouth C.C. v. United Service (Men's) Club | 22 | Draw | Portsmouth | ||
08.09.1886 | Portsmouth C.C. v. Sarisbury C.C. | 115 | 3 | 1 | Draw | Portsmouth |
14.09.1887 | Portsmouth v. United Services | 5 | Draw | Portsmouth | ||
26.06.1888 | Portsmouth C.C. v. Fareham | 0 | 5 | 1 | Won | Portsmouth |
09.08.1888 | South Hants Rovers v. Ye Olde Carawan | 35 | 4 | 1 | Draw | Adhurst St Mary |
30.08.1888 | Portsmouth v. Southampton | 7 | 2 | 0 | Won | Portsmouth |
14-15.09.1888 | Portsmouth v. Winchester C.C. | 16 | 3 | 1 | Lost | Southampton |
01.06.1889 | South Hampshire Rovers v. Royal Navy | 4 | 1 | 0 | Won | Portsmouth |
04.07.1889 | Portsmouth v. Southampton | 1 | 1 | 0 | Lost | Southampton |
27.07.1889 | South Hampshire Rovers v. Portsmouth Grammar School [6] | 63 | 0 | 2 | Lost | Portsmouth |
28.06.1890 | Hampshire Rovers v. Portsmouth Grammar School [7] | 24 | 2 | 1 | Lost | Portsmouth |
18-19.07.1890 | Hampshire Rovers v. Green Jackets | 0 | Draw | Winchester | ||
20-21.08.1890 | United Services v. Free Foresters | 33 | 1 | 0 | Lost | Portsmouth |
25-26.08.1890 | United Services v. M.C.C. | 16 | 5 | 0 | Draw | Portsmouth |
28-29.08.1890 | Hants County XI v. Nineteen Young Players | 9 | 4 | 1 | Won | Winchester |
15.09.1890 | Portsmouth v. Winchester | 13 | 1 | 2 | Lost | Southampton |
20-21.05.1892 | Hampshire Rovers v. United Services | 59 | 3 | 1 | Won | Portsmouth |
06.09.1892 | Norwood v. The Idlers | 8 | 0 | 1 | Draw | South Norwood |
??.06.1896 | Hampshire Rovers v. Army Medical Staff (Netley) | 4 | 3 | 1 | Won | Netley Hospital |
10-11.08.1896 | Hampshire Rovers v. Littlehampton | 32 | 3 | 0 | Lost | Littlehampton |
20-21.08.1896 | Hampshire Rovers v. Kensington C.C. | 100 | Draw | Portsmouth | ||
24-25.08.1896 | Hampshire Rovers v. Old Malvernians | 12 | Draw | Portsmouth | ||
09-10.08.1897 | Hampshire Rovers v. Littlehampton | 6 | 7 | 1 | Lost | Littlehampton |
22-23.07.1898 | Hampshire Rovers v. United Services | 45 | 7 | 1 | Draw | Portsmouth |
01.08.1898 | Undershaw v. Haslemere | 12 | Won | Haslemere | ||
03.08.1898 | Undershaw v. Mr. Turle's Eleven | 12 | Won | Churt | ||
04.08.1898 | Undershaw v. Churt | 28 | Won | Churt | ||
05.08.1898 | Undershaw v. Captain Clerk's Eleven | 65 | Won | Churt | ||
21-22.07.1899 | Hampshire Rovers v. United Services | 57 | 7 | 1 | Won | Portsmouth |
23-24.08.1899 | Incogniti v. Hampshire Rovers [8] | 29 | 1 | 0 | Draw | Portsmouth |
03-04.06.1901 | Incogniti v. Sherborne School | 57 | 3 | 0 | Draw | Sherborne |
05-06.06.1901 | Incogniti v. Lansdown | 45 | 5 | 0 | Draw | Bath |
07-08.06.1901 | Incogniti v. Cheltenham College | 43 | 5 | 0 | Draw | Cheltenham |
19-20.07.1901 | Hampshire Rovers v. United Services | 106 | 0 | 4 | Draw | Portsmouth |
02.08.1901 | Dr. Conan Doyle's XI v. Eashing | 65 | 2 | 0 | Lost | Eashing |
02.08.1902 | Undershaw v. Eashing | 49 | 3 | 4 | Won | Lynchmere |
04.08.1902 | Undershaw v. Haslemere | 8 | 1 | 1 | Won | Haslemere |
05.08.1902 | Undershaw v. Frensham Hill | 32 | 0 | 0 | Won | Frensham Hill |
07.08.1902 | Undershaw v. Broadwater | 53 | 0 | 0 | Won | Godalming |
08.08.1902 | Undershaw v. Lynchmere | 10 | 7 | 0 | Won | Lynchmere |
06.08.1903 | Sir A. Conan Doyle's XI v. Broadwater | 0 | 0 | 0 | Won | Broadwater |
07.08.1903 | Sir A. Conan Doyle's XII v. Eashing | 3 | 0 | 0 | Lost | Eashing |
21.06.1904 | M.C.C. v. Hawick and Wilton | 54 | 0 | 1 | Won | Hawick |
22.06.1904 | M.C.C. v. Gala | 58 | 0 | 1 | Won | Galashiels |
23.06.1904 | M.C.C. v. Selkirk | 0 | 0 | 2 | Won | Philiphaugh |
24-25.06.1904 | M.C.C. v. South of Scotland | 56 | 0 | 1 | Won | Galashiels |
30.07.1904 | Broadwater v. Army Service Corps | 40 | Draw | Broadwater | ||
19.05.1905 | Authors v. Artists | 116 | 0 | 0 | Won | Esher |
26-27.05.1905 | Hants Rovers v. United Services | 34 | 0 | 0 | Draw | Portsmouth |
13.07.1905 | Lythe Hill v. Incogniti | 63 | 0 | 1 | Lost | Haslemere |
21-22.07.1905 | Hampshire Rovers v. United Services | 62 | 6 | 1 | Draw | Portsmouth |
31.07.1905 | Undershaw v. Haslemere | 135 | 6 | 1 | Won | Haslemere |
01.08.1905 | Undershaw v. Broadwater | 4 | 2 | 2 | Won | Broadwater |
02-03.08.1905 | Undershaw v. Frensham Hill | 0 | 0 | 2 | Draw | Frensham Hill |
04-05.08.1905 | Undershaw v. Lythe Hill | 51 | 0 | 0 | Won | Lythe Hill |
26.05.1906 | M.C.C. v. R.M.C. (Sandhurst) | 24 | 0 | 0 | Won | Camberley |
16.06.1906 | Broadwater v. Army Service Corps | 17 | 0 | 3 | Draw | Broadwater |
24-25.05.1907 | Hampshire Rovers v. United Services | 12 | 0 | 1 | Draw | Portsmouth |
15.06.1907 | M.C.C. v. Charterhouse School | 0 | 0 | 0 | Draw | Godalming |
19.06.1907 | M.C.C. v. Egypt and the Soudan | 14 | 0 | 1 | Won | St John's Wood |
20.06.1907 | M.C.C. v. Aldenham School | 0 | 5 | 0 | Lost | Elstree |
29-30.07.1907 | M.C.C. v. Royal Navy | 19 | 0 | 0 | Draw | St John's Wood |
15.08.1907 | Authors v. Actors | 0 | 0 | 0 | Lost | St John's Wood |
01.06.1908 | Blue Mantles v. Lewes Priory | 11 | 4 | 0 | Lost | Lewes |
05.06.1908 | Tunbridge Wells v. Fulham | 1 | 0 | 0 | Draw | Tunbridge Wells |
30.06.1908 | Blue Mantles v. Mr. F. H. Gresson's XI | 21 | 0 | 0 | Draw | Crowborough |
09.07.1908 | M.C.C. v. Egypt and The Soudan | 26 | 0 | 0 | Lost | St John's Wood |
15.07.1908 | M.C.C. v. The Mote | 2 | 2 | 2 | Lost | Yalding |
16.07.1908 | Authors v. Actors | 0 | 0 | 0 | Draw | St John's Wood |
28.07.1908 | Blue Mantles v. Upper Tooting | 18 | 0 | 1 | Draw | Tunbridge Wells |
14-15.08.1908 | Blue Mantles v. Mr. J. F. Hope's XI | 1 | 0 | 0 | Lost | Tunbridge Wells |
27.05.1911 | Sussex Martlets v. Lewes Priory | 6 | 0 | 3 | Draw | Lewes |
03.06.1911 | Sussex Martlets v. Eastbourne College | 12 | 0 | 0 | Draw | Eastbourne |
08.06.1911 | Sussex Martlets v. Mr. F. H. Gresson's XI | 13 | 0 | 1 | Lost | Crowborough |
10.06.1911 | Sussex Martlets v. Westminster School | 50 | 2 | 1 | Draw | Westminster |
25.05.1912 | Sussex Martlets v. Lewes Priory | 4 | 0 | 0 | Won | Lewes |
Performers
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Henri Virlojeux as Alfred H. Wood in radio show Sir Arthur mène l'enquête (1966)
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Alfons Höckmann as Alfred H. Wood in movie Conan Doyle und der Fall Edalji (1966)
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Graham Armitage as Alfred Wood in radio show Conan Doyle Investigates (1972)
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John Nettleton as Alfred H. Wood in TV episode Conan Doyle (1972)
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Alfred H. Wood in documentary Sir Arthur Conan Doyle: The man who was Sherlock Holmes (1985)
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John Church as Major Wood in radio show Conan Doyle and The Edalji Case (1987)
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Charles Edwards as Alfred H. Wood in TV mini-series Arthur & George (2015)