The REAL Thomas Martindale

The name I chose for the protagonist in my mystery series, Thomas Martindale, is somewhat odd and not terribly American sounding. It is a decidedly English surname and comes from my mother’s side of our family.

There was a real Thomas Martindale and he is my great, great grandfather. He had nothing to do with solving crimes, however, as he lived his life in Victorian England. His line of work had a close connection to the namesake for that era. He was a Corporal of Horse in the regiment that guarded Queen Victoria herself.

Sadly, I have not been able to find out very much about him. I know that he enlisted in the Queen’s service on August 21, 1838 as a private. He was born nineteen years earlier in Stanhope, County of Durham. He was promoted to corporal in 1851 and retired in 1862, after which he received the pension of two pounds per diem. He was a farmer when he entered the regiment and I do not know what he did when he left.

At six feet two inches, with hazel eyes and sandy hair, I presume he cut every bit the dashing figure as men in that regiment do today in their silver breast plates and plumed hats riding behind the Queen’s carriage.

The idea to name my lead character Thomas Martindale came from my late mother, who was very proud of her heritage as am I. She suggested I name my amateur detective after our illustrious ancestor to insure good luck. So far, her idea has worked very well for me and my mysteries.

—Ron Lovell