Sir Alec Black

Born on 23 December 1872, Alec Black was another of Grimsby’s great philanthropists.

Alick Black was born in Grimsby, his mother was Charlotte nee Fox, the youngest daughter of John Charles Fox. As a child he lived at 69 Cleethorpe Road which on the 1881 census shows his mother working as a confectioner. He had an older sister Kate.

His father William was an engineer and died from drowning on 28 November 1876 in Dieppe, France. He was working on the steamer Ernestine. At the time of his marriage, William was the Chief Engineer of SS Lord Cardigan. He was born in Scotland.

In 1891 the family are living at 23 Tasburgh Street, Grimsby and Alec is listed as a Fisher Merchants Clerk. His mother remarried and in 1901 the family have moved to 240 Hainton Street, where Alec is now showing as a steamship owner.

He also changed his name by deed poll from Alick (Scottish variation) to Alec.

Career

Alec was connected to the town’s fishing industry and had a fleet of trawlers as well as owning a fish curing factory, which in the 1st WW was turned into a shell factory.

In 1916 he is manager of the Pioneer Steam Fishing Company; in the 1930s he is general manager of the Earl Steam Fishing Company.

Marriage and scandal

In June 1902, Alec married Florence Mary Smith. They had no children. They lived at Huevia, Bargate and then at The Lodge.

Florence was the daughter of David and Isabel Smith. Her father was a draper and she lived in Cartergate.

By 1911 they had separated and Alec is living in The Lodge, Bargate (one of the places I talk about on my Abbey Road guided tour). His wife is shown as Rebecca M Black and then it’s crossed out.

In 1926 divorce was granted on grounds of his adultery. In court Lady Florence Black said her husband committed adultery with an unknown woman at the Hotel Great Central, Marylebone, London on Sept 24 1925.

In 1939 he is living at Field House, Pelham Rd, Grimsby.

Knighthood

In 1918 he was knighted and given the Black baronetcy after providing the government with boats in 1914 for minesweeping duties and loans he gave for the war effort. He became Sir Alec Black 1st Baronet. This title died with him as he had no issue.

Love for horse racing

Alec loved his horse racing. In 1917 he bought a racehorse called The Panther for 3,600 guineas. On 7 May 1919 the horse won the 2,000 guineas at Newmarket. It went on to be placed 10th in the Derby. Alec had many broodmares at his Newmarket Stud.

Basil Jarvis was his trainer and worked from the Primrose Cottage stables in Newmarket.

In 1931 he sold his bloodstock.

By 1933 he was heading the breeders list thanks to his horses Columbo, who won the 2000 Guineas in 1934, and Brown Betty, who won the 1000 Guineas in 1933. The horse Singapore who won the St Leger in 1930 was bred from Black’s brood mare Tetrabbazia.

Death and legacy

Sir Alec died on 28 June 1942 aged 69.

He left £278,893 in his will. £50,000 was left to his racing manager. A charity for fishermen and dock workers was set up and a charity to fund the hospital bedlinen. He is buried in Scartho Road cemetery.

Sir Alec Black’s Charity still operates today.

He also gave land to the town to build housing – land around Chelmsford Road.