The Butler's Brief
My History by Rick Fink
From about the age of ten wanted to work as a Butler, always thought as a young boy it would be nice to work in among nice things, and to visit and live in such large mansions, to be surrounded all day with beautiful paintings, sculpture, ladies dressed in rich finery, diamond tiaras, wonderful jewellery and gentlemen dressed in white tie and tails, it was a wonderful image.
I joined the Royal Navy 1953 as a Assistant Steward excellent training, after training worked as a Valet, for a Rear Admiral Torlesse, learning more about the care of clothes, and serving the Admiral in his residence. Helped and served Prince Philip, soon after he had married Queen Elizabeth II
Helped at a breakfast at sea serving Mr Pandit Nehru Prime Minister, the first Prime Minister of independent India. Became a Petty Officer Steward and spent two years with the C in C Admiral Sir William Davis, looking after him serving at his Dinner Parties at sea. Some of the invited guests included King of Denmark, King of Norway, Queen of Holland and many other high society guests.
"Some of the invited guests included King of Denmark, King of Norway, Queen of Holland"
On leaving the Royal Navy employed as a traditional English Country house Butler to a Gentleman who was Master of Foxhounds & lived on a large Estate in the west of England, helping to arrange and organise grand weekend parties in the house.
After seven years moved on to another country house employed by a Merchant banker, and then moved on to be employed by the Honourable Charles Cecil and stayed with this gentleman living on his Estate for the next eleven years.
After leaving became a Freelance Butler-Valet , and have been employed in this capacity for the past twenty six years, I have taken care of and personally looked after and served Queen Elizabeth II , Princess Margaret, Prince Charles, The Princess Royal Princess Anne, the late Princess Diana other member of our own Royal Family, and many others from foreign Royal families.
I have also served many Presidents including Mr de Klerk President of South Africa, and Uganda President Museveni, President of France Giscard d'Estaing, President of Germany Mr Helmut Kohl, Mr Koffi Annan, United Nations, General Secretary, numerous Prime Ministers Douglas Hume, Tony Blair, Jim Callighan, John Major, Edward Heath,etc.
I then opened the Butlers school in 2002, and train students often on a one to one basis. Throughout the year, my main purpose was to try to lift standards and show new trainee Butlers how things should be done with a little more passion in their work. Spent sometime abroad teaching Interior crews on Mega yachts, also give lessons on Etiquette and Social skills wherever I am required to do so.