The true treasure story which inspired Roald Dahl

11 hours ago

Vikki Irwinand

George King,Suffolk

News image — The 34 pieces of treasure are now owned and displayed at the British Museum

Trustees of the British Museum There are 34 pieces which include large plates and bowls, spoons, and dishes all made of silver. — The 34 pieces of treasure are now owned and displayed at the British Museum

Famed for being the literary mastermind behind the likes of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and the BFG, Roald Dahl's imaginative children's stories are known the world over.

But less is known about his book based on the real-life discovery of a hoard of treasure by a ploughman in Suffolk who lost out on the fruits of his find.

The author read in a newspaper about the 4th Century Roman set of dining silverware, unearthed in 1942 in West Row near Mildenhall.

Unable to contain his excitement, he leapt into his car and drove to the town before interviewing ploughman Gordon Butcher, his wife, neighbours and shopkeepers.

"It sent shivers of electricity all the way down my legs to the soles of my feet," he said.

Getty Images Roald Dahl looks at the camera. The photo is in black and white. He has dark brown hair and is balding on the top of his head. Dahl is wearing a light-coloured knit, white check shirt and dark tie. — Roald Dahl's account of the treasure trove find was one of his first published works

Despite being responsible for the find, Butcher was denied the chance to claim the treasure, which today would be worth £2.7m, because the landowner failed to declare the discovery.

Instead, following a police investigation and a court case, the pair were each given a reward of £1,000.

The treasure trove of 34 pieces was handed over to the British Museum.

Dahl's account was published in the American magazine Saturday Evening Post in September 1947, before it was published as a book in 1977 as part of a larger collection of stories.

Richard Hobbs, a curator of the Roman British and Late Roman Collection at the British Museum, says his account is the only one and "remains one of the few treasure discovery stories out there".

Vikki Irwin/BBC A head and shoulders image of Kay Finnis. She is standing in a museum and holding a blue book which reads Roald Dahl The Mildenhall Treasure. She is wearing glasses and a colourful patterned top and looking into the camera. — Kay Finnis said the tale of her grandfather's role in the discovery was rarely told

Kay Finnis told the BBC that had her grandfather, Butcher, declared what he had uncovered it "could have been a different story".

"I think it was my destiny because had they declared it, I might not be here, my dad might never have met my mum, so I think it was destiny, it was always meant to be," she said.

"It was never mentioned and all my childhood it wasn't something that was talked about.

"It probably wasn't that joyful because it was a very worrying time for my grandad."

Vikki Irwin/BBC A head and shoulders image of Nick Timothy. He is wearing a suit and a white shirt with a red tie. He is smiling and looking into the camera. — MP Nick Timothy was shocked when Netflix responded to him and agreed to let them republish the book

Dahl's book, the Mildenhall Treasure, was last reprinted in 1999 and has been unavailable to purchase – until now.

In celebration of Mildenhall Museum 75th anniversary, and following crunch talks between West Suffolk MP Nick Timothy and Netflix, which owns the rights to Dahl's stories, it is set to be republished.

"We wrote to Netflix and I thought this big American company was probably not going to go with this, but then they came back," said Timothy.

"They said yes and we've made it happen incredibly quickly, because of the brilliant people at the museum.

"It's been typed, it's been printed, and the book is going to be on sale from the 25 May, which is fantastic."

Vikki Irwin/BBC A large group of school students wearing blue jumpers standing in a museum. They are sitting down and standing up. They are looking at a man who is sat in front of them reading a book. — Students from St Mary's Primary School were treated to an early reading of the recently reprinted story while on a trip to Mildenhall Museum

And it's not just history academics who will be reading it.

Ten-year-old Nathaniel, a pupil at St Mary's Primary School, in Mildenhall, said he "will definitely be buying it".

"I think it's amazing and I would like to read it," he said.

Fellow student, Gabrielle, 10, is equally as excited.

"When I first found out I was like, 'There's treasure in Mildenhall where we live?', she remarked.

"I was really shocked at first, but then now it is really exciting."

Vikki Irwin/BBC Two young school students - a girl and a boy - smiling while looking into the camera. They are standing in front of a glass cabinet in which there are silvers plates. — Pupils Nathaniel and Gabrielle posed with the replicas of the treasure discovered in Mildenhall 84 years ago

And in the eyes of museum expert, Hobbs, the treasure itself is just as exciting.

He told the BBC that it was a "highlight" at the British Museum and was admired by thousands of visitors every year.

Describing it as "one of the finest sets of late Roman dining silver from anywhere in the Roman Empire", Hobbs said it would have belonged to a wealthy family.

"It is unparalleled and indisputably a masterpiece of extravagant Roman silversmithing," he added.

He also praised the role Dahl played in documenting the discovery.

"Roald Dahl's discovery story is of immense importance. He is the only person who interviewed the finder, Gordon Butcher.

"Most attention was paid to Butcher's boss, Syd Ford, because he was the one who ended up with the treasure and reluctantly declared it to the police four years after it was found.

"Butcher's story, as told by Dahl, remains one of the few treasure discovery stories out there. And everybody loves a good treasure story."

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