Rhiannon Hendricks
James Herriot, the pen name of James Alfred Wight, was a British veterinary surgeon and author. He was born in Sunderland, County Durham, England, on 3 October 1916 and moved to Glasgow as a child. Wight married Joan Catherine Danbury, a secretary, on 5 November 1941, at St Mary's Church in Thirsk. Unable to afford a traditional honeymoon, the couple spent their honeymoon in the village of Carnaby in the Yorkshire Dales, where Wight tested cattle for tuberculosis.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Honeymoon Location | The Wheatsheaf Inn, Carperby, a village in the Yorkshire Dales |
| Activities | TB testing cows in Wensleydale |
| First Home | Top floor of 23 Kirkgate |
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What You'll Learn
James Herriot's honeymoon was in the Yorkshire Dales
James Herriot, the pen name of James Alfred Wight, spent his honeymoon in the Yorkshire Dales. Herriot, a veterinarian in North Yorkshire, married Joan Catherine Danbury on 5 November 1941 at St Mary's Church in Thirsk. The couple, however, could not afford to take time off work and instead spent their honeymoon in the village of Carnaby, Yorkshire Dales.
Herriot and his wife stayed at a pub called The Wheatsheaf Inn in Carperby. While on their honeymoon, Herriot continued to work, testing cattle for tuberculosis, while his wife, dressed in trousers and wellies, took notes. The couple's work during their honeymoon was a source of income, as tuberculin testing was well-paid by the government.
Herriot's literary works, written under his pseudonym, were set in the Yorkshire Dales and centred on his experiences as a veterinarian in the region. His books, such as "If Only They Could Talk" and "All Creatures Great and Small," captivated readers with their endearing stories of veterinary practice, animals, and their owners. The success of his books led to various television and film adaptations, further popularising his work.
The Yorkshire Dales held a special significance for Herriot, as it was not only the setting of his literary works but also the place where he spent his honeymoon and later lived and worked as a veterinarian for almost 50 years. Herriot's connection to the Yorkshire Dales contributed to the allure of the region, attracting visitors interested in exploring the settings of his beloved stories.
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He and his wife stayed at the Wheatsheaf Inn
James Herriot, whose real name was James Alfred Wight, spent his honeymoon with his wife, Joan Danbury, at the Wheatsheaf Inn in the village of Carperby, Yorkshire Dales. The couple, who tied the knot on 5 November 1941, could not afford to take time off work and opted for a staycation in the quaint village of Carperby, located in the picturesque Yorkshire Dales.
The Wheatsheaf Inn, a charming country pub, provided a cosy and romantic setting for the newlyweds. While Joan, dressed in trousers and wellies, assisted her husband by taking notes, James continued his work as a veterinarian by testing cattle for tuberculosis in the surrounding Wensleydale area. Their honeymoon marked the beginning of a lifelong partnership, not only in their marriage but also in their professional endeavours.
The Inn held significance not only as the backdrop to their honeymoon but also as a testament to James' dedication to his profession. Despite being on their honeymoon, James' commitment to his work and the well-being of the animals under his care remained unwavering. This dedication was a defining trait that contributed to his success and recognition as a veterinarian.
The Wheatsheaf Inn, nestled in the serene Yorkshire Dales, offered a peaceful retreat for the couple. The surrounding countryside, with its rolling hills and lush landscapes, provided a picturesque setting for their first days as a married couple. The area's natural beauty and tranquil atmosphere created lasting memories for James and Joan as they embarked on their new life together.
Choosing to spend their honeymoon at the Wheatsheaf Inn reflected the couple's pragmatic approach to their new life together. By combining their work with their honeymoon, they exemplified their shared passion for veterinary medicine and their dedication to their profession. The Inn, with its rustic charm and proximity to the countryside, provided a fitting backdrop for the couple's shared interests and love for rural life.
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![[(James Herriot's Cat Stories )] [Author: James Herriot] [Sep-1994]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41tMEelzKFL._AC_UL320_.jpg)
They didn't take time off work and tested cattle for TB
James Herriot, the pen name of James Alfred Wight, was a British veterinary surgeon and author. Wight married Joan Catherine Danbury, a secretary, on 5 November 1941, at St Mary's Church in Thirsk. Unable to take time off work, the couple did not go on a traditional honeymoon. Instead, they spent their honeymoon in the village of Carnaby in the Yorkshire Dales, where Wight tested cattle for tuberculosis. Joan, his wife, took notes as he injected the cattle.
Wight's work as a veterinarian inspired his writing, and he is best known for his series of eight books set in the 1930s–1950s Yorkshire Dales about veterinary practice, animals, and their owners. The first book, 'If Only They Could Talk', was published in 1970, and the series has since sold 60 million copies. The books have also been adapted into several television and film productions, including the 1975 film 'All Creatures Great and Small'.
Wight's work as a veterinarian was demanding and left him with little money. Tuberculin testing was an opportunity to earn a decent income, as the government paid for it. The couple's living conditions were basic, and they initially lived in the attic of 23 Kirkgate, which their daughter, Rosie, described as "spartan". They later moved to a house on Topcliffe Road, Thirsk, and eventually to the village of Thirlby, where Wight resided until his death.
Wight's writing career began in 1966 when he was challenged by his wife to pursue his long-held ambition. He started by writing stories on other subjects, such as football, but eventually turned to what he knew best—veterinary practice and his experiences in the Royal Air Force during World War II. Despite facing several rejections, he persevered with his writing and eventually achieved success.
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They lived in the attic of 23 Kirkgate after their honeymoon
James Herriot, the pen name of veterinarian and author James Alfred Wight, spent his honeymoon with his wife, Joan Danbury, in the Yorkshire Dales. They stayed at the Wheatsheaf Inn in the village of Carperby, where Wight continued to work, testing cattle for tuberculosis.
After their honeymoon, the couple moved into the attic of 23 Kirkgate, Thirsk, which was also the address of the veterinary practice where Wight worked. Their daughter, Rosie, described their living quarters as "spartan", with hardly any furniture.
The couple's time at 23 Kirkgate marked the beginning of their married life, and it was from here that Wight would later begin his writing career. In 1942, Wight joined the RAF but was discharged a year later due to poor health. He and his wife welcomed their first child, a son named Jim, in 1943, and a daughter, Rosie, followed in 1947.
In 1949, Wight received a full partnership in the veterinary practice, and in 1951, the first of many assistants, John Crooks, joined them. As their family grew and Wight's career progressed, the couple eventually moved out of the attic and into a house on the outskirts of Thirsk in 1953.
Wight's writing career took off in 1966, when, at the age of 50, he began writing in earnest. His first book, 'If Only They Could Talk', was published in 1970 under the pen name James Herriot and became the first of a now-famous series based on his life as a vet.
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The newlyweds had little money and a hard life
James Herriot, the pen name of James Alfred Wight, was a British veterinary surgeon and author. He married Joan Catherine Danbury, a secretary, on 5 November 1941 at St Mary's Church in Thirsk. The newlyweds had little money and a hard life. Unable to afford any time away from work, they spent their honeymoon in the village of Carnaby in the Yorkshire Dales, staying at a pub called The Wheatsheaf Inn. Wight tested cattle for tuberculosis while his wife took notes. The couple then settled into married life in the attic of 23 Kirkgate, which their daughter, Rosie, described as "spartan". They had hardly any furniture.
Wight had always loved animals and spent much of his time walking with his dog, an Irish Setter, as a boy. He decided he wanted to be a vet when he read an article in Meccano Magazine about veterinary surgeons. He graduated from Glasgow Veterinary College in 1939 and returned to England to become a veterinary surgeon in Yorkshire, where he practised for almost 50 years. He joined Donald Sinclair's veterinary practice at 23 Kirkgate, Thirsk, in 1940. This would become the famous Skeldale House in his books and television adaptations, with Sinclair immortalised as the eccentric Siegfried Farnon.
Wight began writing in the early 1960s, analysing the books of successful authors he enjoyed reading to understand different writing styles. He wrote numerous short stories and began bombarding" publishers with them, but they were rejected. Challenged by his wife in 1966, at the age of 50, he turned to what he knew best and wrote his first book, "If Only They Could Talk", published in 1970. This was the first of a now-famous series based on his life working as a vet and his training in the Royal Air Force during the Second World War. Over the decades, the series of books has sold some 60 million copies and spawned several television and film adaptations.
Despite his eventual success, Wight remained a modest and retiring man who didn't want the limelight. He continued his veterinary practice long after his books made him famous, saying, "If a farmer calls me with a sick animal, he couldn't care less if I were George Bernard Shaw". Wight died of prostate cancer at his home near Thirsk in 1995, leaving an estate valued for probate at £5,425,873 (equivalent to £13,174,807 in 2023).
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Frequently asked questions
James Herriot, whose real name was James Alfred Wight, spent his honeymoon in the Yorkshire Dales, staying at the Wheatsheaf Inn in Carperby.
No, James and his wife Joan could not afford to take time off work.
James and Joan went to the village of Carnaby, where he tested cattle for tuberculosis while his wife took notes.
After their honeymoon, James and Joan moved into the attic of 23 Kirkgate, Thirsk.
No, James' parents did not approve of his marriage to Joan, as they had hoped he would marry someone of higher status.
