Who was Fatty based on?

[Belly]

I think Enid said he was based on 'a boy I knew' so I imagine this must have been someone she knew reasonably well rather than a neighbour's son or playmate of her girls etc? Although equally I imagine it could be. I imagine she knew 'Inspector Jenks' only as an aquaintance but not sure?

Does anyone have any ideas? Could it have been one of her brothers for example?
What were they like as children? As Fatty was such a bright, imaginative character I can imagine he just might have had Blyton blood in his veins.

It appears to have been relatively rare that Enid conciously based a character on anyone so wondered if anyone had any ideas?

[Anita Bensoussane]

I've always wondered whether Fatty might have been inspired by a pupil of Enid's, from her days as a teacher?

In her autobiography, The Story of My Life, Enid Blyton says that she based Inspector Jenks on a real Inspector who advised her on police procedure as she wrote her Find-Outers books. She adds: "He has each Mystery book as it comes out, and he reads them all, and enjoys them." Blyton doesn't name him but provides a photograph of him in which he looks round-faced and jovial. Barbara Stoney informs us in her biography of Enid Blyton that his name was Stephen Jennings, though in a Journal article Imogen Smallwood calls him Stephen Jenkins.

Anita

[Belly]

Yes, that's an interesting idea? Weren't there a few brothers she taught at one point?

[Anita Bensoussane]

Yes, the four Thompson brothers in Surrey, plus a few other children who lived in the neighbourhood. Before that she taught at a boys' school in Kent for a year, after completing her teacher-training in Ipswich.

Anita

[Viking Star]

Enid once said that Fatty was 'based on a plump ingenious boy I once knew'.

Enid's sister Imogen has suggested that Enid may also have based part of Fatty's character on herself (eg. the independent side).

This information (and a lot more) is in the Spring 2007 edition of the Enid Blyton Society Journal, in the first part of David Cook's Five Find-outers articles. David's background knowledge of the Five Find-Outers is fascinating - for example it was he who first realised that Peterswood was based on Bourne End.

I'm not sure why, but I imagined you were a member of the Society - and therefore would have had said article.

[Belly]

Yes, I am a member of the society and only now reading my journals! (due to a very busy period in the last couple of years). I don't remember that article, I'll have to hunt it out. Thanks.

[Viv of Ginger Pop]

Yes, I am a member of the society .

and came to the Society Day a couple of years ago

What has taken you to Singapore? Our members do get around!

Viv

[Tony Summerfield]

Yes, I am a member of the society and only now reading my journals!

Seems like a good place to remind you that your subscription ran out with Journal 34, so if you want 35 (which I am just starting to work on) you will need to renew. From one of your other posts it looks as if you might now be living in Singapore, so if that is the case you may need an overseas subscription!

You were actually also at the Enid Blyton Day last year as I remember meeting you.

[Belly]

Hello Tony & Viv

I am here as a 'trailing spouse' as we are affectionately known (came because of husband's job).

Yes, sorry Tony I meant to renew but hadn't got around to it (we've had a house move and relocation in the last 6 months). I wil email you to get details for overseas subscription and send cheque etc off. Thank you for the last couple of journals which I am now reading, very good and well put together.

If anyone is in this neck of the woods let me know, love to meet for coffee etc

[Bannerman65]

Billy Bunter, springs to my mind.

[Rob Houghton]

No doubt Duncan McClaren could tell us who Fatty was based on

[Bannerman65]

Sorry. I've never heard of Duncan McClaren.

[Moonraker]

Sorry. I've never heard of Duncan McClaren.

That's the greatest line I've read in a long time!

Probably, knowing Duncan, Fatty was based on a giant foetus....

[Ming]

I've not heard of Duncan McClaren either - who's he?

[Viking Star]

Behave children!!