Post-WWI, there'd be a serious dearth of men in service, because of conscription. Basically, every able-bodies boy or man went to war, and they were slaughtered by the tens of thousands. A lot of women left service to serve in teh Women's Land Army, replacing farm workers who went to France. A lot of housemaids took over footmen's duties, and there was a lot of downsizing of staff.
According to The Duties Of Servants from 1894:
A valet's duties were to care for his master's wardrobe--brush his clothes, clean his sheos and boots, to carry up the water for his master's bath, to put out his things for dressing, shave him, assist him in dressing, to pack and unpack his clotehs when travelling, put out his things for dinner, and carry up hot water for his dressing room. In country sports, he would often load for his master, stand behind his chair at dinner and wait table for his master and the lady accompanying him at dinner, and at home, to wait table at breakfast, family luncheon, and dinner. He makes sure his mater's wardrobe is in good repair and everything is in order.
From Horn's Life Belowstairs In The 20th Century:
According to Ernest King, who was a valet in the 1920s, when visiting, he would often valet for other men and even look at the women's shoes. he said 'I seldom finished before midnight, [but] it was worth it. My tips never came to less than sixteen pounds a week.' and was responsible for making all the arrangements for travel.
'The good valet is not told what is wanted on a journey, he must know. He should be prepared to dress his man for a funeral of a fancy dress ball. He must never be caught napping, he must be able to produce everything, even shoes so well-polished they may be used as a mirror in emergency! AT home, he will probably order all suits and shirts, socks and underclothes, in hotels he will be given sufficient to defray any tips.'
According to John Henry Inch's son, hsi father was a valet in the 1920s and 'never had a set day off, and but was expected to be on duty from early morning till late at night. Neither was he ever able to have a holiday.' His only relaxations were to go out shooting rabbits witht he gamekeeper or cycling to the local public house for a drink and a game of dominoes or darts."
I'll see if I can find a daily schedule. I know valets pretty much had the same duties as lady's maids, and Rosina Harrison's autobiograhy night yield one.
no subject
According to The Duties Of Servants from 1894:
A valet's duties were to care for his master's wardrobe--brush his clothes, clean his sheos and boots, to carry up the water for his master's bath, to put out his things for dressing, shave him, assist him in dressing, to pack and unpack his clotehs when travelling, put out his things for dinner, and carry up hot water for his dressing room. In country sports, he would often load for his master, stand behind his chair at dinner and wait table for his master and the lady accompanying him at dinner, and at home, to wait table at breakfast, family luncheon, and dinner. He makes sure his mater's wardrobe is in good repair and everything is in order.
From Horn's Life Belowstairs In The 20th Century:
According to Ernest King, who was a valet in the 1920s, when visiting, he would often valet for other men and even look at the women's shoes. he said 'I seldom finished before midnight, [but] it was worth it. My tips never came to less than sixteen pounds a week.' and was responsible for making all the arrangements for travel.
'The good valet is not told what is wanted on a journey, he must know. He should be prepared to dress his man for a funeral of a fancy dress ball. He must never be caught napping, he must be able to produce everything, even shoes so well-polished they may be used as a mirror in emergency! AT home, he will probably order all suits and shirts, socks and underclothes, in hotels he will be given sufficient to defray any tips.'
According to John Henry Inch's son, hsi father was a valet in the 1920s and 'never had a set day off, and but was expected to be on duty from early morning till late at night. Neither was he ever able to have a holiday.' His only relaxations were to go out shooting rabbits witht he gamekeeper or cycling to the local public house for a drink and a game of dominoes or darts."
I'll see if I can find a daily schedule. I know valets pretty much had the same duties as lady's maids, and Rosina Harrison's autobiograhy night yield one.