3 replies to this topic

[General Koskov]

If 'Q' actually stands for Quartermaster, why? SIS (of the Bond films) seems to be predominantly run by former naval officers and created by a Cdr. Even Sir Mansfeld Cumming (the first real head of SIS) was a Captain in the Royal Navy.

And in the navy, 'Quartermaster' refers to the rating in charge of watching the Quarterdeck of a ship. The person in charge of equipment is the Supply Officer (SupO).
So the naming of Q is questionable to me. Especially the naming of Q Branch. 'Q' (of the films--more on this in another post) is aka Major Boothroyd. An army rank. However, Fleming made no reference to the Armourer--Major Boothroyd--as being the head of Q Branch.
It was only in Goldfinger, that 'Major Boothroyd becomes known as 'Q'. (Unless you believe--contrary to even Desmond Llewelyn--that 'Q' and 'Major Boothroyd' 'just happen' to be the same sort of character played by the same actor!)

So am I just showing harmless naval animosity to the army? Or have I struck on a chord that runs deep in Bond lore, a chord that no one has dared to touch for fifty years? Probably not. But this 'Q-stands-for-Quartermaster-and-I'm-right-and-everyone-else-is-wrong' business has gone on for too long.

[MicroGlobe One]

I find it interesting how you've so stongly linked MI6 (Military Intelligence 6) operations to the British Navy. While Bond and Fleming's M are both former Naval officers, I'm not certain how strongly the two military entities are linked. Presumably MI6 recruits from all branches of the British military (Majors and Commanders alike).

To be honest, I've never heard this implied before and I've always bought the Q-stands-for-Quartermaster argument completely.

As for the character's presence in the novels, your quotes have helped to show that Fleming indeed has refered to the head of Q Branch on several occasions as Q (whether it be Boothroyd or another). I don't think there's any question about that after reading the quotes you've provided.

[General Koskov]

Okay, part two of uncovering the strange world of Q Branch. Now I'm questioning: is 'Q' a character, that is to say: a person, in the Fleming novels?

Exampli gratia:

Casino Royale M(to Bond): Have a talk to Q about any equipment you want, I'll get him to fix up the rooms and transport.

'Him'! Q as a person? The next time we hear of Q is in Live and Let Die (sorry, don't have the source to quote), but I'm 99% sure there's another reference to Q as a person, or at least a personified institution.

Then, in From Russia With Love, only Q Branch is mentioned. But there is a last coincidence with the films. The scene: Bond is faking his death in front of Grant. Another exampli gratia:

The right hand that seemed to be clawing at his pierced heart, was within inches of the lateral stitching that held the flat-bladed throwing-knives, two edged as sharp as razors, that he [Bond] had mocked when Q Branch had demonstrated the catch that held them.

So the Bond of the books mocks Q Branch gadgets! Well, that'll show those who believe Q is a silly and useless character a thing or two! I'll admit this is no 'Sexual subtext'-type of revelation in From Russia With Love, but it strikes me as something that ought to be recognised--even if just for an argument.

[General Koskov]

MicroGlobe One (04 May, 2002 06:37 a.m.):
I find it interesting how you've so stongly linked MI6 (Military Intelligence 6) operations to the British Navy. While Bond and Fleming's M are both former Naval officers, I'm not certain how strongly the two military entities are linked. Presumably MI6 recruits from all branches of the British military (Majors and Commanders alike).

You're right. In fact, SIS (or MI6 as it is sometimes known as) is a civilian organisation, as opposed to Naval Intelligence or Army Intelligence or whatever else.

Of course the 'M' in MI6 is for 'military' so this is presumably why 'MI6' has been less readily used nowadays.