Butlin's Memorabilia Website
In depth Research about Butlins Fort Montagu Beach and Princess Hotel - Part 2

Chapter 13 - Have you heard about the Bermuda Plan? - Part 2

Continuing from the first segment of the Butlins Bermuda plan, we explore an essential chapter in the Butlins Caribbean saga, highlighting the two hotels that Billy Butlin acquired.
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Page 186 - The BIlly Butlin Story

The Butlin Story Book - Page 186 - The Butlin Story - By Sir Billy Butlin

The moment had come for Billy Butlin to explore a business opportunity in the Bahamas. He took advantage of this chance by acquiring two hotels that he believed would enhance the Butlins brand. His purchase was supported by partners and Barclays Bank. These hotels would start the timeline of Butlins in the Bahamas and a new adventure for Billy Butlin. These two hotels would be known as "A Butlin Resort Hotel"

You can see an advertisement for the Fort Mon

Fort Montagu Beach Hotel - Butlins Bahamas

It has been reported in the United Kingdom that the Princess Hotel has been acquired by Billy Butlin and Mr. Louis Jackson, who is affiliated with British National Films for over £300,000. Mr Jackson was a British film producer during the 1940s.

Derby Daily Telegraph - Thursday 11 December 1947 - Butlins Memorabilia Bahamas Story
Image © Reach PLC. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Thursday 11th December 1947

Derby Daily Telegraph
In the Derby Daily newspaper, an article highlights the occasion when William Butlin, which is Billy Butlin full name, buys the Fort Montagu Beach Hotel.

Link to website

Manchester Evening News - Thursday 11 December 1947 - Butlins Memorabilia Bahamas Story
Image © Reach PLC. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Thursday 11th December 1947

Manchester Evening News
The Manchester Evening News also shows the news of Billy Butlin purchasing the Fort Montagu Beach Hotel. 

Link to website

Manchester Evening News - Thursday 11 December 1947 - Butlins Memorabilia Bahamas Story
Image © Reach PLC. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Thursday 11th December 1947

Liverpool Echo
Each heading is different with the same information about the purchase of the new hotel added to the Butlins name. 

Link to website

Some history of Fort Montagu Beach Hotel

Dating back to 1741, the Fort Montagu Hotel was established to welcome its first guests. The founder, Peter Henry Bruce, had a significant military career. Born in 1692 at Detring Castle in Westphalia, he travelled with his parents until they reached Scotland in 1698. In 1704, after his father relocated to Germany, Mr Bruce departed from his mother's family to enrol in a military academy specialising in fortification. Shortly thereafter, Colonel Rebeur, the uncle of Mr. Bruce, assumed responsibility for his nephew and facilitated his entry into the Prussian service. However, it was not until 1708, when Mr. Bruce turned 16, that he received his commission. In 1711, he chose to resign from his position within the Prussian ranks. Mr. Bruce then set his sights on an opportunity to serve under Peter the Great of Russia, following an invitation from a distant relative. By 1724, after two decades, he resigned from his role in the Russian court and returned to Cupar to manage an estate inherited from his great-uncle. Once settled in his new residence, Mr Bruce married and embarked on a new chapter as a farmer, a role he would fulfil for over sixteen years. In the year 1740, Mr. Bruce aimed to explore new financial prospects and rejoined the military. His deployment took him to the Bahamas, where he was involved in fortification projects. He remained in the Bahamas for five years, a time during which the hotel was established and welcomed guests looking for a retreat from their daily lives. The name of the hotel, Fort Montagu Beach Hotel, was named in honour of the Duke of Montagu at the time.

Today: The Fort Montagu Hotel was demolished in 1993 with a video from George on Vimeo showing a walk-through before it was demolished, click here to see that video.

The Princess Hotel - Butlins Bahamas

It has been reported in the United Kingdom that the Princess Hotel has been acquired by Billy Butlin and Mr. Louis Jackson, who is affiliated with British National Films for over £300,000. Mr Jackson was a British film producer during the 1940s.

Ownership of The Princess changes

Image © Reach PLC. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Liverpool Daily Post - Friday 16 April 1948
Late February and early March marked an important point in the timeline with the announcement that Mr. Louis Jackson had sold his share of the hotel to Billy Butlin. This transaction has made Billy Butlin the sole owner, and he is now in the process of developing improvement plans to elevate the hotel to his desired standards. His ambition is to transform this property into a luxury hotel in Bermuda.

Princess Hotel Advert

The Princess Hotel Advertisment

Note the Butlin's logo at the bottom showing the connection to the hotel and the Butlin's timeline. 

Sunday Post - Sunday 11 January 1948 - Bahamas Princess Hotel
Image © D.C.Thomson & Co. Ltd (Aberdeen cut-off). Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
Sunday 11th January 1948

Sunday Post
The information presented in this article indicates that the hotel is co-owned by Billy Butlin and Mr. Louis Jackson.

Link to website

Western Morning News - Monday 12th January 1948 - Butlins Princess Hotel
Image © Reach PLC. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Monday 12th January 1948

Western Morning News
As the announcement of Butlins' latest adventure emerged, different newspapers modified their headlines to capture its importance.

Link to website

Skegness Standard - Wednesday 14 January 1948 - Butlins Princess Hotel
Image © National World Publishing Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
Wednesday 14th January 1948

Skegness Standard
This impressive publication delves deeper into the concept of the hotels, the local region, and the proposed holiday village development.

Link to website

Some history of The Princess Hotel

The concept and establishment of the Princess Hotel in 1885 originated from Harley Trott, a businessman and leader of Trott & Cox, who served as steamship agents and meat suppliers for the British military. Mr. Trott recognized the necessity for a new hotel, as he observed the appeal of the Bahamas to American tourists. Additionally, the hotel has ties to Princess Louise, the fourth daughter of Queen Victoria, who described Bermuda as an "eternal spring" while living in Canada with her spouse, the Duke of Argyll. The hotel was constructed and opened, taking its name from Princess Louise's visit two years earlier. This period marked a rise in Bermuda's popularity among visitors, especially during the winter season, as many sought a warmer climate than their home regions. Celebrated as the island's finest establishment, the hotel comprises 70 rooms, each featuring gas lighting, hot and cold water, and mirrors for dressing. It began to flourish, welcoming esteemed guests such as Mark Twain and Ian Fleming. The Princess Hotel was repurposed for World War I efforts. It wasn't until 1947 that it became part of the Butlin Timeline.

Today: The Princess Hotel remains to this very date and is now known as the "Hamilton Princess" and is managed by Fairmont Hotels and Resorts. Click here to see their website.

Ownership of The Princess changes

Image © Reach PLC. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Liverpool Daily Post - Friday 16 April 1948
Late February and early March marked an important point in the timeline with the announcement that Mr. Louis Jackson had sold his share of the hotel to Billy Butlin. This transaction has made Billy Butlin the sole owner, and he is now in the process of developing improvement plans to elevate the hotel to his desired standards. His ambition is to transform this property into a luxury hotel in Bermuda.

10th April 1949

Image provided by Library of Congress, Washington, DC

Evening Star 
The American newspaper giving further details about the Princess Hotel and ownership now fully in Billy Butlin control

*Some areas of blurred and darken in accordance to the terms of usage. However, the high light area shows the information related to this story. 

Advertisements started to show the new Butlins Hotels

 The business opportunity presented to Billy Butlin in the Caribbean prompted him to expand his Butlins company internationally for the second time, resulting in the acquisition of two hotels. The first, named the Princess, is located in Bermuda and was purchased for £325,000 from a local firm supported by Sir Howard Trott. The second hotel, Fort Montagu Beach Hotel, is situated in Nassau and was acquired for £445,000. Butlins established a presence in the Caribbean, catering to the numerous tourists eager to experience the region's offerings. His vision was to introduce the Butlins experience, enhancing the holiday experience for those visiting the Caribbean.

The hotels needed substantial investment to meet his standards and the expectations of customers. This incurred an additional cost of £100,000 for Fort Montagu Beach and £235,000 for the Princess. Billy Butlin noted, "Of course, I didn’t have that kind of money, but once again, I was supported by Barclays Bank." This news was not well-received by shareholders in the City of London, prompting a 90-minute heated discussion regarding the total now reaching £1,250,000 for these two properties. It was during this year that Billy Butlin met a key figure in the Bahamas Butlins story, Brigadier-General Alfred Cecil Critchley.

Fort Montagu Beach Hotel Adverts

White Background - The Sphere - Saturday 18th December 1948 - Website link 
 Gold background - Illustrated London news - Saturday 27th November 1948 - Website Link

The Scotsman - Friday 01 October 1948 - Bahamas story on Butlins Memorabilia website
Image © National World Publishing Ltd
Friday 1st October 1948

The Scotsman
Advertisements started to appear in the newspapers showing the Butlins hotel

Link to website

The Scotsman - Friday 01 October 1948 - Bahamas story on Butlins Memorabilia website
Image © Reach PLC. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
Friday 1st October 1948

Western Morning News 
Advertisements started to appear in the newspapers showing the Butlins hotel

Link to website

The Scotsman - Friday 01 October 1948 - Bahamas story on Butlins Memorabilia website
Image © Reach PLC. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
Friday 29th October 1948

Torbay Express and South Devon Echo
Advertisements started to appear in the newspapers showing the Butlins hotel

Link to website

Page 186 - Bahamas Story on Butlins Memorabilia website

The Butlin Story Book - Page 186 - The Butlin Story - By Sir Billy Butlin

The Princess Hotel in Hamilton Harbour
Tuesday 2nd August 1949

Image © Reach PLC. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Daily Express 
Written by James Cooper in the article named "The Millionaire Chasers Pep up the bait" featuring Billy Butlin and Butlins in the Caribbean and also featured in the Sir Billy Butlin book shown above. 


21st November 1948

Image provided by Library of Congress, Washington, DC

Evening Star 
The American newspaper had also shown interest in the Butlins Princess Hotel as they explained more about the ownership under Billy Butlin

The new Butlin's Hotels start to tell their stories

The hotels were experiencing significant success, attracting numerous American tourists eager to escape the continental chill. During this period, Colonel Basil Brown, a prominent figure at Butlins, was overseeing operations. He was responsible for recruitment and various other aspects to ensure the smooth functioning of the service. Colonel Brown informed the Daily Express that the hotels had generated one million dollars since their inception; however, some were concerned about the sustainability of this success, given the annual rental cost of £22,500 for each location.

Sir Billy Butlin also explains a few more details about the foundations

The Butlin Story - Page 186 - Butlins Memorabilia Bahamas Story

The Butlin Story Book - Page 186 - The Butlin Story - By Sir Billy Butlin

Billy Butlin discusses the various challenges encountered in the operation of these hotels, but he was equipped with the knowledge and strategies necessary to meet his goals. To increase the hotels' recognition, he arranged for four airlines to provide flights from New York, which significantly contributed to their status as a recommended getaway.

News of Butlins in the Bahamas

Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Bradford Observer - Friday 22nd October 1948

The Bradford Observer reported discussions regarding the announcement of a Butlins hotel set to open in the Bahamas.

12th June 1949

Image provided by Library of Congress, Washington, DC

Evening Star 
Basil Brown, who is a person connected the Butlins timeline, had announced a new Butlins club called, the Princess Hotel Beach Club.

 Do you have any fond memories of Butlins Bahamas Hotels that you'd like to share?

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    Butlins Memorabilia website is the unofficial website for Butlins!

    The research and details provided on the Butlins Memorabilia website have been thoughtfully assembled by Mark Banks, the site's owner. It is important to emphasize that Butlins and its owners have not reached out to me or requested that this information be collected and displayed here. Butlins has a rich legacy, with its founder, Sir Billy Butlin, celebrated for his success in establishing a company that continues to offer joy and create cherished memories. The official website for Butlins is www.butlins.com. As such, the information on this site should be considered unofficial, as the Butlins Memorabilia website is a fan-oriented endeavor.

    Billy Butlin and The Grand Bahama Books

    The information I discovered while investigating my favourite subject, the story of Butlin's and Sir Billy Butlin, has been incredibly engaging, as it highlights the importance of each site and its meaning to the Butlins timeline. To assist with my research, I have used notes from Sir Billy Butlin's autobiography and The Grand Bahama book for reference. The sections presented below are brief excerpts from these works, aimed at shedding light on a particular area of the Butlins Bahamas story. Each excerpt will provide full credit to the source, including the page number and details on how to obtain a copy. No scans were included; only small excerpts are provided to enhance this historical educational topic regarding the Butlins Bahamas project and its importance within the Butlins timeline. 

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    The significant and noteworthy newspaper articles featured on the Butlins Memorabilia website have been sourced from a platform known as "The British Newspaper Archive." You can explore their offerings at www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk. I am providing this link as a gesture of appreciation for their ongoing and professional service, with the hope that you may discover something of interest. The research conducted on Butlins has greatly benefited from extensive newspaper involvement, which has significantly enhanced the Butlins Memorabilia website.

    The Butlins Memorabilia website operates as a non-commercial platform, created to provide free access for everyone to celebrate the remarkable history of Butlins and the legacy of Sir Billy Butlin. Each document features a watermark to recognize the copyright of the image, along with a direct link to the British Newspaper Archive website. We encourage you to review their terms and conditions regarding the sharing of items from their collection at this link: terms and conditions

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    This website showcases images obtained from research conducted on The National Archive website. I would like to emphasize that this site is dedicated to non-commercial use and is created, maintained, and overseen by me, Mark Banks. I invest my personal time into this project, which centers around a brand I hold dear, Butlins. The site is open to all visitors, and it is important to clarify that Butlins and its owners have no connection to this site or its content. Each image is accompanied by a credit and a link to its original source. The Butlins Memorabilia website is a personal endeavor that aims to preserve historical memories and, in some instances, provide educational insights into its history. You can find the terms and conditions of The National Archive by clicking on these words

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    This website features materials obtained from archive.org, which is known for its vast collection of memorabilia. It is essential to clarify that archive.org has no affiliation with this website or its creation. I would like to highlight that this site operates on a non-commercial basis, dedicated to celebrating Sir Billy Butlin, the holiday camps, the hotels, the campers, the guests, and the staff. Resources sourced from archive.org are presented here with watermarks to recognize their origin, and each item includes a direct link to their site. I invite you to explore their terms and conditions of use by clicking on these words to gain further insight into the applicable Creative Commons license.

    Harold Charles Harley Drayton  and Sir Bede Edmund Hugh Clifford Photos

    I would like to clarify that the image in question is not owned by the Butlins Memorabilia website; it has been sourced from the National Portrait Gallery's website. A direct link to the original image location is provided just below the photo. It is essential to understand that the National Portrait Gallery in London is not affiliated with the Butlins Memorabilia website. This site serves as a non-commercial platform dedicated to the historical elements of Butlins. Additionally, Butlins itself has no connection to the Butlins Memorabilia website, which is a fan-driven initiative established by Mark Banks, an amateur web designer who invests his personal time into this endeavor. In accordance with the guidelines of the National Portrait Gallery, this website is categorized under Creative Commons - Websites. For further details on the available licenses, please click on these words to access the National Portrait Gallery and to review the Creative Commons license,  please click on these words.

    Library of Congress Newspaper Clippings

    The Butlins Memorabilia website wishes to clarify that the newspaper clippings sourced from the Library of Congress website are utilized solely for educational purposes related to the historical narrative of Butlins Bahamas Vacation Village. In compliance with the established terms and conditions, these clippings will exclusively depict the history associated with Butlins. A discreet watermark will be included on the newspaper to indicate the website, along with a link to the document and any pertinent information. For further details regarding the terms and conditions, please refer to the section titled "Rights and Reproductions" by clicking on these words.   I would like to clarify that the Library of Congress has not requested me to promote their website, nor do they have any affiliation with the Butlins Memorabilia website. I am sharing this link as a gesture of gratitude for the valuable service they provide to the numerous visitors who explore their site. To view their website, please visit https://www.loc.gov

    The New York Historic Newspapers

    The Butlins Memorabilia website wishes to clarify that the newspaper clippings sourced from the New York Historic Newspapers website are utilized solely for educational purposes related to the historical narrative of Butlins Bahamas Vacation Village. In compliance with the established terms and conditions, these clippings will exclusively depict the history associated with Butlins. A discreet watermark will be included on the newspaper to indicate the website, along with a link to the document and any pertinent information. For further details regarding the terms and conditions, please refer to the section titled "Copyright and Reproductions" by clicking on these words. I would like to clarify that the The New York Historic Newspapers project has not requested me to promote their website, nor do they have any affiliation with the Butlins Memorabilia website. I am sharing this link as a gesture of gratitude for the valuable service they provide to the numerous visitors who explore their site. To view their website, please visit https://www.nyshistoricnewspapers.org

    Get in touch

    When I engage with any material on the website, I always check the relevant terms and conditions. It is a privilege to share resources that provide a more comprehensive view of history, as these additional documents can enhance the narrative significantly. Prior to sharing, I make sure to gather all pertinent information regarding usage rules and give credit where appropriate. As the only person dedicated to designing and uploading these details, I wish for the process to be as smooth as possible. If you believe there is an error in the newspaper clippings that needs my attention, please feel free to contact me at your earliest convenience to discuss the matter by clicking on these words

Who and What is Butlin's Memorabilia Website
The Butlins Memorabilia website was originally established as a place on the internet where people could view Mark Banks' Butlins collections. As a passionate enthusiast of the brand, Mark took the initiative to explore the extensive history that led to the website's transformation. Now, the Butlins Memorabilia site has matured into a historical education platform, demonstrating to visitors the meaningful ways in which Butlins has fostered joy and created unforgettable memories.

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An exciting addition to the website is the section titled "Untold Stories of Butlin's," which includes a range of personal stories. These narratives have been contributed by members of the Butlins Memorabilia social media groups, who have shared their individual experiences at Butlin's. It is important to understand that these stories are not sanctioned by the official company but are personal recollections from the individuals, as indicated on the page. The accounts shared reflect the magical atmosphere of Butlin's and the memorable moments it has inspired.

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