Agatha Christie readers: any ideas about the reason for Hastings' OBE?

[Cunctator]

I’ve been re-reading some Christies recently and yesterday it was the turn of The ABC Murders. For the first time I noticed that the foreword is attributed to Captain Arthur Hastings, OBE.

He’s always seemed too dim to me to do anything deserving of such an honour. Any ideas as to why Christie felt able to make him an Officer of the Order of the British Empire? The Hastings’ cattle ranch was in Argentina. Perhaps for his contribution in improving UK/Argentina relations?

[Zabali_Clawbane]

Arthur Hastings was a Captain in the British Army during WW1.

[Cunctator]

@Zabali_Clawbane

Arthur Hastings was a Captain in the British Army during WW1.

It must have been more than that. OBEs weren’t handed out automatically to Army Captains in WWI.

[jjimm]

@Cunctator

It must have been more than that. OBEs weren’t handed out automatically to Army Captains in WWI.

My grandfather got an OBE for long service in the Navy - not a single incident, but for a distinguished record. Also, some honours get handed out for political and “good example” reasons.

[C_K_Dexter_Haven]

Anne Hart, in The Life and Times of Hercule Poirot notes that Hastings was wounded in WWI, early in 1916, from Mysterious Affair at Styles. Hastings doesn’t give us much information about himself. Hart says

Hastings had indeed displayed much courage in The Big Four and was suitably rewarded by a grateful England, for the next time we see his name officially listed it is as Captain Arthur Hastings, OBE in the play Black Coffee, his only adventure with Poirot that he himself did not narrate.

Since The Big Four was published in 1927, and Black Coffee in 1934, we can only assume that the title was awarded sometime in between. Hart’s assumption that it was in recognition of his services in The Big Four seems as reasonable as any.

[Cunctator]

@C K Dexter Haven

Anne Hart, in The Life and Times of Hercule Poirot notes that Hastings was wounded in WWI, early in 1916, from Mysterious Affair at Styles. Hastings doesn’t give us much information about himself. Hart says Since The Big Four was published in 1927, and Black Coffee in 1934, we can only assume that the title was awarded sometime in between. Hart’s assumption that it was in recognition of his services in The Big Four seems as reasonable as any.

Thanks, that’s very interesting. I thought that the first reference to Hastings’ OBE was the one in The ABC Murders.

[C_K_Dexter_Haven]

Not surprisinglyh, Cunctator. Black Coffee only appeared in play form. It was novelized by Charles Osborn in 1997 – he had actually played one the characters in a 1956 repertory company staging of the play. Hastings appears in the play; he appears in the novel but does not narrate it. Incidentally, I’ve there’s some date confsuion. Black Coffee was written in 1929 and first performed in 1930, but the publication date is 1934. I do not know whether the OBE appears in the play as performed, or is just in the published version (in cast of characters, for instance.)

Also, Hastings narrates and appears in Peril at End House (published 1932), but as far as I can see, no mention is made of the OBE. I haven’t scoured it thoroughly; I assume Hart did. ABC Murders is 1936.

PS - I have a 25c paperback of ABC Murders, I’m afraid it will fall apart if I open it!

[Cunctator]

@C K Dexter Haven

Also, Hastings narrates and appears in Peril at End House (published 1932), but as far as I can see, no mention is made of the OBE. I haven’t scoured it thoroughly; I assume Hart did. ABC Murders is 1936.

I went back and checked *Peril at End House * before I wrote the OP. I couldn’t see any reference to Hastings’ OBE.

@CK Dexter Haven

PS - I have a 25c paperback of ABC Murders, I’m afraid it will fall apart if I open it!

Mine is similarly ancient and has fallen apart.