Barry Cryer's favourite cartoon has been correctly attributed to Roger Pettiward
We can thank Colin Sell, the pianist on I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue, for revealing the late Barry Cryer’s favourite cartoon (pictured).
Sell told the story during Radio 4’s tribute to Cryer after the Clue veteran and great friend of The Oldie died in February. But Sell wrongly attributed the cartoon to James Thurber, when it was actually the work of someone else.
His name was Roger Pettiward. He was born in 1906 into a long line of wealthy London landowners. At Eton, his gift for draughtsmanship won him a succession of prizes. During the 1930s, he contributed cartoons to Punch – work with an often surreal touch, which delighted in puncturing pomposity and satirising the ruling classes, of which Pettiward – pseudonym Paul Crum – was himself a member.
Pettiward was 36 when he was killed during the ill-fated Dieppe Raid of August 1942. As the 80th anniversary of his death approaches, we can be sure that Barry Cryer, so expert in comedy history, would want the record put straight.
