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Nothing was too much trouble for former Midland Hotel head porter Frank Torrington. But he also ruled with a rod of iron when it came to who he would allow into his foyer – as Percy Bown, of Shelton Lock, affectionately recalls.

Frank of the Midland may no longer be with us but his trademark moustache and winning smile still warm people’s hearts. Frank Torrington was head porter at the Midland Hotel in Derby from the 1920s until 1953. He became synonymous with the place, known to all who stayed there – including stars like Gracie Field.

Frank Torrington

Percy Bown with his treasured autograph book

It was Frank who famously had to hold her to stop her tumbling out of a window when she leaned out to wave to her fans below.

And it was Frank who received countless thank-you letters from guests, who were grateful for his nothing-too-much trouble attitude.

Percy, 66, remembers him well. “In the early 1950s, I spent many hours in and around the railway station, collecting footballers’ and cricketers’ autographs. Most of the top teams stayed at the Midland.

“As young lads, we wanted to be as close as possible to the hotel to see what was going on but Frank, or Waxie as we affectionately called him, would not have a motley group of young lads making the entrance to his domain look untidy. The name Waxie was derived from his splendid moustache.

“A good-humoured sort of cat-and-mouse relationship developed and, in the main, we both achieved our respective goals. He ruled with a rod of iron and we showed him the respect that was typical back then.”

But there was a soft side to Frank, which he demonstrated one Christmas in the early 50s. Percy said: “I recall a near miracle occurring that has stayed in my mind ever since. At the time, football was played on Christmas Day and we heard that both Leeds United and Sheffield Wednesday were staying overnight at the hotel. In the Leeds ranks in those days was the truly legendary John Charles and Sheffield had a new goal-scoring sensation called Derek Dooley.

“Notwithstanding that it was Christmas, a few of us turned up early to collect the autographs we wanted. I recall that it was very cold and, to our amazement, Frank came across the road and invited us into the foyer of the hotel just before the teams were about to leave. We spent 15 to 20 minutes in the warmth of the hotel, getting our autograph books signed. Once the teams had left, Frank wished us all a merry Christmas but then the lines in the sand were redrawn and it was back to normal.

“I always think of the story of the English and German soldiers’ legendary truce on Christmas day to play football and sing carols. I still have the autograph book.

“I have stayed in many excellent hotels in many places and, though I pass the Midland from time to time, I have never since had the courage to pass the threshold again. Somehow, it would betray the unwritten agreement that we had with Waxie.”

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County:  Derbyshire

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