War circus 1914 1918

Charting the lives of the international circus community through The Great War. 1914 - 1918

WAR CIRCUS Escaped back to England.

Killed on The Somme.

Worked & Wounded & Father Survived.

Joined up.

Family of Acrobats decimated by War.

Worked at the Front , Survived.

Lead Researcher, Editor & Book Designer:

Helen Averley This book is not for sale Please enjoy this copy and share widely.

Find more War Circus photo curiosities Pinterest board: https:// uk.pinterest.com/helenaverley/war-circus-1914-1918/

1916 Russian Poster, advertising a benefit performance to support circus artist soldier, and families, who are fighting or have died.

Thrift Stamp Poster © IWM

Art IWM PST 12357

“ NICO RUHLEBEN. 1916.” A boxing match in progress outdoors at Ruhleben Internment Camp, Berlin.

Painting: paper, chalk tempera, Height 457 mm, Width 736 mm © IWM Art. 529

Charting the lives of the international circus community through The Great War. 1914 - 1918

WAR CIRCUS Lead Researcher, Editor & Book Designer:

Helen Averley Advisors:

Professor Ron Beadle Richard van Emden Researchers: Rosie Bristow Giuseppe Marino Kerrin Tatman Morwen Thomas Proof Readers: Harry Averley John Wolstenholme Supported by:

Madame La Bonche PUBLISHING

WAR CIRCUS Charting the lives of the international circus community through The Great War. 1914 - 1918.

Lead researcher, editor and designer: Helen Averley

ISBN 978 0 9956903 0 1 Published by

The verity of war circus news stories are as reliable as their sources.

They are presented here in good faith by the War Circus team.

Many Photos are reproduced with licence granted by the owners for non-commercial use only.

They should not be reproduced, in full or in Part.

We would like to express our sincere thanks for permissions to use photos to the following archives: Imperial War Museum, University of Sheffield & the National Fairground & Circus Archive, Tyne & Wear Archives. Library of Congress Individuals include: Colin Dale, Tom Sandow, Frank Foster, George Pinder, Geoff Younger, Juliet Powell, margaret Wilby & Helen Averley.

We apologise for any unintentional breach of copyright.

The Concept of “WAR CIRCUS” as a Live performance, name or other media output including Film is reserved by the Publisher.

Madame La Bonche PUBLISHING

Copyright © Madame La Bonche publishing, 1917.

Photo copyright remains the property of the owners as indicated in text. All rights reserved including print and PDF versions.

This is a non-commercial publication, and is not for sale.

Printed in the UK by: www.np-print.com

NOTE: this book has been supported with Heritage Lottery Funds.

Instead of reselling your copy, please pass it on to another interested party or donate it to a Library or Archive, so that the public are able to access it.

If anything is factually incorrect we can edit our online version. We can also add individuals to our online lists www.labonche.net

Front Cover photos: Left to Right FRANK BOSTOCK (Helen Averley) MERCIA WAMBA DALE (Colin Dale) FAMOUS CRAGGS (Helen Averley) FRANK FOSTER (Frank Foster, grandson) JOHN “Jack” FOSSETT (George Pinder) JENNY, HAGENBECK’S WAR ELEPHANT (Public Domain)

Index

WAR CIRCUS ! ! !

Foreword, Prof. Ron Beadle! !

Introduction, Helen Averley ! !

Research Methods! ! !

p. 1 p. 2 p. 3

Section 1: WAR CIRCUS NEWSPAPERS ! ! ! ! ! !

Nineteen fourteen!

Nineteen fifteen!

Nineteen sixteen!

Nineteen seventeen!

Nineteen eighteen!

Nineteen nineteen!

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! ! ! ! ! !

p. 7 p. 23 p. 45 p. 63 p. 83 p. 99

Section 2: LISTS ! ! ! !

Introduction! ! ! !

Circus A-Z 1914-18! ! !

Serving Showmen 1914-18 ! ! !

p. 103 p. 105 p. 127

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Post Script, Helen Averley ! !

Bibliography ! ! ! !

Acknowledgements! ! !

p. 148 p. 151 p. 154

1915, 1916 and 1917 newspaper cuttings collected by Arthur Fenwick in his cutting books. Š Tyne and Wear Archives

1

Foreword:

By Professor Ron Beadle

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In these pages you will find the pity of war – its horrors, its waste, its injustice and its lies. It is the story of how that war affected a particular community, the artiste-travellers of the circus. A century on from World War One there are none in today’s circus who remember these times and few who recall hearing its stories from those they love. Circus history is an oral history and the challenge in its re-telling is that these were stories no longer told. What then to do, how to capture the chaos and complexity of those times? !

One answer is to try to see it as they saw it, with the words they used and the stories they told at the time. Helen Averley, circus entrepreneur, teacher, artiste and historian, has gathered stories from biographies, press reports, letters and official records to do exactly this. She presents us with a collage, a collection of accounts that take us from the shock that accompanied the announcement of war, the requisitioning of animals, the internment of artistes working in the lands of their enemies and the sudden loss of a way of life, through to the conscription of men to fight, the tragic losses of those who fought and of some left behind, to famine and finally to the reckoning; glimpses of the little that was left with which to rebuild. These are stories from Britain but also from India, Germany, Russia, the United States, South Africa, Cuba and elsewhere. !

The circus community was and remains international and so war has an even greater horror here, in a place that gathers people from many lands. And so we find the American circus owner John Ringling North, sending his Ringmaster Fred Bradna to scout European talent in 1913, having predicted that such talent would soon be unavailable to him. And so we find friends resorting to desperate schemes to avoid one another should they be caught on opposite sides in battle.

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Through these stories we meet many of the same people at different times, from the owners of the great circuses of the age, paying for canteens for returning servicemen, to the stars of the day, some quashing rumours of their own demise, others enduring the hatred of locals, caught behind lines that had not always imprisoned them. Most poignantly of all perhaps are the tales of young men, eagerly signing up to fight and then years later, plaintively writing to their newspaper, the Wo r l d ’s F a i r , t o t e l l f r i e n d s o f t h e i r whereabouts; there was no Facebook then. !

Knowing what we know now, knowing what this generation was to face again, means that we cannot read these stories in the way their original readers read them. The Jewish Blumenfeld family raised money for the Kaiser’s forces, lost men on the front line, saw relatives prosecuted in England and complained about the registration of Jews in their homeland. Their war stories are to be found here. But we know, as they could not, that ten years later, in 1928, the local Nazis were to close their circus in Magdeburg and twenty-one years later, they would begin to be transported to their deaths. Helen Averley has an eye for where these stories were to go, both the tragic and the routine and so she also reports the purchase of trucks by American circuses; for these were the final years of the horse-drawn shows. !

One of the effects of encounters with our past is to remind us of continuity as well as change. So we encounter a writer in 1919, finding comfort in the return of the circus and claiming its chief merit is to be ‘so delightfully out of date’; as then, as now. And yet the Circus continues, despite going in and out of fashion, despite economic turmoil, despite legal restriction, despite war.

It does so because of people like Helen Averley, people who take its traditions as their own, play with them, endure them, succour them, and pass them on.

2

Introduction

By Helen Averley !

Researching War Circus has been fascinating. It has also emphasised to me the truism that war respects no one.

happening and the resulting rumors led to unintended ‘fake’ news. You will find two of these types of stories in the book.

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These stories bring a shock to the favoured notion of the ‘circus body’ as a superhuman because the nature of jeopardy in war is altogether different to the jeopardy experienced within the artform. The issue is not about the body against the forces of nature, but the forces of ill. War has no concept of a circus body’s prowess, its ability to fly across a ring, to command the wild, to breakdown hostile boundaries or to make people laugh.

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Through the pages of this book I invite the reader to discover and construct their own War Circus story, to use it as if were an original resource and to focus in on what interests them.

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Still I do not really want to believe that the circus body is not superhuman. Surely a circus soldier is more resilient than others. Cannot acrobats dodge through a barbed quagmire more safely? Can the clown not disarm the barrage of hate? Can the aerialist not fly before the bullet?

Some did, but in the end, they too had to rely on their luck. !

Fortunately the circus community as a whole was relatively lucky through the horrors of WW1. They had a degree of immunity and a variety of ways to advert danger, often due to their international connections. The people of the fairs were less lucky. ! !

Although the focus War Circus is mainly on circus lives, the poignant stories of other Showland people are represented. They flesh out the story of boys & men going to war, where a circus voice is missing. Perhaps not unexpectedly we have relatively few women and children’s voices among the original source documents. It will be self-evident from the few that we do have that their lives were also extraordinarily impacted upon whilst the war raged on and on. !

The fate of people in wartime, is echoed in the fate of their stories. The stories themselves having been entered into a lottery of remembrance, where a life-story can be forgotten, fêted, reported, documented or privately rehearsed by families, we found some of these. !

In War Circus I hope we have brought back into focus as many stories as possible, real stories, and reported truths. Many of the stories you couldn’t make up. However, we did find few contradictions in newspaper reports. These reflect some of the confusions about what was

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I hope that this book, even with its limited print run, will be shared widely so that these War Circus stories are retold. Perhaps this book will prompt discussions in class rooms and elsewhere and prompt people to document more lives.

SOME POINTS FOR DISCUSSION !

Through the research many questions arise not only in relation to the circus community between 1914 and 1918, but also to many of us today: • To which nation does a body belong, to the cause attached to the soil of their life, the soil of their birth or something wider.?

• How does or should a community react to nationalism when it is set against bonds of friendship & cross-border kinship?

• Can we step aside from this today?

• Can citizenship truly function transnationally?

• Can we run away, and if so to where?

NOTES ABOUT RECORDING STORIES !

If you are planning to document a life here are a few basic details which are often missing as people launch into recounting: • Introduce the person - name, aliases, date of birth, and what do they normally do etc.

• Introduce the context of the action - date, location, work or wider context, who are they with (their details) etc.

• Record the story - let the story flow then reorder it into a chronology of action.

• What were the feelings surrounding the events?

• Is there any other information that is useful to document, photographs (with notes of who is in the photo, dates, locations and permissions for use if possible).

• Take the story at face value, try not to interpret the story. Review it with the person telling it, fact check if you can, add more detail, note contradictions and be clear if it is you who are adding something or have made comment.

• Make sure it is legible.

3

Research Methods ETHOS

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We do not intend, nor seek, to glorify war, but rather we are motivated to secure a circus narrative within the period of The Great War.

APPROACH

War Circus is a research project and publication which has been undertaken throughout 2016 by a small team of circus artists and researchers from Circus Central, Newcastle-uponTyne, U.K. It was sparked by the discovery of a biography of Grock, a famous Swiss clown (whose story lies within.) It is supported by funding from The North East of England Heritage Lottery Fund, and is part of the National WW1 Centenary programme. !

When we set out on our research we thought that we would be able to collate a significant amount of oral histories, from circus families, mainly based in the UK. It has turned out we are a little too late. Most families remember World War 2 stories, but not World War 1 family history as it is too far distant. In effect, this publication may now serve to return the stories we have found to the circus community’s descendants and those who have adopted the culture.

In contrast circus biographies and newspapers have been the gold mine. We have been able to access these online, and in archives, as well as in libraries, including our own, and thanks to loans from individuals. !

Our sources, both public and private include: The National Fairground and Circus Archive at the University of Sheffield, Arthur J Fenwick’s Collection at the Tyne & Wear Archives, British Library, British Newspaper Archive, Imperial War Museum, The Bostock Family genealogical project, as well as Wikipedia, Circopedia and other online resources. Research of this nature cannot pretend to be comprehensive, but we hope it to be of some significance. We are aware that much material remains out of reach at the time of publication. This lies in archives & collections either not yet available for research, or embargoed for the time being. !

Throughout the presentation of our research we have tried to stay neutral, rather than partisan. Inevitably the resources we have access to are mostly British (inc. Irish) and in english.

These do put a slant onto the narrative which is jingoistic at times, but there is often a story to counter. We have enjoyed the process of research and experiencing the thrill of receiving and waiting for stories to unravel. We therefore made a

decision not to explain or interpret the war circus stories nor their wider contexts, except in the form of war and political event notes in the headers. !

NEWSPAPERS, BIOGRAPHIC TALES & LISTS !

Having chosen to keep a clear sense of the period, the tone of voice, the style of writing, prolix as it is, and print design. We decided to present the material in two ways: Section One has a newsy feel, Section Two is in the form of lists collating the known facts of about 1000 individuals we have encountered, 40% of whom are circus. Readers can cross reference people from the Newspaper section to the Lists (but not List to Newspapers).

Neither list should be considered comprehensive, as an estimated 70,000 showmen served from Britain alone.

The newspapers contain: • Transcripts from contemporaneous newspapers, placed in a chronological order.

• Biographic narratives of circus folk. These accounts we have been extracted from biographies and other sources to give a current affairs feeling, rather than retrospective view point. They have then been set in a ‘best guess’ time line within the newspapers. Some have additional information given by family sources.

• Articles & correspondences from the wider Showland community to illustrate more fully the issues that were at play for circuses.

• Photographs from newspapers, archives, private collections.

• Some contemporary reports we have found not to be factually accurate and have included as they are interesting.

• War news and political events in the header.

The lists contain: • People we have identified as from or most likely to be from “circus” or circus type performers.

Some served in the war.

• Serving showmen identified in The World’s Fair newspaper. Some may be circus, but there was no specific evidence of this. This list is less detailed.

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Source references are given for articles in the newspaper and each person listed. These are given in a code so that the design of the newspaper is maintained and so the list entries, and reader, are not overwhelmed by repetitive notes. We have not added details that are not based on information from our research.

Reference codes can be found on p152 and p153.

4

Featured Lives !

Circus researchers will be familiar with many of the circus families based in Britain and Ireland in 1914, who feature in this book: Sangar, Fossett, Ginnett, Duffy, Bostock, Pinder, Cooke, Ohmy (Smith), and so on; they were well established. There are also may other circuses and artists included form across the globe. A few individuals whose stories we have found in biographies or academic books feature as if they were ‘special correspondents’ to War Circus News. They are from several nations and include: AMERICAN FRED BRADNA: Ref: (B F) At the outset of war Fred worked with Ringling Brothers as the show director, and also agent.

He and his wife, Ella, were both naturalised Americans with strong links to Europe. Ella as an equestrienne and star of the centre ring.

AUSTRIAN ROMAN PROSKE: Ref: (P R) Roman aged 14 run away from home to work with animals and set of on a ship for Africa. At the outbreak of war he was a 16 years old and already a lion tamer in East Africa.

BRITISH EDWARD H. BOSTOCK & FAMILY: Ref: (B EH) E.H. Bostock was the head of a large family business, with his four sons. His interests included a Bostock & Wombwell’s Menagerie, which travelled mainly in Britain, but he also exhibited in Europe and America. He was the proprietor of “The Royal Italian Circus” (formerly Volpi’s), several Hippodromes (Ipswich, Paisley & Hamilton), two picture palaces (Balantyre & Paisley) and owned a Zoo Building, the Victoria Hall, Hamilton, Glasgow. He was also a civic leader.

REUBEN CASTANG: Ref: (T R) As a youth, Reuben, moved from London to work with the Hagenbeck’s, becoming an animal trainer. By the outbreak of war, his Chimpanzee act was was famous and he was onto his second generation of chimps.

MERCIA WAMBA DALE: Ref: (D C) At the outbreak of war Mercia, was fifteen. Her mother had died in 1912 and she worked with her father in an acrobatic act. Her story has been researched by a family member.

FRANK FOSTER: Ref: (F F) Frank was a young man at the outbreak of war, working with George Sanger as a performer and animal man. He later became a famous Ring Master at Blackpool Tower Circus.

SIR G. TYRWHITT-DRAKE: Ref: (T-W G) Sir Gerrard was an ‘amateur’ menagerie owner, circus hobbyist and politician. At the outbreak of the war he had a large collection of animals in his private zoo at his home in Maidstone.

FRANZ TAIBOSH & MAURICE HEPSTON: Ref: (P N) Franz, known mostly as ‘Clicko’ was a bushman and British South African, While Maurice was an Irishman known as ‘Paddy’. Both held British Passports. They started working together around 1912/13. The working relationship was unequal, with Franz an indentured artist. After the war Franz was no longer managed by Maurice and became a famous member of the Congress of Freaks presented by Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey (combined) Circus. (RBBB) RUSSIAN NICOLAI POLIAKOFF, Ref: (Coco) At the outbreak of war Nicolai was fourteen, and already a seasoned circus performer and clown who had run away to start his career at a very very young age. He is better known as ‘Coco the Clown’.

GERMAN BLUMENFELDS: Ref: (O M) This is a very large and long established jewish circus family based mainly in Germany. They owned circus buildings and travelling shows.

LORENZ HAGENBECK: Ref: (H L) Lorenz was the son and heir to Carl Hagenbeck.

Carl was the most successful animal importer and founder of Stellingen Zoo, which was fabled for it’s innovate ‘nature’ park designs. Lorenz was an adult at the outbreak of war. While his brother signed up, he was put in charge of business in Northern Europe and America.

SWISS GROCK: Ref: (G) By 1914 Grock, Adrien Wettach, was an established musical clown working across Europe.

5

War Circus Landmarks

CIRCUS LANDMARKS SHOWLAND & CIRCUSLAND: These are the names attributed to the travelling communities rather than to geographic locations or places of entertainment. Circusland is a part of Showland. Both communities are part of a wider travelling community.

FAIRS & FEASTS: Fairs and Feasts are interchangeable terms for events where the Showland communities gather in order to entertain the public.

TOBER: Tober is the name of the place where a circus or fair might stand, it has an emotive feel of home.

WORLD’S FAIR: World’s Fair is a large indoor circus, menagerie and massed amusement, held annually at the Agricultural Hall, Islington, London, and other places in the world, including Dublin.

THE WORLD’S FAIR: The World’s Fair is the main specialist newspaper which served Showland in Britain. Other British publications serving the circus community were the The Era and to a lesser extent The Stage. Some of these publications also offered a ‘Letter Box’ services which were essential for communicating to people who were always on the move.

Bostock’s Zoo Building Glasgow

Easter Rising

Edinburgh Newcastle

Tower Circus Blackpool & Ohmy base.

BATTLEFIELDS & CITIES: Identified (right) are some of the locations where the circus soldiers fought or artistes were located.

Dublin

Tiffield, Fossett’s Farm

Tyrwitt-Drake’s Cobtree Manor, Maidenhead.

London World’s Fair, Agricultural Hall Islington London

Horley, Sangar’s Farm

We have included all the information to hand, in the format it was found, even if it is incomplete. For more information on military regiments we have found useful lists on the Imperial War Museum (IWM) and National Archives (NA) Web sites. For web addresses see reference codes on p153.

War Landmarks 1914-1918 Vimmy Ridge Dogger Bank

Ruhleben Camp

Ypres Jutland

. . . . . . . .. .

Isle of Man

Oslo

Petrograd Riga Moscow

Lusitania Neuve Chapelle

Berlin

Somme

Paris

Warsaw

Budapest

Vienna

Sarajevo

Marne

WAR EVENTS: Bulletins at the top of the newspapers follow the war and major political events, as recalled in The Pagaent of the Century, published c.1934 (Ref P)

Great Yarmouth Hippodrome

Hull

ARMY INFORMATION: Most of the military records we have found relating to the British Army. It is often in abbreviated form, e.g. B.E.F. is British Expeditionary Forces.

WAR CIRCUS LANDMARKS INTERNMENT CAMPS: The main German camp featured is Ruhleben which housed 5000 men in the stables of Berlin harness racing track.

Referred to often as a “Racecourse”. In Britain there were several camps including at Newbury Racecourse and Douglas, Isle of Man.

... . . . .

Verdun

Salonika

Gallipoli

6

CIRCUS NEWS: Reporting from All Corners! Remembers 1913

Col. Samuel Franklin Cody: Wild West Showman, Pioneer Aviator & Inventor.

Colonel S.F. Cody in his Cody aircraft mark V.

© IWM (RAE-O 566)

Cody built the mark V with his family in 4 weeks from the remains of his mark III which he had crashed. It was in the mark V that Cody won two 1912 military trial competitions to find an aircraft for the army, and taking £5000 prize in total. Cody died on 7 Aug. 1913 test flying his latest design the Cody Floatplane. Col. Cody used to say he was fascinated by kites from a young age, when he saw the Chinese cooks who worked on the cattle drives making and flying kites. In friendly competition he & his sons used to build kites and fly them to great heights. They began building larger and larger versions until Cody decided to try and construct a man carrier, which they did.

Nulli Secundus I at Crystal Palace © IWM (RAE-O 1070) 5th October 1907 Col. Cody and Col. Capper of the Balloon School at Aldershot flew the Nulli Secundus I a world record breaking 40 miles, landing in the middle of the cycle track at Crystal Palace, the same venue where Cody used to carry out his horse against cycle races. Cody was responsible for the design of the nacelle and spar frame that attached the nacelle to the airship envelope . Capper was instrumental in the War Office deciding to use Cody's man carrying kites and appointing him as instructor.

After this their relationship soured, due partly to Capper's bias towards airships rather than aeroplanes and his support of a rival aviator John Dunne. Cody's non military attitude also caused a certain amount of friction between the two of them. Their relationship did however remain cordial, and on 15th August 1909 in the mark IC, piloted by Cody, Capper became the first passenger to be carried by an aircraft in Britain.

Cody’s youngest son Frank is seen (left) sitting at the controls of the Cody aircraft mark IC. It was in this aircraft that Cody made the first passenger carrying flight in Britain with Capper on 14th August 1909, and other breaking flights including on 8th September 1909 a cross-country flight of 40 miles lasting 1hr 3 mins. This was the furthest cross-country flight made, anywhere in the world and the longest flight in time and distance in the British Empire. Only six other pilots and four types of machine had flown over forty miles anywhere in the world and all of these were aerodrome circuits not cross-country flights. © IWM (RAE-O 448)

Man-lifter War Kite © IWM (RAE-O 564) Cody was the first man to be lifted from the deck of a warship in a heavier-than-air machine. It was during one of these demonstration flights that Cody was almost killed. With Cody at around 800 feet the Captain of the ship turned 180 degrees so it was down wind. The kites immediately began to plummet to the sea. Cody jumped clear a few feet from the surface of the sea so he could rescued.

Cody built his Cody aircraft mark II, in 1910, here pictured with some Wild West performers. © IWM (RAE-O 377) For many years Cody & family put on Wild West shows featuring trick shooting & horse riding that toured the country successfully. The money that this generated was how Cody partly financed his aeronautical work. It was in this aircraft that Cody won his first Michelin Trophy. In January 1912 he carried 4 passengers. It was crashed in April 1912 by Lieut. J N Fletcher whilst Cody was teaching him to fly.

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Bringing you circus news from across the globe.

CIRCUS NEWS Reporting from all Corners!

www.labonche.net @labonche

1914

RESERVISTS TO BE MOBILISED 1 JULY: MR. EDMUND PAYNE FAMOUS “GAIETY” COMEDIAN DIES. 2 JULY: MR CHAMBERLAIN DIES.

4 JULY: 2,000 ARMED ULSTER VOLUNTEERS DEMONSTRATE AGAINST HOME RULE. 21 JULY: KING OPENS CONFERENCE OF BRITISH & IRISH PARTIES.

24 JULY: NO AGREEMENT REACHED

BY CONFERENCE ON IRISH QUESTIONS. 26 JULY: CLASH BETWEEN MILITARY AND NATIONAL VOLUNTEERS IN DUBLIN.

January 1914

27 JULY: SIR E GREY ANNOUNCES PROPOSAL FOR A CONFERENCE OF GERMANY, FRANCE, ITALY & GREAT BRITAIN. FRANCE & ITALY ACCEPT. 28 JULY: AUSTRIA-HUNGARY DECLARES WAR ON SERBIA. 30 & 31 JULY: RUSSIA HAS MOBILISED HER ARMY. 31 JULY: M. JAURES, SOCIALIST, SHOT DEAD, BY BY A YOUNG MAN IN PARIS.

consequence in the Balkans. So here we have another family reunion at Crayvo, near Bucharest.

Business wise the trip was a success.

We have engaged the Kŏnyöts and helped them plan their passage for the coming winter. Another find is the Italian Baghonghi, a midget who employs a ‘mechanic’ to do a comedy bareback routine in full dress. And in Berlin we have signed the Josephon Troupe, four Icelanders who will give American audiences their first demonstration of ‘glima’, Iceland’s self-defence wrestling.

We will sail for home on the Bremen, a ten-thousand-ton liner, and arrive just in time to start working in vaudeville at New York’s Colonial Theatre.

We plan to return to Europe later in the year, Ella has a contract with Circus Schumann.

The Crown Prince of Germany.

IMPERIAL FATHER'S BAN ____

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: B F

Crown Princess Keeps Herself In the Public Eye. ____

'PHONE MESSAGE TO CIRCUS. All Berlin is watching with interest and amusement the progress of the quarrel between the Kaiser and Crown Prince, and the Crown Prince seems to be enjoying it as much as the Berliners.

Both the Crown Prince and Princess are now rigidly barred from Court festivities, and it was specially noted this week that they were not even invited to the two Court balls, although when they were at Danzig they always travelled to Berlin for the festivities.

They always make a point of showing themselves at a theatre on state occasions, so that it is impossible for the court officials to explain their absence by diplomatic "indisposition".

One morning the Crown Prince attended a rehearsal at the Schumann Circus, and became so interested in the horses that he forgot the time. At 3pm the following message was received at the circus by telephone :"The Crown Princess wishes to know when her husband is coming home, as dinner is ready."

The Prince hurried home! and as he was entering the courtyard of his palace a drunken man tried to approach his motor car. The man was knocked down by the Prince's guard and taken to the nearest police station.

Edward Carson (hat off) reviews an Ulster Volunteer Force gathering, Waringstown Cricket Ground, Co Down. Mr Waring, reviewing 2nd from right. c. 1913/14 The 4th man from left is William Lennon, Great Grandfather of the Editor. Photo: Helen Averley

The man was unharmed, but inspite of this a report was spread in Berlin that an attempt had been made on the Prince's life.

26/1/1914 Gazette for Middlesborough

FRED BRADNA NEWS. As far back as June 1913 I was more than aware that war threatened Europe. Ella and I are naturalised Americans and personally have nothing to fear. Grimly shadowing me, however, is the knowledge that had I remained in Europe, and the war is on us, I would become a reluctant officer in the Kaiser’s army, and probably secretly planning with my father to jump into the French forces at an expedient moment. So in June I communicated to Mr. John (Ringling) my longing to see my father.

‘You should go’ he said.

For him, master of millions, that is easy to say. For me, who lives up to my income, it is more difficult.

‘Circus performers do not get rich’ I said.

‘I will send you,’ Mr. John said.

He booked passages for Ella and me on the German liner Kaiserin Augusta Victoria for November 8, 1913, just two days after the season closed in Louisville, Kentucky. My assignment: to scout the Balkans for new circus

talent. Mr John anticipates the peril that for some years frontiers might be closed, preventing the flow of stars from European circuses. He relied on my knowledge of German, and Ella’s dexterity with the Balkan tongues to do the job. Particularly he was interested in the Kŏnyöt family, a Hungarian troupe of fourteen persons so versatile that they perform six different specialities.

After a stop in Paris during which Ella replenished her wardrobe, we went to Switzerland, where my brother Emil is the owner of the restaurant Wolfe in Basle. He loves cookery, and has amassed a fortune during six years as chef to Czar Nicholas of the Russians. Emil accompanied us to Strasbourg for a ten-day reunion with my parents and our daughter Helen.

My father, who had never forgiven me for joining a circus, softened after a day of sternness, and received me as his son, though he did not hide his disappointment in me. Father told me that he has already completed plans to assume a French infantry command at the outbreak of war.

As we are spending Mr. John’s money we could not stay in Strasbourg indefinitely, and finally have gone about our work engaging the Kŏnyöts. Our entree was Ella’s sister Beata, whose Rumanian winemerchant husband knows everyone of

April 1914 NEWS FROM REUBEN CASTANG. In spring, I selected new chimpanzees, including seven year old Pedro who has assumed the mantel of my beloved Moritz, from Hagenbecks.

I also made a short visit to England to appear with Hagenbeck-Cochran Wonder Zoo at Olympia. Then on the insistence of Nikitin I was convinced to tour Russia and the Autumn fair at Nijni Novgorod, so I have embarked for Europe.

Paraphrased from Biography Bibliog. Ref: T R

July 1914 SECOND VISIT OF HANNEFORD'S CIRCUS AND MENAGERIE TO BARNSTABLE AND DISTRICT. Barnstable is to receive another visit from Hanneford's Royal Canadian Circus and Menagerie. This is their third season in Great Britain. The show comprises the last word in circus

8

CIRCUS NEWS: Reporting from All Corners! 1914

1 AUGUST: GERMANY HAS DECLARED WAR ON RUSSIA. 2 AUGUST: FRENCH TERRITORY HAS BEEN ENTERED BY GERMAN TROOPS; RUSSIAN FORCES CROSS THE GERMAN FRONTIER.

3 AUGUST: THE BRITISH FLEET HAS BEEN MOBILISED AND IS ON A WAR FOOTING;GERMANY SENDS ULTIMATUM TO BELGIUM. BRITAIN IS TREATY BOUND TO DEFEND BELGIUM.

business, including the famous Hanneford Family (four in number) so much commented upon during the last visit in 1913 who conclude their remarkable performance by jumping from the ring on the bareback of one horse while it is going at full gallop around the arena. Besides this truly startling item, there is a powerful new programme of other novelties, including the Four Human Aeroplanes, the Seven St. Lawrences, Mdile, Hackenbeck and her performing horse and elephant, "Manitoba" and "Wieniper", and the fire horse, "Quebec". There are also jugglers, trapezists, clowns, performing animals of many varieties.

Not the least interesting item is the special engagement of "The Nine Men from Jo'burg." The menagerie will be found to contain many fine specimens of lions, wolves, elephants, dromedaries, camels, monkeys &c.; also the recently born lion cubs, christened at Plymouth and Penzance.

Hannefords have toured over the vast Dominion of Canada, and the Wild West for a number of years. They also produce a very realistic number viz.

Pastimes in a Western Stockyard, showing the dexterity of cowboy and cowgirl, direct from the plains, in the use of lasso, lariat, and stockwhip; also the famous buck jumping horse, "Trouble".

A very smart street pageant will take place at 1pm, weather permitting. The show will pitch at the Fair Ground, North Walk. There will be two performances, a full brass band accompanies the Show. The date of visit is Friday, July 10th, Reserved seats, 2s and 3s, also 1s unreserved, can be booked at Messrs. O. Nicking and Sons' Music Warerooms, The Square.

in Dublin we are going to play here until the end of August. So here we are and hopefully the colonial Office has not seen fit to refer the matter to the Irish Government, and any way even if the VAF has black listed me there are plenty of other places for me to get us a spot, and anyway what with the war and the Home rule Bill, there are plenty of other things for the constabulary to be doing than look a missing African. Anyway on the 10 August at the Empire Theatre, after Kitty Clinton, ‘The only female Irishman’ on the bill there will be: ‘Taree, the Australian musical Bushman.’ We will keep you guessing as to who that is!

2/7/1914 North Devon Journal

PADDY HEPSTON aka CAPTAIN EPSTEIN Thanks to the meddling’s of Buxton and Harris of the Aborigines’ Protection Society (APS), who opened a file on me, presumable named “Bushman, Ill treatment of Wild Dancing Man’ or some such, who had alerted every one, from the Colonial Office, the High Commissioner of South Africa, ‘Headhunter’ Alfred Haddon, so called Anthropologist & his associate Mr. Duckworth also from Cambridge University, and the Variety Artistes’ Federation (VAF), I had already presented Clicko, my Bushman to the in front of this private audience. Buxton and Harris, seem to think that I am some sort of Svengali type character, not to mention Haddon’s wife, Fanny’s meddling “ poor little Bushman”.

Anyway this was followed in June the Variety Artistes’ Federation (VAF) meeting where they concluded that they ‘deprecate exhibitions of this kind”, which did not help me, I am just trying to make a living with my Bushman. After all what would he Clicko, Franz Taibosh, do with out me? Then the London Metropolitan Police had tracked us down to our lodgings in London, but luckily I had already secured a spot at World’s Fair

LEFT

FRANZ FERDINAND ASSASSINATED IN SARAJEVO

Paraphrased from Biography Bibliog. Ref: P N

TALES OF BANKRUPTCY. POLITICS AND A CIRCUS. At Scarborough Bankruptcy Court yesterday, Eliza Baker, the proprietress of a travelling circus, was examined. She returned liabilities £408, and a deficiency of £330. Debtor said that after the death of her husband she ran the circus in Ireland, but Home Rule and strikes compelled her to leave the country owing to the political situation, outside Belfast people took no interest in circuses! and the takings fell off very much. The examination was closed.

8/7/1914 Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer

GROCK REPORTS FROM MOSCOW. Two days ago war broke out between Germany and Russian and then last night, 2 August, news has reached us that Germany and France are at war. I happened to be spending the evening with the German contortionist, Haro, and Braik, the French conjurer and illusionist. Their engagements often take them to the same towns at the same time and they always aim at this when making their plans for further contracts. Theirs is one of the finest friendships I know. I am often in their company and we get on well. It was heart-rending to see how they suffered with the news.

Their one thought was what would happen if they found themselves face to face with weapons in their hands.

Neither of course would shoot, but supposing they were in the trenches and shot at each other without knowing? The French man had an idea. They have decided on a tune which if the trenches were not too far apart, they will whistle as loud as they can.

I suspect war propaganda will soon make nonsense of their good intentions. As soon as war breaks out all normal relations between countries cease. Worst of all, human relations cease also. I know very well that this is not a new or profound observation, but when, like me, you have friends of all nationalities, it is a peculiarly distressing thought. So far my country, Switzerland, remains neutral.

Narrative extracted from Biography Bibliog. Ref: G

Above: Arch Duke Franz Ferdinand on 28th of June was killed in Sarajevo. He is pictured moments before a bomb was thrown into his carriage, he flung it aside, a short while later he was shot as they drove away. His assassin Cabrionovitch was captured .(right)

NICOLAI POLIAKOFF CHILD ARTISTE NEWS. My friend Gingek has changed.

Here I am, happily working with little thought for anything but the glorious possibilities the circus holds for me after all I have suffered, and in he walks with swagger and in uniform - a smirk of satisfaction all over his face: ‘Be off with you,’ he said. ‘Soldiers do not talk to children. Run, before I beat you with this bayonet.’ Some friend.

It turns out a war has started between Germany and Russia! All thoughts of my future as a famous clown have left my head - I must become a soldier, I am no child! There is one problem though. Although my age isn’t necessarily a concern in the eyes of the army, I am very small. This won’t deter me though - I am a gifted circus artiste! I can somersault, I am agile, I am strong, I can ride a horse they would be fools to turn down someone with my unusual skill set.

Such frustration! Here I am willing to lay down my life, renounce my dreams of circus glory, and my repeated attempts to join the Russian regiment are only met with laughter!

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: Coco

SIMONA’S PARROT.

.

Moscow

.

Sarajevo

Your King and Country Need You. A CALL TO ARMS. An addition of 100,000 men to his Majesty’s Regular Army is immediately necessary in the present grave National Emergency.

Lord Kitchener is confident that this appeal will be at once responded to by all those who have the safety of our Empire at heart.

TERMS OF SERVICE. General Service for a period of 3 years or until the war is concluded. Age of Enlistment between 19 and 30.

“What

I Heard.”

I hear that there is going to be War. It will be over by Christmas. ____

HOW TO JOIN. Full information can be obtained at any Post Office in the Kingdom or at any Military depot.

GOD SAVE THE KING!

9

Circus News From Across The Globe.

WAR CIRCUS NEWS Reporting on all fronts!

1914

www.labonche.net @labonche

BRITAIN & GERMANY AT WAR 4 AUGUST: BRITISH ULTIMATUM TO GERMANY; BRITAIN DECLARES WAR; ALL LABOUR DISPUTES TO BE CEASED BY MUTUAL ARRANGEMENT;SIR J JELLICOE

ASSUMES COMMAND OF GRAND FLLET IN NORTH SEA; SIR J FRENCH APPOINTED TO COMAND EXPEDITIONARY FORCE;

AUGUST 5: BANK RATES RAISED TO 10% THEN TO 6% THEN 5%; POWER TAKEN TO DECLARE A MORATORIUM; BANK HOLIDAY EXTENDED TO AUGUST 7; POSTAL ORDERS BECOME LEGAL

HALT! ATTENTION!!

5/8/1914 World’s Fair

I am sure that all of you are exercised with the greatest of concerned for news of loved ones, fellow artistes and circuses who are caught up in the commencement of hostilities. We will, of course, bring you news as swiftly as telegraphically possible from across Circusland. We know that Frank Bostock and his circus are in France, King Ohmy and his family who were working with Carré’s Circus, Jingo the Belgian clown in France, while Richard Sawade is in South America. We will endeavour to bring you reports as soon as we receive news.

Many Reservists have already been mobilised.

EDITOR

OFFICIAL APPEAL ALL TERRITORIALS WHO ARE NOT OVER 35 YEARS OF AGE, AND WHO ARE NOW ON THE RESERVE LIST ARE INVITED TO REJOIN THEIR REGIMENTS.

seen Belgian trains showing the effects of the war. It is a good job I know how to find loop-holes and I have never been so fortunate to be fluent in German. When I get to Berlin I will see out the war under the protection of my good friends the Hagenbeck’s

August 1914

There’s a time for deeper thinking, And most surely it is now, Keep your heads clear little Britons, For there’s going to be a row, And the men who for some time past, Have been welcomed on our isle, Gleaning all our inner workings, Now are filled with hatred vile.

Have we not had both our eyes closed, While the wily Teuton smiled, Boasting outwardly his friendship, Simple as a little child.

Time has come at last for action, Boys of Britain heed thy call, The mother country needs your help, Be united, one and all.

Young and old who are well and able, Fight for your country and your king; Be it land, or on the water, Let your voice with victory ring, If they want to have the fighting, We are ready to command, There must be no quarter given, To the death, for motherland.

F.B.

England Expects Every Man!

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: T R

NEWS FROM LORENZ HAGENBECK.

William Taylor’s Bioscope Show “The War” 1914 © Arthur Jones collection, University of Sheffield Library, National Fairground and Circus Archive

CIRCUS FOLK FLY TO THE COLOURS. ____

THREE PALACE ARTISTS "CALLED UP" Even music halls are affected by the war. The Three Aeros, trapeze artistes, were to appear at the Palace last evening, but could not keep their engagement as they had been called up for military service. The programme never-the-less is a strong one. The outstanding feature is a spectacular production of which Mr. Charles W. and Mr. John R. Poole are responsible, illustrating the loss of the Empress of Ireland.

British Library 4/8/1914

WILD ANIMAL MAN, REUBEN CASTANG AND CHIMPANZEES IN THE THICK OF IT. Reuben Castang: It is only weeks since I was presented with with Max and Moritz my two chimpanzees, June 1914, to Archduke Francis Ferdinand

and his wife Archduchess Sofie after a show in Budapest. It is with shock that I found out that a week later the Archduke was barbarically assassinated, in Serajevo. I am therefore in all likelihood to be the last circus man to have performed for their Highnesses.

I am in Europe, on my way to Russia to tour, on the insistence of Nikitin, and I found myself in Austria when hostilities commenced. I had with me my two chimpanzes, another Hagenbeck animal keeper, German, and an assistant who is a black American man. First we were all caught up in chaos at Jejitz and the rail bridge was blown up by the Russians before we could cross the border. I have had to separate from my four companions as my Britishness is a danger to them and I have sent them on to try to get to the safety of Hagenbeck and Stellingen, in Berlin with his collegues. I am left to find my way through and to follow on, by rail or by any other means possible.

Civilian life has ceased, and militarism rules Europe. No station master wants to give me permission to travel to Berlin, and the burgomaster is even more scared - they both wanted me out of town and kept sending me back down the line. Travelling without a permit is impossible. I have already

Matthias Walter, elephant keeper for Hagenbeck reports: I was on the SS Axenfals in the Red Sea when the news of war was picked up on the radio and broadcast from the bridge. I had eleven elephants on board with me. The captain picked up speed and sailed as fast as he could to the Italian colonial port of Massawa.

From there I was able to transport the elephants to Brindisi on a tramp, and thence went to Stellingen by rail.

Within 2 days of arrival, being a reservist, I had donned the blue naval uniform at Wilhelmshaven and had exchanged my elephant goad for carbine.

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: H L

FRONT OF TATTOOED LADY SHOW THE SCENE OF FIRST WAR SPEECHES. What was probably the first openair meeting called to protest against the war, was held on the stage front of Mr. Brose Harvey’s Show at Manningham Fairground, on Sunday Last.

A tremendous concourse of people assembled to hear the views of Mr. F. W. Jowett, The Labour M.P. for Bradford, upon the situation.

At the conclusion of the meeting when thanking Mr. Harvey for the use of his stage, Mr. Jowett, in a chat expressed some very pertinent views regarding the detrimental effect war would have upon the amusement caterers and show people.

8/8/1914 World’s Fair

WAR CIRCUS NEWS: Reporting on all fronts! 1914

10

TENDER; TREASURY NOTES ISSUED TO REPLACE GOLD SOVEREIGNS. BROWN FOR POUNDS, RED FOR SHILLINGS.

GERMAN MINE LAYER SUNK BY AMPHION. 6 AUGUST: AMPHION STRIKES MINE, 131 LIVES LOST; GERMAN ASSAULT ON LIÉGE FORTS; GERMAN WARSHIPS PUT TO SEA;

9 AUGUST: LIÉGE INVESTED; FRENCH TROOPS ENTER ALSACE; TOGOLAND SEIZED BY FRENCH & BRITISH FORCES; GERMAN WARSHIPS PUT TO SEA.

LEFT

10 AUGUST: LIÉGE OCCUPIED BY GERMANS; GERMAN SHIPS ESCAPE TO DARDANELLES; FRANCE DECLARES WAR ON AUSTRIA. 12 AUGUST: PRINCE OF WALES APPOINTED 2ND LIEUTENANT IN

AN APPEAL TO SHOWMEN. Dear Editor,— It is with profound regret that I read the awful war news that is coming out in the half-hour editions of the dailies. If you look back through the columns of the “World’s Fair” you will find where I have twice drawn attention to the possibility of a European war.

A lot of the “World’s Fair” critics pooh-poohed the idea of such an occurrence. But it is here now and in our midst. I for one should not in the least be surprised if the Crown came and commandeered our engines, plant, and vehicles.

We have now entered upon on of the most serious events in the history of the world.

To expect people to enter into pastimes of pleasure on and off the fair-grounds of Great Britain is to my mind impossible to expect.

The outlook for us all is decidedly gloomy, and those fairs that are situated near to the the coast will take a deal of time to recover from the general paralysis that must inevitably follow from the holding up of trade oversea.

We must, however, not forget that we are a unit of the Empire and in the hour of trouble of our King and Country is up to us to prove our worth not individually but unitedly, that the showmen of Great Britain are ready and willing to take up arms in defense of their King and Country.

This is no time for jest, ribaldry or sarcasm, nor to hide behind the aprons of women. A serious issue is at stake and whatever led that other unions, societies, etc. may do, we should, through the Showmen’s Guild, be pre-pared to fall into line.

Trusting we shall come through this trying ordeal in a manner which shall command respect and admiration of the British People is the fervent wish of

“SIMON” THE FIRST. 7/8/1914 The World’s fair

NEWS FROM TYRWHITTDRAKE, MENAGERIST. We have regrettably closed the Zoo, which we only just opened up this year. I started as a showman when I took my collection to Edinburgh to start the Zoological Society of Scotland's Zoo Park in early 1913. In October of that year I decided to start Zoo Inn, in Maidstone, this year, 1914.

The venture was a success. With weekday takings covering costs and Sunday, which is by far the best day from an attendance point of view, ensuring dividends, then the war broke out and we are now in the general opinion that no one would ever, even if they could afford it, go to entertainments. Hopefully the war will

Bostock & Wombwell’s Menagerie, Great North Road, Newcastle upon Tyne 1914. (Is Arthur Feely walking alongside?) © Fairground Archive collection, University of Sheffield Library, National Fairground and Circus Archive

not be too long and we will open it BELL FAMILY. again once hostilities have ceased and the appetite for amusements has returned.

Amelia Bell (nee.

Feely), Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: T-D G (1) granddaughter of renowned English clown Richard Bell, reports that she and her whole family of 19 acrobats, and stage hands have had to cut their 1914 tour to Europe short. They have NEWS FROM instead returned to South America via the new Panama canal.

E.H. BOSTOCK. Geoff Younger, G.G. grand-nephew of Amelia Bell, obituary, 6/6/2008

I have been touring Scotland and I had just moved my own (Bostock and Wombwell's) Menagerie from the New City Road in Glasgow, and was in the The effect of the war in the process of organising some very good amusement can, of course, only lets, The Flower Show and Glasgow be surmised,world, but it is certain that we Trade Show, when war broke out, and shall be amongst the first to suffer. at once these bookings were cancelled 8/8/1914 The World’s Fair by the Glasgow Corporation.

Meanwhile my newly acquired Royal Italian Circus, which I was presenting on stages while I was preparing for the South African season, was at WHAT THE WORLD’S Barmouth in Wales, and there too FAIR THINKS. business was almost immediately bad. ____ On the evening of 4th August, I offered my Zoo building in Glasgow, THE WAR. gratuitously, to the military for the purposes of mobilisation! They Many showmen will be put to great declined the offer stating that they had all their arrangements completed. Yet inconvenience in haulage and it is the on the 19th of August several military duty of all our readers to give every gentlemen returned, inspected and assistance in such cases. Another commandeered my New City Road matter is the question of money. In buildings as a billeting centre. I was our business great quantities of small informed that no more than 1100 men money is handled and we should would sleep there a night. The first follow the advice of the Government 500 arrived that night having been and keep it in circulation as much as flooded out of tents at Girvan and possible. Pay your wages and debts in slept in the Zoo building - they had small coin as far as possible and you nothing to sleep on, but bare boards, I will do a lot to assist in preventing any persuaded them that there should be financial panic. In fact, it is the duty of something more comfortable and was all at the present time to do all in instructed to make palliasses and their power to assist in every possible procure straw to stuff them. I way. arranged it with Messrs. Dallas & Co., 8/8/1914 The World’s Fair Cowcaddens, who made the first 300 in 9 hours and the full 1000 within 3 days. It was agreed that I would charge 3d/man/night and it was I who had to count them each night.

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: B, EH

TWO BILLS REFEREE REPORT In the District Court of the United States for the District of New Jersey in Bankruptcy. In the Matter of Buffalo Bill's Wild West and Pawnee Bill's Great Far East, Combined, Bankrupt.

Notice to Creditors. To the creditors of Buffalo Bill's Wild West and Pawnee Bill's Great Far East, Combined, of the district aforesaid, bankrupt. ____ England Buys Circus Horses.

According to reports, the Miller Brothers' 101 Ranch, at Shepherd's (Bush), London, England, closed hurriedly on account of the war, the horses having been requisitioned by the Government for military purposes.

15/8/1914 New York Clipper

© IWM PST 8365

WAR CIRCUS NEWS: Reporting on all fronts! 1914

RIGHT

GRENADIER GUARDS; GREAT BRITAIN DECLARES WAR ON AUSTRIA-HUNGARY. 14 AUGUST: GERMAN ATROCITIES SCARE. 15 AUGUST:JAPAN CLAIMS KAU-CHAU.

16 AUGUST: BRITISH EXPEDITIONARY FORCES LAND SAFELY; 19 AUGUST: BELGIAN GOV. REMOVES TO ANTWERP; LOUVAIN ABANDONED.

20 AUGUST:GERMANS OCCUPY BRUSSELS. 21 AUGUST: GERMANY LEVIES £8,000,000 ON BRUSSELS. 23 AUGUST: JAPAN DECLARES WAR ON GERMANY; RUSSIANS OCCUPY

11

INTERSBURG; GERMANS CAPTURE NAMUR & OCCUPY LUNEVILLE; 25 AUGUST: ZEPPELIN RAID ON ANTWERP; GERMANS DESTROY LOUVAIN.

ARRESTED AS SPY.

NEWS SNIPPETS.

ARTISTE’S EXCITING EXPERIENCE.

So at the present time when all sorts of rumours will be in the air, remember the old adage, “Don’t believe what you hear and only half of what you see.”

____

It is not every man who cares to make himself notorious by appearing like a spy. An artiste who is appearing in Inverkeithing Theatre this week had this experience on Tuesday. As he was journeying to Dunfermline (a town strange to him) to make some purchases (sic), his manner attracted the attention of the military who handed him over to the civil authorities, who after making exhaustive inquiries which proved satisfactory they allowed him to go.

Sarraqua is a North American Indian of the Blackfoot tribe, and is a splendid specimen (sic) of manhood.

His feats of weightlifting are simply marvellous, and his closing scene where he lifts an iron frame piano from the platform with his teeth caused a thrill of sensation in the theatre. His other performances are such as no ordinary man would dream of attempt-ing and his turn proved one of the best seen in the house. At the close of the show he gave a practical exhibition of his loyalty. He sold his photo post cards at one penny each, and he handed over the proceeds to Provost Findlay to be sent to the Prince of Wales’ National Relief Fund.

15/8/1914 The World’s Fair

NEWS FROM CIRCUS BLEUMENFELDS, GERMANY. As you know Circus E. Blumenfeld, is a loyal German travelling circus, yes we have international artists from many countries, we have always been loyal to the Emperor, and our circuses are often frequented by the German nobility. We have seen now for some time a growing nationalistic sentiment in our audiences', what with all the Kulturalnation talk, perhaps we should have seen the war coming, still it has taken us by surprise. When it happened, we were on a regular visit to Posnan and had to hastily pack up in the middle of a lucrative season.

Within seven days seven of our sons had responded to the call to arms, The chapiteau and most of the horses were expropriated for army use, and the rest of the family has barely made it back to our home base.

We are pleased that when the Emperor proclaimed Burgfrieden, that jewish non-commissioned officers are now able to be promoted and it is good to see that our patriotism is recognised. The Blumenfelds have always had a special relationship with the military, are German patriots, our sons are willing to demonstrate to make personal sacrifices. Our family has probably provided the most fighters for the fatherland form any circus. Not only have the gentlemen Emil Scherra and Adolf Blumenfeld answered the called to arms, but also the grandsons of the gentlemen: Leo and Arthur. They will enter the war and bring with them a true performance of chivalry in the new theatre.

15/8/1914 The World’s Fair

____ One of the worst sufferers from the commandeering of of horses is Mr. Fred Ginnett. It has been stated that over a hundred horses have been taken and the “Wild Australia” Tour has had to be cancelled. ____

31 Aug: German aeroplanes raid Paris. Gendarmes view bomb crater in street.

Grock the clown was near by!

We have news that the Strassburger family, were touring in Sweden and most of their seasonal staff, Austrian, German, and French, have set off to the front lines. The future of the show is now in doubt, as is our circus in Magdeburg, it will go dark.

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: O, M

TAYLOR’S MEXICAN CIRCUS. Owing to Mr. David Taylor’s Mexican circus closing down on account of the war crisis, Mr Harry Humphreys - the energetic advance agent, is at liberty to accept offers as advance agent or manager for any travelling concern, large or small. We wish him luck.

The Caravan Club of Great Britain is organising two fleets of caravans for war service. One will be placed at the disposal of nurses engaged at base hospitals, and the other will be allocated to the Boy Scouts engaged in guarding telegraph wires on the south and east coasts. About 40 caravans have already been offered, and promises of further help are being received by every post by the honorary secretary, Mr. J. Harris Stone. ____

from Russia was standing at the next platform.

From Berlin I took the train to Munich, and then crossed to Bodensee and reached home - at last.

Switzerland too has mobilised and I had to report. I did so very unwillingly. I have a great aversion to war. My hand has saved me. The M.O. rejected me as soon as he saw it. I have requested to go abroad to see my There is great animosity to parents in Paris. I have not seen them everything German just now and in some time and I’m worried about those of our readers who own paper how they’re getting on. organs should overhaul their music Narrative extracted from Biography Bibliog. Ref: G and see the selections by German composers are withdrawn.

22/8/1914 The World’s Fair

22/8/1914 The World’s Fair

FRANZ TAIBOSH aka CLIKO, THE WILD DANCING BUSHMAN. Paddy Hepston has brought me to this crazy city called Dublin, and now a world War has broken out. But still I dance and the people like me whether I am an African or Australian Bushman, I dance wildly.

Paraphrased from Biography Bibliog. Ref: P N

GROCK REPORTS FROM SWITZERLAND. Since the outbreak of war I have been on something of an Odyssey.

Travelling is no longer a simple matter. Every country is out to harm the enemy; so we took every precaution. My journey has taken a month. I went from Petersburg to England via Copenhagen, and then back to Copenhagen because it is impossible to get across the Channel.

The Germans are on the look out to sink enemy shipping. So I had to go from Copenhagen to Berlin.

When I arrived at the station in Berlin, the first train-load of wounded

A rifleman of a Tyrolese regiment, with his chako and rifle decorated with flowers, before departure on active service. © IWM Q50351

WAR CIRCUS NEWS: Reporting on all fronts! 1914

12

27 AUGUST: BRITISH MARINES LAND AT OSTEND; MAGDEBURG BLOWN UP; KAISER WILHELM DER GROSSE SUNK BY CRUISER HIGHFLYER OFF WEST AFRICA; GERMANS RECAPTURE MALINES.

This week’s Chestnut:-A small girl of six seated in the front row of the circus, watched knowingly a dozen or more elephants go silently through their tricks. The dapper little trainer’s frequent acknowledgment of the audience’s appreciation evidently annoyed the little lady. Unable to further endure his seemly conceit she cried out, “Now, man, you just keep still. You ain’t doin’ a thing so we ain’t clapping you.

28 AUGUST: BRITISH NAVAL VICTORY IN HELIGOLAND BIGHT. 29 AUGUST: GERMAN OUTRAGE AT LOUVAIN REPORTED. 31 AUGUST: GERMAN AIR RAID ON PARIS.

contained professional luggage all been weighed and excess paid. No dodging. Also Sunderland, West Hartelpool, M i d d l e s b ro u g h , Darlington, very hot on excess. Then we played Theatre Royal, Victoria Theatre, Albert Hall. Etc. I managed to be in London during my wife’s operation. After coming out she was able to pay us a visit at Amity Hall Poole and Jubilee Hall Weymouth.

She was able to join me and then take her place in the act at the end of August.

22/8/1914 The World’s Fair

LIVING TRACTION ENGINES. _____

THE NATIONAL RELEIF FUND.

At the time of going to press we have received several telegrams from Lessees and Tenants asking us to open Subscription List to embrace all MILITARY AUTHORITIES aBritish Showmen. As will be seen on SECURE THREE OF our front page we have already started the scheme and if our suggestions are BOSTOCK’S agreeable to our readers all that ELEPHANTS. remains is for everybody to work with will and make this the biggest fund Three healthy, medium-sized athat has ever been organized (sic) in elephants have been requisitioned Showland. from Bostock’s Zoo at the London 22/8/1914 The World’s Fair White City by the military authorities.

It is presumed that they will be used for heavy draught purposes. At the end of the war the elephants will be ROYAL ITALIAN CIRCUS. returned to the menagerie. The Government fund the wages of the Mr. Douglas. F. Bostock gave half keepers of the animals, but otherwise the receipts of the Royal Italian Circus there is no further payment; the at Llanrwst on Wednesday last week.

Bostock people being satisfied to be The committee in charge included the freed for a time from the expensive Town Clerk, Mr. T. L. Jones and a upkeep of a trio of voracious appetites. number of prominent business men.

“Besides,” as young Mr. Bostock puts 29/8/1914 The World’s Fair it, “we are doing something to help.”

letters of recommendation and identity to the police at Folkestone.

Travelling by train and tram he managed to reach Glasgow the other day, and got on the track of Fossett's Circus, and was endeavouring to overtake them on foot with empty pockets, without once being molested until he reached Armadale.

He gave his name as Walter McDonald, 17 years of age, and stated that his father was a Scotchman and his mother a red Indian, but that both his parents were dead. He said he had relatives in this country if he only knew where to find them. After the crowd that had gathered had cleared away the police conveyed him outside of the burgh in the direction of Bathgate, but he had not got far beyond Heatherfield when he was again met by a band of young men, who surmised he was a German spy, and after giving him a licking they threw him over the hedge into a field.

Mr Alfred Ezzi, when cycling to Bathgate, found him struggling to get over the fence and falling back. On Ezzi approaching him, the young man said he was dying, and asked to be taken back to Armadale Police Station. The Bathgate to Armadale motor 'bus came up at the time, and he was put on it, and taken to the police station as requested, where he made a complaint about being set upon. Dr Jenny Anderson was called in, and found he was suffering only from shock. She procured for him a suit of clothes to wear instead of his show garb, and a few shillings being collected for him by some sympathetic friends, Sergeant Duthie took him to the station, and paid his fare to Edinburgh.'

4/9/1914 Linlithgow Gazette

22/8/1914 The World’s Fair

EUGEN SANDOW NEWS.

1 SEPTEMBER: ST PETERSBURG RENAMED PETROGRAD. 2 SEPTEMBER: GERMAN ADVANCE ON PARIS CONTINUES; HEAVY AUSTRIAN DEFEAT BY RUSSIANS NEAR LEMBERG.

September 1914

As a proud and loyal British citizen I have offered my help train up the youth of the country, as I did in the 'ARMADALE SPY SCARE. Boer war. I am on a renewed mission A CANADIAN INDIAN to make men of the thousands who are below the physical standard for His MOBBED. Majesty’s Army. “At my Institute there is every facility for the The whole of East and West Main rebuilding of manhood…. It is just as Street was turned out en masse on patriotic to fight your own illness as to Monday morning when the shout got fight the Germans.” up by the young folks that they had Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: W, D captured a German spy. The fact was that a Canadian Indian, who had been in the circus line, was proceeding along the road in the direction of HENRY A.A. WHITELEY. Edinburgh to catch up with a circus that had passed along the road a few While my wife Leonora remained in days before. His red skin, with London awaiting a serious operation. I feathered hat and show attire, made got news of the war. I was playing at him a conspicuous figure, and the the Ashington Pavillion, in annoyance he got from the children Northumberland. The Henry Whiteley caused him to make a show of Four includes myself, my sister throwing stones at the children, which Madalina, as stand in for Leonora, excited the crowd the more. At last, and my sons Harry & Ben. Also on the when the crowd had grown to large bill were The Hindustan troupe, and dimensions, a gentleman took charge Stanley Waltons 6 lovely girls club of the man, and marched him to the jugglers. Etc. We continued to tour: police station, where Sergeant Duthie Minners Hall Cine Variety, Buffalo satisfied himself by papers in the Palace Cine Variety, Empire Cine possession of the stranger that he was Variety, another place in Durham a Canadian Indian and a British West Stanley. The railways have a subject, following the circus different feeling already. It used to be profession. He had recently left Paris that at Newcastle Railway Station on a when war broke out, and arrived at Sunday practically all the barrows Folkestone on the 20th August, with

LEFT

3 SEPTEMBER: FRENCH GOVERNMENT FLIES TO BORDEAUX. 4 SEPTEMBER: LEMBURG CAPTURED

BY RUSSIANS. BELGIANS OPEN DYKES NEAR ANTWERP; 5 SEPTEMBER: CRUISER PATHFINDER BLOWN UP BY MINE.

They are empty and dead. Everything is shut. No motors, no people, nothing!

Even the bistros are deserted. When I first arrived the Germans were threatening Compiègne and might threaten Paris very soon. I was glad to see in the distance that the blinds of my parents’ villa were not down. This meant they were at home, and we were thankful to fall into one another’s arms.

The next day, 31 August, I was out shopping when I heard the hum of an aeroplane engine. As this is such an infrequent sound, and as I happened to be in the Brady Passage I went out into the open street to have a look. The cause of the noise was obvious at once; a biplane was flying over, coming from the west. A very unusual sight!

It made a bee-line for the spot where I was. When it was overhead I saw a black object detach itself and fall with increasing velocity to the earth. I believe it was the first bomb to be dropped on Paris, it killed an old woman and destroyed an old lamppost. Paris is not a village and yet this bomb exploded scarcely five hundred yards from where I stood.

Narrative extracted from Biography Bibliog. Ref: G

BUSINESS AS USUSAL? The safety, comfort, well-being, protection, of our soldiers represent means taken to ensure ourselves against calamity. What we do for our soldiers, we are really doing for ourselves. Their cause is our cause. By all means let us look to it that our country enjoys to the utmost all that our patriotism can place at its disposal. And, as in the great national phase of this huge war, let us remember: “Business as usual.” ____

Owing to a large number of his horses having been taken over by the The war came upon us with almost War Office, Mr. John Swallow has alarming suddenness. Just when we been compelled to finish his tour, were anticipating a season of good Forty or fifty coloured horses not business it came along with a swiftness taken by the military, he will hire out for which few were prepared. But this for light or heavy transport. At his is characteristic of our modern home in Wolverhampton he will also warfare conditions wherein in the old give riding lessons for military and argument, viz :— “The word and the other purposes. His advertisement in blow, but the blow first,’ finds modern the local papers reads:— “Any fool can fall from a horse, but a man repetition. properly taught need never hurt ____ himself.”

5/9/1914 The World’s Fair The circus, menagerie, and other proprietors quickly understood what powers the Government possessed for requisitioning and commandeering, and we saw their horses, lorries, cars, NEWS FROM CIRCUS motors,— aye, and even elephants— BLEUMENFELDS, acquired, with wonderful celerity, for GERMANY the national and military purposes.

Then we saw the show trade sending We have received more news in Das up its quota of sons to the Forces, joining the reservists or adding to the Programme, about circus artists and friends caught out at the start of the recruits.

5/9/1914 The World’s Fair war. The Lorch family were engaged in England in Aug 1914, and were promptly arrested as hostile foreigners. After many assurances to the authorities that they would not GROCK REPORTS FROM leave the country, they secured their release, but now several months later FRANCE. and without means of employment they are still stranded. The people are I scarcely recognised Paris when I increasingly hostile to them. There are arrived in late August, her streets used also reports that many German always to pulse with gaiety and life. acrobats who were in Russia at the

MIDLAND MEMS.

RIGHT

WAR CIRCUS NEWS: Reporting on all fronts! 1914

GREAT BRITAIN, FRANCE & RUSSIA AGREE NOT TO TREAT FOR PEACE SEPARATELY. 9 SEPTEMBER: BRITISH CROSS THE MARNE.

13 SEPTEMBER: FORMATION OF ROYAL NAVY DIVISION; RUSSIAN VICTORY 30,000 PRISONERS. 14 SEPTEMBER: BRITISH CROSS AISNE.

16 SEPTEMBER: HELA SUNK BY SUB E9 OFF HEILOGOLAND. 20 SEPTEMBER: GERMANS BOMBARD RHEIMS CATHEDRAL. GERMAN SEA RAIDER EMDEN SEIZES SIX

CIRCUS SOLDIER DIES AT MONS WAS A SANGAR’S GROOMSMAN outbreak of war have been deported to Wologda, a town situated about 550 kilometres east of St. Petersburg. The town is now teaming with performers trying to escape in all possible directions.

SIMONA’S PARROT.

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: O, M

FRANK BOSTOCK.

“What

I Heard.”

And as our gracious King has signified his wish that racing should continue we feel certain the wish includes other branches of sport and amusement.

5/9/1914 The World’s Fair

Frank Bostock, 1907.

TROUBLES IN FRANCE. A highly successful tour of France and Belgium was suddenly stopped by the declaration of war by Germany in August, 1914. The whole concern – after being held up on the roadside for 14 days – was warehoused at Senlis, the French and Belgian employees answering the call to the Colours, the British members of the company returning to England.

Senlis, a few weeks afterwards, was over run by the German hordes hurrying towards Paris, a moment which was affectually stemmed by the victory of the Allies at the Marne. It was then found possible, through the courtesy and kindness of the French Military and Civil Authorities, to remove the circus, plant and horses to Paris, but this could only be done by road, all railways being devoted to the movement of troops and war material.

5/9/1914 The World’s Fair

BOSTOCK AND WOMBWELL’S MENAGERIE. Mr. E. H. Bostock, the proprietor (sic) of Bostock and Wombwell’s menagerie, is handing over ten per cent of his takings to local funds at all towns he visits.

5/9/1914 The World’s Fair

back containing rations and everything necessary to encamp by the wayside.

The response was immediate. Young men left everything standing, and made their way to the railway. Within two days of the receipt of the news every train that left Kalgourlie was filled with volunteers on their way Home, to enrol themselves with the hosts that were to fight for Britain. No wonder that Mr. Ford, as an Australian, is proud of his country and of what he saw in Kalgourlie!

1/4/1916 Nottingham Evening Post

FRANK FOSTER NEWS.

I have recently returned to George Sanger Circus, after I had spent weeks in hospital in Aberdeen recovering a broken leg after a fall from a THE AMERICAN SWELLS from horse in the ring. I was still on ENLIST. crutches. Then one day at Dunbarton, we realised that England was at war Germany. Many of our men are Richard Bratby, and his partner with Jim Zola (Zola Brothers), have ex-cavalry troopers and are on the recently toured with Duffy’s in Ireland army reserve: they were immediately touring as the “American Swells” with called to the colours. Within a very their hand-balancing acrobatic act short time we heard that one of our have both volunteered - Bratby has grooms had been killed at Mons. enlisted with the Royal Field Artillery.

George Sangers reaction was to go Jim with the King’s Own Lancashire south at once and get as near as regiment.

Editor & Family: Tom Sandow possible to winter quarters. The toughest journey is from Millom to Egremont, George elected to go by way of the river mouth at Ravenglass sands Cumbria: thus shortening the SOUTH AFRICA jump by fifteen miles. We had heard of many circus mishaps there, I looked Sixteen German reservists employed forward to the thrill of the crossing. in a travelling circus at Johannesburg have been arrested: consequently the We arrived too early for the tide. circus has been closed down.

The show pulled up to wait. We made 14/9/1914 Manchester Evening News tea. We waited and waited but the tide seems to get no lower. Impatient, George ordered the elephants across, they enjoyed the fun, before they were half way out they were awash and had AUSTRALIA to struggle to the other side. We had to wait. Half an hour later George WAR SNIPPET. to risk his wagon across. It Mr. Ford (a well known comedian) decided a grand sight to see the six big was in Kalgourlie, the goldfields city, was plunge into the water dragging at the outbreak of the hostilities, and horses he says he will never forget that the caravan behind. intense wave of excitement which When they got to the middle only swept the country. They knew at once their were showing in a sea of that they were “in it,” and as the fiery foam, heads Mrs George, her head out touch of old was sped from valley to of the and was in a panic. Mr mountain top, so in Western Australia George window, into the water to whip immediate steps were taken to them onjumped but they could only float. acquaint the whole of the population, Jimmy Freeman, Ethardo and I even to the squatter a hundred miles had to bring outTom more trace from anywhere, that Britain was at horses and had to three swim among the war, and looking to her sons in the far frightened horses to attach them, lands for help. He saw the messengers yelling and shouting we got horses start from Kalgourlie for all quarters and wagon safely to shore. the three of the country, on horseback, in had to wait in the middle of We river motors, on cycles, and even on and had to team each of the the Camelback, for the camel is used for wagons up to get them across. other 42 transport in Western Australia. Men Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: F F volunteered for the work, and you would see a cyclist start for a hundred mile journey with the pack on his

13 BRITISH STEAMERS; CARMANIA SINKS GERMAN CRUISER. 21 SEPTEMBER: SERBIAN VICTORY ON THE DRINA.

SEIZED BY A LEOPARD. ____

Wallsend Boy Severely injured.

Clifford Horner Swan, aged 14, of 17 Coach Road, Wallsend, was injured by a leopard under somewhat remarkable circumstances at Wallsend on Monday.

The leopard is one of the animals of Sanger’s travelling circus which was occupying a pasture on the East Farm Field, Wallsend. The boy was trying to have a look at the leopard over the boards of the cage and climbed up the wheel of the cage. No sooner had he places his hand on the top of the board than the animal seized it, and dragged it between the bars.

The boy’s cries attracted the attention of several attendants of the circus, but before they could succeed in beating the leopard back the boy’s left arm had been badly mauled. It was only with difficulty in fact, that the arm could be released from the bars between which it had become wedged by the pulling of the animal.

Swan was eventually taken to the shop of Mr. T. R. Boon, chemist, High Street East, where he was seen by Dr. McGregor. He found that the arm had been badly torn, the injuries being flesh wounds on the upper and forearm and hand. The boy had also lost a considerable quantity of blood, and was suffering from shock.

After dressing the wounds, Dr. McGregor conveyed the injured boy by motor car to Newcastle Infirmary where he was detained.

Fenwick Collection 14/9/1914 Newcastle Evening Chronicle

KAISER ADOPTS CIRCUS METHODS.

New war photograph showing German reservists putting up tents at Tempeldorf field, near Berlin, and transporting the great tents used to give shelter to German troops. Several years ago when a great American circus was showing in Berlin the Kaiser and the Crown Prince went to witness the pulling up of the circus tents. The young Crown Prince was enthusiastic.

“Why don’t you hire the boss of the show to put a little system into the German army?” he asked his father.

From the pictures shown above the Kaiser apparently took his son’s advice.

16/9/1914 El Paso Herald

WAR CIRCUS NEWS: Reporting on all fronts! 1914

14

22 SEPTEMBER: ABOUKIR, HOGUE & CRESSY SUNK; JAROSLAV CAPTURED

BY RUSSIANS. 23 SEPTEMBER: AIR RAID ON ZEPPELIN SHED DÜSSELDORF.

ALNWICK. Circus, - Sir Robert Fossett and Sons’ Circus and Hippodropme paid a visit to the town on Tuesday, and performances were given in the afternoon and evening on the Recreation Ground. The various artistes were heartily received, their efforts greatly enjoyed by the audiences. A procession through the town at mid-day attracted considerable attention.

Fenwick Collection 19/9/1914 Alnwick Gazette

FRED BRADNA NEWS. General Director Fred Bradna had intended going to Europe for a rest and vacation at the close of the season, but on account of the war he has regretfully had to change his mind, and will possibly winter in the South Seas, and while there endeavor to pick up some new sensations for next season.

Ella Bradna and Fred Derrick had contracts signed and accepted for the Circus Schumann, in Berlin, Germany, but on account of the war they have had to cancel them.

19/9/1914 New York Clipper

24 SEPTEMBER: ALIES OCCUPY PÉRONNE. 25 SEPTEMBER: AUSTRALIANS TAKE GOVERNMENT SEAT OF KAISER WILHELM’S LAND OCCUPIED BY

AUSTRIANS AND ANNIHILATE GERMANS AT HERBERTSHOHE. 27 SEPTEMBER: LUDERITZBUCHT, GERMAN S.W. AFRICA, OCCUPIED

BY SOUTH AFRICAN TROOPS.

AMERICAN INDIANS ARE STRANDED IN WAR ZONE

is for England in February. By hook or by crook, I have to find myself a partner before then.

London – The first rush of applicants for aid was made up chiefly of tourists, but later began the stream of Americans who had resided in Europe for some time and were employed in the various countries affected by the war. Actors, circus performers, vaudevillians and all sorts of entertainers, found themselves out of work and seeking the help of the American government. Chief Lewis Deer, of the Cheyenne Indians, and his company of braves who were delighting American crowds with their reproductions of “Custer’s Last Stand,” came to grief at Linach, where the circus with which they were engaged was forced to disband, and after several weeks of interviews with German and Austrian officials, who were suspicious of the Indians, they finally made their way to London with tales of hardships which rival the stories of pioneer days in Wyoming.

Only by putting on all their feathers and war paint were the Indians able to establish their identity thoroughly and make their way through the war zone.

In ordinary clothing they had nothing but trouble and merely progressed from one jail or compound to another.

But buckskin suits decorated with beads and crowns of turkey feathers stamped them as real Americans and speeded their passage.

Paraphrased 19/9/1914 El Paso Herald

NO WHITE HORSES.

BOSCO performed before Queen Victoria at Balmoral 1899.

FOR SALE.

West Texas horses are wanted for the war, between 5 and 9 years old, 15-16 hands. No white horses are wanted, as they are too plainly visible and make too good a target for the sharpshooters. To correct this fault, the Russian army has ordered the white horses painted green to blend with the landscape.

19/9/1914 El Paso Herald

Bosco, the Performing Elephant, And Two Highly Trained Ponies.

The same Act that has been engaged

by Mr. E.H. Bostock for the past four years.

The Act can be seen at any time at the Italian Circus.

Reason for selling is that Mrs. Kirk (one of the partners) is going to Africa with the Italian Circus.

ALL ANIMALS IN SPLENDID CONDITION. Failing a sale the owners would be pleased to hire the Act for 12 months, from November and, at a reasonable weekly salary to any responsible person.

For full particulars apply to the sole owners, Mrs. Kirk and E. Pinder.

Permanent Address: C/O HOLMES, 252, ORDSALL LANE, SALFORD. 0/10/1914 World’s Fair

GROCK REPORTS FROM FRANCE. After the affair of the bomb in August, I decided to remove my parents from Paris at once. Lolé, my brother-in-law, meanwhile has been called up and I have no partner.

Advance engagements have mostly fallen through owing to the war and so I think it would be as well to have a rest. But it was not very easy to leave Paris. The scenes at the station were indescribable; panic-stricken mobs were storming the trains. However, my acrobatic training has again come in handy. Further along the train I discovered a compartment in which there were seats still unoccupied, but as all the doors were besieged it was impossible to get in. So I climbed in the window and secured our seats.

We stopped in Nantes for two weeks, and then heard that the Germans were in retreat after loosing the battle of the Marne. So now we have returned to Paris. I have one contract which has not been cancelled, and this

Paraphrased from Biography Bibliog. Ref: G

AMERICAN CIRCUS NEWS.

LEFT

29 SEPTEMBER: GERMANS BOMBARD ANTWERP; EMDEN SINKS 4 MORE BRITISH STEAMSHIPS. 4 OCTOBER: ADMIRALTY ANNOUNCE GOVERNMENT MINELAYING POLICY IN NORTH SEA.

NEWS FROM CIRCUS SARRASANI. Hans Stosch-Sarrasani Reports: I was with the touring unit, heading to Holland planning to come onto England, when the war broke out. All of our performers from "enemy countries" were forced to leave, if not simply deported by the authorities. As you know Circus Sarrasani, always has among the programs very large contingents of Japanese, Russians and other "exotic" groups, with these we tried to reach neutral Belgium, but found ourselves stranded in Essen, where our company was further drastically reduced to 40 performers. I managed to arrange a quick return to Dresden, and will endeavor to keep it and the touring company in neutral countries.

Tompkins' Wild West and CooperWhitby Circus, by Harland. After seven weeks of big business in New Jersey we crossed the Delaware at Wilmington Sept. 13, to Pennsylvania.

Our business in Jersey was very gratifying.

Although we had considerable rainy and bad weather and plenty of opposition, we played to only one losing stand in the State, and that a town where five hundred French and Germans had gone to I have changed the circus too. I have Europe to war.

26/9/1914 New York Clipper called in circus librettist and director Adolf Steinmann, from Circus Busch to help me stage a patriotic spectacular in the Dresden’s circus building. The first one will be Europe in Flames.

BELGIAN REFUGEES VISIT A CIRCUS. The Royal Italian Circus— “one of the best seen in Congleton for many years” was the opinion expressed by a crowded audience on Tuesday, in spite of the war crisis.

Through the kindness of the manager, Mr. Douglas Bostock, Mr. Harry Humphreys (school representative) for the Royal Italian Circus, invited a large number of Belgian refugees to the evening performance which was held under the patronage of the Mayor and Mayoress (Alderman and Mrs. J. T. Lucas).

The refugees were escorted to the circus by the local Boy Scouts and band. The refugees marched from the Victoria College arm-in-arm, men, women and children, carrying the Belgian flag.

Arriving at the circus they were received by the Mayor and Mr. Douglas Bostock, and conducted to their seats specially reserved for them.

All along the main streets the route was deeply lined with people, while in the vicinity of the Town Hall and circus there was a vast and dense crowd of people who cheered tumultuously and waved hats and flags, while those who could get near enough to the Belgians shook them warmly by the had.

Their reception at the circus was of the heartiest and kindliest description imaginable and it did one good to see this manifestation of brotherhood on the part of the people who were utter strangers to one another. Without any doubt there refugees have suffered unutterable woes. They are from 60 odd down to 10. They fully corroborate the frightful atrocities by the German, which have appeared in the English press from day to day.

Some of the worst cases of which are now officially confirmed.

26/9/1914 The World’s Fair

Narrative from CP

October 1914 HULL FAIR SHOWS ____

SOME OF THE ATTRACTIONS ____

MANY NOVELTIES. The attractions of Hull Fair are upto-date as ever, and include many new novelties. The showmen realise that they are living, like everyone else,in strenuous times, and arequite expecting a falling off of receipts.

BOSTOCK AND WOMBWELL'S Bostock and Wombwell's Zoo, with all it's fascination of yore and old, has arrived, and last evening was thronged. It had been a fine sight earlier in the day to see the arrival of the caravans, drawn by teams of 30 horses. The old favourites, such as the elephants and dromedaries, looked as well as ever, and much interest is displayed in the great pet of a little baby elephant only 3ft high, affectionately known as "Tiny". A great novelty also is the hippopotamus, the only one ever seen in the menagerie. There is the usual cages of splendid animals, all in the best condition, and daring performances are gone through, albeit they are humane. A capital zoological collection is to be found, the latest additions including a pair of Tasmanian devils, a hairless or India rubber skinned mare, baby leopards, lions, Assyrian ibex, and a host of rare animals.

Messrs.

Bostock and Wombwell's have amongst the new arrivals two educated chimpanzees, who of can eat, drink, dress and undress almost like human beings.

The various cages contain interesting

RIGHT

WAR CIRCUS NEWS: Reporting on all fronts! 1914

6 OCTOBER: SUB. E9 SINKS GERMAN TORPEDO BOAT OFF EMS RIVER & RETURNS SAFELY; JAPANESE LAND AT JALUIT; BELGIAN GOVERNMENT TRANSFERRED TO OSTEND.

7 OCTOBER: BARRACKS AT TSINGTAU DESTROYED BY JAPANESE. 9 OCTOBER: INDIAN TROOPS ARRIVE MARSEILLES; GERMANS OCCUPY ANTWERP; BRITISH NAVY

BRIGADE CUT OFF; GERMANS ENTER HOLLAND. 10 OCTOBER: BRITISH AIRMEN DESTROY ZEPPELIN IN DÜSSELDORF.

15

11 OCTOBER: NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL DAMAGED BY AIR RAID. 12 OCT0BER: GERMANS OCCUPY GHENT; MARTIAL LAW PROCLAIMED THROUGH OUT THE UNION OF SOUTH AFRICA OWING TO MARITZ REBELLION.

specimens of forest and jungle. There are lions, tigers, leopards, bears, hyenas, wolves and jaguars.

CHIPPERFIELD'S MENAGERIE. The great novelty at Chipperfield's menagerie this time (and the menagerie has been coming to Hull Fair for 21 years) is a great freak of human nature, part woman and part lion, alive. Mr Chipperfield states that he still has a fine collection of wild beasts but the freak woman and lions are one of Nature's wonderful works, and no one should miss it. There are as usual the daring displays of animal training, which appeal to a large section of patrons.

SANGERS - COVENTRY. Sanger’s Circus gave two performances on Pool Meadow, Coventry, on Tuesday, and 20 per cent. of the gross takings were handed over to the relief fund (sic). At York last week Mr. Sanger had the pleasure of handing over to the York fund the sum of £51 14s.

10/10/1914 The World’s Fair

ANITA, THE DOLL.

SIMONA’S PARROT. A display of acrobatics by German internees at the prisoner of war camp at Newbury Racecourse in Berkshire, October 1914. © IWM Q53357 acrobats, and gymnasts, and Miss performers and staff have enlisted, Hilda Fossett, in a performance with a The Army has taken the circus’s miniature pony. horses away.

Narrative from CP

Anita the Doll Lady, National Fairground collection, University of Sheffield Library, National Fairground and Circus Archive.

Anita, the living doll, was holding a busy reception last evening, and had many triumphs. She is the tiniest adult human being ever seen, and although 31 years old is only 26 inches tall. Mr James W. Bostock, who is the oldest member of the famous Bostock and Wombwell family declares that this lady is the greatest novelty which has ever been seen under the Bostock and Wombwell banner, which is saying something indeed. Anita is the little lady which greatly interested King George and Queen Mary on to visit to Earl's Court. Anita holds her reception in a bright little pavilion in the main avenue.

BAILEY'S AMERICAN CIRCUS. The name Bailey conjures up great things in the circus world. In a talk with the proprietor, we learned the circus is this time at Hull is better that ever. A "star" turn is the bareback riding by Robert Fossett, Jnr., described as champion jockey acts rider of the world. He rides his horse blindfold and then leaps form the animal with baskets attached to his feet. Trapeze and wire walking acts are also included in the daily performances. Mr. Fossett also introduces her performing stallion Pasha and Popsy, the clever ragtime elephant; trained by Mr. Roberts does some wonderful things.

The programme includes:- The Great Broncho Troupe in their thrilling performance upon three prairie mustangs; Sen Sen and Yen Yen, in an up-to-date Chinese juggling performance; the marvellous riding dog Nigger, introduced by Mr C. Ginnett; the Bailey Family, equestrians, bare-back riders,

PROCTOR'S CIRCUS. Proctor's Circus is always popular.

This time it is situated in the first avenue (Spring bank West), and the fine new waterproofed tent will hold a thousand people. There is a talented troupe of male and female bare-back riders, tight-rope dancers, wire walkers, flying ring experts, backward and foreword somersault throwers, barrel dancers, globe runners, jugglers, and dancers. The circus includes entertainments by funny clowns, trick horses, and fortune telling ponies. The Bros. Proctor contribute a sensational aerial act on the flying rings, and Miss Marie Proctor, described as the world's greatest tight-rope dancer, appears at every performance. Master Willie in a hurricane hurdle act on a flying steed.

Mr George with his intelligent pony, Miss Ada and Master John in double jockey act. Jerry the fiery donkey, Indian and Cowboy performers, and comic entrees by the clowns! All contribute to the capital entertainment.

10/10/1914 Hull Daily Mail

NEWS FROM CZECH CIRCUS Cirkus Kludský.

Karel Reports: The War has stopped us in our tracks. We, Cirkus Kludský, Europe’s largest ever circus, were traveling with our 86 x 54 meters three-ring, four-pole big top that can seat 10,000 spectators. Our menagerie includes a herd of 25 elephants, 160 horses, 74 wild animals (lions, tigers, leopards, etc.), and a vast assortment of exotic animals, among which three giraffes and a hippopotamus—an ensemble of some 700 heads. We have two hundred performers from thirtyfive nations, including two large bands, and two hundred wagons traveling by train were used to transport the circus equipment and house the personnel. Most of our

“What

I Heard.”

For there are many showmen there and though we may perhaps grumble NEWS FROM as to the state of business it must be LORENZ HAGENBECK. far more terrible in the countries of our Allies where there is no business at Up until now 1914 has been eventful. all. _____ In May I opened and added to the Stellingen Animal Park. It includes a Let us hope after the trouble is over scenic railway and is very successful, even after the bullets at Sarajevo, as that our brother and sister showmen abroad will reap the reward they there are still few in Germany who deserve. realised how near the unholy conflagration was which has set the 10/10/1914 The World’s Fair world in flames. Even the mobilisation of the Army has failed to reduce our gate, which we expect to be a record one.

I also crossed to America to visit Zoological Society of St. Louis, to lecture on the construction of Stellingen, as they were mooting starting a Zoo. At the diner I resorted to a little publicity device and produced two sleepy 7 month old lion cubs. The 100 gathered were quickly and keenly awakened, and the pressmen duly paid attention. The Cubs, Hans and Gretchen, I then presented to them for the start of their Zoo. The war has set us challenges too. At the very beginning of hostilities my brother Heinrich, being a reservist was called. Meanwhile, Colomban Uncle John was rounded up and interned, in the Far East and I believe has since escaped and is trying to return to Hamburg and is making his way through Java. Consequently the responsibility of managing Stellingen has fallen to me. It is increasingly difficult especially as my nephew Paul Mehrman, and our accountant have also been deployed at the Western Front as have nearly all the other reliable attendants and animal catchers are in the Army including Matthias Walter. Thankfully Richard Sawade who hastened back from South America at the outbreak of war is back with us in Berlin.

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: H L

ADVERTISEMENT.

THREE GREAT HITS That Sell as Quick as Lightning: 1 BOTTLING THE KAISER, 8/-­‐‑ gross.

The greatest Sensation of the War. 2 WEEPING WILLIE’S WAIL OF WOE, 4/-­‐‑ gross.

Causes Uncontrollable Fits of Laughter.

3 THE KAISER’S WILL, 4/-­‐‑ gross.

A Splendid Selling Line.

We have all the best Selling Lines in Patriotic Jewellery, including Badges, BuVons, Flags, Brooches,, in metal and celluloid.

Complete Sample Sets, 1/2, 5/-­‐‑, 10/-­‐‑ Post Free SIMONS 100, HOUNDSITCH, LONDON 24/10/1914 Hull Daily Mail

WAR CIRCUS NEWS: Reporting on all fronts! 1914

16

13 OCT0BER: BELGIAN GOVERNMENT MOVE TO LE HAVRE; FRANCO BRITISH TROOPS OCCUPY YPRES; GERMANS CAPTURE LILLE.

14 OCT0BER: CANADIAN TROOPS ARRIVE AT PLYMOUTH; ZEPPELIN BROUGHT DOWN NEAR WARSAW. 15 OCT0BER: H.M.S HAWKE TORPEDOED.

EFFECT OF WAR ON A FAMOUS MENAGERIE.

The chatty writer. Mr. Gossip, says: I am glad to learn that the World’s Fair is to be held as usual this year Islington-- more particularly as it is an ____ all-British function. It would be hard, indeed, if, as a result of the war, the poor were to be deprived of their SPECTRE OF FAMINE. accustomed pleasures. ____ A well-known showman in London has received some curiously And as regards the all-British interesting news from Hamburg concerning the famous Hagenbeck function when we think of the names menagerie, regarded as perhaps the of Read, Fossett, and Bostock, who finest collection of wild animals in the will provide the chief part of the world. It is rumoured (the “Standard” World’s fair we can think with pride states) that two of the brothers how very British it will be.

Hagenbeck have been killed in battle.

24/10/1914 The World’s Fair A large number of keepers and trainers of the menagerie were called to the war, and difficulties of the gravest kind have gradually arisen in HOME CHAT. the picturesque colony of jungle people who for several years have, with Our thanks are due to the military justice, been regarded as one of the authorities for not commandeering all sights of the Continent. the horses and fiery chargers in the But the war has brought terrible country and depriving us of the times to Hagenbeck’s beasts. Famine opportunity of witnessing the feats of has threatened them, and slowly but horsemanship only to be seen in surely the spectre of starvation stalks Procter’s unparalleled circus on the among them. Hamburg’s human classic ground of Holme for the population had difficulty in finding a education and delight of the sufficiency of meat and cereal, fruit inhabitants thereof, is now, it is said and vegetable, and daily the difficulty on the way to London. Other grows. Consequently rations have engagements prevented ( the writer) gradually been shortened at from attending the illuminating and Hagenbeck’s Zoo until the animals illuminated performance held at the have begun to prey upon each other in Red Lion field on Tuesday evening sheer desperation for food. last, but from a distance we heard the lould inspiring strains of the organ (The article continues with snakes eating and were reminded of the memorable snakes, eating snakes.) saying of the late Lord Salisbury that 17/10/1914 World’s Fair “what the villages wanted was not parish councils but a circus.” How very true!

24/10/1914 Hull Daily Mail

SANGER’S CIRCUS ON FIRE. ____

MARQUEE COMPLETELY DESTROYED. ____

MENAGERIE SAVED. The spacious marquee in which the performances of Lord John Sanger’s Circus take place was destroyed by fire on Wednesday evening, at Leamington. Fortunately no personal injury was sustained, and the menagerie was saved, but the evening performance had to be abandoned.

The circus was in Burton’s Field, Lower Tachbrook Street, and the fire occurred at about 5 o’clock, midway between the afternoon and evening performances. The Borough Fire Brigade received the “call” at 5-7 p.m., and although the Chief Officer (Mr. T. T. Earnshaw) and a full complement of men were quickly on the scene with the fire engine, they could do little or nothing to save the marquee.

The absence of wind can alone be credited for the saving of the menagerie because had there been the slightest breeze the fire must have spread to the cages and stalls which were situated around the tent.

17/10/1914 Worlds Fair

KING OHMY’S BERLIN EXPERIENCE. King Ohmy is the name that the arena profession has given to the veteran equestrian (John Smith), who has been a devotee of the circus track ever since he could toddle. Under the same title he is well known among the biggest ring combinations on the Continent Busch, Parish and Carré.

With the last-named he reached Spadan, close to Berlin, on July 30, and the whole crowd of artistes - from every clime and country - was held up by the authorities. The military took 100 of the horses out of the show, but Ohmy's intelligent Black Bess went very lame as part of her performance and was returned.

She had hoodwinked the experts.

Interviews with the police resulted in Young Ohmy, King Ohmy's son (Claude), a fine bareback rider, being interned as a prisoner, but "Daddy" after some difficulty, convinced the authorities that he was not a spy. But his troubles did not end here. He was one of the hated English, and thought it just as well to surreptitiously display a small American flag. Whenever he went he was unable to get sleeping accommodation. A bright idea struck him - he would make himself as comfortable as possible near the menagerie cages, and made up a shake-down near the lions. Here he was safe during the night from impertinent inquiries.

17 OCT0BER: CRUISER UNDAUNTED SINKS FOUR GERMAN DESTROYERS. 18 OCT0BER: VICTORY OF THE MARNE ANNOUNCED. 20 OCT0BER: KING ESTABLISHES DISTINGUISHED SERVICES MEDAL.

Carré's three-masted tent- perhaps the finest in the circus business- was at first ordered to be struck, and then ordered to be fixed up again to accommodate horses for the troops.

M. Carré, who lost his fine stud and much other property, did not forget the troubles of his company, and offered them all the accommodation of the various tents and caravans where many of them were glad to live and sleep. He was very good also to those who had the misfortune to be imprisoned, visiting them at every opportunity, and bringing cigarettes and food and dainties.

Ohmy, when he walked into "The Era" office on Monday, said he was one of the happiest men in the kingdom. He had got back to good old England, and had brought with him his two daughters, and had relieved the intense anxiety of a beloved mother.

A curios thing happened when he was selling his Black Bess mare to a dealer before his departure. She again went lame. This lapse into professional habits was alright the first time, but the second brought with it a reduction in her price. Mr. Ohmy's son (Claude), we are glad to hear, is being well treated during his internment.

21 OCT0BER: EMDEN BRITISH STEAMERS; ORDERS REMOVAL OF VESSELS FROM SUEZ 25 OCT0BER: DEATH DOUGLAS, CHIEF OF GENERAL STAFF.

LEFT SINKS FIVE GOVERNMENT ALL ENEMY CANAL. OF SIR C IMPERIAL

by electricity and there were several other first-class and up-to-date novelties not generally seen in a tenting show.

At the commencement of the season the foot and mouth disease broke out in Cork, which meant giving that county a hasty miss. Then the Ulster Volunteers and threats of civil war necessitated making a route very carefully, and if these were not enough the South formed volunteers, and to cap all the war crisis started, which meant hurriedly changing the name, although the company composed Britishers only.

Notwithstanding all their woes no fluctuation in the business which remained at record standard throughout.

The tent master was Mr. P. Walsh who deserves great credit for his manipulation of the canvass, although handicapped at some periods by shortages of men, whose “King and Country needed them.”

Messrs. Heckenberg deserve great credit for bringing such a fine show to the country and received dozens of flattering letters and press notices of eulogistic nature from magistrates, councillors, two members of Parliament, and other gentlemen of 28/10/1914 Hull Daily Mail standing, who expressed themselves delighted with the class of fare placed before them.

The agent was ——, I forgot his name for the moment; but I think he is changing it as there is only one AMERICAN WAR TAX. letter between it and the commanderforces.

War Tax Bill Passes. Washington, in-chief of the German 31/10/1914 The World’s Fair Oct. 22. The WarRevenue Bill was passed by Congress and signed by the President today and will go into effect as to most of its features tomorrow at midnight. . . . a tax to be paid by proprietors of theatres, museums and CIRCUS TROUBLES IN concert halls, with seating capacity not IRELAND. more than 250, $25 a year; not ____ exceeding 700 capacity, $50; not exceeding 800, $75; more than 800, A PECULIAR ACTION. $100; circuses, $100 . . . &c.

31/10/1914 New York Clipper On Saturday morning, at Macroom, before Mr. Denis Buckley, a coloured man named Albert Williams, who is connected with Buff Bill’s Circus, was charged at the suit SUCCESSFUL TOUR OF of D. I. Egan, Macroom, with having guilty of disorderly conduct at HECKENBERG’S CIRCUS. been the circus on 16th October and The above circus has just finished a putting divers persons in bodily fear.

Mr. T. P. Grainger, solicitor, record season in Ireland, and showed the nature of an entertainment, the appeared for the defendant.

John J. Vaughan, deposed that on like of which had not often been seen before. From start to finish there was the night of the 16th October, 1914, not a dull moment as the artistes were he was a Macroom, where there was all of a high-class order and a circus. He was passing into the comprised such notabilities as Miss circus by the entrance, and saw the Cooke with her wonderful performing defendant (Albert Williams) come horses, Haigs the droll; Haras and towards him. He had his hand in his Jones continental eccentric acrobatic pocket, and when he pulled it out it fiddlers; Miss Cora Cooke, the Irish contained what looked like a revolver.

Colleen; Funny Valdo, the one and They had hot words before that. only clown; Miss Chloe Convert and … &c.

31/10/1914 The World’s Fair her wonderful cake-walk horse “Kentucky Bear”; the Prairie Girls; the Three Aerial Patteres: Waldow and Waldow and their screaming motor car; Miss Wade and her ‘cello, The Tasmanian Government’s sweet singer; Alberto and assistant, extraordinary juggler; the Eight financial proposal in connection with Winternals; and Togo, the Japanese, the war include an amusement tax, the revenue from which is to be in his “Slide for Life.”

Crowded houses twice daily testified devoted to be upkeep of the hospitals.

31/10/1914 The World’s Fair to the excellence of the programme.

The mammoth three-pole tent was lit

WAR CIRCUS NEWS: Reporting on all fronts! 1914

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26 OCTOBER: GEN C DE WET & GEN BEYERS JOIN S AFRICAN REBELS; HEIBRON SEIZED. 28 OCT0BER: PRINCE MAURICE OF BATTENBURGH DIES AT FRONT;

EMDEN SINKS RUSSIAN CRUISER & FRENCH DESTROYER. 29 OCT0BER: LORD FISHER IS FIRST SEA LORD.

30 OCT0BER: GOVERNMENT HOSPITAL SHIP ROHILLA ON ROCKS AT WHITBY 40 DROWNED. 31 OCT0BER: TURKISH FLEET BOMBARDS SEBASTOPOL; BRITISH AMBASSADOR LEAVES CONSTANTINOPLE.

MONKEY VETERAN OF WAR.

Whereas a Rumour has circulated widely amongst the Showmen of the United Kingdom that Jacob Studt, of 112, Kennington Park Road, London, Showman, is a German subject and liable to be dealt with under his Majesty’s recent Proclamations concerning alien enemies, in consequence of which rumours, our client has suffered material damage, we are instructed to publish that he is not a German or an alien enemy to this Country, that he was born on Goose Street, Carmarthen, Wales, on the 27th day of April 1857, the son of Catherine and John Studt long resident at Carmarthen, and that the origin of his name is Dutch, and that he has never communicated with Germany or Austria. And we further state we have in our possession the birth certificate of the said Jacob Studt, and he is known to us as of high integrity and a great benefactor to the present War Charities. We further make it know that should imputations be made against his loyalty to this country we shall take immediate action against the party or parties responsible for such imputations.

COXWELL AND CANNING Solicitors and Notary Public, Reading

JACKO’S SHORE LEAVE FROM H.M.S. LOYAL.

31/10/1914 World’s Fair

7/11/1914 The World’s Fair

NEWS FROM REUBEN CASTANG. Mercia Wamba Photo: Colin Dale.

November 1914 RUMOURS. The present outcry against the aliens belonging to countries with which we are at war has been the means of causing much suffering amongst people who have every reason to call upon Britons to protect them. ____ And whilst we have every sympathy with the rounding up of all who may be a danger to the county, great care should be taken that the innocent do not suffer. ____ Our reasons for the above lines are the rumours that have been circulated respecting some well-known people in our business. ____ And we all know how greatly they are respected and how British they are. ____ But, unfortunately, this does not stop the slanderous statements from being circulated and we feel certain the guilty parties will be brought to book. ____

1 NOVEMBER: BATTLE OF CORONEL. ADMIRAL CRADOCK GOES DOWN WITH SHIP. 3 NOVEMBER: GERMAN SQUADRON APPEARS OFF YARMOUTH; RUSSIAN TROOPS ENTER ASIA MINOR.

JACOB STUDT STATEMENT.

____

An interesting member of his Majesty’s Fleet paid a visit to Harwich on Tuesday afternoon, and for the sake of variety made part of the journey on the roof of a railway carriage (says the special correspondent of the “Daily Mail”).

Jacko, the pet monkey of H.M.S. Loyal has been in three wars, and he is accustomed to their alarms. Born in South Africa during the Boer War he was made the pet of a regiment, and was with the troops in two or three battlefields. A seaman fathered him and took him afloat. He went to the China station, and was with the naval brigade in the operations which avenged the Boxer rebellion. Back to sea, he went from ship to ship, and he was in the Loyal during the recent engagement with four German destroyers. Being an old soldier, he then took refuge in the fish kettle on the topmost shelf of the cook’s galley, emerging quite hearty when the shooting was over.

He behaves with naval punctilio. He does a sort of cutlass drill and he salutes. But this mark of respect he reserves for his personal friends. A stoker might receive it, and a commodore be treated with disdain.

Jacko is a grass monkey from South Africa with button eyes, an eager, aggressive face, and a long and most prehensile tail. The

17

Our people should be the last in the world to circulate idle rumours as we all know, unfortunately, how great suffering can be caused by foolish talk. ____ We have often heard recorded with pleasure the fact of many famous people who have in their early days been connected with the show or circus business. ____ And the latest we have to record is M. Paulhan, perhaps the most daring of all flying men. ____

wish them a happy journey and a happy time No doubt they will show the Yanks how to ride and we feel sure their efforts will be appreciated.

7/11/1914 The World’s Fair

MERCIA WAMBA NEWS, CHILD ARTISTE.

Father and I are now performing at the Hippodrome in Peterborough.

Our act is called Les Wambas, la Petite Belle Mercia et Albert and we A writer in the “Daily Mirror” says are doing a double gymnastic and ——“The thrilling story of M. musical act. We will then perform at Paulhan’s heroic dash in the air to Wisbech.

Amiens over the German lines marks Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: D C a splendid incident in a long and and successfully adventurous career.

Paulhan was one of the first of France’s famous flying men and he ROSAIRE. began life as a performer in a travelling circus.

Rosaire's Circus: The one man circus, ____ has had to come off the road and their We hear that Dublin is threatened horses were commandeered and the with a theatrical famine because the show dismantled. Fred has gone to City of Dublin Steam Packet work in a mine.

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref:C-C R (1) Company can no longer take the scenery of touring companies from Great Britain to Ireland on Sunday. ____ We notice that the Hanneford Family are off to America, to join the Barnum and Bailey Show. And we

With Max, Moritz and the keeper safely on the way to Hagenbeck, I found myself in Silesia, and was shaken awake by soldiers, who marched me away to Retibor Gaol. I demanded to see the Governor, I was then marched though a spitting mob on the streets, thankfully I was allowed to telegraph Hagenbeck, and 2 days later I was once again taken from the gaol under guard to Hamburg in a requisitioned Belgian train. "It was a gruesome train; begrimed and scarred with the terrible battles already raging in Belgium."

Max and Moritz greeted me on arrival at Hagenbeck’s but I could see that they had suffered from the emotional separation from me, despite the care of the other keepers.

I have assiduously defended Britain in a public place and a couple of days later I was rounded up with or other newly defined aliens and thrown into Stelling Gaol. Perhaps I should have kept my mouth shut. It got worse as a week later I was moved onto a hulk on the river Elb and it was there that I received the awful news that Max and Moritz had died, that, my life's work, has been ruined by something hideous that I just do not understand. I am a cosmopolitan and it seems that a number of rather decent and sane people have actually turned savage, much as an animal might at maturity.

"Men all over Europe, goaded by women, were treating men in a way that would cause a savage outcry if applied to dogs."

I resent this powerlessness and care little for myself since I have lost my chimpanzees. Meanwhile I just exist. I

WAR CIRCUS NEWS: Reporting on all fronts! 1914

18

5 NOVEMBER: GREAT BRITAIN & FRANCE AND TURKEY AT WAR. 7 NOVEMBER: TSINGTAU SURRENDERS; GERMAN CRUISER GEILR INTERNED AT HONOLULU.

10 NOVEMBER: EMDEN SUNK; KÖNINSBURG INTERNED IN AFRICAN RIVER BY SINKING COLLIERS; GERMANS CAPTURE DIXMUDE.

14 NOVEMBER: LORD ROBERTS DIES. 17 NOVEMBER: PRINCE OF WALES APPOINTED AIDE-DE-CAMP TO SIR JOHN FRENCH; ISSUE OF £350,000,000 WAR LOAN.

had a foodless train transfer from the hulk to Berlin and have now arrived at the race course which has been adulterated into a prison camp, Rhuleben.

At Ruhleben I have found myself among a community of aliens, British men who had been rounded up, from all walks of life. And a large group of West Africans. We are 5000 human animals in a big cage, particularly, ironic perhaps for me a Wild Animal Man.

14/11/1914 The World’s Fair

SCHUMANN’S CIRCUS. A sombre account is given in the German paper, “Vorwaerts” of the opening of Schumann’s Circus, a fortnight ago. “The sad times in which we live,” says the Socialist organ, “were reflected in the audience”. ____

AMERICA POKES FUN.

7/11/1914 Billboard

TWO MONTHS AMONG THE HUNS IN BELGIUM. ____

TERRIBLE EXPERIENCES OF JINGO THE CLOWN. Jingo, the conjuring clown, who has long been one of our readers, was in Belgium at the commencement of the warned. He has sent us the following details of his terrible experience. The writer has fortunately now arrived in England, where he hopes to find work, and we feel sure that amongst our numerous readers he will not ask in vain. We give the article in his own words:—

18 NOVEMBER: LIBAU SHELLED. 19 NOVEMBER:GERMANS FAIL TO GAIN CALAIS. 21 NOVEMBER: ZEPPELIN FACTORY AT FRIEDRICHSHAFTEN RAIDED BY BRITISH AEROPLANES

and incasing their thanks for the kindness extended to them we are to say that it is the wish for all to be able to repay him for what he has done for the English people with whom he was associated.

Paraphrased from Biography Bibliog. Ref: T R

Wiley Ferris has added a new clown number to the big show. It's a satire on the European war.

LEFT

The Weaker Sex? “Woman’s place is in the Home” - Anti Suffragist.

Courtesy of the Library of Congress

has proved a most indigestible dinner too, because most of them died there, but those who escaped showed their true character, and then, we had to learn what is a German. All the farms around were burnt down and the owners shot, but it was not until they were repulsed from Leige that they started their most base and cowardly feats. Since then not a single place was spared, neither women nor children could find pity from there brutal hordes; my pen refuses to describe the awful ordeals that poor women had to go through very often in the presence of either their father or husband whom were well guarded and even bound to trees so as to be unable to do anything; men as a rule were shot unmercifully.

When I was leaving England about 18 months ago, I certainly did not think I should come back so soon, and especially under the present conditions. When I left England, it was to fulfill an engagement on the Continent, and on arriving there I bought a small business for my wife as she did not care to travel on the Continent. This business consisted of a small restaurant and everything went on as well as possible. At the end of July I was staying at Lyon, where I had secured a contract in a magic theatre in the exhibition; I received news from home that my wife was ill, and I set out at once to rejoin her. On my arrival I found her indeed very poorly, and her doctor advised me to put her out in the country. Two days afterwards this was done and Mrs. Jingo went to stay at Melin, a little village some 8 miles from Verviers which is our home.

When I heard of all this, I set out at once to fetch my wife back and when I arrived at Melin, I found the place where the village had stood once, but not one house had been spared. The men had been taken first and put in a row three deep on one side of the street, women and children on the other side, and then the men where shot and the women driven out of the village and immediately the village was set on fire. I arrived in time to find my wife outside the ruins and we set out to go back home, but before we had gone half a mile we met a German patrol. I was taken a prisoner. My wife kept away from me. After a few days’ detention I was lucky enough to make good my escape. Marching through Louvain on our way to Cologne and after many difficulties we reached Verviers, which was then completely in the hands of the German, and when we came home we found the whole business had been ransacked.

A week afterwards my poor country was invaded and we saw the Germans march through Verviers on the 4th of August, at 11a.m. They did not show their true character at that time thinking that we were afraid of them and that we were going to let them pass quietly, they just sneered and grinned at us, not knowing what we had in store for them and so they passed through the town singing their beastly “Wacht am Rhein.” But the whole thing changed during the night when they came into view of the first forts, and the dinner they wanted so badly was served them, and hot too; it

What they found was of no use to them they had smashed. I was compelled to stop among those brutes till a fortnight ago when the Rustington No. 1 lodge of the R.A.C.B. made arrangements to get me over.

We had secured a passport for my wife and I had to go and get food from Maastricht and we set out on the Sunday at 3 a.m but before we had done many miles we were overtaken by an automobile containing two German officers; they abused us in the lowest styles and asked for our passports, without even looking at them they tore them into pieces and

threw them in our faces. Anyhow the next day I secured another passport for Aubel, a small town midway between Verviers and the Dutch frontier, and I was disguised as a carter driving a tumbril into which I had put my wife, concealed under some sacks, we were lucky enough to arrive in Holland after nine hours’ drive. Here my experiences were at an end for the next day we shipped for England.

Surely we are safe now, but all the same it breaks our hearts to think that so many other families have to stop over in Belgium in the iron grip of the brutal Huns, and not only that, but out dear country, or at least what once was our dear country now lies completely ruined; but still there is one great consolation for us, the best, we have done our duty and if we have lost everything; our honour is safe; and let come what may, thanks to England and her brave men, we shall never; no, never; be Germans.

Jingo.

14/11/1914 The World’s Fair

FREDRICK THE GREAT BACK IN ENGLAND. ____

GERMAN SHOWMEN’S GOOD TREATMENT OF HIS NOVELTIES. We are pleased to hear, in which no doubt many of his friends will join, that Fredrick the Great, the wellknown English Giant, together with his manager, have landed back in England, having been allowed to pass through by the courtesy of the German Minister of War. Fredrick was turning in Germany when the war broke out, under the banner of Mr. Otto Heinemann one of the most prominent and popular showmen in Germany. It is pleasing to know that Mr. Heinemann has stood by the novelties which he was exhibiting and none of them have suffered any want,

“A large proportion consisted of wounded men striving to secure for themselves a few hours’ relief.” Men “who could only with difficulty drag themselves into their places” broke out occasionally into a laugh at the antics of some clown. “The net proceeds of the premier were given to the Red Cross.”

21/11/1914 The World’s Fair

NEW SIDE SHOWS. ____

TO THE EDITOR OF THE WORLD’S FAIR. In the midst of stress which the war has brought on the show world it gives some of us who unselfishly trouble ourselves about the betterment and additions of originality to side shows, that something must be done to move from the old rut and divert ourselves of the cobwebs which hang so thickly on our business.

My plaintive wail has been read before in this journal of the decadence of side shows generally, without which no “Olde English Faire” is complete.

It looks as though they will be a thing of the past and if that does come about many fairs will die a natural death.

With the war comes a mental zepher (sic) of possible resuscitation of the side show. Can I philanthropically advise? It is with the experience of over thirty years which, of necessity, I have keenly observed the flow and “ebb” of the business.

“My friendly Showman,” as Dickens calls you, are you going to let the fair which gives so much pleasure to our rural folks and a source of livelihood be regulated to the past? I am only “cruel to be kind” to speak in such a drastic way. Many who are on the pedestal are loth to be advised by any whom they think are somewhat outside of the pale of the show world, whose “tale” is not conventional.

I notice some think the morbid must not enter, or be thrust on the propriety of the public. I say, emphatically, from a psychological point of view the public- a part of their holiday imperatively- demands a slice of the morbid sandwiched with other things that complete the round of amusement. People go to see tragedies, melodramas, lion tamers, high rope walker, pole climbers, waxwork chambers of horrors, aerial shows, circus performances, sting men, read

WAR CIRCUS NEWS: Reporting on all fronts! 1914

RIGHT

CLOWN-SOLDIER AWARDED CROSS OF LEGION OF HONOUR accounts of battles on land and sea, read of murders, divorces, go to the picture palaces to see the flicker of hairbreadth escapes, fight with aeroplanes, etc., all because of the morbid interest. There are some puritanical persons, possibly from narrow, political , religious or kill-joy principle hold their hands up in horror about the morbid entering into the amusement of the public. Enough said.

It’s a ill wind that blows no one any good. The war has given enough scope for plenty of novelty for side shows.

Living pictures, tableaux of the brave deeds of our soldiers and sailors, panoramas of the Johnstown Flood type, battle and destruction of cities, displays of living statuary of incidents.

Enough horrors to make a score of model shows. Naval shows of the Monitor and Merrimac type. War pictures will be painted galore, all of which the morbid must patriotically entice to enliven the British spirit in its holiday.

Now, showmen, bestir yourselves there is a good time coming. … &c.

J. H. McKENZIE. 21/11/1914 The World’s Fair

LEAMY TROUPE. Carl Leamy, manager of the Leamy troupe of aerial artists, used circus methods when he confronted the problem of landing in this country without immediate work. The Leamy boys, who hail from Quincy, Ill., were in Australia when the war came on. As soon as they were free to do so they left Australia for native shores. Seven days out of San Francisco, Carl Leamy used wireless and booked the act with Bert Levey, of the Levey Circuit. The Leamys arrived on Thursday, and Sunday they went to work. They remained on the Coast for three weeks, and then came home. After arranging their practice barn at Quincy, Carl Leamy came to Chicago to look over the vaudeville field. His stories of Australia throw some light on the situation there. Germany was the largest buyer from Australian mines and Australian wool found its best market in Germany. These industries closed as soon as shipping ceased. This made many of the theatres close their doors. . . . Mr. Leamy says the conditions in the South are a paradise when compared with those in Australia.

21/11/1914 New York Clipper

BOGUS CIRCUS ON THE ROAD. ____

German Officers as Clown and Director.

The Bucharest correspondent of “the Morning Post” learns that an ingenious attempt has been made by the Germans to smuggle field telegraphic apparatus into Turkey through Rumania. The apparatus came under the description of material

for a Circus that was set up in Constantinople, and to make the illusion more complete the German officers in charge gave themselves out, one as the director of the circus and the other as the clown of the company.

The Customs officers were not deceived by these ingenious statements and the entire outfit was confiscated.

As a result the official precautions against contraband crossing Rumania have been made stricter than ever.”

23/11/1914 Portsmouth Evening News

SACRED CONCERT AT THE CIRCUS. We have the pleasure in announcing particulars of the sacred concert, kindly arranged by MR Swan in aid of the “mail” Cardigan Jacket Fund, For Sunday evening next after church.

Doors will be open at 8pm, and the concert will commence at 8.15 prompt. The following are the artistes:- Madame Pattie Rowland (soprano), Mr. S.W. Williamson (baritone, late of the Moody Manners and Carl Rosa Opera Co.) Mr. Wm. Lely 9 Tenor). Miss Elsie M. Evison (contralto): selections by the Hull Military Band ( conductor, Mr. A. Gibson; and Miss Beatrice Wainwright (accompanist).

25/11/1914 Hull Daily Mail

EMERSON DEITRICH KILLED BY LION.

23 NOVEMBER: ZEEBRUGGE BOMBARDED. 26 NOVEMBER: H.M.S. BULWARK LOST IN MEDWAY.

"ENGLISH CLOWN'S" FEAT. ____

THE LEAP OF DEATH. A remarkable feat by a French soldier who has some celebrity in the Continental circus business as an "English clown” and calls himself Williams, has been told to me (says a war correspondent of "The Standard") by one of his company officers. A French trench was enfiladed by a German machine gun, and the losses in consequence became so serious that the lieutenant in charge remarked aloud: "if he only had somebody up there he might be able to deal with them." Pointing to the tottering remains of a chimney stack, the jagged top of which was thirty feet above ground. He knew nothing of the peculiar abilities of Williams, and when the latter saluted and said "I think I can get up there", he merely shrugged and nodded.

Throwing off his heavy overcoat, the clown-soldier rushed to the chimney stack, and with his rifle slung on his back climbed up it like a monkey, resting momentarily in projections which crumbled beneath his touch, till from the summit he was able to shout the exact position and distance of the deadly German gun. Then he coolly began firing himself. The trembling brickwork seemed to sway with every movement he made, and it was too much for his comrades nerves to watch him. They begged him to come down, and finally an officer peremptorily ordered him to descend.

In a few minutes he was on the ground.

19

28 NOVEMBER: KING VISITS FRANCE. 1 DECEMBER: CAPTURE AND SURRENDER OF DE WET. 8 DECEMBER: BATTLE OF FALKLAND, BRITISH NAVAL VICTORY.

HENGLER’S CIRCUS GLASGOW. A Scottish friend of mine, who knows how I like to record the doings of the circus, has sent me the following:— “I was present at the reopening of Hengler’s Glasgow Circus on Saturday last and what a delightful show it was! The equestrians are headed by those well-known and remarkable performers, the Hanneford family; Miss Silvani, a brilliant Italian rider and Jack Yelding, the blindfold jockey-act rider.

The famous Jees perform wondrous feats on the wire and Les Alocianis tender a pretty musical act. A horizontal bar act by the Poppescus group of gymnasts is a fine display and Felix Gontard, whose acquaintance I first made at Beketow’s Russian Circus in 1908, introduced his truly wonderful troupe of animals, The popular clowns, Mr. Doodles and Pimple, create the jocularity, and a splendid water spectacle “Very Soft,” concludes the entertainment. In this Dare Devil Tootzer executes a thrilling high dive.

This water show is more elaborate than any I have seen and claims the highest praise.”

28/11/1914 The World’s Fair

December 1914

First he dropped his rifle, and then brining the hearts of all who witnessed his feat into their mouths, he literally took a header at the low-tiled roof twenty feet below, and he rebounded form it like a ball of india rubber, landing on his feet and playfully striking a grotesque, clownish M’lle Adige in 1899 with one of her attitude, with his fingers behind his lions, not the culprit in this incident.

CIRCUS ARTISTES Courtesy of the Library of Congress ears, saying with a grin in the peculiar Anglo-French he affects: "My MARRIED. Emerson Dietrich, 24, has been new turn-the leap of death." He is to killed by his fiancée’s (Adige Costello) have the Cross of the Legion of The marriage took place on Tuesday lions when he entered their cage while Honour for his "leap of death." last week at St. Peter and Paul’s it was on a railroad siding in Chicago.

Chapel, Cork, of Mr. James Dietrich was the son of a prominent McCormack and Miss Susan Hudson, Brooklyn architect and was daughter of Wm. and Kate Turner considered somewhat of a daredevil Hudson, Both bride and bridegroom himself. Anyway, according to his are popular artistes connected with father he wanted to learn about lions Mr. Turner Hudson’s circus and are “Le Quips the Clown” and signed on as "M'lle Costello's" well-known travellers. manager for her vaudeville I have only just heard of the death of 5/12/1914 The World’s Fair engagements prior to the Barnum & Le Quips, the well-known circus Bailey 1914 season. According to an clown, who passed away at his article in the Brooklyn Eagle, while residence in Blackpool, at the age of feeding the lions on a railroad siding 64. The deceased, whose correct name in Chicago, one of the lions pounced was John Griffiths, belonged to a wellBOSTOCK’S ROYAL on him. It was just a matter of known family, his father before him ITALIAN CIRCUS TOUR moments before another joined in. As being a famous clown. His sisters were for "M'lle Adige," she was evidently Letitia Griffiths, the finest rider of NEWS. not at the scene when the accident her day; Alice Hengleur happened.

Douglas Bostock reports: On (Fontainbleau), who, to-day had one th Chris Berry, Circus Historical Society, Facebook of the best troupes of dogs in Thursday November 5 , our advance agent and a number of artistes left existence; and Pauline, who married Tilbury on the S.S. Dover Castle, they Tom Yorick, Hengleur’s clown.

had a splendid passage. The rest of us, the artistes and the staff, the whole of

Harry Wilding. the live-stock, and all the 28/11/1914 The World’s Fair paraphernalia for the show left Liverpool on the S.S. Runic on Friday,

WAR CIRCUS NEWS: Reporting on all fronts! 1914

20

13 DECEMBER: BRITISH SUBMARINE B11 ENTERS THE DARDENELLES, DIVES UNDER 5 ROWS MINES, TORPEDOES TURKISH BATTLESHIP MESSUDIYEH & RETURNS SAFELY.

LEFT

WAR DISPLACES ALIEN ARTISTES

November 13th. This was a day later than had been arranged, the delay due to the presence of a German submarine at the mouth of the Mersey.

The weather then was at its worst and for the first week we had a furious passage. It is a mercy that the wagons and live-stock were not washed over board. I am relieved to say that we have arrived safely in Capetown after 22 days, everybody and everything is in good shape and the show will open on 14th December.

others, have been drawn from Austria and Germany, owing to these countries having made circus a speciality. In this country this type of entertainment had decayed until the last year or so, when revivals were staged with encouraging results. One by-effect of the war, it is confidently predicted, will be to stimulate that revival by concentrating on our own native country talent which hitherto has found its main opportunities abroad.

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: B, EH

British Talent Disguised as Foreign.

H.M.S. BULWARK LOST. Newbury Race Course turned into a concentration camp for interned enemy aliens.

ACCIDENT TO MR. JAS CHIPPERFIELD.

Musician Henry Averley, RM 108

The tragic news from Chatham this morning is of the Loss of the H.M.S. Bulwark from an unexplained explosion, while stoking up on the Medway. Most of the ships company are feared lost (over 750 men) amongst whom is Henry Averley, Royal Marines Band, family member of the War Circus editor.

We are sorry to hear of a nasty accident to Mr. Jas. Chipperfield of Chipperfield’s Menagerie. Whilst engaged in pulling the tilts at York from the top of the big wagon the rope broke and he fell from the top.

Luckily he fell on an adjoining wagon and this broke his fall to the ground or the accident would have been far more serious. As it is he is suffering from a sprained knee and wrist and a nasty cut in the forehead. We hope by this the popular young showman is on the high way to recovery.

5/12/1914 The World’s Fair

26/11/1914 Great Granddaughter Helen Averley

LAST NIGHTS FINE BOXING. NEWS FROM E.H. BOSTOCK. After several months acting as a lodging-house keeper, I am pleased to report that the mobilisation is now complete and my Zoo buildings in Glasgow have been cleared of sleeping soldiers and have instead been commandeered by the military as a storage place for aeroplanes which are packed into large cases.

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: B EH

____

BOSTOCK’S CORRECTION A few lines appeared in a well-known sporting paper the other day to the effect that Bostock and Wombwell’s menagerie was on board the S.S. Runic, bound for Cape Town. ____ This, of course, was incorrect as it is the Royal Italian Circus owned by Mr. Bostock which has gone to South Africa, and which was reported in this paper at the time.

28/11/1914 The World’s Fair

Splendid sport was provided at the Hull Circus last night. There is no doubt that this building has been admirably adapted for boxing purposes, and it is claimed that apart form Liverpool Stadium it is the finest ring with it’s splendid lighting in the provinces. There ought to be a future for this boxing centre, when we get more normal times. Me W. Swan, the promoter has certainly shown some enterprise in having secured Jimmy Wilde’s Signature to a contract to give a display at the Circus next Monday.

Mr. Wilde certainly needs no introduction; he is the biggest draw in the boxing world, and the most talked of just now.

7/12/1914 Hull Daily Mail

FYING ACE SHOULD BE IN THE CIRCUS. German marksmen burst into cheers when an aeroplane of the allies, flying over Antwerp, began describing weird evolutions as the shells screeched by.

They thought their fire had taken effect, but it was only the aviator looping the loop. He waved gaily to

those below, dropped messages to be of good cheer, the allies were coming, and let go a few bombs for good measure.

10/12/1914 The Evening World

FOREIGN PERFORMERS DISPLACED. ____ CHANCE FOR BRITISH ARTISTS. ____ COMING TO THEIR OWN. Among the "enemy aliens" now interned in the British Isles are a very large number of performers - musical, gymnastic and otherwise - whose specialities consisted of acts staged either in the variety theatres or in circuses, and who were on tour when war broke out. An even greater number of such artistes belonging to the enemy nations who had booked engagements ahead in Great Britain are, by the circumstances of war "interned" in their own country.

Their contracts with British managers have of necessity been voided and cancelled, and this has caused a considerable gap in the arrangements made by those managers, more particularly for the class of entertainment which is more personable and popular at Yuletide.

One of the most interesting revelations in regard to this class of entertainers is that not only have many British performers secured world-wide pre-eminence in their several lines, but that, in consequence of their long period during which the circus has been if not dead, at least in a state of "suspended animation" in this country, a great proportion of such British-born artistes, finding their occupation solely abroad, have adopted foreign professional names.

"Stars" British to the backbone, have made their reputations under names indicative of Italian, Swiss, or other foreign nationality. These, while retaining the assumed foreign ergonomens whereby they have become known to the public and what is perhaps no less important for them - to the managers of circuses and variety shows, will now find new scope for the exhibition of their abilities in their native land. It may be recalled in the connection that one of the most sensational features of Barnum and Bailiey's "Greatest Show on Earth," when it visited Liverpool some years ago, was a simultaneous aerial flying trapeze act executed by several different troupes. The majority of these performers bore very foreignlooking names, but the cleverest troupe of all, which occupied the place of honour in the centre of the high building, was confessedly "all British", and came from Hull.

Artistes from Friendly Lands.

The German and Austrian elements have been eliminated from the program in Great Britain and replaced chiefly by all British .

Recourse will also be had to French, Russian, and American sources. Not only these, but the majority of the British artistes also, would in ordinary courses of events have been engaged abroad….therefore arising out of the Gaps in Christmas Programmes. war is that British artistes of “the Variety entertainment caterers ring” will at last “come into their found themselves faced, indeed, with a own” again.

12 /12/14 Liverpool Daily Post difficulty unparalleled in the history of the profession. To fill the vacant places caused in their Christmas programme they had to scour practically both hemispheres. The results have proved To view Arthur Fenwick’s both satisfactory to the managements marvelous collection of concerned and advantageous to Circus posters from British performers, and to those of Tyne & Wear Archives allied friendly nations. In particular Newcastle-upon Tyne the circus was most "hard hit" by the please visit: displacement of foreign talent, this www.labonche.net being explainable by the fact that hitherto the greater number of performers in this sphere including acrobats, equestrians (and equestriennes) animal trainers, and

WAR CIRCUS NEWS: Reporting on all fronts! 1914

RIGHT

14 DECEMBER: SERBIANS RECAPTURE BELGRADE; MONTENEGRANS CAPTURE VISHGRAD. 16 DECEMBER: WEST HARTELPOOL, WHITBY & SCARBROUGH BOMBARDED.

17 DECEMBER: EGYPT PROCLAIMED BRITISH PROTECTORATE. 24 DECEMBER: AIR RAID ON DOVER.

25 DECEMBER: INFORMAL CHRISTMAS TRUCE; HOSTILITIES RESUMED AT MIDNIGHT; AIR-RAID ON GERMAN WAR VESSELS OFF CUXHAVEN.

BERLIN PLAYER’S PLIGHT.

21

30 DECEMBER: GERMAN AEROPLANES ATTACK DUNKIRK. 31 DECEMBER: BOUGAINVILLE (SOLOMON ISLANDS) TAKEN BY AUSTRALIAN FORCES;

SIMONA’S PARROT.

A Berlin newspaper says that 7200 theatrical artists are starving. 3000 are serving in the army and many talented actors are selling newspapers in the street 12/12/1914 Hull Daily Mail

“What

ACCIDENT TO MR. JOHN HANCOCK. At the Show Ground, Wallsend, on Saturday night, Mr. John Hancock, the well-known Lancashire and North of England showman, was accidentally shot in the head. It appears that some soldiers were firing at the targets, and Mr. Hancock, who had been doing something at the back of the range, raised his head just s one of the soldiers pulled the trigger, receiving the charge in the head. After been medically treated, he was removed to Newcastle Infirmary, where he was detained.

12/12/1914 The World’s Fair

ALIENS ON THE ROAD. ____

THE NECESSITY FOR REGISTERING. At Alfreton on Wednesday last, a German named August Kluikoyske, aged 52, of no fixed abode, was charged that he being an alien enemy had travelled more than five miles from his registered residence without a permit, at Clay Cross, on November 27th.

Prisoner pleaded guilty.

P.S. Andrews stated that at 4-30 p.m. on November 27th he received information that the prisoner had arrived in Clay Cross and reported himself to a constable in the street.

Witness saw prisoner, who was with Bostock and Wombwell’s menagerie, and asked him if he had permission to travel from Dronfield to Clay Cross.

Prisoner produced a permit to travel from Rotherham to Dronfield, so he took him into custody.

Inspector Payne said that at 5-30 p.m. on November 26th prisoner reported himself to him at Dronfield, and everything was in perfect order.

Prisoner did not say anything to him about travelling further.

The Chairman: On the back of the original permit and also on the one prisoner obtained at Rotherham there are full instructions as to what he can and cannot do. Prisoner said he was a German, and was employed as an animal attendant with Bostock and Wombwell’s. He had been with them for 18 years, and had lived in this country for 23 years.

The Chairman: You know you are of age to be called up now.

Bostock and Wombwell’s manager stated that when the Act came into force that all Germans and Austrians must be registered. Mr. Bostock reported to the Kilmarnock police on

I Heard.”

____

“Circus Boy Mascot” It is stated that Russia’s youngest solider is Anatoly Galpa, a circus boy, who is attached to a Siberian artillery brigade as a mascot. ____ Circus riders will have no need of this contraption for training cavalrymen and artillerymen.

August 12th that he had in his employ one German alien. Prisoner received a travelling permit from Kilmarnock to Hamilton, and he reported regularly each day. He had no trouble until they were going to Hull, and being a prohibited area had to wait to join the show at York. Since then they had been to Nottingham, Leeds and Bradford, etc., and had no trouble whatever. When at Rawmarsh prisoner obtained from the Rotherham police a permit to travel to Dronfield. That permit expired at 7p.m. on November 26th, and a fresh one was not issued, for the reason that the inspector told him he would be able to travel to Clay Cross.

Supt. Fennell objected to that statement.

Witness, proceeding, said that the prisoner being illiterate, acted on the inspector’s advice.

The Chairman: You are going too far.

Witness, in conclusion, said they were quite satisfied that the offence was committed by the prisoner unintentionally.

The Chairman: So far as you know he is not an alien, and you think he is not in communication with anyone connected with our enemies?

Witness: He has been with me for 10 consecutive years, and I have never seen him write a letter, or read a newspaper, or receive a letter. One of my first duties when I get into a new town is to call at the post office for the letters for all the staff.

Inspector Payne said no mention was made about prisoner being free to travel to Clay Cross. He had no idea where the prisoner was going.

The Chairman said the Bench would take a somewhat lenient view of the case, and fine the prisoner 6s. and 16d. costs. He must, however, understand, that if on any future occasion he was brought up on a similar charge he would not get off so lightly. He should know he could not travel this country any more that an Englishman could travel Germany without having proper permits. The manager should see that the prisoner conformed with the Aliens Act. The manager said that he would see to it personally in the future.

12/12/1914 The World’s Fair

HENGLER’S CIRCUS. ____

ANOTHER GREAT WATER SPECTACLE. “Very Soft” is one of the most ingenious and amusing spectacles that Mr. Albert Hengler has produced. The setting of the little comedy is delightful, especially the village scene, which very realistically suggests rural charm and simplicity. The martial note is vigorously sounded, and the story reaches a sensational climax with a cloudburst, water gushes in roaring cataract reducing to ruins the fair village, and there are exciting scenes in the arena, where men, women and horses struggle in the water. The spectacle alone would give distinction to the current program at Hengler’s, but in addition a variety entertainment for first-rate quality is provided. It is exceptionally strong in equestrianism, one of the remarkable acts being performed by the Hannerford Family, which is as clever and daring a performance as has been witnessed in a circus arena. In the same line Miss Silvani and Mr. John Yelding are conspicuous. Wonderful displays of animal training are given

by Mdlle. Rancy, with her sagacious dogs, and by Captain Pinder with his ponies and elephant; while there are admirable acrobatic performances the the Jees and The Poppescus. A circus show would be incomplete without clowning, and of that there is a sufficiency. The jesters are the old favourites, Doodles and Pimple. They are seldom absent from the area, and their antics and funny sayings set the house in a roar. The amusing pair appear also in interlude “The Animated Statue,” which may be described as one long laugh. Further variety is given to the programme by the musical experts, Les Alosianis.

12/12/1914 The World’s Fair

“Happy Ashby” Happy Ashby, the well-known juggler and circus artiste has arrived back in England after an extensive tour through India, Siam, North China, and Japan. Owing to the war he has been two months on the journey from Peking to Southampton.

After a well-earned rest he hopes soon to be in harness again.

26/12/1914 The World’s Fair

WANTED ENGAGEMENTS VARIETY ARTISTS. “Two Acts that Play as One.” LES WAMBAS (Albert and Mercia) present their remarkable combination of Comedy, Instrumental Music, Humorous Sayings, and High-­‐Class Daring and Sensational Gymnastics.

Expert Campanologists, Brilliant Saxophonists.

Sensational Demon Bagpiper, Followed by Double Athletic Display, executed with that incomparable ease and Oinesse which is the hall-­‐mark of the polished artist. Beautifully Mounted. Massive Apparatus, All Nickel-­‐plated. Miss Mercia is the youngest lady gymnast in Vaudeville, 16 years Old. (N.B. – Albert Wamba is a musician as well as a gymnast.

Exempt form Military service.)

Minimal stage room req., 15ft high, 10 wide, 10 deep.

Wanted, Feb 14 on, with exceptions. Until Sat, Royal Agricultural Hall, Islington, N; Afterwards p.a. 15 Beechwood Avenue, Padgate Lane, Warrington.

17/12/1914 Era/Stage Found by Colin Dale

WAR CIRCUS NEWS: Reporting on all fronts! 1914

22

WHEN WILL THIS WAR END?

HAGENBECK ALIVE! GINNETT PRESENTS BOY ARMY. Mr. F. Ginnett is now meeting with great success with his British and Belgian boy armies in miniature military manoeuvres. Eight English boys and eight Belgian boys give a unique and dexterous display. As the future of Britain will considerably depend upon the rising generation it is hoped that Mr. Ginnett’s efforts will bring home to us the fact that every boy should learn to drill, shoot, and ride, so that if ever the need should come when he arrives at man’s estate, he can take up martial duties without a moment’s delay. Mr. Ginnett has invented a wagon that can be turned into a crane, and a new kind of saddle.

Both of these have been submitted to the War Office, who are considering the taking up of them. Mr. Ginnett claims that any boy can learn to ride in three days by means of his saddle.

The boys go through rifle, sword, lance, and cannon drill the Belgian boys competing with the English lads.

Each Belgian boy appearing with the army has lost either a father or brother in the war. Eight ponies are used in the demonstration and the display altogether is …..(&c.)

26/12/1914 The World’s Fair

LEFT

concerned the king of beasts failed to live up to his reputation, and, except for stepping on the faces of several people in the theatre, who had thrown themselves on the floor for safety, the lions did no damage. The “Telegraph” says the only serious injury caused by the lions’ escapade was to a police sergeant, who was shot in the back by one of his comrades during a fusillade directed at Alice, a lioness, who was cornered in the top storey of a neighbouring flat and finally killed, after receiving 35 bullet wounds.

26/12/1914 The World’s Fair

Marshall’s Fowlers Engine - Hero - Doing War Work. © Harry Lee collection, University of Sheffield Library, National Fairground and Circus Archive.

NEWS FROM LORENZ HAGENBECK. A good friend of mine from America, the publisher of the Denver Post Newspaper of Colorado, has written very warmly to my most astonished wife to express his condolences when he learned that I had fallen at the Western Front. There was a fine obituary attached to the letter praising me to the skies. I had to hasten to give him a sign of belated life, as I do to you all now.

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: H L

War Horses in Hyde Park

DUBLIN, THE LATEST TOMMY TIDDLER’S GROUND FOR CIRCUSES. A Dublin correspondent writes:— This season you can meet more circus proprietors between O’Connell’s Bridge and Nelson’s Pillar, Dublin, than in all the rest of the United Kingdom put together. Last week the following circus proprietors were seen and seemed very busy:— Fred J. Connor, James Washington Myers, Buff Bill, Duffy, Johnny Patterson, Frank Stephenson, Arthur Wilson, Johnny Watson, Carl Bernardo, and Major Fred Lewis. All of the above are well-known in the circus world. Seeing so many artists as well would make you think of 30 years ago when it was quite usual to see a lot like this in any city. I hope all will have a Happy Xmas and New Year.”

HAGENBECK IS ALIVE! The Milwalkee Journal has published a letter from Henry Hagenbeck to Otto L. Kuehn, of 286 Milwalkee St, it reads: “We are well and happy... “my brother Lorenz is traveling at this time. We have not been called to the front. The animals are all right, notwithstanding many reports to the contrary. In act they are better off now than before the war.

Then they were being fed horse meat, and now they are getting the best kind of beef. The price of beef has fallen 4 cents a pound.

“Everything is quiet and goes along in orderly fashion (at Hagenbeck Park, Hambourg) except that business is at a standstill due to poor shipping facilities.”

Mr Hagenbeck goes on to talk about difficulty in collecting bills and thanks Washington Zoo for prompt payment.

Royal Flying Corps at Netheravon, Wilts.

28/12/1914 Milwalkee Journal

26/12/1914 The World’s Fair

The German Sea Raider Emden run aground.

LEAPT OFF THE STAGE. ____

SIX PERFORMING LIONS ESCAPE INTO THE STREET. Six lions created a sensation by appearing loose on Broadway, New York, after leaping off the stage of the Vaudeville Theatre, stampeding and terrifying the audience, and romping merrily around the neighbouring streets until five were rounded up by a large force of police and one was shot dead. Fortunately for everybody

WHO’S WHO QUIZ? 1 - KING ALBERT OF THE BELGIANS? 2 - LORD EDWARD GREY? 3 - LORD KITCHENER?

3,2,1 REDRO OHW S’OHW

23

Circus News From Across The Globe.

WAR CIRCUS NEWS Reporting on all fronts!

1915

www.labonche.net @labonche

BATTLESHIP FORMIDABLE TORPEDOED

1 JANUARY: GERMAN U-BOAT SUBMARINE ACTIVITY IN EARLY MORNING OFF THE ISLE OF WIGHT. 2 TORPEDOES HIT, SHIP CAPSISED 4.45AM. SANK QUICKLY. 35 OFFICERS, 512 MEN & 1 WAR DOG, BRUCE, LOST. LASSIE, PILOTS DOG, SAVED LIFE OF ABLE SEAMAN J. COWAN, BY LICKING HIM BACK TO LIFE.

January 1915 MESSAGE FROM WAR CIRCUS NEWS. Dear Reader - A cold New Years Day

has dawned upon us and takes away the dream of us all - a war which should have been over by Christmas.

The news this morning of the loss of H.M.S. Formidable and so many lives brings to the News Desk a personal loss: George S. Wingrove, just 17 years of age, he was a Midshipman and a family member of the Editor.

While we grieve the many losses in 1914 we are blessed that to date so few are from Showland. Let us pray for a quick return of our men and boys and an end to this war.

War Circus Editor

ELEPHANT AS MASCOT. ____

MILLIONAIRE’S PRESENT TO LONDON SCOTTISH. Some munificent millionaire has presented the London Scottish with a mascot. It is good luck for a regiment to have a pet animal as a mascot, and the giver of this one, no doubt, felt that he wanted the “Scottish” to have all the luck possible. So he sent them an elephant. It is the most docile and obedient elephant that ever lived; will beg in the prettiest fashion and do other drawing -room tricks. It is living just now in the stable at the headquarters, and no decision has yet reached as to whether it will go to the front with the Second Battalion.

2/1/1915 The World’s Fair

Formidable & Lassie 2 JANUARY: PLOT TO SMUGGLE OFFICERS TO GERMANY FOILED BY U.S. AUTHORITIES. 3 JANUARY: GERMANS ARREST CARDINAL MERCIER. 7 JANUARY: ABSINTHE PROHIBITED IN FRANCE.

SHOWLAND’S SONS. We’re proud of the lads from Showland; You don’t know how one feels To think of the loved ones who have gone to the Front; From the dear old “world on wheels.”

And while the boys are absent, Their kith and kin try hard To keep the old flag flying For the “tober” that’s never barred.

They’ve known how hard it’s been at times To keep the wolf from the door, And they’ll try their best, we know, to keep The enemy from our shore.

The Circus Ring, the shooter, too, Have helped to swell the ranks; And we wish them luck and a safe return To receive a nation’s thanks.

They’ve had their share of trenching Through the Fairground’s sea of mud, And always come up smiling When business had been good.

So through the long dark winter nights, When you around the coke fire sit, Let’s try to help as suits our purse, And give our little bit.

The Fairground has done handsomely, Grist to the mill to bring, And those who are left behind at home Will loyally serve the king.

And Give once more a helping hand In Charity’s fair game, For Showland’ rough but honest heart Can always “Play the Game.”

FRED BIBBY Fenwick

12 JANUARY: GERMANS USE POISON GAS SHELLS. 19 JANUARY: ZEPPELIN RAIDS ON YARMOUTH, KINGS LYNN, ETC. 24 JANUARY: ATTEMPTED RAID ON EAST COAST, BLUCHER SUNK.

CHILD AMONGST LIONS. At the Clerkenwell Police Court on Saturday an application was made for a license for a child performer aged ten, and Mr. d’Eyncourt directed especial enquiries to be made about the performance. As a result an officer of the London County Council reported that the father of the childthe name was given of Yvonne Marchard de March- enraged a lion and lioness by fighting them with a chaired and stick The father then fell and the child rushed in and caressed her father. Then the lions retired to their den. The child was protected by four adults, who stood in the wings protected with revolvers.

A representative of the Islington Empire suggested that it was necessary that the child should appear in the sketch with the lions.

Mr. d’Eyncourt: But that is the essence of the performance- that the child should go to the rescue of the father. A very dangerous performance I shall not allow. It has not been inquired into so fully before.

NEWS FROM AMERICA Alf. Sutcliffe.

Letter from Alfred Sutcliffe, of the Sutcliffe Family, from Grimsby, England: "We spent seventeen years in America in the circus business, five years with Sells Brothers, and seven with the B. & B., La Pearl and other shows. Now our country with others are at war. As we all cannot go to the front, we are doing our little bit at home. When not on the stage we are out with our bagpipe band recruiting.

I don't know when we shall return to America again, as our King and country may need us."

9/1/1915 Billboard

JACK JOYCE. Jack Joyce is working his Wild West in circus and music halls in Sweden.

Jack closed his own circus in Denmark shortly after the war broke out.

2/1/1915 Billboard

W. P. Hall will not put out a circus this year, but the odds are that he will have one next year. In the meantime the "Sage of Lancaster" continues to ship horses to warring powers.

9/1/1915 New York Clipper

VICTORY 1915

You can Make it certain if you

JOIN NOW

24

WAR CIRCUS NEWS: Reporting on all fronts! 1915

LEFT

2 BATTALIONS OF SHOWMEN AT THE FRONT BOY OF SIX WHO WEIGHS TWELVE STONES. Arron Shostoff, a boy of six years, who weigh 12 stone, was the subject of a prosecution in Sheffield yesterday.

George Proctor, circus proprietor, was summonsed for procuring the boy to be in a circus for the purpose of performing and exhibiting him for a profit, and Alexander Shostoff, the boy's father was summonsed for allowing him to appear.

The boy, who has hair hanging over his shoulders in ringlets, went into the witness -box, and in answer to his father said he played two drums "and then knocked a clown through the door."

Each defendant was ordered to pay a fine of 40s, or serve a twenty-one days' imprisonment.

And we feel certain the enterprise would be rewarded. ____

SHOWMAN PATRIOTS.

It would be a pity if the Americans had to come to show us the way.

TWO BATTALIONS PROVIDED FOR THE FRONT.

16/1/1915 The World’s Fair

____ I heard that not everything that you hear or read is true.

NO WAR FORECASTS. ____

PENALTIES FOR GERMAN FORTUNE TELLERS.

One of the most curious results of the war has been an official prohibition issued by the general commanding the troops in Berlin and the surrounding province of Brandenburg, of fortune telling (says the special correspondent of the SIMONA’S PARROT. “London Standard”). A military decree, promulgated and signed by the commanding general, has been publicly posted all over the capital and in the towns and villages of Brandenburg, warning persons who undertake to tell the fortunes of others or to predict the course of future events that they will be punished with imprisonment— in aggravated cases “What I Heard.” with hard labour added. This ____ energetic measure has been made necessary by what is apparently a Some time ago we pointed out in these general desire on the part of the columns that there were many good women of Berlin and it’s environs to openings for circuses in our big cities consult astrologers and psychic and towns. mediums and crystal gazers regarding ____ the fall of their men-folk at the front.

9/1/1915 Birmingham Mail

This has for many years been proved at the Agricultural Hall, Islington, where for several weeks during the run of the World’s Fair you will find big crowds round the ring at every performance. ____ And there is no mistaking the genuine pleasure and enthusiasm of the onlookers. ____

16/1/1915 The World’s Fair

There is no more patriotic body in the country than the showmen, who, though hard hit by the war, have rallied in large numbers to the support of King and country.

Mr. Patrick Collins, the president of the Showman’s Guild which met at the World’s Fair Islington, to-day, said that more than £5,000 had been contributed to the Prince of Wales’s Fund; two battalions of showmen are at the front, and fifty or more of the Guild’s traction engines are working for the War Office.

This in spite of the fact that not a few of those who provide open-air amusements for the people have been entirely ruined by the war, and others are keeping their business at a loss.

Fenwick Cutting 20/1/1915 Evening Standard

NEWS SNIPPETS. We notice Oldham is well represented by circus and show land this week. ____ The Wirth Family of circus artistes top the bill at one hall, Decars and Tomato, of whom some experiences were given last week, at another, and Madame Ali (Mrs. W. Gibson) at still another.

23/1/1915 World’s Fair

BIT BY A LIONESS. ____

NEWS FROM AMERICA HAGENBECK SONS KILLED.

George Beckman, president of the St. Louis Zoological Society of St. Louis, Mo., received a letter from Germany, Dec. __, saying that Lorenz and Henry Another place that has proved our Hagenbeck, of the Hamburg firm of contention is Dublin, where Fred J. animal dealers, had been killed in Connor has a capital circus in the battle in the European war. They were Rotunda Gardens. sons of the Carl Hagenbeck, who ____ made the name of Hagenbeck famous throughout the circus world. They Here, again, great crowds are present marked the third generation of the at every performance. family to engage in the supply of wild ____ animals, and practically all the wild animals for the manageries for three And the reason to us is not far to seek. continents passed through their hands. ____ 16/1/1915 New York Clipper ( War Circus editor How many of the younger generation have seen a really good circus? ____

____

note we have already reported that this is old news, and not true. Is Mrs Hagenbeck to expect more condolences?)

There are, of course, many excellent American Special War Tax tenting circuses on the road, but for the most part they give the big towns a A special tax for a circus will not miss. cover any side-show in connection ____ with the circus for admission to which a price is charged additional to the There certainly seems a fine opening cost of the circus ticket. A separate for a few wooden buildings, the same special tax stamp must be taken out as Ohmy used to erect years ago. for each such side show. . . .

16/1/1915 New York Clipper

ACTION AGAINST MR. GEORGE GREEN.

he stopped in front of a stage on which a trapeze performance was proceeding. It was an out-of-doors performance, and opposite the stage were cages containing animals. Two of these contained lionesses, and one of the animals was advertised as “AN UNTAMABLE LIONESS” Pursuer stood behind some seats and watched the performance for some time. The crowd which gathered grew very large— there were thousands watching like himself— and it commenced swaying backwards and forwards, A crush ensued and pursuer was shoved against and over a rope in front of the cage of a lioness.

In an effort to save himself from falling he threw out one of his hands.

With one hand he caught the bars, but his other hand went between the bars and inside the cage, where it was seized by the lioness. The animal held on to his hand until DRIVEN OFF with a big iron bar and a pitchfork.

His hand, which was badly lacerated, was treated by his wife the same night It was very painful and kept him up for two entire nights walking the floor.

Since the accident he has been unable to resume his ordinary work, but he commenced work shovelling coal on a coal-hill, six weeks ago. The cage was on four wheels like a lorry, and there was no wooden barricade in front of it. It was not the case, as suggested, that he was drunk, before the accident, and went inside the barricade and attempted to put his hand into the lioness’s cage. Nor was it the case that, while the attendant was at another part of the cage, he returned and again began teasing the lioness by putting his hand into the cage. Had he not put his hand out to save himself, he would have fallen and the crowd would have TRAMPLED ON HIM If there had been a wooden barricade instead of a rope fence he would not have met with the accident.

For the defense, Mrs. Green, wife of the defender, stated that on the day in question 8,791 persons paid admission, whereas on the following day (Fair Saturday) 27,843 persons passed through the turnstiles. On neither day was the carnival overcrowded.

Wm. Lucas, the manager of a travelling menagerie, stated that he was in charge of the animal’s cages, and that a wooden barrier protected the public from the cage of the untamed lioness. He saw the pursuer trying to get under the barrier and pushed him out. His attention was next directed to his other animals, and, on turning round again he saw pursuer inside the barrier with his hands in between the feeding bars of the cage. The lioness caught hold of pursuer’s hand. Witness said it was absolutely impossible for any man to get a hand through the upright bars of the cage, and that had pursuer been pushed by a crowd he would have fallen on the floor.

The Sheriff made avizandum.

The sequel to an accident at the Carnival in Gallowgate, Glasgow, on Fair Friday, when a miner named Thomas M’Kerracher, of 32, East John Street, Glasgow, was bitten on the hand by a lioness, took place in Glasgow Sheriff Court today.

This was an action brought before Sheriff Fyfe at the instance of M’Kerracher against Mr. George Green, amusement caterer, for £250 damages in respect of the injuries sustained by him on the occasion.

Medical evidence showed that pursuer’s hand was badly lacerated, but only one bone was fractured, and that while he has not the full use of his hand, as he has not complete use of the index finger of the hand. He was fit for light work, but, owing to the condition of his finger he was unable to hold, and therefore unfitted for work at his former occupation.

The pursuer, in his evidence, stated that his visit to the Carnival was made about three o’clock on the afternoon of July 17th, 1914. He walked for a time about the ground, where was a great number of people— men.

women, and children— and ultimately

23/1/1915 The World’s Fair

RIGHT

WAR CIRCUS NEWS: Reporting on all fronts! 1915

ARTISTES REMAIN INTERNED IN BRITAIN & GERMANY. NEWS FROM REUBEN CARSTANG Life in Ruhleben is to be endured. I share a hut with 11 others, not a private moment is to be had. It is best not to snore or worse still remain unwashed as you will earn the hate of all. People under the vileness of the ordeal are "stripped bare of veneer, and showed themselves" the best and the worst is laid bare. Yet together we work towards a common good and a self-governing social state flowers behind the barbed wire.

People here spend time in bettering themselves or entertaining others. I am in the thick of it all, and after the trauma of losing my animals and life I want to be fully a vital part of camp life. Getting involved in theatrical pursuits and all manner of clubs and societies is part of my life blood here.

The concerts and theatrical efforts of the interned men are of the highest quality, Lamond the brilliant pianist is here and there are many actors, authors, playwrights,... All of the highest repute. So the camp is rich in talent.

All these pursuits are a life affirming antidote to living in a prison and slum.

Rehleben is now a socialist town, with all the usual institutions and and professions at work and play. All of these we earnestly undertake to keep us sane, and the laws of the camp were set to make sure that no one was more advantaged than the next, there is no room for vice.

The Germans have their own rigid strictures over the camp.

"Infringements are punished by confinement in a separate enclosure within the camp, and outside prisoners willingly risk their lives to carry provisions to these sufferers."

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: T R

THE WAR’S EFFECT ON AMUSEMENTS IN IRELAND. The war has probably affected Ireland more than any other country, and things are in a very bad way over there with no prospect of an improvement. Several shows have closed down and there are, at least, two who are crossing to England to try their luck.

30/1/1915 The World’s Fair

DEATH OF MR. CHAS. WELDON. ____

AN OLD-TIME RINGMASTER. A well-known figure in the music hall world passed away of Thursday in the person of Mr. Charles Weldon, who up to a few years ago, when he retired, was the manager of the Leeds Hippodrome. He was over 80 years of age , and died at his house in Fallowfield Avenue, Leeds, after a short illness.

It was he who introduced Chung ling Soo to the public. The conjuror’s father was a bare-back rider in Weldon’s Circus, and “Charlie” there first put Chung Ling Soo through his paces. Leaving circus work, Mr Weldon took over the management and the London Grand Music Hall in Manchester, and about thirty years ago he came to Leeds as manager of the Princess Palace, which afterwards took on the name of the Tivoli, and is now the Hippodrome…

30/1/1915 The World’s Fair

NEWS FROM LORENZ HAGENBECK. Matthias Walter, elephant keeper for Haggenbeck reports: I was at Middelkerke on the Belgian North Sea when I received orders from the Supreme Command to proceed at once to Stellingen and thence bring back a working elephant named Jenny from Hagenbecks. She had suddenly been classed k.f. (kriegsferting) or fit for active service, and so with her draft harness, marching rations and with Me, her Oberbootsmannmatt, we were ordered, to proceed to the Western Front. We set off, and proceeded to Avesnes station, south of Maubeuge, the ordinary infantry men had something to stare at when for the first time in their lives they saw a blue jacket riding high up on an elephant on the way to war.

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: H L

SUPPOSED OBJECTIVE. “TYNE SHIPYARDS AND THE HIGH LEVEL BRIDGE” The London correspondence of The Daily Dispatch writes as follows:I was fortunate enough to meet a member of a neutral Legation who had only just returned from Berlin.

From him I heard the truth about the Scarborough raid as expounded in official circles in the Kaisers’ capital.

It would appear that the objectives of the raid, as of last Sundays also, was the Tyne and, in particular, it's important shipyards and the highlevel bridge between Gateshead and Newcastle.

Fog baffled the Germans on the first occasion, and drew them opposite the Durham and Yorkshire Coast's instead of the Northumberland coast, while on the second (occasion) they were so unlucky as to meet Sir David Beatty on the way. (Admiral of the Fleet.)

18 FEBRUARY: GREAT BRITAIN BLOCKADE. 20 FEBRUARY: BRITSH & FRENCH WARSHIPS ATTACK DARDANELLES FORTS.

RAID ON YARMOUTH.

25

21 FEBRUARY: GERMAN AEROPLANES RAID ON ESSEX.

FRANK FOSTER NEWS.

____

The winter here is severe. The icy streets add trouble to my daily with the elephants.

FOUR GERMAN AIRMEN peregrinations Once they begin to slide you cannot REPORTED LOST? stop them, as I found out when Annie slid the last 69 yards to the stage door.

The London Evening News published I sprinkle ash as a precaution.

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: F F the following telegram from Copenhagen yesterday afternoon:There is a report from Berlin that four Airmen, in aeroplanes, lost their lives and machines during the Zeppelin raid on England. Three HARMSTON’S CIRCUS aeroplanes escorted Zeppelins to Yarmouth. One is stated to have been IN INDIA. brought down by shells from a warship, and another to have been One of our readers in India writes: capsized. The misfortunate was “The season in Calcutta would be observed from one of the Zeppelins, incomplete without Harmston’s which was unable to save the pilot and Circus which is a regular cold observer, both of whom were weather visitor whose advent is drowned. eagerly looked forward to. This year 30/1/1915 Newcastle Daily Journal the company is entirely new, each performer being a “star” in his or her particular turn. Several novelties are shown and as all the “turns” are firstclass, the circus has drawn full houses both at the matinee and night performances since the opening date.

Conspicuous among the “turns” are the riding of Miss Jennie Harmston and Mr. Willie Harmston, who first WORLD FAMOUS CLOWN appear separately and then together. ____ Both are accomplished and graceful riders and are as much at home on AFTER HAVING horseback as the average individual is on “terra firma.” Amongst other items APPEARED BEFORE special interest may be mentioned MANY CROWNED HEADS of what is described on the programme HOPES TO RETURN TO as the “trampoline act” of the wonderfully clever Cottrell troupe.

SHOWLAND. Their acrobatic feats are daring as One of the greatest celebrities in the well as unique, and the exhibition entertainment world, Whimsical given by them has certainly never Walker, the famous Drury Lane been witnessed in Calcutta previously.

Theatre clown, celebrated his fiftieth It is a performance which must be year before the public last week. As a seen to be appreciated. The Saldecks youngster the more popular clown in their clever cycling feats, Ambrosia travelled with such famous old in his excellent display on the Roman showmen and circus proprietors as G. rings, Carangeot in his splendid Biddall, Bennet, Ward’s mumming balancing tricks, and the Antonios and booth, Pablo’s Knight’s, Swallow’s, the Cottrells in their amusing musical Freeman, Croueste, besides his old exhibition and Richard’s intrepid pals, Bob Fossett, Joe Smith (Ohmy) and Thos. Holden. He has worked his way up from the show ground to Windsor Castle where he appeared CIRCUS ARTISTES before the late Queen Victoria. He has WANTED. at various times had the honour of ____________ appearing before most of the royalty THE BRONCHO BILL SHOW. in Europe. Born at Hull nearly sixty Season 1915. years ago he first appeared with Pablo WANTED, Male and Female Fancies circus at Stockport in 1865.

Equestrians, But in spite of all there successes Gymnasts, Acrobats, Clowns, Whimsical Walker’s heart is still in And Speciality Acts. show land, and in a pleasant letter to Also for Wild West section: us he says he is longing to have a nice cowboys, Girls, Mexicans, living wagon, and get on the road Indians, &c. again, and he hopes to be soon paying A Capable Tentmaster a deposit for a bit of tober. With the And Stud Groom travelling he has undergone, and the are also required. troubles of many landladies, this we Also Grooms and Tentmen. can readily understand, and we can _____ assure the world-famous clown that a Please quote lowest terms in first genuine welcome awaits him amongst letter. No fancy salaries will be those with whom he started his entertained, as the state of the professional career. country will not allow the same.

6/2/1915 The World’s Fair _____ All communications, 6 Thornley-street, Wolverhampton.

February 1915

3/2/1915 The Era

WAR CIRCUS NEWS: Reporting on all fronts! 1915

26

LEFT

FOOD SHORTAGES AFFECTING MENAGERIES performance with two huge lions stand out prominent among the many items which help to make up a lengthy, varied and attractive programme.

Nor must mention be omitted of the clowns, who are exceptionally funny.”

6/2/1915 World’s Fair

NEWS FROM TYRWHITTDRAKE, MENAGERIST. I’ve had a hellish time getting the menagerie back home to Maidstone from the World’s Fair at Islington. We pulled out at 4pm on Sunday and got no further than New Cross when it began to snow. We reached Faringdon at 8pm the snow was so thick the hills were becoming impassable for the lorries. We got bread from a local village to feed the bears and other animals and waited for morning, it was no better. It took us to 6pm to get to the top of the hill, and then another 2 hours to get the lion wagon out of a bank it had slid into, it had overpowered the lorry. We eventually arrived home at 2 am – taking thirtyfour hours to cover thirty-four miles.

fish famine Captain Woodward has seen that they get their usual supply every day. And for an excellent reason.

“No fish, no work,” the Captain told the representative; that’s the way the sea lions view this workaday world.

But the supply has not been maintained without considerable difficulty. The fish comes fresh from Grimsby every day for Toby and Co. are very particular. In their natural state they get their fish very fresh, and now that they have condescended to leave their native haunts they stipulate that their fish must still be fresh and there must be plenty of it.

So fat the supply has been maintained with regularity, but the Grimsby contractor has had to warn the Captain that any time now he may have to send a telegram cancelling the order, as he has such difficulty in getting the fish.

JUST FISH AND PATIENCE Should this appalling catastrophe happen, captain Woodward will have to cast about to supply them from some other source— or from several sources. As it is his weekly fish bill now runs into anything from £24 to £25, instead of about £7 in normal times.

Then the circus journeyed eight miles down the road to Wynberg for a week.

The next was 54 miles distant and this has to be undertaken by rail, for which my father has arranged the wagons to suit. We set about loading at night but the elephant father had acquired just before our departure bolted into the darkness. I sent men on horseback to over take and capture her, but this was futile, for she ran all the way back to Capetown, and halted on the spot we had occupied for the four weeks. I had to dispatch a 5 ton steam tractor, which is used for hauling purposes and for driving the dynamo, she was still on the same spot, and was quickly hitched to the tractor and they trundled back to be loaded, this time without difficulty.

Since then she has shown to be most useful.

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: B EH

INNOCENT VICTIM.

much as possible; a well broken circus horse is much more calm and confident in its rider than a horse ridden on the stick-on principle, who never knows why his mouth is jerked at or the heels jabbed into his sides.

6/2/1915 The World’s Fair

SIMONA’S PARROT.

“What

I Heard.”

Major Mehring, the German commandant in Valenciennes, acknowledges receipt of an elephant despatched to him by Hagenbeck’s, of Hamburg. The animal will be employed in military building work near Avesnes.

13/2/1915 The World’s Fair

____

6/2/1915 The World’s Fair

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: T-D G (3)

And many of our readers are assisting in this work making submarines at Jarrow and guns at Beardwell.

SIMONA’S PARROT.

13/2/1915 The World’s Fair

CPT. WOODWARD NEWS

CIRCUS HORSES THE BEST FOR CAVALRY.

____

MORE FISH. ____

THE WAYS AND WORK OF THE SEA LIONS. There is one thing that Captain Woodward’s sea lions cannot do; they cannot write. If they could they would probably send a written protest to the Kaiser for having engineered a war which threatens their fish supply.

And the protest would be signed “Yours faithfully, Toby, Jumbo, Dorando, Buller, Brownie, Teska, and Mickie,” for those are the names of the remarkable animals which have been entertaining Liverpool folks at the Olympia circus for some weeks past (says the “Liverpool Echo”).

You will understand the concerns of Toby and company when you learn that together they eat 250lbs of fish a day. In fact, they eat nothing but fish — they like it raw, and they turn up their noses at ‘chips.”

As everyone knows, the war has more than doubled the price of fish owing to the fact that some of the fishing grounds are closed through mine laying operations, and also because so many of the fishermen have abandoned their ordinary occupation and gone trawling for mines. So Toby and company may be excused for viewing the situation with alarm.

NO FISH, NO WORK So far they have suffered nothing more serious than gloomy apprehension, because in spite of the

“What

I Heard.”

That the circus proprietors and showmen live long in the memory of the people was proved the other day by a conversation overhead in a Lancashire town. ____ A number of navvies were engaged excavating and two locals passing, one asked the other what they were going to build. ____ “It’s a place for Ohmy’s Circus,” was the reply.— “Ohmy’s Circus? why he doesn’t want any holes making int’ ground for a circus.” ____ “Eh, but he’s wide, is Ohmy. He’s building this underground so as they conna drop ony bombs on it.”

6/2/1915 The World’s Fair

BOSTOCK”S ROYAL ITALIAN CIRCUS TOUR NEWS.

Douglas Bostock reports: Although the country is quite upset by the war, I am pleased to report that the Royal Italian Circus was an instantaneous success when it opened in Capetown, we had four excellent weeks, which is quite a long stop in a town of 85,000.

The question of alleged stage cruelty to animals having been the subject of another letter in the “Saturday Review,” Mr. Walter Winans, of Surrender Park, Pluckly, Kent, has replied as follows:— “Whilst fully agreeing with Mr. Saint Benno Cunlice that cruelty to animals should be stopped in every possible manner, if his wish that all animal training at circuses, etc.. should be stopped were gratified, one of the chief sources of effective cavalry horses would be stopped also. The Haute Ecole is, to the horse, what conic sections and logarithms are to a student of arithmetic. In this country unfortunately, the public is quite ignorant of Haute Ecole; if a man can stick on a horse’s back over a country he is considered a splendid rider. At the International Horse Show each year it is seen how foreign officers, and a few exceptional English riders, beat the men who ride on the stick-on principle. Now all these officers ride on the circus system, which is the cavalry system (with a little higher training), just as an astronomer knows little more of mathematics that a man who can only multiply, add, and subtract. On the Continent the knowledge of the Haute Ecole enables the public to appreciate good circus riding; in this country it is “unnatural antics,” as Mr. Cunliffe calls it, although it is to the horse what Swedish exercises are to a man’s bodyputs it into perfect balance.

Instead of stopping circus riding, circuses should be encouraged as

FAMINE IN ACROBATS. ____

MUSIC HALL BILLS WITHOUT THE GERMAN TUMBLER. There is a famine of acrobats in the music-hall world. They are nearly all of them Germans or Austrians, said Mr. E. Pierce, a well-know Manchester variety agent, to a “Daily Dispatch” representative.

“Many of them were interned, but have since been released, and have gone to America, which is the only place where they are likely to earn a living just now.

“The reason why Germans make such good acrobats is that gymnastics is their national sport. In every village almost throughout the Germanspeaking countries there is a local ‘Turnverein’ or gymnastic association, and the best men of the village join the club in the nearest town, and gradually push their way to the front, and become professionals. The best of the German acrobats are accordingly very good indeed. There are good Japanese acrobats, and some Italians and French. But they do not seriously compete with the Germans and Austrians.

“Now, of course, no audience would stand an ‘enemy turn,’ nor would a self-respecting manager foist one upon the stage. The result is that the acrobatic turns, which before the war were thought indispensable to every well-constituted variety programme, have been largely dispensed with.

13/2/1915 The World’s Fair

WAR CIRCUS NEWS: Reporting on all fronts! 1915

RIGHT

CIRCUSLAND SUFFERS AS MANY ANIMALS ARE PRESSED INTO MILITARY SERVICE FAREWELL BIMBO. Death of Famous Clown. - The "Era" announce the death of Bimbo, a famous circus clown, whose real name was Thomas Dralan. Bimbo, who is particularly known for his act on high stilts, served many years in the ring under the banners variously of Lord George and Lord John Sanger, Heugler and Ginnett.

18/2/1915 Edinburgh Evening News

Two Solider Brothers from the South.

MERCIA WAMBA NEWS, CHILD ARTISTE. Father cannot seem to fix on a name for our act, maybe ALBERT WAMBA and DAUGHTER MERCIA, is better than, Les Wambas, la Petite Belle Mercia et Albert, at least I’m shown to be his daughter, but I liked being the Petite Belle, it reminds me of mother, Father’s La Belle Lilly. Father must think we are getting better, because we are billed as Sensational Gymnasts and Comedy Instrumentalists, but then I am 14 now, and mother always made sure I would be a gymnast.

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: D C

WHAT READERS SAY. Another reader says he feels sorry for circuses this season as he thinks they stand a poor chance. For one thing a wet season is predicted, and another, he is afraid the army authorities will fall in love with their horses. ____ Francis Bailey

Gordon Bailey The above photographs, Francis Bailey (top) and Gordon Bailey, are two showmen soldiers who are both in the Royal Field Artillery. Related to some of the most prominent people in Showland. They are grandsons of the late Mr. Frank Bailey ((?) machine proprietor, of London) and nephew of Mrs. F. C. Bostock, R. Fossett, Jnr, and … being stationed at Colchester…

20/2/1915 World’s Fair. Photos reproduced by kind permission of The World's Fair Ltd.

Our soldier boys are certainly seeing some wonderful changes and a trumpeter to the Australian force in Egypt writes: ____ “It is a really wonderful sight here, especially at night, to go up one of the Pyramids and look down. It is just like a big town, and to think that a few weeks ago there was nothing there. ____

“Wood huts, tents, and shops sprung up everywhere; fruit shops, barbers’ shops, tailors’, boot repairing shops, general stores, in fact everything you can think of. Now they are building a kinema house! Fancy a moving picture show under the shade of the Pyramids!”

20/2/1915 World’s Fair

Herr Wulff was the rage of London for three consecutive seasons at Hengler’s, and after for five seasons at the Crystal Palace Circus. ____ In conclusion, I wish to say that I never served a better employer. Herr Wulff could talk five languages each of which he talked without any accent of the other. ____ Herr Wulff was a Hungarian belonging to Budapest.”

20/2/1915 The World’s Fair

Well, we have had wet summers before, and for one we don’t think the army will want many more horses.

Anyway, if they do we shall have to be sports and let them have them, GINNETT. remembering they are for a good cause, as without them we should not Fred Ginnett will take out tenting be as happy as we are. the British Boy Army and Military ____ Tournament, in fact, an entire and complete army in every detail. It will And what about the weather we play all the public parks throughout have had during the past fortnight, Britain. A portion of if has already leave alone what we are going to have. played the London Coliseum and met ____ with the greatest success. The advance brigade will be in the experienced One of our oldest menagerie hands of one of the greatest of all proprietors said the other day that he British agents, Mr. Joe Hastings, the had never experienced such weather well-known agent and journalist. before in a lifetime of travelling.

27/2/1915 The World’s Fair 20/2/1915 The World’s Fair

BARNUM CIRCUS AGENT. FAMOUS CIRCUS PROPRIETOR. ____

NEWS SNIPPETS.

when he opened (at a great financial risk, at “Hengler’s,” Argyle Street, London,W., had then been closed for a number of years) in November with an equestrian programme unparalleled in the history of the ring, culminating with 75 horses and ponies in the arena, under the sole control of Herr Wulff, each having on their backs (fixed on the sursingle) different coloured lights, which gave forth a beautiful effect, with the gasses been turned low (there was no electric installation in those days) ____

THE LATE HERR WULFF. ____

SOME INTERESTING NOTES. Mr. W. C. Burnes, the famous advance agent and manager, who describes himself as one of the few practical business men of circus (resident or tent) also theatre or hall now left, and yet not a “Methuselah,” and who knows how to run a show, writes:— “In your last week’s issue, I see you mention briefly, the death at Copenhagen, of Herr Eduard Wulff, who one time ran a season of circus at “Hengler’s” but your correspondent apparently does not pretend to know much about that famous circus impressario; let me enlighten him.

Exactly 23 years ago Herr Wulff took the whole of London by storm

Lc-Cpl. Barnum, circus agent, who is attached to the 23rd Divisional R.A.S.C is lying seriously ill at Pangbourne, Berks., suffering from a kick in the face by a mule, and the accident was so serious that it is feared he will be laid up for some time.

27/2/1915 W The orld’s Fair

WHAT WORLD’S FAIR THINKS.

DARKENSS— The new rules that are being enforced respecting the darkening of all lights, in many towns is assuming great proportions and several fairs have been abandoned through this restriction. Whilst in complete sympathy with the object in coast towns we cannot see a great deal of necessity for it in inland towns but the authorities know best and we must bow to their decision.

27/2/1915 World’s Fair

27

27 FEBRUARY: MOULIN ROUGE, WELL KNOWN PARIS RESORT, DESTROYED BY FIRE. 10 MARCH: CAPTURE OF NEUVE CHAPELLE.

March 1915 GINNETT. Mr. Fred Ginnett has now bought Strawberry Vale Farm, East Finchley, London. It is a delightful residence with a magnificent river for fishing and a fine orchard. Mr. Ginnett is now preparing his new boy army for the forthcoming tenting season. This Exhibition will commence on Easter Monday next and Mr. Joe Hastings (Fred Ginnett’s manager) informs us that this will be the biggest thing ever attempted in this country. All the uniforms of the Highland boys regiment, the Indians, and the Belgium Boy Scouts are designed by the ever popular Mrs. Fred Ginnett who, in former years, has done such good work in organising many charitable institutions in London.

Lord Chas. Beresford has written congratulating Mr. Ginnett on the valuable work accomplished by the boy army. Mr. Hasting also informs us that there is still room for a few more grooms and tentmen, also about ten good window billers, all to wear the uniform.

6/3/1915 The World’s Fair

ARTHUR FEELY. Arthur Feely, elephant trainer and showman, from Bostock and Wombwell’s Gigantic Combination Menagerie has volunteered with the Royal Army Veterinary Corps.

Family: Geoff Younger

EUGEN SANDOW NEWS. I have a new commercial venture, I am manufacturing spring exercise dolls for children. And at the institute we are going to train up 18- 20 children to give synchronized demonstrations. Hélène my daughter is the first president National Doll league, which we have set up to promote the dolls. The initial profits from the sale of these devices will go to the Red Cross. But I have had to close down the Sandow Corset company.

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: W D

CIRCUS ELEPHANTS. ____

Germans Seize Them for Transport Service.

PETROGRAD, Friday.

(Received to-day).

According to a telegram from Moscow, the German military authorities are requisitioning all Hagenbeck’s circus elephants for transport purposes.

– Press Association War special.

13/3/1915 Sheffield Evening Telegraph

WAR CIRCUS NEWS: Reporting on all fronts! 1915

28

15 MARCH: DRESDEN SUNK NEAR JUAN FERNANDEZ ISLAND. 18 MARCH: H.M.S. IRRESISTIBLE AND H.M.S OCEAN AND BOUVET (FR) SUNK.

STILL GROWING

19 MARCH: GOVERNMENT AND 34 TRADE UNIONS AGREE TO ACCELERATE OUTPUT OF MUNITIONS.

NEWS SNIPPETS.

SANGER’S CIRCUS.

BOSTOCK’S IN SOUTH AFRICA.

Tuesday's blizzard, which caused so much damage in many parts of England and so many delays, was responsible for the disappointment occasioned by the non-appearance in Gloucester on Thursday - the day announced for its visit- of Sanger's Circus. This all-British institution has been a welcome visitor to Gloucester for many years, and it is satisfactory that the visit has only been delayed and not abandoned. On Monday next, April 3rd, the Kingsholm Ground will be alive with the many delights which are attached to Lord John Sanger's Royal Circus and Menagerie, and Gloucester people will have another opportunity of indulging in the thrills and laughter which the fearless riders and comic clowns of Sanger's are so adept at providing. The people of Cinderford will have similar opportunities on Tuesday on Thursday, April 4th; and those of Lydney on Wednesday, April 5th. One of the features of the entertainment will be the brilliant and fearless exhibition of riding by the "Great Russian Cossack Troupe," who give peasant dances, ground manoeuvres, and a realistic representation of the way in which the men of our Russian Ally fight the Germans. It is stated that these wonderful riders are not circus performers, but are the pick of Russia's finest horsemen, who are unfortunately debarred from taking their part in the great European conflict. The circus will also include Pimpo's great absurdity, a most laughable production in which the two Willies introduce the Turk to the British Lica, and Pimpo's exhibits his ship of the desert. The beautiful Della Cassa Sisters give an interesting exhibition with three elephants and three horses; while a pair of pure white twin horses are led by "Francesca" in a riding and driving performance. Other star turns are the Aerial Danes and the performing sea lions. On the whole Monday's programme is one of the best Mr. Sanger has provided.

Mr. E. H. Bostock’s Royal Italian Circus is meeting with great success in South Africa, and after a fortnight’s stay at Pretoria the famous circus is now located at Johannesburg for a month. ____ HAGENBECK’S ELEPHANTS. Even Germany has resorted to help from our business for the other day we noticed in the “Daily Mail” a photo of one of Hagenbeck’s elephants engaged in carrying material for road making.

Fred Kempster

Frederick the Great.

It is stated that the German Government have mobilised all the elephants from Hagenbeck’s and they have been sent to the front with their keepers. ____

As will be seen by the photograph above, Frederick the Great, the HORSE SAVES SOLDIER. famous English Giant, is still growing.

We have for many years been It is interesting to know that Frederick is about to start on a world’s tour and interested in performing animals and a full report of particulars will be the sagacity of some of them has often made us marvel. found on page “10” of this issue. ____ ____ And the following shows how truly human some animals are: FRED THE GREAT ____ PRISONER OF WAR. “It may interest our readers to know that during the five months that Fred was a prisoner of war in Germany he lost four stone in weight, as he was only allowed ordinary prisoners’ diet with very restricted exercise, in fact, for the first few weeks he was confined in a semi-dark room, without any exercise, but on his return to dear old England, the land of his birth, under the tender care of his loving sister, he soon began to regain some of his lost strength, vigour, and energy, so much so that after touring several Lancashire towns, under the Headley banner, he feels sufficiently strong to undertake a tour of the world, which he will commence almost immediately, in fact, as soon as the passports, etc., are ready.

Mr. Otto Heinemann, with whom he was turning at the outbreak of the war, has organized the present tour, which will be taken via France, to Italy, visiting all the principal Italian cities, then if conditions are favourable proceeding to Egypt, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and returning

by America.

Jack Headley, junr., who is accompanying him is not yet 20 years of age, but has five years’ experience of exhibiting life with Mr. Clarence Barron, Barron Bros., Giant Wright, and his father. In wishing them both bon voyage, our readers will, we are sure, join us in wishing them a speedy and safe return from what we hope will be a very profitable and pleasant tour. Both will be pleased to hear from friends, old and young. The first address will be c/o Post Office, Milan, Italy.

20/3/1915 The World’s Fair

6 APRIL: KING ENFORCES PROHIBITION OF WINE BEER & SPIRITS IN ROYAL HOUSEHOLDS, 13 APRIL: MR LLOYD GEORGE, CHAIRMAN OF NEW MUNITIONS

Mr. Badderley, a Leicester schoolmaster, received on Saturday a letter from a former pupil, a lance-corporal at the front, who writes: “One of our horses is a candidate for the Victoria Cross. It is a true story of animal devotion. ____ “The troops were charging at the time, and as one rider fell from his horse, wounded, the animal picked him up with his mouth by his clothes and carried him away to safety, where other men of the regiment were resting.”

27/3/1915 The World’s Fair

1/4/1915 Gloucester Journal

April 1915

CIRCUS HORSE DISPUTE. ____

NEWS FROM E.H. BOSTOCK.

JUDGE AND PROFESSIONAL NAMES.

Two of my 4 sons are in the Army: My second son, Alexander Gordon Bostock, who has been in charge of the Ipswich Hippodrome has joined up. And was followed shortly after by my eldest son Gus, Edward Henry Augustus Bostock, who is my assistant and right-hand in Glasgow. I have been increasingly left in charge of the families businesses. I constantly find myself beside myself with worry of one sort or another, I feel at times like giving away under the strain. My Wife Elizabeth, is also in a constant state of anxiety about her boys, for each is having a trial.

At Newry Quarter Sessions on Wednesday, before his honour Judge Orr, K.C. Henry Hazenberg, Waterford, circus proprietor, sued Francis Carvill, Warrenpoint, for £30 damages for that the defendant got into his possession a horse, the property of the plaintiff, in the month of July last, and converted same to his own use, and damages for the detention of said horse and for consequential damages.

Mr. John Cusack, B.L. (instructed

by Messrs. Fisher and Fisher and Hamilton), appeared for the plaintiff; Mr. P.J. O’Hare (Messrs. O’Hare and O’Hagen) represented the defendant.

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: B EH

LEFT

COMMITTEE; BREAD RAISED TO 8 1/2d. PER QUARTERN LOAF. 14 APRIL: ZEPPELIN RAID ON NORTH EAST COAST.

The plaintiff’s name was entered as Henry Chadwick, and His Honour asked why he had changed his name.

Mr Cusack said he was an English man, and traded under the name of Hazenberg before the war, as he found it more profitable. After the war he found the name rather unprofitable, and he changed it to his own name.

His Honour, on the plaintiff entering the witness-box, asked him where he was born.

Witness: In London.

His Honour: Why did you take the name of a brutal German?—It was practically a show name.

Mr. Cusack: All shows are supposed to come from Germany. (Laughter.)

Plaintiff said he had not given himself a German name since the war started.

3/4/1915 The World’s Fair

NO LIONS WANTED. ____

SAYS ANIMAL DEALER. ____

FALLS OF 80 PER CENT IN PRICE OF WILD BEASTS CAUSED

BY WAR. Lions, tigers, elephants and other wild animals now at large in tropical forests have reason to bless the present war! There are no sportsmen to shoot or capture them and the shipping companies will not be troubled to bring them to Europe.

On the other hand, the inmates of zoological gardens in this country and on the Continent would not be pleased if they could hear what London animal dealers say— namely, that their value has since war began gone down no less than 80 per cent. This means that a lion worth £50 before the war could be brought to-day for a paltry £10!

Mr. John D. Hamlyn, the wellknown animal dealer, told “The Daily Mirror” that the trade in wild animals was almost completely at a standstill.

During the past few months, he said, he had had dozens of letters from the Continent offering him lions and other animals.

It was impossible for him to buy them, as there was nobody to whom he could sell.

3/4/1915 The World’s Fair

Col. S.F. Cody’s Man-lifter War Kite is perfect for aerial reconnaissance but has sadly not been used as designed. The Kite Section was disbanded in 1914. His son Frank is now with Royal Field Artillery, he hopes to join the Royal Flying Corps.

IWM

WAR CIRCUS NEWS: Reporting on all fronts! 1915

RIGHT

17 APRIL: TRANSPORT MONITOR SUNK IN AEGEAN SEA. 25 APRIL: ALLIES LAND AT GALLIPOLI. 26 APRIL: PRINCE OF WALES’S FUND EXCEEDS £5,000,000.

27 APRIL: LÉON GAMBRETTA (FR) TORPEDOED OFF OTTRANTO. 28 APRIL: DR. J.S. HALDANE DEFINES GERMAN GAS SHELLS AS CHLORINE OR BROMIDE. WAR OFFICE APPEALS FOR 500,000 RESPIRATORS.

FIRST OF OUR SHOWMAN KILLED IN ACTION?

FAMOUS CIRCUS PROPRIETOR ____

DEATH OF MR. GEORGE GILBERT. ____

HIS NOTTINGHAM ASSOCIATIONS. The death took place today at Yarmouth of Mr George Gilbert, proprietor of the Yarmouth and Lowestoft hippodromes. He had carried on similar undertakings at Nottingham, Norwich, Leeds, Leicester, Derby, and Exeter. The deceased entered the ring at the early age of nine, and rose rapidly. He was the Farnham combination for two years, and had toured Europe and the United States. Mr Gilbert was one of the first to engage Blondin, The famous tight rope walker. He was a town councillor of Yarmouth, and had given thousands of pounds to good causes in Norfolk.

The late Mr Gilbert, Who in his younger days was perhaps the dashing jockey of the ring, was predominantly associated with amusement catering in Nottingham for several successive years, and made many friends in the city. He introduced some of the most famous circus performers in the world to local audiences, first at the rink, ( now the Victoria Hall), and later in the spacious circus which he erected on the land at the rear of the Guildhall. Blondin was among his attractions here too, and several performers now commonly identified with variety theatres first appeared in Nottingham under his aeges.

Mr Gilbert came over to Nottingham a few weeks ago on his way to seek change at Bournemouth, and he then explained that his business at Yarmouth have been badly hit by the German air raid though he fully intended re-opening for the summer if his health permitted. There are many people in Nottingham who will hear of his death with great regret.

7/4/1915 The World’s Fair

Jencagenbeck’s war elephants & (likely to be) Matthias Walter on top, at the front, Valencinennes, France, c.March 1915. Library of Congress has similar poorer quality photo

NEWS FROM AMERICA

his brother started a riding school in South Kensington. Subsequently they it to premises in the Fulham Bar on Cloven Hoof Animals. removed Road, and there for many years Mr. Those one time circus animals, the William Cooke was a riding master. camel, the giraffe, the American bison, He retired about ten years ago. the zebu, the llama and the peccary, will probably be missing when the 10/4/1915 The World’s Fair circus parades this Spring. Secretary Huston of the Department of Agriculture, has put the ban on the transportation of these six beasts from KILLED IN ACTION. State to State, because they're all ____ likely to catch the foot and mouth disease, which has been affecting domestic cattle all over the country.

FIRST SHOWMAN The camel, the giraffe, the bison, the SOLDIER TO zebu, the llama and the peccary must FALL. remian where they are at present. By June 1, when, it is expected, the foot KILLED IN ACTION. and mouth disease will be under control, the interstate ban may be lifted. The tough hide and feet of the elephant (who hasn't much of a mouth, anyhow) makes him immune from the dread disease. Lions, tigers and other cat beasts never catch it.

Elephants and menagerie animals are hard to get this season as the war has stopped shipments of animals from Hamburg, Germany.

Pte. Daniel Grimmer, a rider in Sanger's Circus, joined the Royal Veterinary Corps, earlier in the year.

He was serving with them in Turkey at the time of the landing at the Dardanelles in April 1915.

1/3/1935 Nottingham Evening Post.

they have up to now had the good fortune to have their lives spared.

Many of them have received serious injuries and now it is our sad duty to record the death of the first showman soldier. This is Mr. H. Wallser, who was killed in action at the battle of Neuve Chapelle. The late Mr. Wallser is a son of Mr. Jack Wallser and is a member of a popular family of Devonshire travellers.

At the beginning of the hostilities, he, along with his three brothers who are still at the front, joined the army and one of the brothers— Jack— was in the same trench in which his brother was killed.

The Wallsers’, as we have stated, are well-known in Devonshire and the lads’ uncle, Mr. Tom Wallser, is a proprietor of the Wonderland, one of the oldest places of entertainment in the county, and he was one of the first to advise the boys to respond to the call of King and Country. We feel sure the sympathies of our readers will be with Mr. Wallser, senior, who has had the misfortune to lose his wife since the boys went to the front. The bereaved father has received messages of sympathy from King George and Queen Mary also from Lord Kitchener on his double bereavement, All who know the family will, we feel sure, trust the three brothers will soon be home again to give solace to their father and to receive the thanks of a grateful nation.

17/4/1915 The World’s Fair

THE ROYAL ITALIAN CIRCUS IN SOUTH AFRICA. ____

NEWSPAPER’S PRAISE. The Rand “Daily Mail” of Mar. 15th says:— “The fame of Bostock’s Royal Italian Circus had evidently preceded its arrival, for every seat in the vast auditorium at the Wanderer’s Grounds was filled last evening, and the heartiest applause was given to each act in turn…

17/4/1915 The World’s Fair

10/4/1915 New York Clipper

THE LATE PTE. H. WALLSER. DANIEL GRIMMER.

29

FAMOUR CIRCUS RIDER’S DEATH. ____

THE LATE J. WM. COOKE.

The first showman soldier to fall is Private Henry Wallser, of Plymouth , whose photograph we give above. He met his death in the great battle at Neuve Chapelle.

17/4/1915 The World’s Fair.

Photo reproduced by kind permission of The World's Fair Ltd. (Note. , F Foster reported an unnamed circus groom who died at Mons c. Aug 1914)

A well-known equestrian associate with Astley’s Amphitheatre has passed away in Mr J. William Cooke, whose funeral took place last week at MESSAGE OF SYMPATHY Wandsworth Cemetery. Trained as a FROM rider in Paris, Mr. Cooke was one of KING AND QUEEN. the first exponents in England of the “Haute Ecole.” For many years he In spite of the large number of was one of the most conspicuous of the equestrian performers and actors at showmen now on active service it has Astley’s. On leaving the circus he and been very gratifying to us to know

Latest Novelty THROWING GAME. —————

HANGING THE KAISER

Or the Crown Prince if preferred.

——— Registered No. 644930 ——— Enclose Six Stamps for Photos and Particulars Orton, Sons & Spooner, BURTON-­‐‑ON-­‐‑TRENT

17/4/1915 World’s Fair

30

WAR CIRCUS NEWS: Reporting on all fronts! 1915

CIRCUS MEN FIT TO FIGHT

7 MAY: LUSITANIA TORPEDOED. 10 MAY: ZEPPELIN RAID 12 MAY: H.M.S. GOLIATH TORPEDOED IN THE DARDANELLES; GENERAL BOTHA CAPTURES WINDHOCK.

13 MAY: NAMES OF GERMAN EMPEROR, CROWN PRINCE, EMPEROR OF AUSTRIA, KING OF WURTEMBURG, GRAND DUKE OF HESSE, PRINCE HENRY OF

PRUSSIA, DUKE OF SAXE-COBURG, AND DUKE OF CUMBERLAND STRUCK OFF THE ROLL OF THE KNIGHTS OF THE GARTER BY THE KING’S COMMAND.

Lord Kitchener and the War Office (six times) and then taking it to the House of Commons with the same result, he is reluctantly obliged to recognise it as final. At one time we had been practically accepted but the Surgeon-General objected to men of our age being used in other climes (the dear old soul).

WHAT THE WORLD’S FAIR THINKS. PROTESTS—

The report of the discussion by the Winford Urban Council on the visit of a circus to the place on Good Friday will be read with interest by both circus proprietors and showmen alike. It is rather peculiar that these kind of discussions generally take place in some little village where the rulers believe themselves to be little tin gods and their point of view is the only one that matters. Happily this is not so but it shows how miserably weakminded a class of people can be when they talk of cutting off the water supply and we suppose by this they would have made the unfortunate horses suffer. Happily the question was above them as in “Questions and Answers,”—a guide to Justices of the Peace— it is distinctly stated that “There are no means by which a circus can be prevented from opening on Good Fridays” so we can afford to smile at the resolution which was passed:—

That this Council hears with regret that a circus is allowed to come into town to give performances on Good Friday.

They may hear it with regret, but the regret of most Englishmen will be that there are such men in any official position that can pass such a childish resolution.

LEFT

This dear old motherly surgeon, Should surely take the bun; For he says I’m over forty-five, And too old to shoot a Hun.

The high military authorities are reluctant to employ anyone over 35, but fully appreciate our patriotism LUSITANIA SUNK BY U-BOAT PROBABLY 1,260 DEAD; and we receive through E. S. Day, TWICE TORPEDOED OFF IRISH COAST; SINKS IN MINS; Esq., a badge and a certificate stating that: “——— was enrolled in this CAPTAIN SAVED; A GRAVE CRISIS IS AT HAND. battalion which volunteered for any SEVERAL HUNDRED SURVIVORS AT QUEENSTOWN. kind of service at home or abroad.

The battalion being refused by the War Office, though a thousand artistes have to perform. While the doctors said the, men were fit to go horse is trotting in a circle all manner through a campaign.— Signed, etc.” of tricks are enacted, and although he Well, Mr. Editor, we can at least is not a large animal, the three artistés walk about feeling proud to think we jump and land with their feet on his are not one of the shirkers although back. One of the most amazing feats is over 45, neither need we blush with performed by the younger of the two shame when we hear anyone recite the gentlemen. For this a trap is attached NEWS FROM AMERICA following lines:— to the horse. The artiste stands on the Hannefords. back of a horse, and while it is trotting So Kitchener plans in his London town, he executes a backward somersault Little Lizzie Hanneford, of the French is Standing at bay, and comes down with both feet on top of the trap. The lady displays "Hanneford Family," has received the Jellicoe’s ships ride up and down, Holding the sea’s highway. remarkable agility by clean leaping highest compliments about her dancing and riding. But she has many upon the back of the horse.

28/4/1916 Express & Advertiser other tricks up her sleeve which few And you that loaf where the skies are 17/4/1915 The World’s Fair people know about. Lizzie is a rope blue, spinner, a wire walker, a tumbler, and And play by a petticoat hem; Australian whip cracker, and singer. These are the men that are fighting for Rumor says that Lizzie has received you, SIMONA’S PARROT. ten letters containing proposals of What are you doing for them?

NEWS FROM AMERICA. marriage since the "Gardens" opening, but Lizzie is espoused to the Bravo, then, to the men who fight, The Robinson Famous Shows will suffrage cause and says until women To hell with the men who play; open at Peru, Ind., April 24, and will get the votes, she will never marry, It’s fight to the end for honour and carry a unique feature in Robinson's cross my heart, never! friends, War Elephants, a troupe of five bulls It’s a fight for our lives to-day.

1/5/1915 New York Clipper that have been trained by Joe Bell in a realistic presentation, and includes the Poor us, and still the posters firing of cannon, the lowering and announce “Your King and Country raising of the flag, etc.

Need You.” Wouldn’t it be better to 17/4/1915 Billboard “What I Heard.” announce “A Grand Sale of Red NEATH NOTES. ____ Tape,” for full particulars apply at the War Office.”— Yours, etc., The "Hanneford Family," the Sir Robert Fossett, whose circus

“Food for Animals” feature riding act with the show, has recently visited Neath, has received CHARLES PABLO. On Monday night Frank Stephenson the following letter of thanks from Mr. EDWARD made a big hit. They have only been in Canterbury Arms, who was bringing his circus, tents etc., this country a few weeks from H. Cuthbertson, clerk to the Neath Upper Marsh, Lambeth, S.E. England, where they had their own to open same for the Rendezvous Union: “Dear sir, I am directed by the Company at Margate, had the circus. They are becoming quite Guardians to convey to you their best 15/5/1915 The World’s Fair Americanized, already "Poodles" misfortune to have the whole thing thanks for your kindness in burnt out.

One of the ponies was also Hanneford says, "I bloomin' well entertaining the inmates of the badly burned and had to be destroyed. workhouse to the circus recently held guess so."

The cause of the fire was a lighted in this town.”

NEWS FROM REUBEN 17/4/1915 New York Clipper flare lamp setting some hay on fire, CASTANG. and a strong wind blowing at the time 8/5/1915 The World’s Fair it was impossible to get the flames Carstang reports that his perfect subdued till too late. spoken German and fame is of service 24/4/1915 The World’s Fair EMPIRE MUSIC HALL. to him: I am well known by the THE PROPOSED ____ guards, and with the help of the BATTALION OF Hagenbeck's and their influence has At the Empire this week, the bill is MEN OVER FORTY-FIVE. helped me to conjure up bottles of JINGO THE CLOWN. headed by the Sosmans, we get a whisky, through various ruses. splendid equestrian act, the party Jingo, the Belgian conjuring clown, To the Editor of the World’s Fair Whisky is the most valued of objects comprising two gentlemen, one lady, who, it will be remembered, lost his all in the camp. I am also delighted that Sir,— You will, no doubt, remember had a horse. The Sosmans are natives in Belgium at the early part of the last November you kindly inserted in I have managed, thanks once again to of Ypres, and prior to the war owned war, has been appointed resident your paper a notice re a battalion of Lorenz Hagenbeck, to get a collection one of the largest circuses in Belgium. manager of the Palace, Nairn, men 45 and over. Well, sir, I am sorry of ferrets. They are great rat catchers The circus was itself at Namur, and the Scotland. We feel sure the many to say that we have been rejected. E. and companions, and I carry them horse they have with them is the only friends who have taken interest in him S. Day. Esq., organiser (Rowland’s inside my shirt. one left out of a very large number. will be pleased to hear the good news, Castle, Hants) has put in six months’ It was with my ferrets that I was This turn is most clever particularly so and will wish him a successful and hard work which, as he says, he does able to get outside of the camp considering the space in which the pleasant time. not grudge, but after being refused by regularly. I explained to the officer in 24/4/1915 The World’s Fair

May 1915

WAR CIRCUS NEWS: Reporting on all fronts! 1915

RIGHT

22 MAY: HEAVILY LAIDEN TROOP TRAIN AND PASSENGER TRAIN CRASH AT QUENTIN HILL, 157 KILLED, 200 INJURED, WORST CRASH IN HISTORY.

command that, if the curse of the rats was to be properly eradicated, they would have to let him take a party of men and organise a hunt outside the camp, where the source was. As prisoners are already working outside of the camp on farms un-guarded this is not so far fetched an idea, anyway escapers would probably starve.

These rat hunts are a great joy to me and my friends, and with a combination of good fortune, Hagenbeck's on the outside and my fluent German I have been able to bring to the camp the most valued of man's possessions into the camp bottles of whisky. But all those who were bringing in these bottles were risking the fire of the sentries.

When a bottle is opened at night, long after lights out, then one of the hut at least is enclosed the suppressed laughter and babble of men, as well as an atmosphere that would probably have exploded from the flame of a match.

On rat hunts I have eluded the guards for several hours and brought back many treasures. One occasion while in the guise of a rat hunt party with friends I was able to make our guards drunk and enjoyed hours of freedom. But my greatest achievement was to obtain a piano, and before bringing it to the camp I organised for it to be filled with whisky, wine and rum so that it rattled with the slightest bump. The care with which we unloaded the piano at Ruhleben quite touched the hearts of our captors.

"How these poor prisoners revered Lamond and the Beethoven sonatas he would play for them!" That at least was true and more lasting than the hidden reason.

More recently my adventurous exploits outside the camp have been stopped, instead I have became more involved inside the camp as a focus of entertainments. I have put much of my energy into acting and mimicry, and I'm ready to do anything, event fight and wrestle for the general amusement of the men in the camp. Here friends batter each other to a pulp, and inspite, or because, of it their friendship holds. There is no other outlet for feelings, and fighting is very important in the scheme of things.

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: T R

SIMONA’S PARROT.

“What

I Heard.”

____

“Roundabout Horses” Sergeant: “What did you mean by telling me you was accustomed to ‘orses? What kind of ‘orses was it?”

Recruit: “Wooden ‘osses. I as workin’ the hengine wot drove the roundabout.” ____

23 MAY: ITALY DECLARES WAR AGAINST AUSTRIA. 24 MAY: KING REFUSES TO ACCEPT SIR EDGAR SPEYER’S RENUMERATION OF BRITISH HONOURS.

25 MAY: COALITION MINISTRY. MR. LLOYD GEORGE, MINISTER OF MUNITIONS. 26 MAY: H.M.S. TRIUMPH TORPEDOED OFF GALLIPOLI.

31 27 MAY: H.M.S. MAGESTIC TORPEDOED OFF GALLIPOLI; SIR HENRY JACKSON APPOINTED FIRST SEA LORD, VICE LORD FISHER. 31 MAY: ZEPPELIN RAID ON OUTSKIRTS OF LONDON.

been trying to tie himself in several He is located in a room with some knots with a lasso, under the guidance of Ten McLeod. Poodles is trying to thirty other soldiers, and out if them execute the ocean wave, and he are ten policemen, so he is amongst But our regret is for the soldiers stationed in the vicinity, as there are certainly does execute it. Lizzie some tall fellows. ____ thousands of them stationed in North Hanneford posed for some Wild West pictures, assisted by Paldo’s Horse, Wales and the amusements are few A short time ago Quinn was asked "Asthma." and far between by an officer what he was before ____ joining the Army and he answered “a 22/5/1915 New York Clipper Showman” Somehow North Wales has never ____ been a happy hunting ground with the travelling showman with the exception The officer said he never thought of circuses and menageries. were any showmen in the Army ____ GROCK REPORTS FROM there so Quinn showed him a few recent ENGLAND. issues of the “World’s Fair.”

And if you talk to any others who ____ have travelled the district they all now We have sixteen weeks work without want to give it a miss. a break in England. While Hayem & I And the reply was that the officer 22/5/1915 The World’s Fair were at the Brighton Hippodrome I said he was very pleased to know had a letter from an agency, which has showmen did not forget their King recently opened, signed Percy Riess. He and Country in time of need. has been employed by Marinelli, who ____ FRANZ TAIBOSH aka as a German cannot have any dealings with England. I accepted his offer and CLIKO, THE WILD The above is rather peculiar after he is the best agent I have ever had. In the remarks made in last week’s issue DANCING BUSHMAN. spite of the war I have no further about giving prominence to what our worries over engagements. Percy Riess lads are doing, and we are pleased to After some time in Ireland where the is as punctual as clockwork, and know that Quinn showed the true winter was very bad, Hepston has already I am almost booked for a year state of affairs. brought me back to England, to a in advance. ____ place on the south coast called After Brighton we were the star turn Margate. Now I am ‘Klikko, Wild man at the Alhambra for two weeks. Then It has, of course, been previously of Borneo,’ at the Rendezvous. The we had two months in the provinces, pointed out that we, ourselves, know Big boss here is called Whimsical and now - now thanks to Reiss, is the how well Showland has responded, Walker. most important engagement I have yet but this is not sufficient, and it is the Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: P N had, the London Coliseum, the greatest duty of all showmen to make it known music-hall in the world. to outsiders at every opportunity.

First of all, on arrival in London, I 29/5/1915 The World’s Fair looked at the bills for my name and not see it. It was in the smallest NEWS FROM AMERICA could print and scarcely visible. Suppressing War effects on Circus. the pang this caused me, I said to NEWS FROM AMERICA. Hayem: Instead of four or five daily “Never mind. That’s happened to me performances, the "101 Ranch" before in London. The chief thing is Carl Hagenbeck Scandalizer. schedule will hereafter include an we’re at the Coliseum.” afternoon performance at 3 o'clock I saw the programme next day. We May 16, Youngstown, O. Arrived in and an evening performance at 9. It is were the first number, always the town after an eighty-one mile trip stated on good authority that the weakest number in any variety show. over the N. Y. C., into a good show management of the Exposition at “Never mind,” I said again to Hayem. town, with a drizzling rain in the present is in control of at least fifty “we’ll soon alter that.” morning. Cleared up in the afternoon per cent of the concessions, which Our debut yesterday was such a have been taken over because of their success that the second number was and not much cooler. Rain again in the failure to draw even expenses. The held up for minuets. Curtain followed evening. Quite a few of the boys war, of course, has had much to do curtain. I was even dragged back out stopped at the popular hotels. Bob with the lack of patronage, and at of my dressing-room. The audience Abrams held his little game of present the only concessions which are kept up in chorus, “We want Grock. checkers in his private camp. Borrella took another hurried trip over to his said to be making any money are the We want Grock.” home in Greensburg. . . .

Panama Canal, the Yellowstone Park, In spite of the war we two felt the Grand Canyon of Arizona, and the ourselves on top of the world as we left May 17, Youngstown, O. Cloudy, cool picture, "Stella," and they are not the theatre last night. weather to start the week. No Russian, making fortunes.

Narrative extracted from Biography Bibliog. Ref: G French, English or Italian lancers in parade - only Germans. Four of our Joseph La Fleur. colored help and Bedini's helper were left in town owing to their Sells-Floto-Buffalo Bill Roster: Among demonstrations of their fighting the many startling thrillers of the ability.

PTE. QUINN. show is that of Joseph La Fleur, a little 29/5/1915 New York Clipper ____ French acrobat, who, assisted by two dogs, in an acrobatic and high ladder Apart from their interest to our somersault drops from the highest point in the tent. The show is replete readers, the value of showmen soldier with clowns, and among the funniest is blocks on the front page of this paper, Carlton Emery, a real humorist is shown in a letter we have received among his fellow clowns, numbering from Private D. Quinn, who is now No. 15230 Coldstream Guards and at least forty. stationed in the Soldiers’ home at Caterham, Surrey.

Hannefords. ____

“Oh North Wales”

June 1915

Barnum & Bailey notes, by Ernest Anderson (The Mysterious Mountebank.) The Greatest Show on Earth is doing a great business in every town we strike. Up to the present we have not missed one parade. . . . Poodles Hanneford has

MAKE THE BEST USE OF

Quinn, who is a nephew of Mr. W. THE CIRCUS. Strand and for fourteen years has And that reminds us that they might worked for the Lorenzo family and Texas Bill, and he expects to be sent to have, if they applied, a chance to give a really “star” performance on the the front any day. occasion of the visit of “Bronco Bill’s ____ Wild West Exhibition” to Selkirk on

32

WAR CIRCUS NEWS: Reporting on all fronts! 1915

LEFT

BOMBS DROPPED ON N.E. FAIRGROUND See report below:

in Birmingham must be at their wits end for something to proceed against when they have to stoop to such an action. In permanent places we are accustomed to the music licences as they cover a wide ground and the granting of such licences is a cover to many other matters. But the law was never intended to apply to a travelling circus or any other travelling 3/6/1915 Selkirk Reporter entertainment and one trembles to think what would happen to circus proprietors if they had to apply in every town and village for a music licence. The agent’s life would be unbearable. Surely it is time a halt CIRCUSES & MUSIC was called in these petty proceedings.

LICENCES. We have often made the same remarks ____ and we were in hopes when greater things were taking place that these or persecutions would be IMPORTANT ACTION AT prosecutions laid aside and never resurrected. But BIRMINGHAM. evidently the time has not yet come, ____ though we feel certain it cannot be delayed long. It is a strange thing that people who are doing their best to CASE DISMISSED. brighten the lot of the toilers have to be handicapped by so many paltry A case of considerable importance to prosecutions. circus proprietors was heard at 5/6/1915 The World’s Fair Birmingham on Thursday last, when Ernest Alfred Rowe, manager of Lord John Sanger’s Circus was summoned for permitting music in a tent without EDWARD PABLO. a licence.... A circus performance was in progress, and a part of the entertainment consisted of a band composed of six people. That morning witness had had an interview with Rowe on the subject of a licence, and as a result defendant applied to the magistrate for a temporary music licence. … Witness suggested that the circus should be proceeded with without music, but Mr. Rowe said in that case the animals would not perform.

Witness added that he believed defendant had acted in inadvertence...

Replying to the Chairman (Mr. S. E. Short) defendant said he would give an undertaking that if he visited Birmingham in the future with the circus he would give the police AS THE TERRIBLE TURK. sufficient notice so that the local conditions could be investigated, and Edward Charles Pablo is one of the advice given whether the circus would be acceptable in particular localities. “decrepit” old men (of the “45 and over” battalion organised by E. S. The summons was dismissed.

5/6/1915 The World’s Fair Day, Esq., of Rowlands Castle, Hants.) who were refused by the War Office, although a thousand doctors said the men were fit to go through a campaign.

Saturday, June 12th. There is sure on that occasion to be an influx of likely youths to the town, and we would suggest that the Councillors should invade the circus ring and use their persuasive eloquence in a direction that will be more valuable than it is as sometimes used at present. We will give the circus performance of free advertisement.

“Death of Fossett Horses”.

Sir Robert Fossett has sustained a severe loss through the death of his famous performing horse, ‘Napoleon,” which was acknowledged to be one of the best horses in the profession. The animal was taken to be washed at the water side at Kidwelly, South Wales, on Monday, and fell into deep water and was soon lost sight of, the tide being in at the time. &c.

5/6/1915 The World’s Fair

WHAT THE WORLD’S FAIR THINKS. MUSIC— The action against Messrs. John Sanger and Sons for permitting music in a tent without a license is surely getting to the limit and the authorities

12/6/1915 The World’s Fair Photo reproduced by kind permission of The World's Fair Ltd.

THE ANIMAL WORLD. ____

ALL MENAGERIES FEELING THE HIGH COST OF LIVING. Anyone setting up a private menagerie just now would encounter difficulties not only in the matter of prices, but through the shortage of supplies.

Mr. G. Tyrwhitt-Drake, F.Z.S., Hon. Secretary and Treasurer of the Amateur Menagerie Club, Cobtree Manor, Maidstone, who is an expert

on the subject, explained to a “Star” VISIT OF GINNETT'S representative some of the difficulties CIRCUS and the reasons. ____ BOTH RIGHT “One dealer one day,” he said, “says stock is cheap on account of the war, STARTLING and another the next day says animals PERFORMANCE ON are scarce, hence dear.

SOUTH INCH NEXT To a certain extent,” Mr. TyrwhittDrake proceeded, “both are WEEK. undoubtedly right. Lions, leopards, camels, etc., unless exceptional An entertainment of a character specimens, are cheap, not, of course, which makes a never-failing appeal to because they are plentiful. young and old is announced in our 12/6/1915 The World’s Fair advertising columns to-day. This is the visit to the South Inch, Perth, of the world-renowned amusement caterers, the always welcomed favourites, PADDY HEPSTON aka Ginnett's Royal Circus. What happy memories are recalled by the Ginnett CAPTAIN EPSTEIN. combination always with something We are at the Rendezvous at more daring and strange than had Margate has been a fantastic booking ever been seen on previous visits.

The present visit from the point of especially over the Whitsun season.

The Franz did really well as ‘Klikko, view of sensations is certainly worthy Wild man of Borneo, but as ‘The Wild of Ginnett's historic past. There are dancing Bushman,’ again he will do numerous wonders in the colossal even better, and is at the top of the bill programme, but the special attraction is something altogether out of the and is pulling in the crowds. common. This is the marvellous show given by Madame Oma, the celebrated THE TALK OF MARGATE Russian trapezist. The performance The Wild Dancing Bushman given is by a lady who goes under the (A Genuine Specimen of an sobriquet of the Cannon Queen, is so Almost Extinct Race) amazing in its character as to be I have seen nothing of the Variety almost unbelievable. Madame initiates Artistes’ Federation (VAF) and their her "turn" by having herself fired blacklist. Margate has its problems through mid-air from the mouth of a with zeppelins, but war is not cannon to the trapeze on which she executes her startling performance. interfering with us.

Madame Oma has just finished a Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: P N twelve months' tour of the world, and Mr Ginnett secured her services for her first tour in the British Isles. Her amazing feat, which is guaranteed by the proprietors as a reality and not an A LINE FROM THE illusion, is presented at both PLAINS. performances day and night. The rest of the entertainment consists of the The Showmen’s boys are up and doing usual numbers, equestrian and All of them are out for blood: otherwise, found in first-class circus And they fight for King and Country, exhibitions, including, of course, the Shovelling up the Tidworth mud. children's favourites, the clowns. As Messrs Ginnett travel with a Poets say the paths of glory, waterproof tent they are independent Lead but only to the grave, of the weather! and therefore never They never said t’would be so muddy, disappoints, whether it is snowing or Naught but stilts our lives can save. blowing. The advance arrangements are under the direction of Mr. Hadley.

If we’re sick and bones all aching, “Number nine pills” will make us well.

12/6/1915 Perthshire Advertiser If you’re crummy, you shouldn’t worry, Trust in God and scratch like (hell) ——— If from out this mud we’re rescued, And they send us to the front, We will fight for England’s glory, Shrapnel will not make us shunt.

Now even should our aim be faulty, But true enough t’will be I guess, Thank God we have another weapon We will kill them with “B.S.” And when the cruel war is o’er, For, of course, we’ll see things through, They’ll be proud of us in Showland, George Lynch “The drinks on you.”

BY PTE. T. DARLOW. Transport Section,

Lucknow Barracks,

Tidworth.

12/6/1915 The World Fair

THE AIR RAID ON THE NORTH-EAST COAST. When the air raid took place on the North-East Coast on Tuesday night, bombs were dropped on a fair ground, and Mr. J. Murphy’s scenic railway was destroyed by fire. Others who suffered the loss of emma stalls, shooters, houp-las, etc., were J. Slater, Sam Biddall, W. Noble, J. W. Gray, T. Noble, Newsome, and Stott. Happily the living carriages were uninjured and willing helpers saved the fire spreading to them. Mr Sam Biddall’s attractions were located on a piece of ground a few yards away and were not touched.

19/6/1915 The World’s Fair

RIGHT

WAR CIRCUS NEWS: Reporting on all fronts! 1915

7 JUNE: ZEPPELIN BROUGHT DOWN IN BELGIUM BY LT. WARNEFORD, R.A.F. 23 JUNE: 21 BIRTHDAY OF PRINCE OF WALES.

BOSTOCK’S ROYAL ITALIAN CIRCUS TOUR NEWS. Douglas Bostock reports: Although business had been good through most of our touring season, here, when we opened for our second season in Capetown, we experienced a different reception to that of last year even though the circus talent has been changed it is impossible to enthuse the people. The country is gripped by war fever, and people are in no mood for amusements. It is no help to us either that the Italians have now joined the war, on the other side, and so since April our good title ‘Royal Italian Circus” is not assisting us!

In the Orange Free State only the actually loyal subjects frequent the circus, but most of these were away on military service in German East Africa and West Africa. Those that remained are not kindly disposed towards Britain and her Allies. We will be touring a slightly different route this year, and will go to Mafeking, Salisbury, Bulawayo and Livingstone, which should offset the losses elsewhere. In the meantime I am making strenuous efforts to get the circus to Australia, but the authorities there, although they will permit the landing of horses, ponies, dogs, etc., from England would absolutely refuse to sanction their entry from South Africa. I’m not sure what to do next, we cannot remain in South Africa.

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: B EH

2 JULY: POMMERN SUNK IN THE BALTIC. 4 JULY: KÖNINGSBERG DESTROYED.

is now ready for the front. He sends greetings to all relatives before leaving. His address is Pte. Sedgmore, 1973, South Beach Hotel, Pwllheli, North Wales.

26/6/1915 The World’s Fair

19/6/1915 The World’s Fair

SHOWMEN AND THE WAR. Pte. Wm. Sedgmore is stationed at Pwllheli, North Wales, acting as stud groom in the R.F.A. The regiment has been at Pwllheli for some time and he

July 1915 NEWS FROM AMERICA. Charlie Smith made a trip into New York from Providence and purchased a large chimpanzee right off the ship from South Africa. A special cage has been made resembling the interior of a living room, with bed and all furnishings. The chimpanzee is to be named and christened in the near future.

3/6/1915 New York Clipper

ARMY CLOTHING. Eugen Sandow in earlier days.

EUGEN SANDOW NEWS.

A few entertainers in the past have on all innocence bought articles of clothing from soldiers for use in sketches, etc. ____

I am pleased to report that I have We wish to warn all against doing won my high court libel case, that Sandow Chocolate is not made in this as the following Army Order was Germany.

Mr. Mosely, a former issued on Monday by the War Office: ____ merchant of my wares, is completely wrong, and an immensely serious “Cases having occurred of illicit allegation that my product is disposal of articles of clothing, manufactured by the arch-enemy.

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: W D necessaries, and equipment, it is notified that such articles after issue to the soldier remain the property of the State. ____

WILD AUSTRALIA AT PAIGNTON. Mr. Ginnett presented his wellknown exhibition, “Wild Australia,” to large and enthusiastic audiences at Paignton on Saturday last. It is difficult to particularise the various items of the programme as all were of an exceptionally high standard.

Australian and Belgian Boy Scouts carried out some realistic war drill, including the rapid dismantling of guns and forage wagons, while Miss Poppet, of Oklahoma, gave a wonderful display of rifle shooting from the most awkward attitudes. The mule, “Bumper,” caused considerable merriment by its persistent buck jumping, successfully ridding itself of all aspirants for a prize of £1 per minute. One was given a glimpse of real cowboy life in many branches of its varied work and amusement, the use of the stock whips and lariats being somewhat mystifying to the uninitiated. The whole time was genuinely full of interesting and thrilling episodes of colonial life.

8 JULY: ITALIAN CRUISER AMALFI SUNK. 9 JULY: CONQUEST OF GERMAN SOUTH WEST AFRICA

MARRIAGE OF MR. J. BOSTOCK. The marriage took place on Thursday last at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Glasgow, of Mr. John R. W. Bostock, youngest son of Mr. E. H. Bostock, to Miss Jennie Bonnar of Ottowa, Canada and formerly of Paisley. Mr. Gus Bostock acted as best man. The bridegroom has for some time been manager of his father’s touring menagerie.

26/6/1915 The World’s Fair

Commanding officers will take effective measures to prevent such illegal traffic, and will deal severely with soldiers under their command who sell or otherwise make away with articles of clothing or other Government property in their charge. ____ They will immediately report to the police authorities all such cases that may come to their notice with a view to taking proceedings under Section 156 of the Army Act against buyers or receivers of such articles.”

3/7/1915 The World’s Fair

FAMOUS CLOWN PASSES AWAY. ____

33 10 JULY: ABORTIVE ATTEMPT TO ASSASINATE SULTAN OF EGYPT 13 JULY: ROYAL PROCLAMATION ISSUED MAKING IT AN OFFENCE TO STRIKE.

in-law of the equally famous circus proprietor Ohmy. The deceased was taken ill just before Easter and was unable to appear at the holiday performances at the Tower Circus. He recovered slightly last week and was able to leave his residence and hopes were entertained of his complete recovery. Friday night saw a relapse and he passed away at 8 o’clock, “September,” as he was familiarly known, had, in company with his partner, “August,” been the principle clowns at the Tower Circus for over 10 years and previous to that at the Blackpool Alhambra Circus. It was in Blackpool they made their reputation and thousands of visitors will mourn the loss of one who has made them shriek with laughter. We feel sure the sympathy of all circus people and friends will be with the widow and family in their great loss.

3/7/1915 The World’s Fair

FRANZ TAIBOSH aka CLIKO, THE WILD DANCING BUSHMAN. I keep dancing here in Margate, my stage is a 10’x6’ pit, I dance all day, when I stop Hepston tells the people all about me, and then I start again.

He holds a stick and sits on the edge of the pit. They believe every thing he says: that I am over 100, but really I am not – but I do not know when exactly I was born, but it is before 1870. I keep dancing just so long as they keep throwing in coins. He tells them how he captured me while I was catching ostriches in the desert, forgetting to say that I was already able to dance on my head when he first met me in 1912 in Kimberley.

Then he says that I am a last of my species, like an Ape. I am Korana, not Bushman, and I mimic animals. Is this not all an act, I am a good performer, I can dance possessed.

Still, after my dancing I sell cards to the audience, and turn tricks, and day after day it is the same, Hepston takes the money. Sometimes a kind eye looks on me from the laughing crowd, but I am scared to talk to them.

At night I go back to a small room in a lodging house Hepston has arranged, I do not talk to the people here. Hepston brings me my meals, raw potatoes and ale. Of course I am not wild, I can speak Afrikaans, Korana and some European tongues, I watch, I am trapped. .

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: P N

FRENCH AERIALISTS. One example of patriotism behind the scenes was in the Tower Circus at Blackpool. ____ The speaker was talking to a troupe of aerialists who were performing in Australia when the war broke out.

One of the troupe was a French boy of of twenty-one, and as soon as he heard that the Germans were attacking France he took the first boat back to France to rejoin the colours.

26/6/1915 The World’s Fair

DEATH OF MR. J. A. GRIFFITHS. ____

PROFESSIONALLY KNOWN AS SEPTEMBER. ____

We regret to have to announce the death of Mr. John Albert Griffiths, the popular clown known as “September” who passed away in Blackpool last Friday, in his 38th year.

The late Mr. Griffiths was the son of the famous clown Le Quips, and son-

SOLDIERS LETTERS..

A postcard from Tom Roxburgh informs us that he is a prisoner of war in Ruhleben, Germany. He has been confined there since he left Frederick the Great, in Berlin, on November 4th . He sends greetings to all the boys and wishes Billy Thompson to know he will be back in England some day “if nothing happens.” His address is: Tom Roxburgh, Baracke No. 10, Kriegsgefangeensendung Englanderlager Ruhleben, but

34

WAR CIRCUS NEWS: Reporting on all fronts! 1915

CIRCUS MAN SUFFRAGIST SEEKS ELECTION AS PRIME MINISTER IN INTERNMENT CAMP correspondents should note only candidate would be Alexander Boss, postcards are allowed, and no letters whose portly figure and monocle seem most fitting, and the women’s suffrage in parcels. cause – introduced, as Cohen puts it, ____ “to impart the spice of humour into Corporal S. Smith at the head of a our womanless constituency” – fell to bombing party at Hooge on June 16th me Reuben Castang! Of course the killed no fewer than thirty Germans, election could not proceed without a and with comrades, captures a returning officer, so we chose Walter machine gun. Corporal Smith is a Butterworth, probably the only champion diver and was engaged on genuine politician among us. He was a Southport Pier. On a recent occasion justice of the peace and Manchester he dived from Westminster Bridge in Councillor. At a packed meeting connection with a film entitled “The Butterworth asked if the assembled wanted to propose independent Gold Robbery.” candidates, but although Hendriksen ____ was proposed as a sailor’s candidate, In an amusing and entertaining he declined and backed Cohen. letter Private W. Mott who is No. 3756, Delbosq was put forward as a socialist Foden Section, Wagon No. 3, c/o candidate, but his proposal that D.D.S. and T., 2nd Army British “everybody in the camp should share Expeditionary Force, France, says he all he had... with everybody else...” did has received copies of the “World’s not attract sufficient support for him Fair” all right for which he is thankful to go to the poll. as they bring him all the latest news of A packed meeting heard all the the fairground direct to the firing line.

He says he has been to a good many agents swear in; the camp paper’s “gaffs” but this is the biggest up to report treated with appropriate now. The heavens are ablaze at night cynicism; and the audience joined in and it is one continuous booming of with the campaign song “There was a guns of all sizes. They give no rest to cow climbed up a tree. Oh, you the Germans day or night. This is the blooming liar.”

Israel Cohen proposed that beer place to do a bit of tober sharping in reality. Touch-‘ems is a great game should be brewed, Alexander Boss here. You see the officers with clothes that all taxes on beer, spirits, tobacco almost torn off with barbed wire, but and tea should be abolished and they all enjoy the scrap. The sooner imposed on mineral water instead, this Fair or B--- Carnival ends and the “Cohen promises you beer, I promise organ plays “God Save the King,” and you champagne.” Meanwhile I, peace reigns once more the better we surrounded by ‘suffragettes’, put it to shall all be for it. This job tames lions the electors that this was an opportunity to show how much they and fighting men as well as Germans.

3/7/1915 The World’s Fair missed their mothers, wives and sweethearts and I promised them nothing if I got to the Commons.

I am glad to say that the political elections were fought with more enthusiasm than in normal life. And NEWS FROM REUBEN the campaign continued in a wellmannered fashion. We candidates tubCASTANG. thumbed at our constituents, and have ____ been supported by able speakers. And so it was that the camp set about electing a Prime Minister of Ruhleben.

ELECTION SPECIAL! Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: T R & Stephen Brasher

A HUMAN FREAK. ____

MR. WILLIAM RUSSELL’S ENTERPRISE.

Election committee members.

Following the success of a mock trial, a parliamentary by-election was proposed by Israel Cohen. Cohen, is a journalist, who had been working for a number of English newspapers in Berlin in 1914. Since there are no political at Ruhleben, party labels have been distributed in a more-or-less random fashion. Cohen said that as one reared in the city of Bright and Cobden, he should espouse the interests of Liberalism. The ‘Tory’

With his well-known enterprise in the direction of freak exhibitions, Mr. W. Russell, of Belton Gardens, has just opened his Vivarium, on the Marine Parade, Yarmouth, with the most remarkable of them. Last year he produced Kiki, the wild man, and is placing before the public a man with two bodies and one head, but with a multiplicity of arms and legs (four of each) , with hands and feet.

The double man, who is named the Bros. Jean and Jacques Liberra, is an Italian and was born in Buenos Aires in 1844, and is therefore 31 years of age. He is a man of aged physique, and speaks five languages. In most of the capital cities of Europe where he has travelled scientists have examined

him, but cannot account for his duality which is not of the Siamese Twin’s type, the secondary body having no head visible whatever. The inferior body is dependent upon the normal body for sustenance, and, according to Mr. Russell’s lecturer, undergoes the same physical discomfort with it. The junction of the one body with the other is plainly seen, and any bona fide medical practitioner is welcome to make any private examination desired. The double-bodied man will be on exhibition until further notice.

17/7/1915 The World’s Fair & NFCA

SHUFFLEBOTTOM.

LEFT

15 JULY: 200,000 MINERS IN SOUTH WALES STRIKE; GOVERNMENT ENFORCES MUNITIONS ACT. 30 JULY: POPE APPEALS FOR PEACE.

His centre pole a ten horse load, ’Tis tall as any steeple.

Harry’s staff work very hard, There’s none that can work faster, Their life one long sweet holiday, With Harry as tentmaster.

Harry Bailey sings this song, As the king pole goes up gaily, Harry rules a thousand men, Good luck to Harry Bailey.

Harry owns a piebald stud, In number not quite fifty, When Harry buys a team or two, He’s neither mean nor thrifty, When Harry moves along the road, He’s neither sloth nor snail; he Gets away at break of day, An early bird is Bailey.

Harry Bailey sings this song, At four each morning daily, The first one out upon the show, Is good old Harry Bailey.

At the time war broke out “Texas Bill”, William Shufflebottom, was travelling with his circus ‘Rifle Bill’s Wild West’ and soon after he opened When Harry’s show is on the road, Two miles long it reaches, at North Camp, Aldershot, where he has just finished playing for 39 weeks. With Harry marching on in front, In his famous riding breeches, National Fairground Archive, Online Harry stops at every pub, A foaming pint of ale, he Pays for every man that’s on the show A right good sort is Bailey.

Harry Bailey sings this song NEWS FROM AMERICA As he tips his pint so gaily, Here’s luck to all my merry men, W.J. Daplyn Signs up.

And likewise Harry Bailey, W. J. Daplyn, who was connected with the Gollmar Bros., Sparks and Robinson shows for the past few years, is at present in the Royal Engineers, and expects to be out at the front shortly, helping the cause of the Allies.

10/7/1915 Billboard

A CIRCUS SONG. ____

BY “EFF TEE.” (Tune: “Yankee Doodle.”)

Sir Harry Bailey’s on the road, He’s on his way to Gorton, So on he drew for a day or two, On Collins’ fair at Broughton.

When Harry draws in any town, He makes a gorgeous pa(y)gent, He always makes his route himself, He don’t need any agent Harry sings this little song, Harry sings it gaily There ain’t an agent on the road Like good old Harry Bailey.

When Harry draws into a town, They move along so gaily, The leader of the famous band, Is know as Harry Bailey, When Harry aint a horse astride, Upon his feet he’ll stump it, Sometimes he’ll beat the big brass drum, Sometimes he blows a trumpet, Harry Bailey sings this song, Harry sings it gaily, No one blows his trumpet like, The modest Harry Bailey.

Harry’s tent is broad and long, ’Twill hold ten thousand people,

George Proctor owns a famous show, But not like Harry Bailey’s, There breathes a whisper o’er the ground, And this is what the tale is, When George built up so spick and span, His shutters painted yellow, Harry started his parade, And knocked him straight to ‘ellow.

Harry sings this little song, Harry sings it gaily, George has gone to get a pint, And so has Harry Bailey.

We talk about our circuses, Our Fossett’s and Ginnett’s, Teddy Bostock’s, Sanger’s, too, And some that one forgets.

Talk about our comrade Pat’s All good to gaze upon Bailey’s is the best of all, So says Pat’s brother John When Harry sings his little song We’ll sing together gaily The finest showman in the land, Is wealthy Harry Bailey.

Harry’s start upon the road, Makes his rivals jealous, Cannot stand alongside him, And so the showman tell us, To Halstead they will wire away, To buy their little circus, Harry’s packed ‘em right away, To their respective work’us.

When Harry sings his little song, All sing the chorus gaily, The only showman now on earth, Is handsome Harry Bailey.

17/7/1915 The World’s Fair Note: In Verse 7, lines 10 and 11, we have made a best guess as text difficult to decipher.

WAR CIRCUS NEWS: Reporting on all fronts! 1915

RIGHT

35

THE POPE APPEALS FOR PEACE! NEWS FROM AMERICA HANNEFORDS. Barnum & Bailey notes, by Ernest Anderson. The "Greatest Show on Earth" celebrated the "Glorious Fourth" at Fargo, N. Dak., and had to straw the folks, with an eight pole top. . . . Fred Bradna organized a fishing party for Jim, "the Fourth," a short distance from Willmar, and though it rained all day it did not dampen the ardor of their spirits.

"Poodle Hanneford," of the Hanneford Family of equestrians, has organized a ball team, which is known as "Poodles Cockney's." They played Orrin Davenport's All American team on 5, and defeated them, the score being 19 to 1, in favor of the "Cockneys." After the game was over, Flat Iron was dismissed from the "All Americans," and "Mickey" Graves was presented with an alarm clock of the "Big Ben" variety to keep him awake on bases. Chas. Siegrist, of the Siegrist Troupe of aerialists is learning to speak English, as he contemplates going to England for the coming winter, submarines permitting. . .

Notes from Ringling Brothers Circus. We have at last decided upon a name for the new chimpanzee. It is agreed that she will be called Mlle.

Jitney, and the christening party is to happen in the near future. Big Bingo is to act as Godfather.

17/7/1915 New York Clipper

GAOL FOR AN ACROBAT ____

STORY OF BARGOED WIFE WHO WAS MARRIED AT 15.

Foster Sanchez (31), described as a musical and circus performer, was charged at Bargoed on Friday by the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, with neglecting his five children.

Mr. W.J. Canton, Merthyr, prosecuted on behalf of the society, said defendant was an acrobat and heavyweight lifter, and frequently obtained arrangements at circuses and music-halls. He sometimes earned £3 or £4 a week, and only occasionally sent sums to his wife.

Elizabeth Sanchez, Bargoed, defendant’s wife, was married to him 13 years ago. She was then not quite 15 years of age, and defendant led her away from her home. He had been a performer and circus artist ever since she met him. She had appeared in contracts with him. During the whole of the 13 years she had never lived with him for 12 consecutive months.

He had sent her no money constantly, and never enough to cover expenses, and the children never had sufficient clothing. From August last year he travelled about with another woman.

The guardians issued proceedings against him in November for neglect, and the woman gave evidence that he was a good husband to her. Defendant had a contract at Aberdare, receiving £12.10s for five nights. He sent her £3 out of this, but witness had debts to

THE ROYAL ITALIAN CIRCUS. ____

IN SOUTH AFRICA.

Hagenbeck’s War Elephant at the Front

COMMANDER'S HEADQUARTERS.

A circus cart as a parlour of a German commander in Russian Poland.

31/8/1915 Sheffield Independent

pay, and this left her only 18s. out of that amount. During the last few months defendant had been sending her 15s, a week. He had been travelling with Bronco Bills Wild West show. Witness had found it necessary to pawn both jewellery and clothing.

Defendant said there had been a lot of unhappiness. In 1912, when he was at Glasgow, he sent her 5 pounds for her to come to him, but she could not come. In Scotland he bought 5 pounds worth of clothing for his wife and the children. Defendant added that he received letters from the landlord of the house where his wife lived complaining about her conduct.

Defendant was sentenced to prison for four months with hard labour.

NEWS FROM LORENZ HAGENBECK.

Jenny and Matthias Walter have been set to work in Felleries, a large wood, just behind the front lines, with Jenny earning her daily bread in the pit-prop industry. Every morning she goes off into the forest. Tremendous old trees come crashing down and are trimmed back to the trunk, and then along comes Jenny with her head, trunk and legs reduced in the confusion of trunks all lying all ways, one on top of the other, to be put in decent order. Next she has to drag all 17/7/1915 Western Mail the timber out to the high road and to a sawmill which turns the timber into pit-props for the trenches.

Daily Jenny transports fifty trees, some of V.C. IN THE LIONS’ DEN. which 12 horses could not have shifted. On Sundays Jenny does no work and is free to wander through There was a remarkable scene at a the woods to pick delicacies for Fishguard recruiting meeting on herself, faithfully returning to Monday evening, when Segt. Fuller, Mathias when he calls.

V.C., entered a cage containing two African lions attached to a menagerie.

Fuller, upon telling the men if they This is how Jenny, a Hagenbeck were not fit to die they were not fit to War Elephant in service with for the live, was challenged to enter the lions’ German war effort, can fell a tree 12 den. Fuller immediately threw up his feet in diameter, all by herself. cap, calmly entered the cage and Matthias says she is quite systematic stroked the lions, amidst tremendous about it: 1 - shake the tree until it is all loose excitement. The proprietors awarded Fuller a gold medal as a memento. at the roots, 2 - use your fore legs and powerful Many enlisted as a result of the shoulders and set them against the incident.

24/7/1915 The World’s Fair trunk, 3- rear on your hind legs and bring all of your six-thousand-pound weight to bear, 4 - push with lots of loud reports, GINNETT’S CIRCUS. until the earth heaves up and the tree comes crashing down.

The announcement is made that the Note: She has never yet snapped a whole of the “Wild Australia” Show tree in two, they always come up at including 80 horses, mules, and the roots.

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: H L donkeys, 20 carriages, and vans, tents, etc., will shortly be offered by auction at some town near London. Full particulars as to date, etc., will be announced in our next issue.

24/7/1915 The World’s Fair

Mr. E. H. Bostock’s Royal Italian Circus is meeting with nothing but praise in the South African tour and the “Natal Times” of June 19th, say: There is one straightforward thing to be written about the Royal Italian Circus, which opened a season on the Market Square last night, when a large crowd of gay spectators gathered in the huge tent, and that is that it is impossible to speak with exaggeration of a single turn.

The challenge will be thrown out by anyone who visited the show last night Mr. E. H. Bostock has demonstrated beyond dispute that despite the next and powerful counter-attractions of modern invention- the bioscope- there is still vast room in the popular favour for an up-to-date circus.

If there is anyone in Maritzburg who cannot be satisfied that he gets more than his money’s worth at the Royal Italian Circus, he is impossible to please. It is the most original combination of circus talent that has been seen here for the last thirty or forty years.

31/7/1915 The World’s Fair

FRED BRADNA NEWS.

Fred Bradna A black cloud has enveloped The Greatest Show on Earth. War has engulfed Europe, drying up our sources of talent. Many of the best acts have gone home, their principals called to the service of a dozen nations. No replacements can be imported in substitution. aside from the high aerialists, a distinctly American contribution, this mighty show is thin.

Ella and every other first-rate performer has doubled up with an extra act to fill the bill. There is a much heavier work load for everyone, greater risks, shorter tempers, and continual exhaustion. The fun has gone from trouping. All the bareback riders are required to work a jockey act in addition to their features. Ella has teamed with Derrick, Bill Wallet and Rose Wentworth in a pony riding turn. The Rooneys, an Irish riding family, resurrected an old turn from their youth, a comedy act involving a horse-drawn carriage. The Kŏnyöts

WAR CIRCUS NEWS: Reporting on all fronts! 1915

36

PREPARE FOR NATIONAL REGISTRATION.

4 AUGUST: FALL OF WARSAW. 5 AUGUST: FALL OF IVANGOROD, RUSSIANS EVACUATING RIGA. 6 AUGUST: GENERAL SARRAIL APPOINTED FRENCH C. IN C. IN

August 1915

are all over the programme, six times appearing by name and five times as Spelvins, ( you know the name traditionally utilised to cover duplication in casting). Acrobats are doubled on the tight wire; trapeze stars have become hand balancers; “Monkeys” slack-wire virtuosi are displaying as ____ tumblers and plate spinners. Anything “They apparently belonged to the to fill up the greedy rings and stages. upper middle classes. We started a Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: B,F conversation, of course about the war. ____

MUSIC FOR THE GODS. ____

MISS CONSTANCE DREVER AT THE KINGS'S NEXT WEEK.

“I could not help laughing when one of the young ladies, a Lyceum scholar of about 18, informed me that she had heard that the English could not get enough recruits, and were training a few hundred big monkeys to let them loose against the German soldiers. I had great difficulty in explaining to her the absurdity of her impression. ____

Whoever had told the young lady Miss Constance Drever, the famous must have been thinking of some of prima Donna, who has caused such a the performing chimpanzees. sensation in theatrical circuses 7/8/1915 World’s Fair through out the country, will make her first appearance in Dundee at the King's Theatre and Hippodrome next week. Constance Drever is the lucky possessor of a voice which would SHOWMEN AND THE delight the gods! even the theatre "gods". She will entertain the Dundee ARMY. audiences with the most delightful ____ selection from her repertoire, which indeed is not a limited one. "Billy in OUR SOLDIER BOYS. the Ring" is the title of the extraordinary humorous sketch presented by the famous Craggs. The Bombadier Richard Bratbey who is various characters of riders, vaulters, now of the R.F.A. is known to many of and acrobats are taken by J. W., E. T., our readers as Young Sandow, the allJ. A., J. H., and A. E. Cragg, while F. British athlete.

Noel and A. Hastings take the part of ____ the grooms. The famous Billy Cragg plays the side-splitting part of the Mr. Edward Charles Pablo, son of country yokel. The members of the the late Pablo Fanque, circus troupe are probably unequalled as proprietor, although over the time comedy acrobats, and one can almost limit, had now achieved his desire and hear the roof crack when the audience joined the Army. It will be is sent off into convulsions by the remembered that Pablo was one of the grotesque antics of the troupe. men who worked hard to get a Penman and Millar are the gymnastic battalion of “Old Tough Uns” but messenger boys on the triple bars. The which was unsuccessful. However, manner in which this clever couple where there’s a will there’s a way and throw themselves from one bar to our friend is now Pte. E. C. Pablo another is little short of marvellous, 124931, 354 Co.,A.S.C., stationed at and on more than than one occasion Stockcross, Newling, Berks. As Pablo the audience holds it's breath during states there are a few of the old the performance of their unusually brigade in his regiment, and on difficult feat. Ernie Grossman is a Saturday last one of these, Pte. comedian, the feature of whose act is Kershaw, of Pablo’s regiment called at his extreme originality and clever our offices and we were glad to patter. His songs are also irresistibly welcome him.

7/8/1915 The World’s Fair humorous. Maggie Benson, late of "The Bensons," the original servant girl at the piano, is one of the most versatile comediennes on the boards, whose songs are tricky and catchy HENRY A.A. WHITELEY. when sung in her own imitable style. ____ Wilfred Burnard, in character studies, is a turn which is always welcome in vaudeville. His adaptability and ZEPPELIN HAILS perfect impersonation is ANOTHER WHITELEY. extraordinary, and he nerve fails to rouse the appreciation of his audience.

The Brothers Curran are knockabouts For family reasons my wife, whose eccentricities create the greatest Leonora, had to leave us and so we amusement and whose numerous once again became the Henry Harry sayings have the peculiar quaintness so Whiteley Trio: myself and sons, pleasing to listen to, but so difficult to and Ben. Then on August 13thLeonora gave birth to another son Raymond. acquire.

31/71915 Dundee, Perth, Forfar and Fife's People's The baby was brought in to this world Journal at 8 Wynne Road, while a German Zeppelin raided the next street down, Brixton High Street. It is a dangerous

THE DARDANELLES; LANDING BY COLONIAL TROOPS AT ANZAC COVE. 14 AUGUST: ROYAL EDWARD, BRITISH TRANSPORT, SUNK. 1000 MISSING.

LEFT

15 AUGUST: NATIONAL REGISTER TAKEN IN GT. BRITAIN. 19 AUGUST: WHITE STAR LINER ARABIC TORPEDOED. 20 AUGUST: ITALY DECLARES WAR ON TURKEY.

world. She will join us again as soon as she can – and we will be once more the Whiteley Four.

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: W HAA

A FAIR RECRUITER.

A poster wall emerged on the side of Barrack 12, the best I think are: “Conscientious Original Honourable Eloquent Natural.

Bibulous Ostentatious Swanker” (Liberal),

MISS CARRIE MAY. Our photograph above shows Miss Carrie May, the popular variety artiste who is now touring Ireland with Bailey’s Electric Cinema. She is shown in the uniform…

14/8/1915 World’s Fair Photo reproduced by kind permission of The World's Fair Ltd.

DEATH OF MR. ED. HODGINI. We regret to have to announce the death of Mr. Edward Hodges, professionally know as Hodgini, who passed away on Tuesday night at his residence, 8, Aversely Road, Small Heath, Birmingham, at the age of 81.

The deceased was formally a circus proprietor, but he has been settled down in the Birmingham district for some years, the circus being carried on by his son, Ted. The funeral will take place at Yardley Cemetery on Sunday morning.

14/8/1915 The World’s Fair

Amongst the soldiers ready for the front is Private J. A. Cook (“The Colonel”) who is awaiting orders to proceed to the Dardanelles. He wishes to remind “Jimmy” Pattison that he promised him a “Woodbine.”

14/8/1915 The World’s Fair

NEWS FROM REUBEN CASTANG. The election for Prime Minister of Ruhleben went on for some time. The candidates like all other occupants, from every other walk of life in the camp, have had the finest brains at their disposal, these brains gave their best. It is recognised here that each job is important to our community; a man is judged on his merits, and if he does the work of the - doctor or the dustman - for which he was chosen to serve. Otherwise he is an outcast.

Highly paid doctors and health experts work harder for nothing here than they have ever for gold.

Slippery

and “Best Original Sensible Sociable/ Creeper Obnoxious Horrible Evil Nuisance” (Tory).

I wish I could show you some of the cartoons.

When the votes were finally counted on 3 August, I had triumphed with 1,229 votes to Cohen’s 924 votes and Boss’s 471 votes. So I am now the elected Prime Minister of Ruhleben Camp. I feel the responsibility of the office but remember I promised nothing!

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: T R & Stephen Brasher

NATIONAL REGISTRATION. ——— HOW TO FILL UP YOUR FORM. A GUIDE FOR OUR READERS We have been asked by the Registrar-General to publish the following particulars to assist our readers in filling up their registration forms.

THINGS TO REMEMBER. GENERAL. (1) Keep your form of questions neat and clean. Do not tear or spoil it, and, if possible, avoid creasing or folding it.

(2) Write the answers plainly in the spaces provided. Write your surname at the head of the form in large letters. They are easier to read.

(3) If you have doubts as to how to answer any question, the enumerator who leaves the forms at your abode and collects them will help you if you ask him.

(4) If a form has not been left for you at the place where you sleep on the night of Sunday, 15th August, you should obtain one on Monday and fill it up as soon as possible.

(5) If you are travelling on Sunday night, and have not received a form before starting, you should obtain one and fill it up at the place where you arrive on Monday morning. …

WAR CIRCUS NEWS: Reporting on all fronts! 1915

RIGHT

23 AUGUST: ZEEBRUGGE BOMBARDED

BY ALLIED FLEET. 25 AUGUST: FALL OF BRESTLITOVSK. 26 AUGUST: GERMAN SUBMARINE SUNK.

OUR SOLDIER BOYS. ____

LETTERS. Corporal Jack Lewis who is No. 8447, “C” Co., 10th Warwicks, somewhere in France, writes:— “Many thanks for copies of the “World’s Fair.” I received them quite safe. Since I have been out here we have been very busy dodging bullets.

Going backward and forward to the first line of trenches is worse than being in them… Roll of Honour to be hung on all the fair grounds.

Sir, I think that we, in the circus and show life, are doing our duty to King and country by joining. You know we are not shirkers. In peace time or war time the country will always find all showmen ready for anything. We were not obliged to join, but we all thought it was our duty to go.

Sir, will you please send me a Roll of Honour when they are printed so as I could send it home and show them that we are not loafing about. We go in the trenches to-night (Sunday, August 8th) till Tuesday night.

21/8/1915 The World’s Fair

“Piano in the trenches”.

How closely associated is amusement to actual war is shown in a lively incident during the recent fighting in which the Leinsters participated and is described by a private of that regiment as the charge of the Mad Mulligans. ____ “I have been out there for ten months,” he said, “and, though the Germans in the beginning were afraid of the bayonet, it looks now as if you can’t give them to much of a good thing. If we have learned a few tricks from them, they have learned a good deal from us. ____ They played the devil with us at Givenchy, but when the order came for the Mad Mulligans to charge we put the bayonet through them as if they were so many sausages. ____ We had a piano in our trenches, and just before the word came to go at them we were having a little sing-song.

It was a little music-hall show, in which we were doing a revue entitled ‘Tempt Me Not.’ ____ The German trenches were only ten yards away. One of our fellows was singing ‘I do like your eyes,’ and when it came to the chorus the Germans joined in. Half-an-hour later we were sending them to sleep with the bayonet.”

21/8/1915 The World’s Fair

SAWATELLE OFF FOR ALASKA. While in Edmonton, Can., en route for Alaska, James Conrad Sawtelle, in an interview, said: "Now I am on my way to Alaska, where I hope to take a

37

SUPPORT PERIPATETIC ENTERTAINERS A NECESSITY ON OUR STREETS. tent show next summer. You known they allow only two shows to enter Alaska a year, and so far as I know no circus has ever invaded the far North.

At present there are two shows up there, both Canadian attractions, the perennial Juvenile Bostonians and a repertoire company from Moose Jaw. It is a big undertaking to pilot a circus, even a small one, to the sparcely settled far North, but I believe there is a chance to make some money up there, and I intend to take a chance. There is little opportunity in other parts of America for a one-ring outfit, and of course Europe is impossible."

21/8/1915 New York Clipper

STREET SHOWS. ____

A PLEA FOR THEIR SUPPORT. What has become of all the street performers? They cannot all have enlisted, for most of then were obviously over military age (says a writer in the “London Globe”). It is to be hoped that the British public are not including the peripatetic entertainer among the things that are not necessities, but surely a penny here and there will not be missed.

When we thus plead for the street performer we mean genuine article— the artist who actually does give some sort of a show, crude and feeble though it may be. As for the fiends who make the howling of a dismal hymn or the scraping of a dreadful fiddle an excuse for cadging, away with them! We would watch magistrates and constable attending to their affairs with absolute calm—nay, even with a mild satisfaction.

The genuine performer has been rather scare of late months. Whether business is so bad that he has found it not worth while to continues we have of course, no means of knowing. There was a little old conjuror we used to see in Villiers Street under the arch, whom we have missed lately. He was a cheerful old soul, though his feats were hardly up to the Devant or Bertram standard. He had a little table covered with faded red velvet, quite in the old-fashioned style, and he rattled off the time-honoured conjuror’s jokes in a way that brought back memories of boyhood’s golden hour, when we were delighted with the same flashes of wit in different surroundings. Who knows? Perhaps the old conjuror, with his bald head and his frock-coat nearly to his heels, once was used to the applause of listening music-halls to command, and did his ancient tricks— new then— in evening dress so “immaculate” as to satisfy even a lady novelist. It is months since we came across the old fellow, and we shall be interested to see if he reappears on the paving-stone stage.

The street-acrobat with his square of carpet, is not often seen now has he enlisted? Surely a body so supple and active could be of use inside a suit of khaki. And the man who was tied up by his assistant in an amazing

multitude of knots- the Germans would have hard work to hold him if ever they laid hands on him. Another vanishing performer is the man with a black cloth, which he folded into different styles of headgear.. He has a mobile, rather strong face, which he altered in an interesting fashion. A few quick twists of the piece of cloth, and it became the chapeau de Napoleon.

The performer pulled a lock of hair over his forehead, assumed a steady stare and frown, thrust a hand into the breast of his shabby frock-coat (street performers seem to run to frock coats), and behold the Man of Destiny. Another twist, and the black cloth was the shovel hat of a French priest— with downcast eyes and sly looking according. Folding it round his face, the performer became a nun.

And there were a dozen other characters, which we have not space to enumerate.

It was on the confines of Hampstead Heath— near the flagstaff, to be precise that we noticed a thoughtreading seance being given in the open-air. We had thought, in our pride and vain glory, that we could enumerate every street performer in London, but this was a new turn to us.

A tall girl with a shrill voice stood with bandaged eyes and the centre of the audience, while her partner mingled with the crowd and borrowing small articles, which the thought-reader described rapidly and at once in reply to his questions. No doubt the queries were carefully posed, but the small audience was obviously amused and interested, so the show-folk earned their copper reward. The al-fresco ventrioquist has always appealed to us. He works at such obvious disadvantages compared with his brother-in-art of the musichalls. His patter is threadbare and dismally un-funny, and any fairly close observer can detect sundry movements of his lips. But when one considers that his audience is hardly at arm’s length, and that he has to contend with atmospheric conditions which are unknown to the ventriloquist under cover, his job is not one which all of us would care to accept.

Let us therefore patronise the diminishing band of London’s open-air entertainers, and hope that the bobby will look the other way when he sees on some open space the little knot of interested folk from the midst of which a persuasive voice issues, saying: “And now, if some gentleman in the audience will lend me his gold watch.”

21/8/1915 The World’s Fair

SOME MEN WITH THE COLOURS. ____

CIRCUS ARTISTE AND TRAPPER.

The old saying that adversity brings strange bedfellows is surely exemplified in the composition of what has been called Lord Kitchener’s Army. Over and over again, since the out break of this “the greatest war the world has ever know”— as has been

so repeatedly thundered from recruiting platforms— we have been told how Britain’s sons the world over have responded to the call of the Motherland for men to uphold the honour of the Empire, how North and South and East and West, how our Colonies across the seas, how our great Indian possession, have rallied so nobly to the old flag (says “The Gossip” in the “South West Echo.”). It may be readily imagined what strange comrades, dukes and earls and heirs to vast estates, men of the professions, tradesmen and labourers, are metaphorically— in many cases, in the field literally— rubbing shoulders, and what a wonderful leveller the suit of khaki has proved to be.

“CRADLED IN A CIRCUS.” Until a couple of weeks or so ago, one of the most active and successful recruiting officers in South Wales was Sergeant Franklin. He had not been blessed by nature with big physical proportions, but he was full of enthusiasm and activity, and his zeal carried him through difficulties which, perhaps, an Army recruiting officer of the old type, might not have circumvented. For this, doubtless, his remarkable experiences were largely responsible. He was born at Fall River, Mass. U.S.A. His parents were English, and were circus performers.

Naturally he took to the “boards” at an early age, and when his parents returned to this country he appeared as a juvenile music-hall artiste in cities and towns in then country. When only 15 years of age he joined the Royal Navy, but after serving about two and a-half years his parents purchased his discharge, and he immediately returned to America, where he toured the halls.

England again called him, and after touring as a comedian, with “fairly decent success”— to use his own words he was one of the first to produce a revue in this country. It was called “From Grundy Creek,” and the company numbered 17 performers.

He also took on tour the Twelve Western Girls and the Ten Britishers.

When he turned his attention to pantomime; and now, as he puts it, he is “a soldier rehearsing for the great

WANTED ENGAGEMENTS VARIETY ARTISTS. “Two Acts that Play as One.” Why engage Foreigners when you can have Britishers not as good but better, ALBERT WAMBA & DAUGHTER MERCIA (late Les Wambas), Sensational Gymnasts and Comedy Instrumentalists. A unique combination of Calisthenics and Music.

FORMING A NOVEL AND VERSITILE PERFORMANCE. 2/9/1915 Era/Stage Found by family Colin Dale

WAR CIRCUS NEWS: Reporting on all fronts! 1915

38

BOYS RUSH TO ARMS. European drama, in which he hopes to play, and play well, the part of a British fighting Tommy.”

Thousands of Britain’s sons across the sea have made sacrifices in order to help the Motherland in her hour of need.

21/8/1915 The World’s Fair

J.A. COOK.

Private J. A. Cook sailed for the Dardanelles last week. He would like to hear from any old pals and letters to his old address 11376, 10th Batt., “B” Co., K.O.R.L., No. 3, Camp, Swanage, will be re-forwarded.

28/8/1915 The World’s Fair

TAX RISE IN CANADA.

5 SEPTEMBER: TSAR ASSUMES SUPREME COMMAND OF THE RUSSIAN ARMIES. 8 SEPTEMBER: ZEPPELIN RAID ON LONDON.

SANGERS CIRCUS AT HOVE. ____

PERFORMANCES WITNESSED

BY THOUSANDS. As if by magic a little canvas town has sprung up in the Wish Meadow at Hove. It houses Lord John Sanger and Sons’ royal circus and menagerie, and the keen interest taken in its visit was proved yesterday, when the big procession through the principle streets of Brighton and Hove attracted an enormous number of onlookers, and was followed by a performance witnessed by thousands of people. It was given in a mammoth tent, which is officially stated to hold 15,000 people, and it is no exaggeration to say that it was crowded (says the “Sussex Daily News.”)

A tax of 1 per cent. is now charged 4/9/1915 The World’s Fair on every ticket for a theatre, moving picture show, amusement hall, concert hall, circus, playground, racecourse, or skating rink, in Montreal, the commercial capital of Canada and the FORMER SECRETARY OF most populous city of Quebec “WORLD’S FAIR” Province. The money will be employed DIES OF WOUNDS. for the benefit of charitable institutions in the city, and it is We regret to have to announce that expected that about £50,000 will be Private Fred Sanderson former realised in the first year.

28/8/1915 The World’s Fair Secretary of the “World’s Fair” Ltd., has died from wounds received in the Dardanelles operations.

Private Sanderson, who was 31 years of age, enlisted in the 6th Battalion King’s own Royal Lancasters last October and went out to the Dardanelles in June.

September 1915 IN THE NAVY.

Eugene Anderson is the son of Madame Gitana, the famous English strong lady. He was formerly on H.M.S. Ganges, but the last letter from the Admiralty states that he was on H.M.S. Grafton, and so far as is known is safe and well.

4/9/1915 The World’s Fair Photo reproduced by kind permission of The World's Fair Ltd.

S.F.L. CODY IS SECOND GENERATION PILOT. Frank, the youngest son of Col. Cody the Showman and Aviator, has become a pilot at the British Flying School in France, making him a second generation pilot.

men’s hearts are big, and equally so is their appetite for fighting. Due to my horse riding experience I have been made an outrider and have been given a long cavalry coat! And spurs! And a sabre that clanks against my legs. I feel like a general.

I have just seen Gingek again and how I enjoyed that moment! His mouth dropped open, and he nearly sprang to attention when he saw my sword and spurs. ‘Be off with you,’ I said. ‘I am an outrider. We do not talk with foot-sloggers!’

War is even more exciting than the circus! I have already accomplished my first military triumph. We are near Oli and were reconnoitering in advance of our battalion when I noticed a very odd looking haystack. I yelled ‘Halt!’, causing a terrible commotion among the troops and much cursing from the officers. But upon inspection of this suspicious hay bail we discovered a machine gun with boxes of ammunition - the enemy have been preparing for a sudden advance!

I beamed with pride as the old general pinned a cross of the Fourth Class to my tunic and promoted me to rank of lance-corporal. I am so proud and happy! War is glorious and full of adventure!

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: Coco

MR. FRED GINNETT TELLS HOW HE TRAINS THEM FOR THE ARMY. ____

11/9/1915 The World’s Fair

BY KINDNESS AND MACHINERY. PADDY HEPSTON aka CAPTAIN EPSTEIN.

EUGENE ANDERSON.

13 SEPTEMBER:ADMIRAL SIR PERCY SCOTT APPOINTED IN CHARGE OF LONDON AERIAL DEFENSES. 19 SEPTEMBER: BULGARIA

On 27 July 1915, at the Rendezvous, Margate were I have been exhibiting my Wild Dancing Bushman, two peelers were snooping around, watching Franz dance, I made sure that I blew kisses to the ladies. Franz sold postcards, kissed the hands of the people who bought post cards. I have not seen them since, So, I shall keep on with this good business, if you count playing in a fairground freakshow. I would prefer to go back to the stages. But will have to stay here until the season closes on the 3rd of October.

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: P N

NICOLAI POLIAKOFF CHILD SIBERIAN SOLDIER NEWS. Finally, now aged 15, I have been accepted - this feeling almost equals the joy I received on my first appearance as a paid artiste! The 11th Siberian Infantry - a regiment made up of half Russians and half Tartar and all very short in height. I fit in perfectly. Although small in frame the

Mr. Fred Ginnett, who is busily employed training mules for the Army tells in “Pearson’s Weekly” how he accomplished this difficult task. In his article Mr. Ginnett says:— “For army purposes particularly transport work over rough country, the mule is greatly superior to the horse.

Recognising this, the War Office have sent me a batch of exceptionally vicious specimens to train on my farm at Finchley. All my life I have been engaged in circus business and in breaking in and training animals of all sorts. And when I have done with them these mules will be hard-working, docile animals worth probably £50 apiece.

In many respects the mule beats the horse. He lives longer. A horse is old and generally nearly useless at fifteen years of age; but mule can work well up to the age of twenty or twenty-one years.

You can get twenty hours’ work a day out of a well-trained mule.

He works much harder than a horse, takes rougher food, does not suffer from nearly so many ailments, and has greater powers of endurance.

NEVER KNOCK THE ANIMALS ABOUT. But the mule is much more difficult to train. He is naturally vicious, very stupid, and you cannot make a start until he is four years old.

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MOBILISES. 23 SEPTEMBER: MURDEROUS ATTEMPT ON GENERAL SMUTS BY HOOLIGANS AT NEWLANDS. 24 SEPTEMBER: ORDER-IN-

The system I adopt in training is never to knock the animal about. I treat him as a friend until he comes to look upon me as such. If I want him to do a thing I don’t drive him to it with blows, but show him how it should be done. When he has done what I wish I reward him either with a pat, a caress, or a little of something to eat. No animal was ever yet trained by cruelty.

I stick to a mule until he carries out my wishes. It requires patience, but the time is well spent. The mules I am training for the War Office are required quickly, and therefore I cannot devote the personal attention I should like to each one. Accordingly they will be trained by machinery! It sounds startling, but this is how it will be done.

MY MULE BREAKING MACHINE. I have invented a contrivance, in the centre of which is a revolving platform. At various points shafts will be fixed horizontally and between these the mules will be placed fully harnessed. A lazy brute will be placed side by side with a worker. The mule cannot buck, he cannot lie down, he cannot turn round, and there is only one way left for him to go— forward.

Stupid, as he is, naturally the mule will eventually recognise this and will trot quietly round the ring.

After a few lessons he will do it without the aid of the machine. Then he will be given over to my riders for the finishing touches. Among these is my own little girl, aged fourteen, who can keep her seat on any horse, mule, or donkey alive.

During my recent tour round the provinces the offices at one of the camps brought to the circus three mules that were supposed to be unrideable. In ten minutes my men had ridden all three. One was a particularly vicious brute, who had injured several men. He had bitten off one man’s ear, broken another man’s ribs, another man’s arm, and severely mauled a fourth. But he was quickly subdued by one of the men who are helping me to train these mules for army purposes.

11/9/1915 The World’s Fair

NEWS FROM TYRWHITTDRAKE, MENAGERIST. This summer my animals have succeeded in accomplishing that difficult feat of "eating their heads off", or in other words costing a lot to keep and not bringing in a penny piece. This is one side effect of the general “pinch” of the war. Another is that I have also lost all my keepers and am reduced to an old ex-carter, aged s e v e n t y - t h re e (who unconcernedly left his team and took care of the lions) and a Belgian woman wild animal trainer.

Having decided to reduce my stock, and continental markets closed, with all other people here in the same boat, I turned to America, and have offered a mixed collection to Dr. Hornaday, director of the Bronx Zoo Park, New York. A deal was soon struck and 50 animals and birds were to be prepared to be shipped including, a lioness,

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WAR CIRCUS NEWS: Reporting on all fronts! 1915

COUNCIL PROHIBITS “TREATING” ON LICENSED PREMISES. 26 SEPTEMBER: U.S.A. INSIST ON DR. DUMBA’S RECALL.

guanaco, reed buck, eight giant rats, british wild cat, monkeys and four greater birds of paradise. I decided to take them myself.

On 15th June I left Cobtree Manor, Maidstone, in a motor lorry for Tilbury to embark on the Atlantic Transport’s S.S.. Minnehaha with all packed up in crates and their food. I planned to supply fresh horse meat for the carnivores, but the steamships agent insisted that nothing but the best beef could go into the refrigerators, I could not find no affordable best beef, so I bought 2 or 3 dead donkeys and had the carcases dressed out like beef, and in they went to the refrigerators to the satisfaction of all.

Because of the loss of the Lusitania in May there were 8 first class passengers instead of the usual 250. We zigzagged down the Channel to avoid submarines, but once past the Scilly Isles we were safe, the submarines do not hunt so far. The only things that happened after that included: one giant rat killed and eaten by his friends, one loose reed buck, one scratched hand belonging to a curious sailor experimenting with the lioness’s reach.

When we all reached land the local press set about concocting stories based on the interview with Wilfred Wozzel one of the hostlers on board the Minnehaha. And the Captain Frank F. H. Claret also waxed lyrical about the only pink wang-soko in captivity from Formosa too. While to another he speculated about the red eyed guianaco.

While in New York I was the guest of the New York Zoological Society and was able also to visit the Zoological Gardens in Philadelphia. On the ninth day after my arrival I re-embarked on the S.S. Laplan, a Red Star boat sailing for the White Star line. I had under my charge this time three sea-lions and a quantity of birds. And again we had a very empty ship, 23 first class passengers in accommodation for 350.

Landing in Liverpool I was fortunate to only have lost 2 small birds.

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: T-D G (1 & 2)

BURNED TO DEATH Van Dweller’s Terrible End. James Hunter, a circus labourer, about 30 years of age, met up with a terrible death at Tiffield in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Hunter was one of the employees at Fossett’s circus, and was sleeping alone in a van. Early on Sunday morning the occupants of the other vans, awakened by the crackling of burning wood, where amazed to find that then occupied by Hunter in a mass of flames. They went to his rescue, but on first breaking in the door of the van the whole structure collapsed, and the remains of Hunter were afterwards found in the debris.

THE INQUEST Mr. W.E. Watson, the Divisional Coroner, conducted the inquest at Tiffield on Monday afternoon.

Mrs. Mary Kleinschmidt, circus rider,

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DESPITE NERVOUSNESS ABOUT U-BOATS MENAGERIST EMBARKS FOR AMERICA wife of Otto Paul Kleinschmidt (a German who is now interned in the Isle of Man), said she now resided in a caravan at Mr Fossett’s farm. Her husband, who, prior to his internment, managed the farm for Mr. Fossett, set on Hunter to help with the hay and harvest in July. She did not know him prior to that time.

Deceased was accustomed to sleep in a small caravan use as a blacksmith’s wagon. There was nothing in the van but a straw mattress on which Hunter slept. He had some rugs, the sheet, and a pillow.

The caravan in which witness slept with her two children stood by the side of that in which deceased slept. They would be separated only by about 5 feet. Witness last saw Hunter alive on Saturday night about 8 o’clock. She did not hear him turn in.

ALL IN FLAMES About a 3:45 on the Saturday morning witness was awakened by the window of a caravan breaking. She went to the window to see what was the matter and could then see the other van all in flames. Witness called to Hunter, but got no answer. She then gave the alarm and called her brotherin-law, who lived along the yard. They got water and tried to put out the flames, but that was impossible.

By the coroner: Hunter had no lamp in the caravan, but he sometimes had a candle. Witness could not say if he had one on Saturday night. Witness had never seen him the worse for drink. He seems a decent enough sort of young fellow. She did not think anyone was likely to have any grudge against him. He was a very good tempered chap.

Replying to further questions, witness said she generally had a boarhound dog under the van. It was there when she got up in the Sunday morning, but witness had not heard it bark or make any noise.

A CHARRED RING Frank Leatherland, farm manager to Mr. Robert Fossett, said he also lived in a caravan in the yard. He produced a charred ring and a pair of burnt iron tips of shoe heels, and said by those he could identify the body seen by the jury as that of James Hunter. He had seen the ring on Hunter’s finger.

On Saturday Hunter worked with a witness at the filling of manure cars in the yard. They were together up until 830, but witness did not see him again after that.

On Sunday morning, about 4 o’clock, witness was awakened at the cry of fire raised by his sister in law.

He at once ran to the van and could see the head and shoulders of the man through the side of the van. He ran to another van where another man Cooper was sleeping to see if he was alright, and then went back to the other van and burst open the door with a fork. He tried to get out the body which he could see lying on the floor, but was unable to do so.

By Superintendent Andrews: Hunter was quite sober when witness left him on Saturday night. He was a heavy smoker of cigarettes, and witness had cautioned him about dropping them about the place.

John Cooper, A showman’s labourer, of no fixed abode said he arrived at Tiffield from Southham on Saturday,

and was looking for a job. He had known Hunter for several years and had worked with him on different shows. He had often heard Hunter to say we he had no relatives.

On Saturday night about 8:30, after supper, witness and Hunter went to the public-house down the village.

They were both quite sober when they returned to the farm. They stood talking sometime in the yard, and Hunter wanted witness to go to sleep with him, but witness refused. When he was aroused witness did what he could to help to put the fire out.

They did not know any of Hunters people, but had heard him say his father was a juggler. He believed he had to belonged to Nottingham.

Inspector Robinson also gave evidence.

In respect to the coroner he said he had made careful enquiries, and as far as he could ascertain that the man was sober when he turned in on Saturday.

The jury returned a verdict that deceased was burnt to death, but there was no evidence to show how the van got on fire.

17/9/1915 Northampton Mercury

DEATH OF MR. G. O. STARR. ____

BARNUM’S RIGHT-HAND MAN. The death is announced at the age of sixty-six of Mr. G. O. Starr, formerly manager of the Crystal Palace, and before that right-hand man of Mr. P. T. Barnum, the famous showman.

18/9/1915 The World’s Fair

TIDDLES TO FIGHT. Friends of Les Zeimars, the male partner being better known as “Tiddles,” the clown, in Ireland, will be pleased to hear he has answered his country’s call so far back as April, and is stationed at Winchester, and will be pleased to hear from all friends. His address is Corporal Albert Prentice, 32594, 19th Welsh Pioneer Regiment, c/o 9, Lawn Street, Winchester.

Mr. Ginnett drove up to the stables in a large motor car which contained three Mexicans and his two sons, all in battle array, several saddles, coils of rope, stock whips, various railings and appliances and five lassos. The soldiers had built a ring with stakes and ropes, and into this they had driven a dark horse. It did not look up as the Mexicans entered and appeared to be fast asleep.

The circus men went airily up, fully aware of several hundred soldiers grinning through the railings. “Do a trick on his back,” shouted a Tommy; “he’s a quiet one to start with.”

Claudio, one of the Mexicans, jumped up and the horse did a most amazing manoeuvre . He sank to the ground with all four legs spread out like those of a horse in a pantomime. Then he pulled them together with a jerk that made the soldiers yell with joy....

“He’s a bit tired, ain’t he. It’s a shame to ride him.” The horse tried sitting and rolling and bucking and grunting and hitting out with his forelegs. He pretended to go forward and suddenly jumped back two jumps and then one sideways and finally lay down.

The soldiers shouted at him not to give up, called him a coward, threw grass at him, barked and screamed to startled him, but he was beaten. The only thing to his credit as he was led away was one private sent head over heels with a clever kick, and the wooden railings badly broken here and there.

GENTLE IN TEN MINUTES. Then a mule came, and as he went ambling into a field the Tommies grinned afresh. “This is the feller. He’s saved hisself for this all week. He knows more tricks than any circus can show him. Watch his shifty eye.” Then minutes later, when he stood saddled in the yard with that quaint genius they call Charles Caplin sitting astride of him and dusting his mane, there were some among the soldiers who were almost inclined to think there was a fraud in it somewhere. But a call for volunteers to ride the beast round the ring was not answered.

Every soldier had found a job about the yard and could not leave.

18/9/1915 The World’s Fair

18/9/1915 World’s Fair

THE MULE TAMER. ____

SOLDIER’S JOKES AT A SUNDAY CIRCUS. ____

MR. GINETT’S LESSON. Mr. Fred Ginnett, the horse breaker, visited a military camp recently to show the soldiers how easy it is to ride a mad mule. Any animal which showed unusual vice during the past week had been carefully rested by the troops for Mr. Ginnett’s men.

Palace Theatre Reading

THE FAMOUS CRAGGS Present their Latest Comedy Sketch,

“BILLY IN THE RING.” The company includes Riders, Vaulters, Aerobats, J.W. J.A. J.H. A.E Cragg: Grooms &c.. F. Noel and A. Hastings: and the country yokel BILLY CRAGG. 25/9/1915 Reading Mercury

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WAR CIRCUS NEWS: Reporting on all fronts! 1915

5 OCTOBER: LANDING OF ALLIED TROOPS AT SALONIKA BEGINS. 11 OCTOBER: LORD DERBY, NEW DIRECTOR OF RECRUITING. 12 OCTOBER: BULGARIA DECLARES WAR ON SERBIA.

DEATH OF MRS. R. FOSSETT, SR.

LION TAMER WAR COSTS WAR HERO TO CIRCUS BATTLEFIELD BESS THE WAR HORSE.

We regret to have to announce the death of Mrs. R. Fossett, Senr., wife of Robert Fossett, senior, of circus fame, who passed away at Masham, Yorks, on Saturday last. The late Mrs. Fossett, who was 56 years of age had been in the circus business all her life being apprenticed to the late Pablo Fanque and proved herself a capital artiste. Later, under the professional name of Miss Minnie she toured as an equestrienne with Ginnett’s and other famous circuses. She afterwards became associated with the Fossett family and whilst with them married Sir Robert who was a capital jockey rider. Mrs. Fossett leaves a large family to mourn her loss and we feel Miss Angela Gavine, who has trained sure the sympathy of all our readers a horse, wounded on the battlefield, to do circus work. The animal was will be with the family in their great discharged from the Army, and was to loss.

25/9/1915 The World’s Fair have been shot as un-managable.

28/9/1915 Daily Mirror

Photo reproduced by kind permission of The World's Fair Ltd.

FRENCH LION TAMER WHO WON THE V.C. In a vivid account of his second visit to the Western Front the Rev. R. J. Campbell, speaking at the City Temple, said:— “Daring as our men are, there was one man the minister of the City Temple met who was exceptionally daring. He had won the V.C., the D.C.M., and been awarded the French Legion of Honour. He had done many remarkable things and suffered for them. He had been wounded all over the body, but laughed and declared the Huns “will never get me.” One of his grimmest exploits was to blow up a chateau in which seventy-five German officers were living.

“The man,” said Mr. Campbell, quietly, “had been a lion-tamer before he became a soldier.”

25/9/1915 The World’s Fair

NEWSPAPERS & NEUTRAL COUNTRIES. Owing to newspapers and periodicals despatched from Great Britain to neutral countries having been used by foreign spies as a medium of communication, the postal authorities now decline to permit such newspapers and periodicals to pass through the mails unless they are despatched by the publisher.

Consequently those of our readers who wish to send the “World’s Fair” to neutral countries, such as the United States of America, the Argentine, Switzerland, Scandinavia, etc., are advised during the war to let them be sent direct from these offices.

25/9/1915 World’s Fair

WHAT WORLD’S FAIR THINKS. Fancy an income of nearly twelve of the best every week for the use of a piece of ground. ____ The disputes between Germany and America makes us think that the Kaiser is a disciple of the late P. T. Barnum. ____ For he appears to think, as did the famous showman, that the Yankees like to be bluffed. ____ Of course, there is a serious difference, for the Barnum bluff was all innocent, whilst the Kaiser’s is the opposite.

25/9/1915 The World’s Fair

October 1915 THE WAR EFFECT. ____

MR. FRED GINNETT’S AFFAIRS. On Tuesday last before Mr. E. Savile, senior official receiver, the first meeting of creditors was held under the failure re Frederick Emile Ginnett, circus proprietor, of Strawberry Vale Farm, East Finchley, N. The statement of affairs filed by the debtor disclosed gross liabilities amounting to £2,151 6s. 10d., of which £2,114 16s. 10d. was due to unsecured creditors. The assets were estimated to produce £107 10s.

2d., from which £36 10s. had to be deducted for the claims of preferential creditors payable in full, leaving the

net assets as £71 0s. 2d., and disclosing a deficiency of £2,043 16s. 8d. The debtor alleged his failure to have been caused through “failure of the Boy Army Show.”

A creditor asked if there was any probability of “Wild Australia” going on the road again, but debtor replied it would not do to attempt it whilst the war lasted….

2/10/1915 The World’s Fair

AMUSING LETTER FROM MAN WITHOUT BENEFIT OF CIRCUS LIFE. ____ WITH THE TRANSPORT. HILDENBOROUGH MAN’S EXPERIENCES. “Writing home from France to his parents, Pte. Aubrey Smith, son of Mr Alfred Smith, of Meadowbank, in the course of his letter says:Our transport training again yesterday, and we got up at 5 am and worked hard all day until nearly 6 o’clock at night. It is estimated that if we go through the course for a month those of us who are not shaken to atoms or laid out by horses will get quite efficient enough to take charge of the battalion’s transport, and the work will be fairly strenuous during the training. Of course, my knowledge of horses is extremely vague, and when I was introduced to my steed I think I could’ve told you which was her head and which was her tail. And that was a about all.. I subsequently found that she also possessed hoofs, and she introduced him to me in a very forcible manner. I christened her “Martha”, and in my opinion "Martha" was a star-turn in Sanger’s Circus or Buffalo Bill’s Wild West. As soon as I took her to have a drink, leading her by a rope, she broke into a canter, and I held on grimly until she politely trod on one of my feet. At this I swore hard and called “Martha" names, and someone came to the rescue. My toes felt as if they had been crushed by a steam-roller. If I were only half as clean as "Martha" I should be happy. She is ticklish round the neck, and tries to eat me every time I get near her. For breakfast she had hay and corn, also a piece of my coat, while her master ate bacon and horse-hair, principally horse-hair.

Learning to mount and put on the saddle came next, which was followed by a class of instructions in harness, which thoroughly bewildered us.

There are hundreds and hundreds of different straps and buckles and links, with unheard-of names which convey nothing to you, and all I can remember about it is that there was a huge Sergeant-Major, with a very red face, glaring over me shouting “What’s the name of this?” and holding in his hand a silly bits of strap with a buckle on the end. I couldn’t for the life of me distinguish it from an ordinary strap, I nearly told him so, but it turned out to be the “trace pieces leather with quick release,” so I thanked him kindly and said I would make a note of it. After this we took

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14 OCTOBER: GREAT BRITAIN DECLARES WAR ON BULGARIA. 16 OCTOBER: FRANCE DECLARES WAR ON BULGARIA; ALLIED FORCES LEAVE SALONIKA FOR SERBIAN FRONT.

our horses off to drink again, and the onlookers had many sarcastic remarks to make about venue transport. They roared with laughter just because I tried hard to push “Martha” a few feet to the right, and all my efforts failed to move her an inch. Directly after dinner what excitement again, find a way of digesting our food, we saddled up and paraded immediately after our meal, ready for our riding lesson, and having found a quiet spot, we got the order to standby our horses, whereupon “Martha” started talking to the horse next door, and the officer blamed me: and when I had to throw the reigns over her head she lifted it so high that they stuck on her ear and remained there until I mounted. Of course, I took them when I tried to clamber on her back, and she moved forward, and by the time I have dropped into the saddle she was half-way across the field, but by vigorous tugging at the reins I brought her back into position again.

Unfortunately, our officer has a weak voice, and I only heard what I had to do to start the horse, and all the other remarks were lost in the wind. Well, we started off, and although we only walked at first there was soon quite a gap in front of me, and I was at a loss what to do. I said “Trot” and “Gee up”, but I could couldn't get her to hurry, and I had just started on wireless telepathy with a certain amount of success when the horse in front started getting skittish and then “Martha” commenced quite a little circus jaunt. I had a faint recollection of being bumped up and down violently, clutching the saddle, and finally seizing the reins and tugging hard. The officer had no sympathy to spare, and actually swore, not at “Martha” but at me! I didn’t find out the motion for making a horse trot until afterwards. You have to dig it with your heels, and, unfortunately, I gave her a nice prod with them at the critical moment when officer had us at attention and was addressing us. It started “Martha” off on the trot all on her own, and I had a most uncomfortable time getting back to her place. Even when she got there she insisted on standing with her back to the officer, and wouldn’t turn around, not even when I called her “Martha”.

Our exercises were a bit mixed up, as it was the first occasion, and the officer looked in vain for the leading horse after we had been round a few times: in fact, he stopped us at last and said if we went around once more he didn’t think he would be able to find his way out, so that ended the proceedings”.

8/10/15 Kent, Sussex Courier

ORIGINAL. NOVEL. NEW. EFFECTIVE. NO VACANT DATES UNTIL XMAS, 1917.

Will BENNIE BIDDALL please communicate with E. Hanford, 2 Surtree Street, Stockton-on -Tees.

30/10/1915 World’s Fair

WAR CIRCUS NEWS: Reporting on all fronts! 1915

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16 OCTOBER: NEWS OF “MILITARY EXECUTION” OF MISS EDITH CAVELL REACHES LONDON. 18 OCTOBER: GENERAL SIR C. C. MONORO SUCCEEDS GEN. SIR IAN

SERIOUS ACCIDENT TO MISS CARRIE CHIPPERFIELD. We regret to hear that Miss Carrie Chipperfield (of Chipperfield’s Menagerie) has met with a severe accident, having been run over by one of the wagons, both her legs being broken. The unfortunate lady way immediately conveyed to Dumfries Infirmary where she now lies and is making as satisfactory progress as possible. We feel sure she has the wishes of all her friends for a speedy recovery.

16/10/1915 The World’s Fair

MARRIAGE OF MR. EDWARD C. PABLO. ____

A LIGHTNING WEDDING. A marriage of an interesting nature took place at the Registry office, Walworth Road, Southwark, on Monday last, when Private Edward Charles Pablo, son of the late Pablo Fanque, circus proprietor, was married to Miss Howard, daughter of the late Alexandra Howard, civil engineer, of Hanley. Amongst those present were Mr. Jack Nicholas (of Iron Jaw fame), now proprietor of Sportsland, 140, Lower Marsh, Lambeth; Prof. Herbert Hall, tattoo artist; and Professor and Mrs. Etheridge (of performing dogs fame).

Notice, to All Friends THE FAMOUS HANNEFORD FAMILY, RIDERS SUPREME. Will Sail on Saturday, November 6th, 1915, on the S.S. “New York” from New York and arrive in Liverpool on or about November 13th, with the Greatest Riding Act ever put before the Public.

The same that has been featured in the Centre Ring all the Season on 1915 with BARNUM AND BAILEY’S GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH. Re-engaged for next Summer Season of 1916, and acknowledged throughout the United States of America to be the Greatest Riding Feature Act ever brought from Europe.

HAMILTON; ITALY DECLARES WAR ON BULGARIA. 21 OCTOBER: KING VISITS THE FRONT.

The event is one that may be called a lightning marriage, as four weeks ago it was not even in the prospective.

After obtaining his O.C.’s permission Pablo had the banns published in Southwark and Berks. Then he was transferred from Berks to Aldershot, and, securing permission from the O.C. there for three days leave, he was married on Monday morning and was back in camp at Aldershot at 6-30 in the evening.

16/10/1915 The World’s Fair

BOSWELL’S CIRCUS IN BULAWAYO. Without doubt the circus owes its never-lessening popularity, despite the numerous counter-attractions springing up every day, to a certain irresistible fascination impossible to define…. All this may be said of Boswell’s Royal Circus, which made its debut before an appreciative audience on September 9th. (writes a South African reader.) The show is all that the management claims it to be— bright, clever, and refined. There is nothing in it that can offend; while there is a great deal, a very great deal, that will please. The arrangements could not be bettered; everything is done with that clockwork precision which is only attained by long experience. The animals look in fine trim, their glossy skins and graceful movements calling for no little admiration.

24 OCTOBER: DISCOVERY OF GERMAN PLOT IN U.S.A. TO BLOW UP SHIPS CARRYING MUNITIONS.

OUR SOLDIER BOYS. Corporal F Barnum, who is not somewhere in France, writes:- “I am sorry to tell you that I am in hospital in France at present but hope to be our soon My work out here put me in mind of the old circus days when we have been travelling at night. The Army Service Corps do their work at night, taking the supplies up to the trenches. I have to keep galloping up and down the column with the old cry, Wake ‘em up,” as the drivers are very often asleep. It is surprising how soon one gets used to the roar of the guns. I should be pleased to hear for any old friends. My Private address is 6, Angola Mews, North Kensington, London.

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28 OCTOBER: ACCIDENT TO THE KING WHILE INSPECTING HIS ARMY IN THE FIELD, HORSE FALLING ON HIS LEG.

FATAL ACCIDENT TO MR.WM. SHUFFLEBOTTOM.

____ Our readers will be pleased to hear Charlie Phillips, the brother of Jack Philips, Ring King, now with Headley’s Franco-British at Birkenhead - who went to the front as a member of the Australian Corps, was promoted to sergeant, for bravery on the field, on the anniversary of his 26th birthday, on Sunday October 3rd, somewhere in the Dardanelles.

16/10/1915 The World’s Fair

NEWS FROM TYRWHITTDRAKE, MENAGERIST.

16/10/1915 The World’s Fair

William Shufflebottom “Texas Bill”

Shufflebottom family collection, University of Sheffield Library, National Fairground and Circus Archive.

We regret to have to announce the death of Mr. William Shufflebottom, 54, professionally known as Texas Bill.

The deceased met with an accident whilst showing at New Road, Milford, on Saturday last and he passed away on Tuesday without having regained consciousness. At the West Surrey Coroner’ s his son John explained that he was not sure why he had fallen from his horse. Dr Hall, who attended Mr Shufflebottom said, “It was exceedingly difficult thing to decide whether the hemorrhage was caused by the fall or came on naturally.” He also said it was “exceedingly wrong they should be compelled to do a post mortem in stables at the back of public houses. The parish had a much bigger population, and out to have a mortuary.” The coroner replied, at ordinary times he was as keen as anyone in favour of mortuaries, but the present was not the time to ask public authorities to spend money. He closed the proceedings declaring an “Open Verdict.”

I have just spent two weeks with my friend Lord George Sanger touring with his Lord John Sanger Show. I "messed" with the Hoffman’s, doored KING FERDINAND OF the menagerie, and helped in anyway I BULGARIA. could. Mrs Hoffman is Sanger’s sister, Mr Hoffman, her husband, trains all ____ their horses, and is a fine rider.

Also I am “booked” into being SELECTED AT A CIRCUS Mayor of Maidstone in November.

I use my 25.98 Talbot car much less BAR. now due to the war. She did 101 miles hour in her trials in 1913, but she King Ferdinand of Bulgaria secured per rather thirsty 16miles to the gallon, his throne by a process of exhaustion is petrol is hard to get. So I use The late Billy Shufflebottom, as we (recalls the “Daily Chronicle”). A and knew him, was a familiar figure all now.

Danish prince, a Caucasian potentate, motor-cycles Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: T-D, G (1) over England. In his early days he and the King of Roumania himself travelled the North of England with a were among the choice either of the shooting show in which he had few Powers or of the Bulgarians. King equals. A few years ago he migrated to Carol rejected the opportunity to Christmas Gifts the South and launched out with a found a Wallacho-Bulgarian empire; Wild West Circus, a style of ..For.. and three delegates were finally performance which he has always Showland’s dispatched to tour Europe for a king. favoured. He passed away in the midst One evening a member of the of the business he has loved and kept Soldiers. deputation “was drinking his glass of to for nearly 30 years. The sympathy beer at Ronacher’s Circus in Vienna, of all showmen will be with the family As will be seen from notice else when a friend introduced him to a in their loss. where we are anxious to send gentleman who professed to know the Packages of very man for the post.” Next day the The children, lead by John Potter Cigarettes, Etc. three delegates waited upon Prince Sufflebottom, are carrying on the To Our Soldier Boys Ferdinand of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha. He circus, with his wife Rosina, well accepted the offer to the throne, on known as “part of the Shufflebottom condition that the Grand Sobranje These will be sent in the name act she performed as a target for her elected him, and the powers agreed. of husband in sharp shooting and knifeHe was elected, but did without the Showland, and any small throwing acts, as well as her own role sanction of the Powers. as a snake-charmer,” is now amount 16/10/1915 The World’s Fair concentrating on administration. will be appreciated.

Send on your Gifts to: Soldiers’ Fund 4/12/1915 World’s Fair

30/10/1915 Surrey Advertiser & The World’s Fair National Fairground Archive online

WAR CIRCUS NEWS: Reporting on all fronts! 1915

42

6 NOVEMBER: PUBLICATION OF THE “GLOBE” SUSPENDED AT INSTANCE OF WAR OFFICE. 17 NOVEMBER: HOSPITAL SHIP ANGLIA SUNK.

22 NOVEMBER: “GLOBE” RESUMES PUBLICATION. 23 NOVEMBER: SERBIANS REMOVE THEIR CAPITAL TO PRIZREND.

LEFT

GERMAN CIRCUS HIRES P.O.W.S FOR PANTOMIME

November 1915

HENGLER’S CIRCUS ____

ENOS SAIL TO SOUTH AMERICA.

RE-OPENING IN GLASGOW.

George and Mary Enos will sail with the Shipp & Feltus Circus in December for a three years tour of South America, Central America and the West Indies. They are now with the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus, doing their rolling globe and high perch act.

With a programme that, it may confidently be stated, will prove as interesting as the best of former years, Mr. Hengler’s Glasgow circus re-opens to-day.

The entertainment will be as diversified as ever, and the great feature will again be a water spectacle, on this occasion entitled “Silver Falls,” which will be presented in five scenes, each of which will be brimful of thrilling incidents.

6/11/1915 Billboard

20/11/1915 The World’s Fair

PTE. F WILSON. Private F. Wilson, who enlisted at the beginning of the war, has, after seeing a good deal of fighting, been put on Home Defence, and is located at Prees Heath, Whitchurch. He has travelled with Mander’s and Chipperfield’s menageries, also Randall Williams, and circuses. He would like to have a few lines from any people with whom he travelled or came into contact with.

His address is Pte. F. Wilson, 25081, Camp Hospital, Hut 29, Prees Heath, Whitchurch, so no doubt some of his former acquaintances or friends will write.

6/11/1915 The World’s Fair

MERCIA WAMBA NEWS, CHILD ARTISTE. 10 November: It’s my 16th birthday today. Since September father and I have been across the Irish sea. We went to Lurgan at the Picture House and Belfast at the Colluseum, then we came back to England. Everywhere is a long way from Warrington and home. But it is better to be on the road.

Shufflebottom’s Rifle Bill's Wild West Show. Standing twins Elizabeth & Rosina Seated l-r: Tommy, Margaret (dressed as the Indian girl), Richard & Wally c.1916.

Shufflebottom family collection, University of Sheffield Library, National Fairground and Circus Archive, released by Margaret Wilby.

as "the enemy" at a salary of one shilling per night, an opportunity which naturally offered a great attraction to many men with no other means.

The play contains a number of battle scenes, supposed to represent incidents from the present war, and all, of course, ending in the he glory of Germany and the utter discomfiture if the borrowed prisoners, whose own war-stained uniforms are presumedly regarded as adding a sensational touch of reality to the typical German show. - Reuter.

12/11/1915 Birmingham Mail

SIMONA’S PARROT.

“What

PRISONERS ACTING AS SUPERS. COPENHAGEN, Nov 11.

I Heard.” ____

The sad death of “Billy” Shufflebottom removes from our midst a showman who was a personality, and goodness knows there are few enough left. ____

Billy has always been a worker and blessed with a big family he had for According to the "Aftenblad" years to work hard to bring them up, music-hall artistes who have returned as for years he was the show. here from Berlin relate that hundreds ____ of French, Russian, and Belgian prisoners of war are acting nightly as Though we have not come into contact supers in a great war pantomime at with him much during the past few the Circus Schumann. years we feel sure that his children The pantomime, so-called, is really a will have been a comfort to him as great spectacular play, and it was they were all brought up to assist in staged a few nights ago, only after the the show. greatest of difficulties, as over 400 supers were wanted and only a few Billy probably passed away in the one could be found among the native way he would have chosen, but it population of Berlin. seems hard after a life of work that he In this dilemma Herr Schumann could not be spared to enjoy the fruits appealed to the military authorities, of his labour. who gladly permitted prisoners to act 6/11/1915 The World’s Fair

____

HOW THEY ARE FARING. ____

A c c o r d i n g t o t h e SOME INTERESTING “Aftenblad” (Copenhagen). Music Hall artistes who have returned here LETTERS. from Berlin relate that hundreds of French, Russian and Belgian Rifleman John Burns who was prisoners of war are acting nightly as formerly with Bostock and “supers’ in a great war pantomime a Wombwell’s menagerie, also with W. the Circus Schumann.

12/11/1915 Hull Daily Mail Slater is now in the Military Hospital at Hillsborough Barracks, Sheffield, suffering from wounds. Rifleman Burns who is known to many Scottish readers, received his injuries in the big

AMERICAN ACTRESS AND HER SKETCH. It Has Been Imitated.

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: D C

WAR SPECTACLE IN BERLIN. ____

PRISONERS IN CIRCUS.

NEWS OF OUR SOLDIER BOYS.

In the Kings Bench today, the hearing was resumed of the action brought by Miss Ray Cox, anAmerican actress who asked for injunction to restrain Mr Fred Ginnett, the well known horse-trainer and sketch producer, from playing a sketch called “The Riding Lesson,” which she alleged was an imitation of her sketch now playing in the London Hippodrome Revue.

Mr. Ginnett today denied he had taken a single idea from Mr Cox’s sketch. Witness saw plaintive sketch at the Hippodrome on the second night, but he did not think it was a success.

It was all stale for him, and he knew that what was coming before Miss Cox said it. There was nothing for him to copy in the plaintiff’s sketch.

Incidents in the sketch called “The Riding Lesson” were generally, but not exactly, the same as similar scenes in the old circuses. Witness said he gave the sketch the new name of “The Riding Lesson” after he saw the plaintiff’s sketch.

Miss Laura Isabel Ginnett, defendant’s wife, said she thought Miss Cox’s performance was substantially the same as that which used to be given in the old circuses.

Miss Poppy Ginnett, daughter of the defendant, said the sketch was the same as had been played in “The Rejected Remounts” for years.

15/11/1915 Dundee Evening Telegraph

HOW TO SAVE

1. Eat less meat.

2. We careful with your bread.

3. Waste nothing. To waste food is as bad as the waste of munition.

4. Save especially on all things which have to be imported: food and drink of all kinds, tobacco, petrol, rubber, etc..

5. Use home products whereever possible, and be careful even with these.

6. Before you spend anything, think whether it is necessary.

7. If you possibly can, grow your own vegetables.

- Parliamentary War Savings Committee leaflet.

30/12/1915 Hull Daily Mail

RIGHT

WAR CIRCUS NEWS: Reporting on all fronts! 1915

MBER: GENERAL JOFFRE APPOINTED C. IN C. OF THE FRENCH ARMIES: U.S.A. ASKS FOR RECALL OF CAPT. BOY-ED AND CAPT. VON PAPEN, GERMAN ATTACHÉS AT WASHINGTON. 4 DECEMBER: MR. HENRY FORD’S “PEACE SHIP” SAILS FROM NEW

YORK. 12 DECEMBER: DERBY RECRUITING CAMPAIGN CLOSES. 15 DECEMBER: SIR DOUGLAS HAIG APPOINTED TO COMMAND BRITISH ARMY IN FRANCE.

19 DECEMBER: TROOPS, STORES, AND GUNS WITHDRAWN FROM ANZAC AND SUVLA BAY. 21 DECEMBER: SIR WILLIAM ROBERTSON APPOINTED CHIEF OF THE IMPERIAL STAFF.

43 22 DECEMBER: JAPANESE LINER YASAKA MARN SUNK BY GERMAN SUBMARINE WITHOUT WARNING. 31 DECEMBER: SIR JOHN SIMON RESIGNS HOME SECRETARYSHIP, DECLINING TO SUPPORT COMPULSORY SERVICE.

charge at Loos on September 25th, this being the second time he has been wounded. He had a very rough time of it and was wounded in the back and both legs, but we are pleased to say he is improving rapidly. He has had the misfortune to lose his brother, who was a motor driver and met his death in France. He would be pleased to hear from any old pals and his address is Rifleman John Burns, No. 12147, K.R.R.C., Military Hospital, Hillsborough Barracks, Sheffield.

no power to rescind the order. Mr Brain ( solicitor) said the question of appeal was being considered.”

27/11/1915 The World’s Fair

11/12/1915 Burnley Express

6 /12/1915, Coventry Evening Telegraph

The late Mrs Culeen.

The death on Thursday of Mrs. Culeen proprietress of the Gaiety Theatre, Nurnley, and widow of the late Mr. Thomas Culeen, circus and theatre owner, recalls many interesting reminscenes ……

THE WAVERLEY MARKET CARNIVAL.

ARTHUR FEELY. Arthur Feely, has left Bostock & Wombwell’s Menagerie, his work is mainly with elephants, to join the Royal Army Medical Corps. Arthur comes from a long line of acrobats, the Feely/Feeley family, who were with Sanger’s dating all they way back to the Astley Circus. His wife Kate Daniels was also with Bostock & Wombwell’s Giganitc Combination Menagerie in 1914.

Arthur Feely, with Jennie, one of Bostock’s Elephants c.1905 Photo: Geoff Younger

December 1915

Family: Geoff Younger

NEWS FROM TYRWHITTDRAKE, MENAGERIST WORLD’S FAIR AT ISLINGTON. Mr T. E. Read, lessee of the Agricultural Hall, Islington has asked me to supply a menagerie for the Christmas Fun Fair and Circus, this in place of E.H Bostock’s Menagerie, Robert Fossett is supplying the circus as usual. I have supplied ten wagon cages each 15 feet to 20 feet long full of animals, besides monkeys and camels &c. I hired traction engines and lorries to haul them. I am working as head keeper myself assisted by young and inexperienced would-be animal keepers. Islington is quite rough, but for an admission starting at sixpence the public can enter the Hall, enjoy one and a half to two hours of circus, and the menagerie. This is a funny season altogether as we have had frequent and exciting raids by sergeants and police rounding up Army dodgers. Still the British people are sports when they are “had” at the side shows, instead of abusing the proprietor or trying to break up the “joint” they laugh heartily and advise their friends to go in and see the wonderful show, getting some of their monies worth by laughing at them when they come out! Inspired by the papers being full of the doings of the Kaiser & Crown Prince and new side show has popped up “Come and See Big and Little Willies”, Inside was a very large and forlorn Spanish Donkey and an equally miserablelooking Irish one.

I am living in the hall and my living wagon is close up against the beast waggons. It is a delight to many friends and a few of the nobility, to entertain with cocktails in a wagon.

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: T-D G (1 & 3)

BOSTOCK’S ROYAL ITALIAN CIRCUS TOUR NEWS. Douglas Bostock reports: Father had instructed me to break up the circus as we were not able to get permission to go to Australia. As freight was too expensive, to ship the circus back to England, he instructed me to sell the stock and paraphernalia, but there is no use of them. Then I was to send the artistes home, but they all hold contracts for the season and did not want to go, we were at deadlock, all the while loosing money. I then proposed to father that we go to India and I asked him to finance the circus. I found a boat that could get us from Durban to Bombay for £1800, Father sanctioned the idea and we spent two weeks in Durban , then 9 days before embarkation, but the ship was commandeered by the Admiralty. Father told me to seek another steamer from Durban to any port. Eventually I found a Japanese vessel to convey us from East London to Calcutta. In the meantime the advance agent in India was experiencing great difficulty in securing a site to erect tents as these sites need to be applied for months in advance and only 2 circuses can go to a site near big cities in a year. So it was best to perform in theatres instead and be ready for Christmas.

The difficulty now was that the agent in India did not know about all the developments in Durban. He managed against all obstacles and we opened in Calcutta the day after we arrived and the show is drawing enormous crowds.

I’m sorry to say that this has not been good for the two circuses who are already here, we do not want to see businesses of our own people close up, but we simply have had no choice but to go to the place the steamer brought us.

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: B EH

CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR SHOWLAND’S SOLDIERS. It has been suggested to us that our boys who have joined the Army would appreciate a small gift of cigarettes, etc., from the whole of Showland, and we have the pleasure in putting our columns at the disposal of such a worthy object. Any amount sent to us will be expended to the full on cigarettes, chocolates, etc., and no expenses whatever will be charged by us. Cigarettes and tobacco will be ordered direct from the leading merchants, so all duty will be saved and full value of any monies will be received. As the time is short we hope our readers will act promptly.

4/12/1915 The World’s Fair

BELGIAN CIRCUS OWNER’S LOVE FOR HIS HORSE. A horse which saved its owners life during the German invasion of Belgium was the subject of an application to the Reading magistrates on Saturday. Jean Sosman had been fined for working a horse in the music-hall while it was incurably lame, and the court has ordered the destruction of the animal.

Mr. Sydney Brain, solicitor, applying to the court to rescind that order said “Mr Sosman was a circus proprietor, being “the Sanger of Belgium”. At the beginning of the war the Germans burnt down his theatre at Namur, seized all his horses, numbering 68, and shot all his stock which was of no military value. Sosman himself escaped, taking flight on the back of the horse which was the subject of the present case. Thanks to his faithful friend, he reached Ostend, and therefore he owed a debt of gratitude to the horse, which he had tended and trained since it’s birth and which he viewed with singular affection.

Witnesses were ready to swear that the horse did not suffer.

The magistrates said that while sympathizing with Sosman, they has

“Bonnie Scotland”, as Mr F.A. Lovely has styled the forthcoming Carnival in the Waverley Market, will be opened on Monday week, the 20th.

Mr Edward Forde, the scenic artist, has designed a pretty scheme of decoration, in which picturesque Scottish scenery strikes the dominant note. That will be a welcome variation from the familiar Eastern settings.

Mr Lumley has engaged an exceedingly interesting list of artistes for the stage performances, while the incidental shows will contain quite a number of attractive novelties. Among the former there will be Captain Fred Woodward with his trained sea lions and seals, Miss Marquis and her wonderful trained ponies, Seener’s Imperial Russian troupe of singers and dancers, and other excellent acrobatics, juggling, comedy cycling, dancing, and comedy work.

The outstanding show Amanda "incidentals" will be a Serbian native encampment. There are 17 members of the troupe, and they will travel to Edinburgh from London in their 45 caravans with a strange collection of performing animals. While the Serbian gypsy circus has been “on the road,” one of the boys 15 has fallen in love with a girl of 16 and they are to be married after their arrival in Edinburgh with all the mysterious rights of their sect. The circus includes dancing bears and some almost human monkeys.

The other curiosities in the Carnival comprise the smallest married couple in the world, a lady who walks through a solid wall, the champion fat boy, a handcuff expert, and cowboys and hunters in their sports. Mons, Meny’s Royal Belgian Band has been engaged by Mr Lumley.

11/12/1915 Edinburgh Evening News

FRANK FOSTER NEWS. For the winter season, Herbert Sanger, Jimmie Freeman and I travelled to Glasgow to Hengler’s Circus. The journey was a nightmare of twenty-five hours from Horley.

With three frightened ladies: the elephants were 4 tonnes apiece, their swaying and shifting about caused the shackles to loosen and caused the truck to lurch and rock. We were desperately scared of being squashed to death and constantly dodging their flailing trunks.

WAR CIRCUS NEWS: Reporting on all fronts! 1915

44

LEFT

EST. 70,000 BRITISH SHOWMEN JOINED-UP We do not have figures for the proportion of these who are from the Circuses.

intended for British subjects interned at Ruhleben should in future be consigned either to the United States Ambassador at Berlin or to Mr Powell, Captain of the camp. The dispatch of goods in bulk to any other persons cannot be permitted.

It continues to be my responsibility to get the elephants to and from Sauchiehall Street. All obstacles encountered, ramps, narrow passages were surmounted, until we got to the sinking ring, which when the leading elephant, Annie, placed a foot on it, it vibrated which resulted in all manner of cajoling.

My job is to be a Red Indian, as I could swim. The water spectacle this season is “Silver Falls”. I have to take a header from the a side piece high over the lake and swim in the water in the ring. But the real thrill is when the a bridge collapses as riders and horses clip-clip and thunder across. And at every performance a horse slipped and did a backwards slide into the water, the audience thought that they had seen a nasty accident. The rest of the horses jumped in to cross. They were expert divers.

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: F F

THE DARKENED SHOWGROUND OF WAR-TIME. ____

BIG INDUSTRY HIT BUT REMAINS OPTIMISTIC. The travelling showmen of the circuses, menageries, and the roundabouts if the fairground, are suffering form war-time conditions, like many other industries. They have suffered more than most people financially.

The advent if the war on August 4th, 1914, broke right into the showman's best month, when the principal fairs, feasts, and wakes throughout the country were in full swing.

In normal times, the working staff are composed as the three-fourths of men who are Army and Naval Reservists.

Consequently in August, 1914, away went those men to another showBritain's show against the oppression of the Huns. This exodus at the height of the season, caused serious inconvenience. Since then, millions of the young men of Britain have responded to their country's call, and, incidentally, also left this fairground, not as showmen, but as customers of the fair. Consequently the receipts have fallen alarmingly.

The showmen's transport by rail was completely cut off, the Government taking control of the railways. One well-known North-Country firm which has a branch in Leeds requires four specials each week in normal times to convey its plant from one town to anther. So it will be seen that Organisation became chaotic. The stringent lighting restrictions had to be obeyed, bringing lights down to a point consistent with safety.

It is computed that there are upwards of 70,000 persons connected and concerned with obtaining a livelihood with the travelling shows and other devises appertaining to the fairground. A leading showman estimates that upwards of one million sterling are invested into the business.

Numbers of other industries derive some sustenance from it - those concerned with the supply of traction

22 /12/1915 Newcastle Journal

DEATH OF “PROVO” WORLD-FAMOUS JUGGLER. ____

PASSED AWAY IN SOUTH AFRICA.

German Zeppelins have been raiding southern England and London. engines, electrical generators, and kindred accessories. The musical instruments that have developed from the now obsolete hurdy-gurdy at £50 to the mammoth orchestra which reaches high-water mark in the price at about £1,400, playing 112 keys, mostly come from our Allies in France and Italy.

Lord Derby's appeal did not fall on deaf ears at the fairgrounds. Almost every man if military age has enlisted.

Two D.C.M.'s have been won by showmen - by sergeant R. Dailey, of Bradford, and Private J. Ward, of the Manchester Regiment.

That showmen are loyal and dutiful subjects of the King has been show in many ways. The presentation, for instance, to King George of a pair of beautiful cream ponies with a Phaeton, for the use of the Royal children, by the aged Lord George Sanger, in the name and behalf of the profession: £2,075 was collected by the showmen towards the Prince of Wales Fund. Now a strong committee of well known showmen, including amongst other names, Messrs. Sanger, Bostock, Thornley, Murphy, Ingram, P. Collins, Marshall, etc., is now engaged, under the chairmanship of Mr. G. Campbell.

Leeds, in making arrangements for a "Showman Day" throughout Great Britain when the circus and menagerie, the roundabouts and the smaller fry will once again prove their patriotism by raising a fund for the purchasing of ambulances.

The Stallholder's Association, kindred of the showmen, have passed a resolution that in future no goods shall be purchased or displayed in the fairgrounds bearing an enemy trade mark. And despite the hurt to their trade there is optimism. "No, gov'nor," said one of them, "we ain't downhearted even if there is only the old people and the little children left for us to cheer up. But wait to Peace Day! You'll see something if we are all spared, when the clown will kiss the ringmaster, the lions gambol with the lambs, the monkey's chatter in Esperanto what to do with 'Kaiser Bill' and the fat lady will wear a smile bigger than her bulk in radiance.

That'll be the time gov'nor. What a Day! What a Day!!"

11/12/1915 Liverpool Echo & 14/4/1916 Yorkshire Evening Post

SHOWMEN’S PAINTER’S DEATH. ____

THE LATE MR. THOMAS TAYLOR. At the little town of Amesbury, Wilts, in the centre of the military activity of Salisbury Plain, the death occurred on Saturday, December 4th, of Thomas Taylor, at the age of 38 years. He had carried on the trade of decorator and painter to the show world. Of late years he had been in failing health and was a great sufferer.

He was laid to rest in Amesbury Cemetery amid every token of the respect and esteem in which he was held by his numerous friends in the town. The service in the church and at the graveside was conducted by the Vicar, who is a chaplain of the Guild.

There passed away recently at the Johannesburg Hospital the erstwhile world-famous circus and music-hall artist, know in the profession as “Provo.” The deceased, who toured the world, had the reputation of being one of the greatest jugglers ever seen — only perchance being excelled by Cinquevalli. He was also an adept in the legerdemain and shadowgraph arts. He toured South Africa with Frank Fillis, Pagal’s and Wilson’s Hippodromes. Unfortunately of late he had very indifferent health, and had to refuse many engagements.

25/12/1915 The World’s Fair

WHO’S WHO QUIZ?

18/12/1915 World’s Fair

NICOLAI POLIAKOFF CHILD SIBERIAN SOLDIER NEWS. War is clouded with tears of grief and horror. I am crouching at the bottom of a trench and crying heavily. All around me the very earth is dissolving in smoke and fire. This is the true face of war - the game has changed.

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: Coco

INTERNED BRITISHERS AT RUHLEBEN. ____

NOTICE AS TO THE DISPATCH OF PARCELS. Press bureau, Tuesday, 7:45 PM Notice is given by his Majesty’s Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs that clothes, food, tobacco, etc.,

1 - KING OF SERBIA? 2 - GENERAL VON HINDENBURG? 3 - COUNT ZEPPELIN?

1,2,3 REDRO OHW S’OHW

45

Circus News From Across The Globe.

WAR CIRCUS NEWS Reporting on all fronts!

1916

www.labonche.net @labonche

GALIPOLI: TROOPS TO BE EVACUATED 1 JANUARY: PRINCE OF WALES (AGE 21) APPOINTED CHAIRMAN OF WAR PENSION COMMITTEE; KING OF SERBIA ARRIVES AT SALONIKA. 5 JANUARY: MR. ASQUITH

INTRODUCES MILITARY SERVICE BILL IN COMMONS. 8 JANUARY: GALLIPOLI PENINSULA COMPLETELY EVACUATED. 10 JANUARY: SIR PERCY LAKE

TAKES OVER COMMAND OF MESOPOTAMIAN FORCE. 13 JANUARY: AUSTRIANS CAPTURE CETTINJE. 14 JANUARY: VICEROY OF INDIA,

January 1916

EUGEN SANDOW NEWS. There have been rumors that I have been shot as a German spy at the Tower. My solicitor, Mr Guildford Lewis, has helped me and my wife to issue a statement to rebut these slanders. He can attest that I have not been shot and Mrs Sandow has not been imprisoned. I would like to state that I am a naturalized British subject. I appeal to your readers to assist me in dispelling this cruel rumour and to trace it to it’s origin. It is all very distressing to my family.

PTE. D. QUINN. Private D. Quinn, 15230, No 4 Co., 3rd Batt, Coldstream Guards, 1st Guards Division, B.E.F. Writes: " I now take great pleasure in writing a few lines. Being a showman most of my life and depending on same for my livelihood, I thought you would welcome a few lines from me. ... I was in the trenches when I received your (World's Fair) world-wide journal, and it greatly helped me to pass a couple of weary hours away. Whilst I was reading about some of my friends .. I fancied that I was back in tober when suddenly our old friend "Hock" obliged with a "Wizz Bang," scattering your humble and a couple of my pals, in all directions. Whilst I was with "Texas Bill" appearing on the halls with his show, I had many a time had my life in peril, what with having thousands of bullets pass within a fraction of an inch of my nose and head, and having apples sliced on my throat with swords, and being impaled with knives and Indian tomahawks, but I can say with honesty that I have been one nearer than that.

It happened like this. Whilst I was on look-out in the trenches I heard a very curious rumbling sound, and on looking over the parapet I suddenly discovered the earth going skywards.

Having been in the trenches only for a short time I could not quite make out what had happened, and it left me quite dumbstruck. My comrades having more experience than me knew exactly what happened, and were actually laughing at me. When I found out later what happened I could not help but laugh myself, as it was really too funny for words. What actually happened was our old friend "Hock" had exploded a mine, as he thought under our trenches, but in reality he was fully twenty yards short and he did more damage to his trenches. It was certainly a unique experience for me, and a very trying one whilst it lasted, but happily it ended in a complete failure, leaving me "smiling as usual" which has been my motto since I came out to this country."

1/1/1916 World’s Fair

LORD CHELMSFORD, FAVOURS INDIAN EMANCIPATION. 16 JANUARY: CAPTAIN VON PAPEN PROVED GUILTY OF CREATING TROUBLE IN U.S. MUNITION WORKS.

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: W D

THE TRUTH ABOUT SPYS AND THE TOWER. 8 Jan: Gallipoli peninsula completely excavated, British troops & their artillery guns being evacuated. © IWM Q13637

SOLDIERS FROM SHOWLAND. ____

A STIRRING ARTICLE FROM FRANCE. (BY LEN B. GARNER) It is remarkable how many men I met there in some way or other connected with the fair business, during my seven months I have been on active service in France. .... Is it luck or a matter of chance? ... No; it is neither luck nor chance. There is only one thing for it. It just shows you how splendidly and handsomely our fellows have answered the country's call; how ready they have been to rally round the old flag in time of need.

They are doing gallant work and doing it well without a doubt. They are taking their corner in this titanic struggle along with the rest, without even flinching a muscle. Every day they are doing great deeds. Deeds that make heroes of men, not only out here in France and Flanders, but at the Dardanelles, in Egypt, in Serbia, and last but not least they are helping in the struggle against the Turks for Baghdad. One ought to be proud, very proud indeed, of the splendid response our fellows have made to help to bring the Mad Dog of Europe to book.

1/1/1916 World’s Fair

NEWS FROM AMERICA. Philadelphia, Dec. 25. Frank P. Spellman announces that the Spellman Indoor Circus will re-open in Convention Hall in this city immediately after the Auto Show, which starts January 8. The opening had to be postponed owing to the fact that the contract for the new heating plant for Convention Hall was delayed, due to rush of war orders.

Mr. Spellman says he will produce a tremendous circus here, using nearly three hundred head of Doctor Martin J. Potter's horses, which were formerly used in the New York Hippodrome.

1/1/1916 Billboard

SANDOW KILLED AS SPY. Sandow Reported Killed. A special dispatch from Los Angeles, Cal., states that Eugene Sandow, the strong man, was executed, last June (1915), in the Tower of London, as a German spy.

Sandow was well known on this side, having played all the principal vaudeville houses as well as appearing at the head of his own companies.

1/1/1916 New York Clipper

All German Spies tried and sentenced under the various Defense of the Realm regulations are held and will be executed by firing squad at the Tower of London. The executions take place at the miniature rifle range, or occasionally in the Tower's ditch.

War Circus Editors Note

OUR SOLDIER BOYS. Private Bob Marshall writes:"Another Christmas has come and gone, and I hope that you have all enjoyed yourselves very much indeed, thanks to the splendid efforts of our officers and N.C.O.s who did everything that was humanly possible to make the Christmas for the troops as homely and as enjoyable as possible, and every man made full use of the privileges that were granted, and what is most praise-worthy no man abused them. We had plenty of rain, but neither that nor the distant thundering of the guns succeeded in killing the Christmas spirit. And all things considered we had a real good time. One of our chaps who is "some gun" at home, gave a tea-party to about 100 of the poorest kiddies in the village where we are, on Boxing Day, and it was a great success, and they enjoyed themselves very much - at least they made noise enough and looked happy enough, but my French was not good enough to sort out the babel of sounds, and framing it into anything intelligible, flattering or

46

WAR CIRCUS NEWS: Reporting on all fronts! 1916

23 JANUARY: MILITARY SERVICE BILL PASSES THIRD READING. 27 JANUARY: U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISH A NOTE STRONGLY PROTESTING AGAINST BRITISH

SEARCH OF MAILS FOR CONTRABAND. 31 JANUARY: RAID BY 6 OR 7 ZEPPELINS OVER MIDLANDS.

otherwise, so we have to leave it at that. We had an impromptu concert at night when all available talent was present, to make it an enjoyable evening. Officers and men did their bit." ___

enjoying privileges that Showland has fought hard for. We appeal to them to toe the line and do their duty. If they cannot assist with work they can with financial support and we hope to hear of any alteration for the better in the near future.

Pte G. Wigg, who has only recently joined. He writes to " ... You remember reading in the Mail about food waste. I am d____ unlucky. I backed a loser. We don't get enough to waste; in fact I could eat the cook on top of my rations. Don't think that I am grumbling. I'm in a really decent crush. Rough and ready boys.

Wednesday: Turn out of bed 6-15, parade at 7; a four mile run in the country to get an appetite for breakfast -6oz. bread, margarine ad lib., 1 sardine between four. After breakfast a four hours chase round the barracks, then dinner. After we had dined they gave us a change, took us to the gymnasium and tried to make us turn somersaults, walk on head and stand on our elbows. I shall soon be a novelty freak. Well I'm feeling well and fit, but to cap the lot on Saturday they "paid" me. I got 3s., less 6d for washing, and have to buy soap, blacking, and metal polish, so you can bet I was like a multi-millionaire."

8/1/1916 The World’s Fair

ALL THE SOLDIERS WANT TATTOOING. One of the results of the Great War has been the revival of the ancient art of tattooing and our photograph shows Professor Pat Kilbride, one of the foremost followers of this art at work in the Agricultural Hall, Islington.

Professor Pat Kilbride is the artiste who is responsible for the clever designs on Miss Queenie Morris, the Irish tattooed queen. Pat has had a busy time at the Agricultural Hall, as the famous place is the acknowledged rendezvous of the "Tommies". By a strange coincidence the soldier whom Pat is at work upon is a West of England showman.

13/1/1916 The World’s Fair

AMERICAN WAR TAX AFFECTS BIG SHOWS. “A special tax for a circus will not cover any side show in connection with the circus for admission to which a price is charged additional to the cost of the circus ticket. A separate special tax stamp must be taken out for each such side show.”

19/1/1916 New York Clipper

CIRCUS PROPRIETOR'S DEATH. ____

AMERICAN WAR TAX. one. ... You know you are on active service; yes very active, you get up after you have laid down. After then your day's work starts. As soon as you open your eyes you start killing - yes, killing - and God help the man without fingernails. Then you stop for somebody seems to be sending you some load over. You look about to see if anybody has stopped any, then you start killing again, only to be stopped by a sergeant shouting, "Fall in; the rations party" ; then you put your shirt on and fall in, still feeling a bit uncomfortable and off you go for rations with shells and bullets flying all about you. It is a surprising thing but it is true, that the bigger danger you are in the more you smoke, and I have noticed that as soon as one of the boys gets hit the first thing he's asks for is a smoke, and then they will look as contented as if they were in heaven.

I know when I got mine I stuck my pipe in my mouth and started pulling away for all I was worth and I didn't seem to know that I hadn't put a light to it. You know you do forget things sometimes. I wonder what sort of year my pals of the road have had. I hope they have made ends meet..... "

LEFT

1 FEBRUARY: BRITISH LINER, APPAM, CAPTURED BY ARMED GERMAN LINER MOEWE AND TAKE

BY PRIZE CREW TO NORFOLK, VA. 4 FEBRUARY: ZEPPELIN L19 DESTROYED IN NORTH SEA

THE LATE MADAM PATTISON.

We are sorry to report the recent death of the Worlds Heaviest Woman.

29/1/1916 World’s Fair Photo reproduced by kind permission of The World's Fair Ltd.

February 1916

22/1/1916 The World’s Fair

THE LATE WILLIAM PINDER. We regret to have to record the death of Mr. William Pinder, circus proprietor, who passed away at Rotherhithe, London, on Friday last, at the age of 88. The deceased was laid to rest in Norwood Cemetery on Thursday.

22/1/1916 The World’s Fair

DEATH OF MR. AL RINGLING ____

ELDEST OF THE FAMOUS RINGLING BROS.

The death took place on New Year's Day, at his residence in Baraloo, America, at the age of 63, of Mr. Al. Ringling, the eldest of the five famous Ringling Bros. of circus fame. The deceased had been ill for some time CIRCUS PEOPLE ALOOF? and his death was not unexpected, but it has naturally been received with all through American The question of many circus people regret holding aloof from the Showman's Showland.

22/1/1916 The World’s Fair Guild was again mentioned at the annual meeting of the Showman's Guild in Manchester, on Wednesday. It is a matter for great regret that these people who are numerous do not OUR SOLDIER BOYS. provide their fair share of the financial burden that has to be borne. With the Private R. Dewhurst who is now in exception of one or two the members of this time-honoured profession are B4 Ward, Cot 8, Whitworth Street not members of the Showmen's Military Hospital, Manchester writes:Society and they are in the happy "I'm glad to say I am in "Blighty" position of reaping all the benefits that once more having got my pass through others work hard to pay for. It is to us my leg on November 27th after being very strange as the majority are good- dodging for 18 weeks. I have had a bit natured people and we feel that it is in of luck as out on the Peninsula you are part thoughtlessness on their part. In always under shell fire but you get the season they have vast numbers of used to it and keep looking at the loads on the road and they are hospital ships and wondering how long you will be before you get on

SEDGWICK'S ELEPHANT IS DOING HIS BIT. ____

£8,000 A YEAR FROM A CIRCUS. Mrs. Phineas T. Barnum, whose husband founded the famous circus that for years bore his name, is now the Baroness d'Alexandre Orengiani.

She is living in Paris where she enjoys an income of £8,000 a year from the estate of her husband. ____ A party of 300 soldiers were entertained by Lord Dean of Guild Reid in Springburn Public Hall, Glasgow. Tea was served, and attractive entertainment was given by the artistes of Hengler’s Circus.

26/1/1916 Daily Record

NOVEL "DILUTION OF LABOUR" AT SHEFFIELD. There is such a great dearth of carting facilities in Sheffield that one of the big firms has pressed Sedgwick's elephant into service, and last week it was seen striding along with ease drawing a load of iron to a munition works. The weight of the load was equal to that usually allowed to three horses.

Some passing horses were startled by this unexpected "dilution" of their labour, and sniffed and shied as the elephant passed.

5/2/1916 The World’s Fair

13/1/1916 The World’s Fair

MERCIA WAMBA NEWS, CHILD ARTISTE. Since the beginning of January we have been at the Worlds’ Fair, in the Agricultural Hall in Islington, it is full of all sorts of amusements, and there Bostock and Wombwell’s menagerie here too. Father and Uncle Harry used to perform with Bostock’s when they were the Brother’s Wamba, and Uncle Harry has been their Musical Director too. So we met up with lots of people we know. Father has now added another noisy part to our repertoire :“Sensational Demon Bagpipers!”

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: D, C

JOHNNY QUINN. Johnny Quinn, formerly known as Ireland's famous talking and singing clown, and now of the Munster Fusiliers, whose letter has evidently been delayed, writes form No. 28 General Hospital:- " I should be pleased if you would let the boys know that I am still in the land of the living. ... It is good to know that I am doing my little bit to keep the wheels going around. I hope that old Buff Bill and Duffy are still in Ireland. I think a circus would do well out here, especially as a cannon ball catcher.

Where is old Fred Lewis that he is not running a show here? Still I wish everyone a good season. Hoping the war will be over so as to get back travelling again. We are using one of Melor's lamps here. I am leaving the hospital soon all right again. They are splendid hospitals here.

5/2/1916 The World’s Fair

RIGHT

WAR CIRCUS NEWS: Reporting on all fronts! 1916

6 FEBRUARY: GERMAN RESERVOIRS OF ASPHYXIATING GAS AT NAVARIN DESTROYED BY FRENCH SHELLS. 8 FEBRUARY; FRENCH CRUISER AMIRAL CHARNER TORPEDOED.

CHARLES HARCOURT. Mr Charles W. Harcourt, the chief resident electrician of the Woolwich Hippodrome, is the inventor of a new gun-sight for use on anti-aircraft guns.

Advantage of this instrument enables the gunners to instantly find the correct ranges from the Zeppelin or aeroplane, giving its actual distance away, also the speed at which it is travelling. This knowledge enables the shell fuse to be set at the correct bursting-point.

The aircraft authorities have the matter in hand.

Mr. Harcourt has had considerable experience in aircraft, being at one time on this work at Hendon.

9/2/1916 The Era

A free canteen for soldiers has been inaugurated at Queen Street Station, Glasgow, and the promoters are in urgent need of funds to put the scheme on a sound financial basis. Hengler’s Circus at once offered a special matinee for the purpose, and this duly took place on Monday of last week, the amount handed over to the canteen fund being £184 12s.

9/2/1916 The Era

READERS PLEASE NOTE. Owing to the National need for economy in the use of paper it is advisable for you to place an order in advance with a newsagent so that you may be certain to obtain your copy of “The Era.” Any newsagent in the country will supply you early on Wednesday morning if you order in advance.

Or “The Era” will be posted to you weekly for three months for 2/9, payable in advance with your order sent to The Publisher, 5,Tavistock Street, Strand, London, W.C. 9/2/1916 The Era

9 FEBRUARY: GENERAL SMUTS APPOINTED TO EAST AFRICAN COMMAND. 10 FEBRUARY: MILITARY SERVICE ACT COMES INTO FORCE.

one and quite takes the house by storm. The entertainment of this talented company is one of the best of its kind we have yet seen, and it’s well worth patronising. “Learning to Ride a Horse” featured by Poppy Ginnett and Co., when a good deal of humour is associated by the antics of the lady who is receiving her first riding lesson.

A delightful musical entertainment is given by Violet Parry, in which many instruments are introduced, all played with very best effect. Alec Shaw, in a series of clever imitations of birds, beasts, etc., is another of the artistes who is very popular, his entertainment exhibiting a versatility which the audience fully appreciates. The Scotch comedy couple J.D.Maclean and Jesse Mac, in “The Gamekeeper” are well received, the popular song, “When the Boys Come Marching Home”, being a great favourite. contributions to the program by Fow Davis, a young comedienne of great promise; and the bioscope, with an amusing comedy picture, compete in the evenings proceedings – A good couple of hours of genuine Vaudeville entertainment.

16 FEBRUARY: RUSSIAN ARMY CAPTURES FORTRESS OF ERZEROUM. 18 FEBRUARY: CAMEROONS CAMPAIGN COMPLETED. 19 FEBRUARY: GENERAL KUROPATKIN

"SEQUAH" A STRANGE PERSONALITY. In more normal times the death of Mr. William Henry Hartley, event though he passed away penniless and friendless in a hospital in Johannesburg, would have called for a great deal more comment. For the was none other than "Sequah" the last of the race of quacks. &c.

19/2/1916 The World’s Fair

THE HIPPODROME.

The management are living well up to the true definition of “Theatre of the Varieties.” Following on this weeks most delightful of reviews, they are presenting next week, a fine variety programme. Vera Wootten, the celebrated chorous comedienne, is sure of a welcome. Another interesting engagement is that of Ada, our English sharpshooter. This clever little lady has taught over 3000 other 10/2/1916 Hamilton Advertiser “boys” her a method of shooting. Ada, it will be remembered by many people, was the first English girl to make her escape out of Germany after being interned in Berlin for three A FAMOUS HORSE. weeks. Miss Maggie Clifton and her partner will thrill the Derby audiences BATTLEFIELD BESS. as they have done in nearly all the principal towns of the United "Battlefield Bess" is one of the four Kingdom in her novel equilibrist surviving heroic horses from the gymnastic act.

The Derby Daily Telegraph Battle of Mons, and is now touring Note Think this is26/2/1916 Ada Ohmy under the direction of Mr. J. D. Bate, the genial agent and side show proprietor. The horse is covered with scars and marks from bullets and NEWS FROM E.H. shrapnel, and was in a terribly nervous state when first obtained by BOSTOCK. Lady Angela Gavine who is seen in the animal's back in one of their poses, A casualty of the leap year? I regret together with the beautiful St. to say that The Paisley Hippodrome Bernard dog.

12/2/1916 The World’s Fair caught fire about an hour after closing time and I do not have it adequately insured.

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: B EH

ILLUSIONS. THE HAMILTON HIPPODROME. This week’s company at the Hamilton Hippodrome is a good one in many respects, several of the turns presenting new features which make the program all the more interesting. topping the bill is Lockhart’s famous elephants, which have been trained by Captain Taylor, and whose performance is certainly a marvellous one. Three in number these animals exhibit intelligence, if one might say so, which is surprising indeed. Every act is performed with that little prompting. And these comprise a very varied selection – mostly of the circus type – which the trainer must have been at great pains in perfecting in them. One of the best turns on the program is presented by Hayley’s Komets, a juvenile company of singers and dancers who appear in “The Garden Revue” the chorus singing is grand, and so are the solos rendered by one or two of them, while their patriotic spectacular finish exhilarates

The action against an exhibition of the illusion shows to what depth the police will, at times, go to get a conviction and if actions such as this are to be taken every illusionist and conjurer in the land will be subject to prosecution.

The remark of the Mayor in reference to the exhibitor saying the girl came from the Philippine Islands was surely an example of innocence abroad. Who, amongst showmen, has not told the tale in this fashion, and who among the people would not laugh and enjoy the joke. We are afraid that justice in Gateshead has gone back to the dark ages, and anyone visiting the town in future will have to be very careful, or, if a man says he is going along High Street and turns down another street he may be summonsed for intent to cheat and defraud the one who asks the question. &c.

12/2/1916 The World’s Fair

MUSIC HALL AND CIRCUS ARTISTES INTERNED IN GERMANY ____

"THORA" RETURNS HOME AFTER 13 MONTHS. Many of my readers particularly the elder of them, will doubtless remember Thora, who, as far back as 1889 and for many years since then, toured the principal halls in the kingdom with a remarkably clever ladder-balancing act. In later years Thora - who, of course, must not be confused with Thora, the ventriloquist - has been devoting his time to animal training, a business at which he has achieved considerable success, particularly with the training of chimpanzees ( says a writer of the "Liverpool Post" ) He trained principally for the late Mr. Frank Bostock, for whom, he toured this country and America with the "almost human" "Consul the

47 APPOINTED C. IN C. OF RUSSIAN ARMIES ON NORTHERN FRONT. 21 FEBRUARY: ZEPPELIN L77 BROUGH DOWN BY FRENCH GUNNERS.

Great." On the death of Mr. Frank Bostock he took up an engagement with Julius Seeth, a well-known Continental menagerie proprietor, with offices at Frankfort-on-Main, Germany, where he trained and performed chimpanzees for Mr. Seeth.

At the time war broke out he was playing the Circus Schuman, Frankfurt and was interned together with other British subjects in the Ruhleben Camp. Ruhleben is one of the principal racecourses of Germany, and the accommodation offered to the prisoners consisted of horseboxes.

Now, after thirteen months or more in Ruhleben, the authorities have discovered that he is over military age, and have therefore, granted his release. When I met him the other day in Leicester Square, the hardy Yorkshireman, despite his fifty-one years, was not looking at all in bad condition.

Of course, he has in the meantime paid a visit to his home and recuperated his health to a certain extent. He tells me that in addition to a number of artistes who are only known on the continent, there are still in Ruhleben several artistes known on this side, among whom are Alf. Jackson, of the troupe known as the Grecian Maids; the Brothers Stafford, Bert Bernard, of Karno's "Mumming Birds" Continental Company, John ..... , S (not legible) King and Cray; George Scott, the comic juggler; the Brothers Morris, Alf. Pearson, horse rider; and Claude Ohmy, of Ohmy's circus. Hackenshmidt, the Russian wrestler, according to Mr. Thora's information, is a prisoner in Berlin, but is allowed out in the streets on parole.

Mr. Thora, tells me a good story of what may justly be described as poetic justice. While the various "foreign" artistes were waiting for the internment camp to be prepared for them they were given a certain amount of liberty, subject of course to police supervision.

The manager of one of the principal music halls in Berlin was placed in a great deal of difficulty owing to native artistes he had engaged being called up for war. In order to "carry on" he was prepared to engage certain of the foreign artistes pending their internment and "bill them" as being Americans or of other neutral nationality, and had, in fact made preparations to do so.

This information somehow came to the knowledge of a German artiste, who has several times played this country, he threatened to make a "stir" about it, and get the hall boycotted.

The arrangements therefore were called off. Now here's where the " poetic justice" comes in.

Shortly after the German artiste who had raised objection set sail for America the ship was stopped when a little way out by one of our gun boats, brought to England, and the male passengers, including our objecting friend, are now interned in London.

Thora has not gone back to his old love, animal training, and is now "on the road," driving his own comfortable little caravan about with him, and animal trainer to E. H. Bostock, of Glasgow, having joined them at the completion of their engagement at World's Fair, Islington.

26/2/1916 The World’s Fair

WAR CIRCUS NEWS: Reporting on all fronts! 1916

48

22 FEBRUARY: LORD ROBERT CECIL APPOINTED MINISTER OF BLOCKADE. 24 FEBRUARY: GERMAN STEAMERS LYING IN THE TAGUS SINCE

OUTBREAK OF WAR SEIZED BY PORTUGAL. 5 MARCH:THREE ZEPPELINS RAID BRITAIN IN SNOWSTORM. 6 MARCH: GERMAN CARRY FORGES

AND SUCCESSFULLY ATTACK HILL 265.

7 MARCH: FRESNES, SOUTH OF VERDUN, TAKEN BY GERMANS. 8 MARCH: MR. HUGHES, AUSTRALIAN

March 1916 POODLES HANNEFORD NEWS. John Ringling came to see us in Spain, where our Royal Canadian Circus is performing for the 2015/16 season. We are going to go to the USA, we have been offered a contract with Barnum and Bailey for Easter 1917.

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: P N

A LECTURE ON TRAVELLING SHOWS. The charm of the travelling showman is very great to many people, and Mr. A. J. Fenwick, whose photo we give, has studied our people very closely. On Saturday last Mr Fenwick gave a lecture at the Pen and Pallette Club, Newcastle-up-Tyne, which proved very entertaining. A full report of the lecture will be found on page 13 of this issue.

The circus inaugurated for the amusement of the Allied troops at Salonica is held by in the open-air in an arena especially dug out and prepared by many willing workers. The officers in command attended the performance, and the result is really very clever and amused vast audiences of soldiers. Our picture shows the amphitheatre for the circus arranged in tiers. This is an official photograph issued by the Press Bureau (N.I. Ltd.) Text 1/3/1916 Nottingham Evening Post, Daily Record, Daily Mirror © IWM Q 31750

11/3/1916 The World’s Fair

PAOLO’S CIRCUS NEWS. Madame Paulo: Things are desperate, Frank has enlisted and before long was in France. His allowance is barely sufficient to keep the family going but I am managing.

The living wagon is pitched on Home Moor, for two years the family has lived there, existing from hand to mouth. In the winter wood was chopped and sold from door to door; or young Frank earns a few coppers performing acrobatics in the streets.

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: C-C R

Clowns “Shrapnel” & Strum ritz” at the Circus in Salonika arranged by The regiment de Marche d’Afrique. Feb 1916. © IWM Q 31752

CIRCUS PERFORMER TO SOLDIER. Tommy Bentley…

This is the right way and we hope to soon see reports of more of our lads being promoted. They are made of the right stuff and if they only put the energy into the work that they put into their own business they will soon get on. ____

the Tommies at Salonika and we could see the work of some of our readers in it. ____

DAMAGE SEVERAL THOUSAND.

Certainly a circus performance in the war zone is something of a novelty but from the description and photographs nothing was missing. ____

MR BOSTOCK’S GENEROSITY.

In one of the photos the performing horse is shown on a tub with the regulation dress and the clowns with The influx of showmen, circus people, the donkey and pig to assist them, and others into the Army is all for the were all made up.

11/3/1916 The World’s Fair good as they can turn their hands to all sorts of things, and in addition to work can attend well to any amusement that may be organised. ____ We were surprised and delighted to read last week that a circus performance had been organised by

LEFT

PREMIER, ATTENDS CABINET COUNCIL; GERMANY DECLARES WAR ON PORTUGAL. 13 MARCH: MOSHI OCCUPIED BY GENERAL SMUTS.

fire in any of my places. I would give a great deal to know how it originated.”

Among the artistes who have lost their property is Madame Margot, who states that her loss amounts to £300, and most of her property, which took seven years to collect, is irreplaceable. Hers is not insured. … Charles Grantley, eccentric comedian, has lost freshly written music and words of scenes, besides personal effects, whilst Bert Lloyd and his “What a Pal” Company have also lost their entire wardrobe in addition to which Mr. Lloyd has lost electrical effects and valuable properties valued at £50. Others are more or less affected by having dresses or music destroyed, and the Japanese acrobat has only lately started for himself.

Several of the artistes go to Mr. Bostock’s place at Hamilton next week.

The drums and effects belonging to Mr. Gunnel were valued at £20, and Mr. Dugald Strachan has lost his double bass fiddle valued at £40. The conductor, Mr J. Cartmell, had left his violin for the first time, and it and a library of music; he has lost £60.

11/3/1916 The World’s Fair

A. FENWICK LECTURE. Of course this lecture in Newcastle would not have been complete without a short history of the famous Billy Purvis, who, in his day, was Newcastle’s favourite showman.

Mr. Fenwick finished his lecture with a short resume of all that had been done by the show people for their country during the war, the number of men sent out, the loan of their traction engines, and the money subscribed to the different funds, especially to the Prince of Wales’ Fund.

The Chairman, in thanking Mr. Fenwick for his lecture, said he felt sure that all present would take very much more interest in travelling shows in the future. Mr. Williams then told some excellent stories and experiences relating to the life of the travelling showmen.

In conclusion, Mr. John Atkinson, a well-known Newcastle artiste , gave a few personal reminiscences when making life studies on the fair ground and at travelling menageries.

Fenwick Collection 1/3/1916 The World’s Fair

____

Mr Bostock, seen by a newspaper representative, expressed his deep regret at the losses sustained by the artistes and orchestra, but declared his intention to pay them, as well as his staff, their full remuneration for CIRCUS FAMILIES the current week. Naturally, Mr. Bostock is much concerned about the UNITED. destruction of the Hippodrome, and ___ he expressed his high appreciation of the support which the public had invariably accorded it. “I have, as you SANGER - OHMY know, a large number of ventures Two old and famous circus families throughout the United Kingdom, having been engaged in this business were united by an interesting for thirty-five years, and this is the marriage which took place quietly by first occasion on which I have had a special licence at Kirkham, on Monday afternoon.

WAR CIRCUS NEWS: Reporting on all fronts! 1916

RIGHT

14 MARCH: SOLLUM, EGYPTIAN FRONTIER POST, OCCUPIED BY BRITISH. 15 MARCH: AUSTRIA-HUNGARY DECLARES WAR ON PORTUGAL.

The bride was Miss Lilly Ohmy, daughter of "King Ohmy" (Mr. Joseph Smith), the well-known circus proprietor, whose home is at 40 Leicester Road, on the Raikes Hall Estate, Blackpool. The bride is also sister of Mrs. Griffiths, the widow of the late Mr. Griffiths, whom the public will remember as the popular Tower Circus clown, "September."

The bridegroom was Mr. John Sanger, son of "Lord" John Sanger, and grand son of the famous "Lord" John Sanger, whose gigantic travelling circus is so well known in every part of the country.

Miss Aida Ohmy, sister of the bride, was the bridesmaid.

A reception was afterwards held at 40, Leicester Road, and later in the day Mr. and Mrs. Sanger left for Liverpool and London, on their honeymoon. Mr Claude Ohmy, a brother of the bride, and clever bare-back rider in the ring, was in Germany when war broke out and is still interned there.

11/3/1916 The World’s Fair

TENT FOR WAR HORSES. ____

MR. GINNETT'S OFFER ACCEPTED BY A COLONEL. The offer to the War Office by Mr. F. Ginnett, circus proprietor, horse trainer, and tamer of East Finchley, of a warm and waterproof tent large enough to hold 200 horses has been promptly accepted, not by the War Office, but by an Army Service colonel.

Mr. Ginnett, in making his offer, wrote " The Army is losing more horses in training camps every day than in the fighting lines in France and Belgium every week."

The commanding officer, whose camp is in one of the northern counties, telegraphed the same day asking for the tent. He also sent the following letter; " I have over 459 horses and mules and stables are not yet built, but I have animals in temporary shelters erected by myself.

They are much too crowded, so would like to get your tent if possible, but would like to purchase it so that I could take it with me when I move.

Mr. Ginnett wrote to the officer saying he would give the tent, not sell it, and would also erect it to prove that a great number of horses that are now dying from exposure and could be saved "if it was somebody's business to see to it."

16 MARCH: ADMIRAL VON CAPELLE SUCCEDS VON TRIPITZ AS HEAD OF GERMAN NAVY; GENERAL GALLIÉNI, FRENCH MINISTER OF WAR, RESIGNS & GENERAL ROQUES

MR. ALSOP. ____

Sittings on Friday and Monday Bedfordshire.

FOR CIRCUS HORSES. Mr. Robert Fossett applied through

SINCE OUTBREAK OF WAR; DUTCH LINER PELEMBANG TORPEDOED. 19 MARCH: PRINCE OF WALES ARRIVES IN EGYPT AS A STAFF CAPTAIN.

SHOWLAND’S SOLDIERS. ____

HOW THEY ARE FARING. A postcard from Private Cook (the Colonel) informs us that he is well and hearty, and he sends his greetings to all the “Ohmies” of Showland. ____

SOLDIER STORIES.

The Rumanian Army on the move, Column of the 4th Howitzer Regiment © IWM Q76026.

Mr. C. S. Alsop for the continual exemption of Frank William Leatherhead, who manages our farm at Tiffield of 100 acres, which is to be kept up to grow food for horses intended for Circus purposes.

Leatherhead is 26 years of age, and has been placed in class A. – Mr. Alsop said that if Lertherhead was taken the farm would have to go out of production. – Two months, final.

23/2/1916 The Northampton Mercury

of the circus was recorded as they were soon to leave Moulmein. U Shwe Tin and Mr. C. E. Law, who appeared for the accused, asked for his release on bail, but Mr. Perkins declined to grant bail.

25/3/1916 The World’s Fair

April 1916

SHOWMEN ON SERVICE. In reference to a question asked in Parliament, Mr. Lionel Pablo sent the following letter to the “Northern Daily Telegraph”:— “Sir,— I see that Mr. Walter Long’s son-in-law, Colonel Gibbs, the member for West Bristol, is asking in the House of Commons if gipsy and other van dwellers are being brought under the provisions of the Military Service Act; he is under the impression they did not get National Registration Cards. I can assure Colonel Gibbs that they all got a card, both gipsies and all the showmen, but the fairground were stripped of all the youngest and best men long before the cards were sent out. They thought it their duty to go at once to help. They went freely, and in the right spirit, in my opinion they have done quite right, as some of them have had a little of the German law.

25/3/1916 The World’s Fair

11/3/1916 The World’s Fair

APPEALS TRIBUNAL.

SUCCEEDS HIM; DUTCH LINER TUBANTIA TORPEDOED. 17 MARCH: OFFICIAL FIGURES SHOW AVERAGE INCREASE IN RETAIL PRICES OF FOOD OF 48%

49

SEQUEL TO FIRE AT FILLIS’ CIRCUS. Following the fire at Fillis’ Circus, Moulmein, India, the police instituted inquiries and Mr. Shwe Tin, of the Big Bazaar, was brought before Mr. W. B. Perkins, I.C.S., Head-quarters Assistant, and charged with having set fire to the circus. The evidence of the members

FRANK FOSTER NEWS. At the end of the Hengler season my leg was healed and strong. On returning to Horley, I told George Sanger that I was off to Preston to enlist in the 5th Dragoon Guards.

Preston, is their Headquarters, and their I was given the King’s shilling and sent to Aldershot.

On the morning I made my first appearance in the riding school together with the other rookies, and mounted, as is usual, with a blanket instead of a saddle, I was singled out.

“Which is Foster?... So you are the circus rider… What can you do?”

Well said Sergeant-Major Coleman, “Now I'm going to train you for our circus.” He placed three hurdles in front of us.

And with arms folded and without stirrups, all the rookies fell of or fared little better. Luckily I realised that what I had to do was the same as circus riding. I sat the first jump, vaulted the second, and did a twisting vault on the third. My performance evoked a round of applause, and the Sergeant-Major told me to practice mounting and dismounting with a rifle and sent me off to the advanced squad to work them in the Riding school.

I have since spent three months schooling officer’s mounts and my reputation has gained me entrance to the Garrison Theatre. Here, week after week, I played fool to the troops in one act or another.

Private E. C. Pablo, 124391, A.S.C., writes from Cornwall Hall Hospital V.A.D., Sevenoaks, Kent:- “You will no doubt be surprised to hear that whilst out in France I got the royal order to K. O., resulting in Fractured ribs, Concussion, Spine Damaged, Chest Crushed, and Internal Rupture, etc. ( not so bad to be going on with) I was in the 3rd Canadian Hospital Bologne for two weeks, Then they brought me to England and put me in a “Gilbertian” sort of hospital at Chatham. They called it a clearing station, and I don’t mind telling you I was d____ glad to clear out - after three days – and now I am here, where they’re doing me well. I was a bit upset when I got my papers for “Blighty” and saw they had endorsed them “ unfit for further service, “ as I did hope to go back to my company (32nd Co., 2nd “L” Section) , but as the Canadian captain said, “Dad, you’ve done your bit, and put the young shirkers to shame, and it’s real plucky of you to have faced it,” and when I come to think of it they were right by endorsing my papers as they did, as “I’m all broken up.” I’ve been in four hospitals and seen some. Well, when I get my ticket “which may be for years and it may be for never,” as you must know the War Office has not yet disposed of all it’s red tape) I must look around to see who’s going to give a permanent position to this broken old showman – Variety, - CircusTheatrical-Soldier – Edward Charles Pablo, son of the late Pablo Fanque, circus proprietor.”

1/4/1916 The World’s Fair

PADDY HEPSTON aka CAPTAIN EPSTEIN. Right I have renewed our passports, M.P. Hepston and W. D Bushman, vouched for by Detective Sergeant Fagan, of the Dublin Police, I got them mid April. But I have not yet got passage. I want to go to America, or maybe Cuba. Ireland has been in turmoil. On 24th April the Irish Republic was declared at the General Post Office, by 1 May the rebellion was waning, and Dublin was near destroyed. Maybe we should go to Spain, and then Jamaica.

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: P N

50

WAR CIRCUS NEWS: Reporting on all fronts! 1916

20 MARCH: THREE GERMAN DESTROYER CHASED BACK TO ZEEBRUGGE. 24 MARCH: GENERAL SIR A. MURRAY APPOINTED TO COMMAND

IN EGYPT; LINER MINNEAPOLIS TORPEDOED. 27 MARCH: MESSRS, ASQUITH, LLOYD GEORGE, SIR E. GREY,AND LORD KITCHENER ATTEND IN

PARIS FIRST WAR CONFERENCE OF ALL THE ALLIES. M. BRIAND PRESIDES. 31 MARCH: MR. ASQUITH ARRIVES IN ROME.

PAOLO’S CIRCUS NEWS. Frank Paulo: from Ireland. In the main the Irish, although hating England, do not hate the circus, circus people were different. On occasions however, after a performance, a few bricks are thrown at the show, but that is usually all. But one evening in Cork, barrels of oil blazed along the streets, a gang broke in and wrecked the circus. Heartbreaking, Madame Paulo was then seven months gone with her third child. The tent was gone, there was no alternative but to resume the old game of showing at the crossroads.

I barked from the caravan steps, at the rear a rough ring was marked on the turf. After every act, the hat was passed round. More often than not the family came hungry to a performance, when a few coppers had been collected, Lizzie would be sent running to buy bread and cheese. Food was the daily problem. Clara was born. The day after, Madame Paulo strapped the child to her back and walked to Killarney. Here, hanging head down, she kissed the blarney stone and wished little Clara should never know the life of a circus. Now our existence has became even more precarious.

People now were afraid to come to the show because of the "troubles" and kept at home: we decided to returned to England and had to come by way of a bombed and silent Dublin.

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref:C-C, R (1)

MERCIA WAMBA NEWS, CHILD ARTISTE. On the 18th of April, Father went to the Drill Hall in Edinburgh to answer the call of King and Country. He is joining Uncle Harry who is also in the 3/9 Batallion, Royal Scots Guards. I think he is too old to fight, he is 43 and 1 month old, and any way what am I supposed to do now. He says they have measured him and poked him all over. He says he is officially, 5’4’ tall, chest 36.5 inches, has brown hair and grey eyes, and has been described as a gymnast. At least he and Uncle Harry can be together playing in the military band.

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: D C

GINNETT’S DONATION.

Writing to the “Daily Mail” Mr. Fred Ginnett says:— “I have now another stable tent to shelter some of the war horses out on the lines. The first one I gave to the military would hold 300 horses; the one I have now ready to dispatch to the first officer commanding who writes for it will hold eighty horses. I hand it over free of cost, and will go and erect it anywhere required.

1/4/1916 The World’s Fair

Indian Soldiers performing a gymnastic display, Salonika May 1916. © IWM Q32064

CHARLIE CHAPLIN ON THE WAR. ____

WHY CINEMA KING HAS NOT JOINED UP. “Is Charlie Chaplin a slacker?” The answer that he is not is found in “Fall In,” the organ of the Middlesex Territorial Regiment (the Duke of Cambridge’s Own), which is booming, with every indication of sympathy, a letter which it has been enterprising enough to obtain from the greatest film comedian.

“A patriotic Englishman and a Londoner,” says the editor, in introducing the letter, “Charlie Chaplin explains how his many business ties and contracts prevent him from joining side by side with the ‘boys in the trenches.’

“That Charlie would if he could there is no doubt. Old England is calling for her sons, and Charlie, like any Tom, Dick, or Harry, hears that thrilling clarion call to arms, and is straining at the leash to get at her foes.”

THE LETTER. Here is the letter from Charlie Chaplin, which he writes from Los Angeles:— “In your esteemed letter of February 2nd you ask if, as a former London Man, would I be good enough to send a message to the many London boys in khaki, who are doing ‘their bit’ in Flanders, Salonika, India and Egypt.

It is with the greatest pleasure that I comply.

“Every Englishman— whether he be a London man or not, whether he be from Sydney, or Montreal, Cape Town or Hong Kong— certainly is proud of the pluck and the sheer splendidness with which all the boys have done and are daily ‘doing their bit,’ unflinchingly, without whimper, without stint, and without other than the finest of the good old beef of England spirit. The days of Wellington and Nelson were not lived in vain, for the spirit that underlies present England is no less strong in courage and in absolute fearlessness.

“I am but a player on the films, a good-natured bit of a clown, a popular comedian if you will, a player but no less a man. I would that I were at the front, as you so strikingly put it, ‘drilling a squad,’ with as you add, a lick from that wonderful foot of mine.

‘Wonderful foot’ if you will— but with a staunch heart too, if I were there.

Those of you there have set the proper pace— I would try to meet it.

THE ROUGH SPOTS. “I am sorry that my professional demands do not permit my presence in the Mother Country. I hope that in so saying I do not sound cold-blooded or hiding behind my player’s coat.

There are some of us who cannot be ‘at the front’ and there are many of you— London men and all— that can be. We cheer you for your spirit, your courage, and the cheerful way you are each doing ‘your bit.’ Not only can old London be well proud of her many loyal sons, but all England for the men of the hour.

“If, in my modest sort of way, in occasional bits of cheery nonsense as ‘Charlie Chaplin’ of the films, I can instil a moment of brief relief from the brunt of the fray, this is my contribution to the men at the front, and who may say that it shall not, too, share in ‘doing a bit’ for good England, and in helping things and men over the rough spots.”

LEFT

1 APRIL: RAIDING ZEPPELIN L15 CAPTURED WITH CREW IN THAMES ESTUARY; KING PRESENTS £100,000 TO THE NATION. 2 APRIL: MR. ASQUITH RECEIVED

BY THE POPE

also known by the less dignified appellation of “Old Jock Brown.” Mr. Selbini started as a horse rider in Powell and Clark’s Circus, Londonderry, and stuck to that line for about five years, when he was impressed by the possibilities of trick cycling, and started practising at once.

His first machine was of the oldfashioned bone-shaker type, with a wooden frame and iron-tyred wheels, which had to be roughened with a chisel to prevent them slipping on the stage.

Soon afterwards Mr. Selbini took a partner, and they developed and elaborated that act, performing at Covent Garden, where they were the first to do tricks on the high bicycles.

They appeared before the late King Edward and Queen Alexandra, then Prince and Princess of Wales. When the partners married their wives were included in the act, and they toured America, where, at St. Louis, the partnership was ended, and each family worked on its own. As the children grew old enough they were trained as performers, the most famous of the younger generation being the beautiful Lalla Selbini, who has been in America for several years past.

The Selbinis have given their performance all over the world, the continental appearances including practically every country in Europe, from Stockholm to Madrid and from Copenhagen to Bucharest. In the Romanian capital city they appeared before King Carol and his Queen, the late “Carmen Sylva.” They have toured all through Germany and Austria-Hungary, and had contracts, of course affected long before there was any thought of war, to appear last year in Berlin, Vienna and Budapest Pesth. When will those contracts be filled? Echo answers "when." The Selbinis are hard workers, and every morning finds them rehearsing their ordinary repertory of feats and practising new tricks, for "progress" is, as always their motto.

1/4/1916 Nottingham Evening Post

SIMONA’S PARROT

1/4/1916 The World’s Fair

“What I heard” THE PIONEER TRICK CYCLIST.

Germany cuts potato rations for animals. Horses are allowed ten pounds per day, cows are allowed five pounds.

History Hit – Twitter

For a troupe of trick cyclist to be able to boast of over 40 years popularity is a wonderful record, and there is no wonder that the Selbinis are proud of it. Mr. Jack Selbini, the father of the present members of the troupe, and one of the most remarkable veteran athletes of my acquaintance, was practically the originator of trick cycling, his only rival being Professor Brown, who was

____ This war is very expensive so, Reginald McKenna, Head of Customs & Excise, says there will be new Entertainment & Ammusement Tax of 1d starting in May on every circus ticket sold & on the railways too.

RIGHT

WAR CIRCUS NEWS: Reporting on all fronts! 1916

3 APRIL: MR. ASQUITH VISITS ITALIAN FRONT; STRIKE OF MUNITION WORKERS ON THE CLYDE, WHICH BEGAN ON MARCH 17, ENDS. 4 APRIL: GENERAL IVANOFF RELIEVED OF COMMAND OF RUSSIAN

ARMIES OF THE SOUTH. 5 APRIL: M.M. INSTITUTED. 6 APRIL: GENERAL GORRINGE APPOINTED TO COMMAND KUT RELIEF FORCE VICE GENERAL AYLMER.

14 APRIL: BRITISH NAVAL AEROPLANES RAID CONSTANTINOPLE. 15 APRIL: PANAMA CANAL REOPENED. 18 APRIL: ITALIANS CAPTURE COL DI LANA, 7,500 FT. HIGH.

WHAT OF THE ELEPHANT. Before the Towcester magistrates on Monday, Albert E. Jennings (33), groom and William Swift (40), elephant keeper, of Tiffield both circus men, were summoned for a breach of the reserve Forces Act by failing to appear at Northampton Barracks for military service.— Mr. C. F. Alsop (Messrs. Dennis, Faulkner, and Alsop, Northampton) appeared for the defendants, and pleaded guilty on their behalf.

Evidence was given by P.C. Carter that when he saw the men— both of whom are single— they said they went into Towcester to enrol, but the doctor was too busy to see them.

Mr. Alsop said the men did not know of the new Act compelling their surrender for service. He pointed out that Swift was the keeper of ‘an intractable animal which could only be left in his charge.

Earl Euston (chairman), suggested that the elephant should join the Army with the defendant.

The magistrate imposed no fine, but remanded the defendants to await a military escort from Northampton.

22/4/1916 The World’s Fair

AMERICAN PATRIOTS. Len Goheen will not troupe this season. He says he will go to war if Uncle Sam needs him.

28/4/1916 Billboard

DEATH OF MRS LOCKWOOD.

MOTHER OF MADAM BOUNDS. We regret to have to announce the death of Mrs Lockwood, mother of Madame Bounds, the Bear Lady, who passed away at Oldham on Thursday last. The deceased lady had been unwell for some time and for some weeks had not been able to travel. A fortnight ago she was removed to the Oldham Infirmary where everything possible was done for her, but it was of no avail, and she passed away as stated above. The late Mrs. Lockwood, with her daughter, was one of the most attractive of novelty shows, and previous to her illness both mother and daughter had a long run of

51 19 APRIL: U.S.A. NOTE TO GERMANY STATING DIPLOMATIC RELATION WILL BE BROKEN OFF UNLESS GERMANY DISCONTINUES TORPEDOING OF MERCHANTMEN CARRYING AMERICAN CITIZENS;

KILLED IN ACTION. It is stated that Private J. A. Cook, husband of Madame Zaza, and familiarly known as “The Colonel” has been killed in action. It will be remembered that Private Cook joined the Army at the outbreak of war and was drafted to the Dardanelles, afterwards being sent to Egypt and India.

27/5/1916 World’s Fair

GROCK REPORTS FROM ENGLAND.

The Irish Rebellion unbroken success. For the past two muzzle them, before feeding time, and seasons they have been exhibited by to get them to respond to sounds Mr. Alf Testo. underwater. In this manner they are 28/4/1916 The World’s Fair trained to first detect a U-boat and Photo reproduced by kind permission of then to follow them.

The World's Fair Ltd. BBC Radio Broadcast, IWM Archive,

BLACKPOOL TOWER CIRCUS.

WHAT THE WOLD’S FAIR THINKS.

THE ARMY— The passing of the Conscription Bill will take from Showland, as well as from other businesses, a further large batch of men who are of military age and though Showland has been severely hit already further heavy calls will be made upon the business.

There are not many of Showland’s sons who object to doing their duty, 29/4/1916 The World’s Fair but we received many enquiries as to the possibility of our readers being put together in one regiment so that our people, who have nothing much in common with the outside world, may be kept together. We have made enquiries on this matter and, though officially nothing can be done, we are given to understand that, if those who have attested are prepared to go through their examination and are willing to join at once, this can be SHOWMAN’S THREE arranged, and they will all be kept DISTINCTIONS. together. If this meets with the approval of those readers who are Joe Ward, the well-known show-man interested we shall be pleased to take boxer, is probably the first soldier the necessary steps to have the matter from Showland to win three put in order.

20/5/1916 The World’s Fair distinctions in the field for bravery, namely, the D.C.M., Croix de Guerre, and the Russian Military Cross. We feel sure our readers will congratulate the popular showman boxer on his CLAUDE OHMY NEWS great distinctions.

RUHLEBEN. For Easter week Mr. G. H. Harrop presented a big programme in the Tower Circus, Blackpool’s unique home of novel entertainment. The famous animal wonders, Lockhart’s Elephants, now owned by Capt Taylor, returned with their clever performance which stamps them as being amongst the most highly trained elephants yet known.

May 1916

6/51916 The World’s Fair

CPT. JOSEPH WOODWARD’S WAR SEA LIONS. I am delighted that the Admiralty has agreed to a trial for my sea lions to assist in the war effort they will be used to counter the growing menace of U-boats, which are sinking hundreds of thousand of tons of merchant shipping, not to mention our fleet.

The technique I am employing is to

Conscription has been introduced and Hayem has to join up. He’s been passed fit and has to report within a few days. Through a Major I know I’ve been able to wrangle a fortnight’s deferment, but the search for a new partner has begun once more.

I’ve heard of a man who might be suitable. He is a Dutchman, named Max van Emden. I think I will take him on almost immediately as he is sympathetic, intelligent, only twenty one and a very good musician. Being Dutch he is not liable for military service.

Narrative extracted from Biography Bibliog. Ref: G

FRED BRADNA NEWS. When the circus plays in Washington, D. C., we occasionally have a visit from the President of the United States. Woodrow Wilson is a particularly ardent fan, and with great reluctance turned down Mr. Charlie Ringlings invitation, one year, to ride on an elephant. The President was game, but his advisers declined to permit a Democrat to ride on the symbol of Republicanism.

Anyway, today The President employed the circus for political purposes. The nation is in ferment debating whether or not to enter the war on the side of the Allies against the Central Powers. The President stands for peace. Whilst everyone thinks that he would be a candidate for re-election, he had not announced his intent. As I escorted him across the arena, from the performers’ entrance to his reserved seat, to the music of ‘Hail to the Chief’, he doffed his hat and threw it squarely into the middle of the centre ring. The gesture was immediately interpreted by the crowd, who cheered lustily, while newspaper reporters sprinted for the exits to telephone their journals that “Wilson literally had thrown his hat into the ring.”

We are still enduring this prison, but conditions are much better and we are self-organised. There are many activities here, including sports and concerts in order to vary the monotony and keep spirits up. The Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: B F Germans think they are winning and the guards are very arrogant and boastful. Discipline is very strict and prisoners are locked up for the NEWS FROM LORENZ slightest offence. Since 1915 we each HAGENBECK. receive a payment of 4 marks per week, which we will have to return to Food shortages in Stellingen are the British Government when the war getting worse now; when the war first is over.

Narrative Extracted from 7/12/1918 World’s Fair & began we were able to contrive large centenarynews.com supplies of horse flesh from abroad, these have ceased to be sufficient for

52

WAR CIRCUS NEWS: Reporting on all fronts! 1916

FIELD-MARSHAL VON DER GOLTZ DIES 20 APRIL: CRISIS IN BRITISH CABINET OVER MEASURES TO BE TAKEN TO SUPPLY MORE MEN FOR THE ARMY SETTLED.

24 APRIL: SIR ROGER CASEMENT TAKEN PRISONER. 25 APRIL: GERMAN BATTLECRUISER SQUADRON BOMBARDS LOWESTOFT AND YARMOUTH; PARLIAMENT MEETS IN SECRET

our needs. Our pride, the sea-lions were first to go through lack of fresh fish. Losses increase - attendances decrease. I do not tell Heinrich about these hardships as he is still in the army, but he reads between the lines.

and the difficulty it poses to us. It has not been possible to take many of my staff to Scandinavia because of the War. Meanwhile, I am also trying to find funds for Uncle John at Stellingen and funds for Heinrich and the banks and lawyers. It is hard work all day and often all night too.

I am about to open a circus in Oslo.

It was whilst I was on a trip to Sweden, to buy horse flesh, Adolph Strassburger offered me his circus!

Then supported by Uncle John at Stellingen and with the good name of Hagenbeck, I approached the famous banker Max Warburg, he immediately accomodated me with a rather large sum. So I set about starting a new Carl Hagenbeck tented circus. I have brought back two elephants from Hermann Bloomenfeld, he said " Jolly glad to give you your old elephants back; they are eating me out of house and home." Otherwise they would have just been standing around on the chain. I am to pay him when I like.

There is no lack of performing animals at Stellingen, and we have enough exotic animals at our mangers to be able to send a seemly animal show on the road. They have all been shipped to Malmo, where they joined my newly acquired menagerie of seventy-six horses, 3 elephants and a number of zebras, camels and donkeys.

Meanwhile I have painted Strassburger's waggons orange and blue with our name.

I thought this would amuse you all; Willy Peters has enterprisingly filled the gap with the polar bears, with only a quick run through of the show with the veteran bear tamer. Now polar bears all look like peas in a pod, so he marked then, with distinguishing marks of red paint. Unfortunately in the show they scratched at their noses and got so hot so as the paint began to run and the audience to complain in a sudden outburst "Brutes, cruelty to animals, get out!" Soon rabid Swedish animal-lovers were in search of me, together with the police, and it took a great deal of effort to convince them of what really happened.

Taking all things into consideration I have been very happy to be running my circus. My childhood toy circus has come to life, wagons and tent complete. And I do not need to take care not to spoil my mother's floor.

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: H L

June 1916

So I then found myself, for the first time, preparing to enter the ring, with Sawade at my side in support. I only had time for five rehearsals in our Swedish winter quarters with the combined heard of five elephants, “CHARLIE” JOINS THE including a large Sumatran bull with tusks three foot long. He was insistent COLOURS. on making me, his new master, respect him. Luckily I am good at handling a I write “Au Revoir” in regard to our 14 foot bull whip, cracking it with friend Charlie Banks, who, times dramatic effect. without number, has given us a hearty When the big day came, I kept laugh. Who will forget his annual looking to the skies In case a sudden “circus,” the collection at which has squall should serve me with the bad taken for The institution? “Charlie” luck my Father had with his first tent will not be in a “cage” taming his wild in Heiligengiest Field. On the first beasts this year, but he hopes, after a night I had a good dose of footlights little training, to be able to tame some fever. Behind the scenes Sawade of his Teuton “wild animals”, More handed me a big glass of champagne. power to Charlie Banks! – In three When I entered the ring the elephants years he collected over £160 by the were already racing round at such a means of his “Circus”, for the Royal speed that I could hardly tell which Victoria Hospital, and, and he helped was first and which was last. I quite to make as cheerful into the bargain.

3 /6/1916 Folkestone, Hythe, Sandgate and Cheriton forgot the routine and relied on Otto, Herald. my faithful footman, to prompt me from the wings and put us all through our paces. Those first few minutes were centuries to me. Finally to the triumphal march of Aïda, all up for THE WAR IN A the final pyramid, and I exited with MENAGERIE. my shirt glued to my body. Sawade ____ winked his eye and stepped in to work THE WILD ANIMALS OF our tigers.

For three days the Swedes swarmed in, then I took the chance to ride out in the lovely outskirts of the city, next to the steely Baltic. Suddenly their was a loud burst of machine-gun fire, and before I knew it I was prostate on the soft moss, my black horse bolted through the trees, I learned later that it was trained in a Wild West act and was to bolt out of the ring at the sound of gun shot. This serves as a reminder that we are all overshadowed by anxiety over Germany and the war

EAST AFRICA.

A campaign is being waged against giraffes, which have been destroying our telegraphs by scratching their necks on the wire.—Report of East African Campaign.

No one who has travelled in Equatorial Africa will be surprised to read that General Smuts is continually inconvenienced by wild animals, for that region is one vast natural

LEFT

SESSION. 26 APRIL: MARTIAL LAW PROCLAIMED IN DUBLIN. 27 APRIL: MARTIAL LAW PROCLAIMED THROUGHOUT IRELAND. 29 APRIL: FALL OF KUT-EL-AMARA

AFTER RESISTANCE OF 143 DAYS. GENERAL TOWNSEND SURRENDERS WITH 9,000 BRITISH AND INDIAN TROOPS. 3 MAY: PEARCE, T. J. CLARKE, AND THOMAS McDONAGH, IRISH

preserve of big game (says a correspondent of the “Times”).

General Smuts seems so far to have been harassed by lions and giraffes, and it is satisfactory that there has been no reference to wild elephants, which might have been expected by those who know their destructive habit to give more trouble than either.

The lions managed on one occasion to besiege him in his motor car, with developments reminiscent of Colonel Patterson’s encounters with the maneaters of Tsavo. The giraffe has long enjoyed special protection in British Territory. It is altogether taboo to the sportsman in several provinces of British East Africa, notable round Fort Hall and Mount Kenia, and even elsewhere a special license to kill a bull costs150 rupees (£10) Wild elephants on the other hand, which are also rigorously protected— a license to shoot a brace costs £30— are even more hardened sinners in this matter of destroying telegraph wires, and cannot, unfortunately be scared as easily as giraffes. They are not, indeed, content with merely pulling down the wires, but in their rage they uproot the posts; …

It is to be hoped that the elephants may not follow the example of the giraffes in the war area, as the temptation of ivory might prove too strong for a mild policy of driving them off. There has been of late years more than enough ivory-poaching in that region without such further toll.

ABSENTEE WITH THE CIRCUS. At St Helen’s, yesterday Thomas A Hall of Manchester, who had come into town with a circus was charged with being absent from the Army Reserve. (age 26) fine 40s and handed over to the Army.

17/6/1916 Liverpool Daily Post

BRONCHO BILL’S CIRCUS IN LANCASHIRE.

During the past few weeks Broncho Bill’s Circus has been touring Lancashire and has met with huge success. Among the artistes were members of the Yelding Scott, and other circus families, also Bellini on the trapeze, whilst Goff Godfrey, in the part of Broncho Bill, used his stentorian voice to advantage, and Whimsical Walker headed the lists of clowns.

Broncho Bill’s show had toured England for three years, and the success which has attended it proves that the old-time circus still has potent powers of attraction. In this instance there is ample variety of entertainment, including a Roman two-horse standing race, a chariot race, voltage, wire, and equestrian novelties, the tricks of gymnasts and 3/6/1916 The World’s Fair equilibrists tight and slack wire feats, straight jacket and handcuff escapes, and the like, while a notable feature of the programme is a “wild west exhibition,” revealing Indians and and girls, in all manner of MILITARY BAND AT THE cowboys daring and skillful exploits. All told, CIRCUS. the programme contains no fewer than 30 items, and it is possible for the

By Permission of the Lieut-Col. great majority of the spectators to Strickland-Constable, the band of the obtain a clear view of both rings in 1st Battalion East Yorkshire regiment which the items are produced.

(Regulars) will give two band 17/6/1916 World’s Fair performances at the Circus Hull, on Saturday and Monday afternoons next at 3 o’clock. The net proceeds will be for the Voluntary Aid Committee’s Prisoner of War Fund.

Lady Nunburnholme has promised to MERCIA WAMBA NEWS, attend.

7/6/1916 Hull Daily Mail

EUGEN SANDOW NEWS.

CHILD ARTISTE.

Father got his discharge today at Acreknowe Camp, Hawick, Father says that because of all the losses on the western front lots of Battalions have to be merged and so the 3/9th became the 4th reserve and so the military band was disbanded, that made him and uncle Harry to apply for a discharge on the grounds that they were too old. I knew they were.

The commanding officer has given him a letter which says that he is very ‘tidy in his habits, hard working, and of a trustworthy disposition.’

I have to announce with regret that on 27th June 1916 my business Sandow Ltd, the holding company for all my business affairs has been compulsorily wound up, with a total deficit of £27,857. The main reason was due to the non-delivery of corsets (made by nuns in Belgium & France) due to the war. Further to this in July the Sandow Cocoa and Chocolate He doesn’t get a medal because he Company has collapsed, with a deficit was only in the Army for 3 months of £351,792 10s and 4d.

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: W D and didn’t fight anyone, but he does get a badge to wear, so that no one can say he is a shirker or give him a white feather on the street. We are going to live in Edinburgh now, on Lothian Street. Uncle got home and more or less at the same time his sons enlisted Aunt is not happy at all.

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: D C

RIGHT

WAR CIRCUS NEWS: Reporting on all fronts! 1916

REBEL LEADERS TRIED BY COURT MARTIAL AND SHOT. 5 MAY: TWO ZEPPELINS SHOT DOWN

BY BRITISH WARSHIPS. 8 MAY: ARRIVAL OF THE ANZACS ON FRONT IN FRANCE; WHITE STAR

LINER CYMRIC TORPEDOED; ARREST OF JOHN McNEILL, PRESIDENT OF THE SINN FEIN VOLUNTEERS. 13 MAY: GERMANY TENDERS APOLOGY TO SPAIN OVER TORPEDOING OF SUSSEX AND PROMISES

COMPENSATION. 17 MAY: NEW AIR BOARD, WITH LORD CURZON AS PRESIDENT, ANNOUNCED. 21 MAY: DAYLIGHT SAVING ACT OPERATES.

53

25 MAY: ROYAL ASSENT TO MILITARY SERVICE ACT No. 2 27 MAY: GENERAL GALLIÉNI DIES. 29 MAY: TRADE UNION LEADERS POSTPONE WHITSUNTIDE HOLIDAY FOR MUNITION WORKERS.

The Chief Constable (Mr. Joseph Farndale) said the defendant was engaged at Peel Park Galas at Whitsuntide. Mr. White was one of the audience, and during the performance the defendant used a rifle and was firing at a target. While this was going on the witness felt a sharp pain in his leg, and felt blood running down. He afterwards found a hole in his trousers and was medically attended. The bullet was not found.

A PURE ACCIDENT. Cross-examined by Mr. Demaine, who defended, witness agreed that the incident was the result of a pure accident.

1/7/1916 The World’s Fair

SIR ROBERT FOSSETT AND SONS GRAND CIRCUS WILL VISIT

Mercia’s Uncle Harry Wamba Dale artiste is the band corporal 3/9 Royal Scotts, (middle of front row) her cousin Harry Dale stands with trombone behind him.

Photo: Colin Dale

A FAMOUS CLOWN AND HIS PIG. Anatole Durov, the famous Russian clown, who died recently at Marvel, and who made a tremendous reputation, was probably one of the cleverest animal trainers of the day, says the “Times” Russian correspondent, his speciality in this respect being the common or domestic pig, with whose education he proved so successful that he taught it to do almost everything save talk. A favourite pastime of his was to drive about the town in a special carriage drawn by a team of these interesting animals.

17/6/1916 The World’s Fair

RUHLEBEN. Lord Robert Cecil’s statement in Parliament and the treatment of British civilian prisoners in the German internment camp at Ruhleben created a profound impression. It is evident that while every consideration is extended to interned aliens in this country the lot of British civilians in the German camp is deplorable.

Representations made through the American Ambassador at Berlin apparently produced no improvement, and it is considered that Britain should now depart from her policy of pampering those whose nationality has necessitated their internment here.

BRITISH REPRISALS. Loud cheers greeted the intimation by Lord Robert Cecil that in certain eventualities it will be necessary for the British Government to consider what steps to adopt with regard to the food supply of German prisoners in this country. Most members of Parliament consider that this ought to have been done long ago, but the

British Government has resolutely set its face against the policy of reprisals being well aware that in and callous disregard of suffering this country could never equal the barbarous ingenuity of the Central Powers . The day of reckoning is approaching.

am tasked to liaise between the farmers of the district and the O.C.s of four Labour Corps consisting of 1000 men, with some knowledge of agriculture who are let out on farms for food production.

I have taken part in a motor-cycle race in Southampton where I have brought my menagerie , matched against the roller-skating instructor of the Kursaal, two miles round the rink.

SHOWMEN AND I won, not because I think I was the MILITARY SERVICE ACT. faster, but because the unfortunate skater was in such a blue funk that I should have a side slip and fall on him, At Whitley Bay, this afternoon, that he was too busy watching what I four showmen were charged under the was up to that he was not going all out Military Service Act with being himself. I am bound to say it was not absentees. J. Firrell, 36 married, who an easy ride. had already registered was discussed, Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: T-D G (1&3)) Lieut.

Pettigrew, the military representative pointing out that the man had until July 24th to join up.

The other three namely E. Wallace 34, NOTICE. William Smith 32, Alexander ZAZEL, Mrs. George Star will be Campbell 32, all single were fined £2.

Travelling to America on the liner Philadelphia.

PALMERSTON PARK,

Maxwelltown, WEDNESDAY, July 26, One Day Only THE GREAT ALLIES TROUPE Great military display by our Allies: France, Russia and Belgium – the worlds greatest trick riders. &c.

Two Performances daily 22/7/1916 Dumfries and Galloway Standard

27/6/1916 Daily Record

Fenwick Cutting 30/6/1917

Bibliog. Ref: P N

WOMEN HAVE ALWAYS WORKED HARD. In Showland, women have always worked and worked hard. We have seen our women at the head of circuses, menageries, roundabouts and many other amusement concerns, and in fully ninety per cent of our people, it is the women who look after the exchequer.

Worlds Fair 1916 Editorial, Toulmin NFCA

Mr. Fred Lewis is piloting Duffy’s big circus to Ireland with quite some success, despite rebellions, martial law, and extra-strong opposition.

26/7/1916 The Era

July 1916

SHOT AT GALA. ___

NEWS FROM TYRWHITTDRAKE, MENAGERIST. I am in the lowest medical category owing to a certain trouble for which the Army would not operate, so I have been a liaison officer as my public and national work. I enlisted voluntarily, one of the round pegs in a square hole that are among the vast numbers of enlisted men, a misfit, or to use a horsy expression there are many thoroughbreds pulling carts and cart horses trying to gallop. I undertake the work without a wage and have employed and pay my own secretary. I

RUSSIAN CRACK SHOT’S MISHAP AT BRADFORD. An incident which occurred at the Peel Park Galas at Whitsuntide, when a member of the audience was shot in the leg by one of the performers, led to the appearance in the Bradford City Police Court on Wednesday of Henry Gibson, music hall artiste, giving as his address, The Palace, Doncaster.

The defendant performs under the name of “Zakaree Ermakov, Russian expert of arms; permanent address, Vokzal Benderi, Bessarabia, Russia.”

He was charged with assaulting Hermon White.

CIRCUS ARTISTS WANTED? WANTED, wanted, wanted, Ground or Novelty Act, Open at once.

WILSON

Circus, Navan, Ireland. ____

WANTED, wanted, wanted, for Bostock’s Circus. Steady and reliable grooms; ineligible men only; good wages.

Apply.

FRANK BOSTOCK

18, King Street, Leek, Staffs.

7/6/1916 The Era

WAR CIRCUS NEWS: Reporting on all fronts! 1916

54 31 MAY: BATTLE 3 JUNE: ALLIES MARTIAL LAW AT 5 JUNE: H.M.S. CONVEYING EARL

OF JUTLAND. ESTABLISH; SALONIKA. HAMPSHIRE, KITCHENER ON

MANAGER SOLDIER HERO. Mr. Gerald Martin, the manager of the Stratford Empire, received the following letter from the captain of D Co. of the Essex Regiment concerning private William Benson, who for some time was the assistant manager of the hall, and has recently been killed at the front. Vincent was extremely popular with Stratford audiences, to whom Mr. Morton is reading the letter at each house.

“I should like to stand on the stage at Stratford Empire and tell the people of it,” writes the captain “ Private Benson had joined up at Stratford as anyone else – just one of the crowd. In civilian life I believe he was assistant manager at the Empire. As an infantry man in the company he was a nuisance - he could not soldier, somehow: he was far too sensitive.

“When he was attached to a trench mortar attack battery we felt somehow relieved. He took a fancy to his new work and an interest in it; the change that suited him. The night of the little “show” his battery commander called for a volunteer. Benson was the first, arguing that, as his regiment was going over the top, he wished to be in it, and thought it’s only right that he should. He was ordered to work his gun for a certain time at A, and then moved to position B. He did work his gun; he moved – but then they found him it was as a corpse, the gun in his arms and his body covering it. His was the last body I visited to identify, and as I looked at his poor dear face and reviewed his association with D company I thanked God for the example of courage and devotion to the duty of the Jew.” 26/7/1916 The Era

BOSTOCK’S GRAND CIRCUS COMING TO PENZANCE. The visit to the Recreation Ground of the world renowned show will no doubt be a welcome one. The name of “Bostock” has always stood for the best in every class of entertainment.

For over 100 years Bostock’s enterprises have been known in Britain. Not satisfied with their triumphs at home they have visited almost every part of the globe with one or other of their many concerns. No doubt our readers remember the Railway Circus toured by Mr. Frank Bostock some years ago. After the English tour this great show was transferred to France, where, we are informed its met with phenomenal success.

His highly successful tour of France and Belgium was suddenly stopped by the declaration of war by Germany in August, 1914.

Recently, Mr. Bostock has been enabled to bring the greater part of his concern to England. The English railways, with the curtailed services and the demands on rolling stock caused through military emergencies, were also unable to undertake the transport by rail of the circus, so at huge expense the whole show was converted from a railroad circus to a

SPECIAL MISSION TO RUSSIA, SINKS OFF THE ORKNEY ISLANDS. 12 JUNE: SIR PERCY SYKES AT HEAD OF A BRITISH COLUMN, ENTERS KERMAN, SOUTHERN PERSIA.

road show, and by extensively purchasing horses and new cars, Mr. Bostock was able to start a tour in England, which will, we hope, justify his enterprise. With two performances daily, one at 3 and the other at 8 o’clock everyone has an opportunity of witnessing this great exhibition. It is visiting various towns in this county, and will be at the Recreation Ground, Penzance, on Tuesday 1st and Wednesday 2nd August. Mr. Bostock has always made a speciality of his matinees, which usually attract the families, especially those coming from a distance. We wish Mr. Bostock the success he deserves on renewing his acquaintance with Penzance.

27/7/1916 Cornishman

SHOWLAND’S ROLL OF HONOUR. We regret to have to announce that Private W. Whiteley, son of Mr. and Mrs. Whiteley, midland travellers, was killed in action in France on July 1st. He was only just over 17 years of age. ____ Mr. Harry Lyons, of Klondike Picture fame, travelling Ireland, has received news that his son, Sergeant Harry Lyons, has been killed, and his second son, Sergeant Percy Lyons, has been wounded, and is now in the base hospital. ____ Mr. and Mrs. Horatio Holmes, organ builders, of 17, the Polygon, Clapham, S.W., and late of Manchester, have received notification that their son, Private Albion Holmes, who has been in France since the beginning of the war, has died from shell wounds.

29/7/1916 The Era

August 1916 Pitlochry was favoured with an unexpected entertainment last night in the form of a good old-fashioned circus.

'Twas also somewhat unexpected to find the claims of the Chancellor of the Exchequer being rigidly met. In future years the local children may associate the European Armageddon with the payment of the circus war tax!

1/8/1916 Evening Telegraph

CIRCUS ARTISTES’ LOSS. The death took place on Friday last week at Bulwell, of Victoria Mons (Tory) Godfrey, the daughter of Goff and Millie Godfrey, of Broncho Bill’s Circus, at the age of 18 months after

13 JUNE: GENERAL SMUTS CAPTURES WILHELMSTHAL. 18 JUNE: GENERAL VON MOLTKE DIES: IMMELMANN, FAMOUS GERMAN AIRMAN, BROUGHT DOWN

BY BRITISH.

an illness lasting less that 24 hours.

The show was at Bulwell on Thursday, July 20th, and the little girl was taken ill after the first show and died at 9-30 next morning.

The funeral took place at Nottingham Northern Cemetery, on Tuesday, July 25th. The mourners were: Goff Godfrey (father) Millie Godfrey (mother), and several friends.

The floral tokens included a large wreath from Goff and Millie (dada and mamma), wreath from Auntie Nana, wreath from Auntie Dolly, wreath from Aunties Ruth and Miriam, wreath from Uncle and Auntie Theo and Ada, wreath from Uncle Bruce, and two beautiful wreaths (artificial) with globes on marble stands, inscribed “To darling Tory, with deepest sympathy, from members of Broncho Bill’s Show.” and a large wreath of real lilies from Mr. and Mrs. Swallow.

5/8/1916 The World’s Fair

A PLEA FOR A CIRCUS IN LONDON. A plea for a circus in London is made to the popular weekly “To-Day” and the writer known as “Up West” gives his experiences with a touring circus. In his article the writer says:— It is said that London is to have a circus again. I have heard that report before. I have also heard— many, many times— that man’s evening clothes are hideous, and that the fashion of wearing such things is to change… … I was grateful for the spectacle.

Marceline, the clown— I believe that was his name— was a constant joy to me. I have often wondered why he never got to the pictures.

Possibly one reason why a circus doesn’t last long in London is because it is generally just a little too good for the people who really like circuses— that is to say, the circuses that travel about the country. I believe it is the rough and tumble life of the travelling circus people that fascinates one— the mysterious appearance and disappearance of the huge tent, the caravans, the life behind the scenes generally…

Well, I don’t know who the promoters of the London circus are to be, but I should like to beg them to let us have a real circus, not too grand.

Let it have the right circus atmosphere and a nice saw-dusty smell everywhere. And if they allow the artists to dress up in overcoats made of blankets— just ordinary blankets— and sell photographs of themselves in between the turns, I for one, will buy some of those pictures and will promise not to accuse artists of lowering the dignity of their profession. My memory tells me that they will be living up to its traditions.

12/8/1916 The World’s Fair

LEFT

21 JUNE: GRAND SHERIFF OF MECCA REVOLTS AGAINST THE TURKS. GREAT BRITAIN, FRANCE AND RUSSIA SEND ULTIMATUM TO GREECE.

ANY OFFERS FOR A LION TAMER’S JOB? ___

NO MARKET FOR WILD BEASTS. A lion taming problem has arisen with one of the showman at Holbeck Feast.

In the “round-up” conducted by the military authorities on the fairground the other night a young fellow of 24, named Timothy Kayes, described as a lion-tamer, was impressed, but was yesterday granted a fortnights grace by the local recruiting officer before being required to “join-up”. In the interval, his father, who is the proprietor of the show, is faced with the difficulty of finding another liontamer, or, alternatively, or finding a purchaser for three lions, the value of which is priced at £400.

As the proprietor explained to the representative of “The Yorkshire Evening Post” this afternoon he is in a quandary. He himself is getting on in years, and has neither the experience nor the nerve to enter a cage of lions.

On the other hand lions are a “drag on the menagerie market.” He sees no chance of selling them, and as they are not the kind of animal that can be “turn out to grass” he is at a loss what to do with them.

Meanwhile the show will go on for the next fortnight, and young Kayes, “by permission of the Army Authorities,” will perform in the lions den as usual, and will give a cheerful welcome to any man, young or old, who is ready to succeed him, “we don’t anticipate a run of applications,” he added, “in my own case, I became a lion-tamer through force of circumstance. My eldest brother, who used to have the job, joined the army this year along with another brother, and my father, who is the proprietor of the show, was on his beam end to find a man. Standing under 5 feet, I have previously been the circus clown and tumbler in the ring, but I had been about the lions a good deal in assisting my brother to feed them, and so my father asked me if I would go into the cage.

“I didn't fancy the job, but I could not see my father "stuck"; and, as two of the lionesses had been well broken by my brother, I took the job on. The first time I ever went into the cage was some months back at Drewsbury, and I shall never forget the night. As soon as I got in, with a chair and a fork held in front of me, the animals knew at once that they had got a stranger, and they gave me a terrifying time.

There were two doors to the cage, but the lioness got to the doors, and growling fearfully, seemed determined to keep me there. Finally my father, seeing the predicament I was in, got a brush to one of the animals, and as he forced it to a corner I dashed to the door and got out.” “n another cage, where there is an untamable lioness, I had a hair raising experience before I set out. One of the spectators remarked “ Tha’ looks white, lad”, and I admitted I have never felt so “white” before.

But I have got confidence since then, and lion-taming is alright when you are used to it. Still it is not every

RIGHT

WAR CIRCUS NEWS: Reporting on all fronts! 1916

22 JUNE: NEW GREEK CABINET SWORN IN - M. ZAIMIS, PREMIER AND FOREIGN MINISTER. 23 JUNE: G.E.R. STATEMENT BRUSSELS CAPTURED BY GERMAN

TORPEDO-BOATS. 25 JUNE: TRIAL OF SIR ROGER CASEMENT. 29 JUNE: SIR ROGER CASEMENT FOUND GUILTY.

1 JULY: ANGLO-FRENCH OFFENSIVE ON THE SOMME. 6 JULY: MR. LLOYD GEORGE APPOINTED WAR SECRETARY; LORD DERBY UNDER-SECRETARY.

man’s job and I feel sorry that I have to leave my father with three lions on his hands and no one to undertake either the feeding or the performing.”

BOSTOCK’S BATHERS. A Southampton correspondent informs us that much amusement was caused at Southampton last week when the elephants from Bostock’s Menagerie enjoyed a bath in the sea.

19/8/1916 The World’s Fair

9/9/1916 The World’s Fair

FRED BRADNA NEWS.

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: B F

COOK BALLOONS TO 3,500 ft John Cook, Pte of ballooning fairground fame is with with the Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders in France and has ascended to 3,500ft.

31/3/17 The World’s Fair

9 JULY: MR. E. S. MONTAGU APPOINTED MINISTER OF MUNITIONS. 21 JULY: ITALIAN SUCCEED IN THE TRENTINO.

prisoner evaded his pursuer and managed to reach his bedroom again.

This he barricaded, but the officer forced an entrance, and a fierce struggle ensued.

Prisoner jumped through the window again, and concealed himself in an outhouse, where he was discovered when police reinforcements arrived. A further struggle took place, and, shaking himself free, the prisoner broke down some fencing. He darted into his house, and was there secured. When charged he said, “I am a lion tamer.”

Accused was sent to prison for fourteen days.

14/8/1916 Yorkshire Evening Post

Keeping peace among the eighteen nationalities is my most difficult task.

Earlier this season Georgetti, a French hand balancer, departed to fight for France, and the pro-Allied stars gave him a testimonial dinner at which many insults were levelled at the Germanic members of the family. We have not recovered from the resulting loss of morale, and almost daily some reference to the banquet is made in the backyard, leading to epithets and general hostility.

Ernie Anderson, an English clown, noisily displays in the dressing tent any newspapers whose headlines proclaim Allied advantages in the war.

In retaliation Emil Pallenberg, the German bear trainer, has begun to paste over his mirror clips which detail the victories of the Central Powers.

Everyone has taken sides in this war of nerves. Accidents are starting to happen in the ring which never should have occurred, owing to distraught tempers and constant turmoil. I have spoken to both Anderson and Pallenberg, reminding them that their feud is endangering the safety of us all; but nationalism once loosed is, like an unbroken stallion, difficult to curb.

The affair finally reached its climax this morning outside the dressing tent.

The Central Powers have just won an important battle. Anderson was brooding over this crisis when Pallenberg asked him derisively whether or not he had seen the headlines. Enraged Anderson poured a bucket of water over Pallenberg’s head, struck him with the bucket, and went after him with a tent stake.

Pallenberg, a much stronger man physically, roared like one of his ferocious bears and fled for his life.

The Englishman chased him all over the backyard. Pallenberg took refuge in the ticket wagon.

The treasurer, Mr. Hutchinson, has threatened to fire both culprits if there is any more nationalism displayed anywhere on the lot. I hope this will put an end to overt belligerency.

55

Air mechanics filling a Caquot kite balloon with gas from a 'nurse" balloon.

Note screens on right end gas cylinders in the foreground. Near Meaulte, on the Bray-Albert road, 7th August 1916. © IWM 11869

PWLLHELI TRIBUNAL AND THE CIRCUS. At Pwllheli Tribunal on Saturday, the chairman, referring to a circus which visited the town the previous night, at which crowds of young men were present, said the tribunal could not send married men with large families to the colours while single men supposed to be indispensable, were enjoying themselves. The army authorities were pressing for more men, and the tribunal felt that they ought to have some organisation so as to replace single by married men.

19/8/1916 The World’s Fair

CLOWNS TO FIGHT? The two clowns employed at the Tower Circus, Blackpool, appeared before the local tribunal yesterday.

One is only 4’10”, but he, with his companion was granted exemptions only until the end of October.

21/8/1916 Daily Gazette Middlesbrough

MR. E. H. BOSTOCK ON THE WILD ANIMAL TRADE.

secretary birds, two Stanley cranes, six porcupines, seven hyrax, three caracal, four hundred small birds, and various species of monkeys.

A dozen baboons have been sold to America, and the rest of the live cargo will find its way to Edinburgh, Manchester and Blackpool, and into Mr. Bostock’s own travelling show.

“Elephants are very scarce,” said the famous showman. “There is only one young elephant in Britain for sale, and he is, unfortunately, a cripple.

“I know of one puma that might be bought, but the dealer has put such a fancy price on him that there is not likely to be anything doing.

“I have made arrangements with a firm in Rhodesia to supply me with elephants and other animals when the war is over. There are many menageries in different parts of the country where the stock is getting low.

“The German zoological gardens were supplied from German East Africa. I don’t know where else they will get animals in future.

26/8/1916 The World’s Fair

September 1916 TAMING A LION TAMER.

An exciting story of a police chase was narrated at Tottenham Police “The Germans will never get the Court, when Leslie Young, of Hertford trade again,” asserted Mr. E. H. Road, Enfield Wash, N., was charged Bostock, in referring to the supply of with being a suspected absentee and wild animals for menageries and with assaulting the police.

Zoological Gardens to an “Evening Questioned by Police-sergeant News” representative.

Caunter, Young ran into his house and Mr. Bostock has managed to locked himself in his bedroom, and maintain his business, and four when the door was forced with a consignments of animals have been crowbar he jumped out of the window shipped to him from Durban, but at — a 20ft. drop. Scaling a fence, he prices just double what they used to dashed into the next door house, be. occupied by a magistrate, with the The latest consignment reached sergeant close upon his heels. After London last week, a heterogeneous some furniture had been upset, the collection of twenty-five baboons, four

NEWS FROM CIRCUS BLEUMENFELDS, GERMANY. Blumenfeld E. Circuses in Germany.

There is a general disappointment that the war is lasting so long. We feel this in the people. There are food shortages we are finding that with the economic crisis that we have lost much of the lower-middle class audiences.

Savings have melted away. We are more than feeling a pinch. Yet we still continue our circus with our horses as the main acts, thankfully we still have Papuchen - our world famous operatic horse. Mean while we are disturbed by the news of the Army's "Jewish census", I think they mean to determine whether we Jews are shirking our military obligations or engaged in profiteering! Certainly our circuses cannot be perceived to be less than patriotic as we provide only the best in German imperial society: dignity, honour and chivalry.

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: O M

STARTLING CIRCUS “ROUND UP” A raid on a travelling circus at Camberley for men of military age who have not reported themselves was attended with great excitement, the circus being left in darkness when the proceedings were but half-way through. The outside of the circus was surrounded by the Volunteer Training Corps, and all exits secured by special constables, while the recruiting staff and police proceeded to the arena, where the performance was at its height. There were between three and four thousand people in the circus and the military representative as once summoned all men of military age to step inside the ring and produce their papers exempting them from service.

Over 200 at once responded. The papers of those who had them examined, and the names and addresses of some seventy men who had not were taken, while police officers proceeded amongst the audience and weeded out men of military age who had not responded to the invitation to step into the ring.

The work of examination was but half-way through, when the whole of the lights of the circus which were

56

WAR CIRCUS NEWS: Reporting on all fronts! 1916

22 JULY: M. SAZONOFF, RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER, RESIGNS. 26 JULY: RUSSIANS COMPLETE CONQUEST OF ARMENIA; CAPT. CHAS, FRYATT, OF G.E.R.

STEAMER, TO DEATH 28 JULY: BRODY. 29 JULY:

BRUSSELS, SENTENCED AT BRUGES. RUSSIANS CAPTURE DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE

APPOINTED GOVERNOR-GENERAL OF CANADA. 1 SEPTEMBER: RUSSIAN ADVANCE IN BUKOVINA; BULGARIA DECLARES WAR ON RUMANIA;

supplied from an acetylene gas generator, went out. An attempt to relight only resulted in the generator being set on fire, the flames were got out by throwing turf on them. The only light available was a stable lamp, and, of course, the remainder of the “raid” and the circus programme has to be abandoned. Happily there was no panic or rush from the seats, this being due in great measure to the action of Police Sergeant Kenward, who from the centre of the arena thanked the audience on behalf of the military and police for the great forbearance they had shown. At the sergeant’s remarks the whole audience stood and joined in singing the national Anthem and giving cheers for the King the Army & Navy.

An actor named Joseph Essangey was charged at Enfield Police Court on Monday with being an absentee.

The police stated that the man was arrested in the course of a raid at the Edmonton Empire on Saturday night when he was taking the part of the hero in “Her Great Love.” Prisoner’s own statements could not be verified.

Essangey now said he was born in a caravan, both his parents being Mexicans. He knows that he was over age, because when he was 12 he performed at Windsor as the World’s youngest lion-tamer, on the occasion of Queen Victoria’s Jubilee. For the past three years he has been with Madame Ella Lyons, touring Ireland, and he only came to England on Sunday week. He had travelled all over the world, and he had not registered, as he left this country before the war. Colonel Bowes (chairman) said as the man could not prove his statement, and as he had no fixed abode, no bail could be allowed.

He would therefore be handed over to the military authorities.

ROMAN PROSKE, LION TAMER, NEWS.

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: P R

FRANK FOSTER NEWS. When I arrived here in France I was a Cavalryman; but having landed we were paraded and told to give in swords, riding breeches and spurs.

Cavalrymen are no longer required so we are transferred into the infantry.

Now with 16 others am now in the Royal Scots, we are all dressed up in kilts. Whenever I walk along the street I feel like I have come out of the ring and forgotten to change my ring costume. But in the waterlogged trenches, kilts have a real disadvantage.

My knees are continually splashed with water and are always wet; the chafing of the Sodden kilts makes them blood-raw.

Though a Lancastrian, I have visited almost every town in Scotland and on the strength of this and and my stories of each of these places, I have been accepted as a Scot. On rare but periodic rests from the front line we are given a pay advance of a few francs: this we spend on one good meal of eggs and chips. To raise the wind for more, I and another pseudoScot, Jimmy Duck, who plays the piano, sing for our supper in sergeants’ messes and estaminets.

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: F F

THE LION TAMER AND HIS CHARGES. At the Stockton Tribunal yesterday, a coloured man, named Joe Foster, lion tamer, applied for an extension of his exemption. He said he was still in charge of six lions, which were caged in the town during the temporary

ANGLO-FRENCH NAVAL DEMONSTRATION OFF PIRÆUS. 3 SEPTEMBER: ZEPPELIN BROUGHT DOWN AT CUFFLEY. 4 SEPTEMBER: DAR-ES-SALAAM SURRENDERS TO BRITISH.

THE YOUNGEST LION TAMER.

9/9/1916 The Daily Mail

At the out-break of war I was in East Africa, handling the transport for Mr Hausler, and taming lions. It has taken me two years to smuggle myself back to Austria, by way of Turkey and Greece. I am now 18 and have enlisted in the Austrian Infantry.

LEFT

23/9/1916 The World’s Fair

“GETTING UNDER COVER Hungarian, German & Austrian” Courtesy of the Library of Congress, 3A42929R

suspension of a circus.

The chairman said the man had sufficient exemptions, and he would be given until November 1st for his employer to make other arrangements.

14 /9/1916 Yorkshire post and Leeds Intelligencer

FOSSETT. -In loving memory of Mary, the dearly loved wife of Robert Fawcett, who died Sept. 18, 1915, aged 56 years.

Interred at Billing Road Cemetery, Northampton.

The face we loved is now laid low, The fond true heart is still.

The hand that often clasped in ours Lies now in death’s cold to chill.

Life’s race well run, Life’s work well done, Life’s crown well won, Then comes sweet rest at last. “ And her children arise and call her blessed.”

Dearly beloved and never forgotten by her dear husband, Robert Fossett, and the children.”

20/9/1916 ( newspaper name ref lost)

Photo reproduced by kind permission of The World's Fair Ltd.

NEGOTIATED RELEASE.

DRIVER JOHN FRANCIS STROUD.

In 1915 there were more than 18,000 individuals interned in Britain. Many are still under guard. A few have managed to negotiate a release. We have no news of any circus people among these, although the problem of securing acrobatic acts in Britain would not be aided by their release, as there is no taste for foreign performers. They would be best to travel to a neutral place.

Driver John Francis Stroud is the eldest son of Mrs. George Taylor and the late John F. Stroud, and nephew of Mr. W. Biddall, of Circus fame. He has joined the Royal Horse Artillery and would be pleased to hear from any of his friends. His address is: Driver J. F. Stroud, 140081, Room 112, “R” Battery, West Square, Woolwich, Kent.

Ref: W S

23/9/1916 The World’s Fair

BOURNE POLICE COURT. FRED BRADNA NEWS. Before Ald. E. Smith and Dr. Cragg.

WOMAN FOUND DRUNK. – Elizabeth Fossett, a married woman, attached to a travelling circus, was charged with drunkenness at Bournemouth on Sept 20th. – P.C. Dodd found the woman lying helpless in the middle of the road. – Fined 7s 6d.

MILITARY SERVICE ACT ABSENTEES. Thomas Fossett, a married man, 27 years of age, and Robert Fossett, a single man, 18 years of age, brought up in custody charged with being absentees under the Military Services Act, at Bournemouth, on Sept 20th.

These men were both attached to a travelling circus, and were found by Sargt .Jackson and P.C. Dodd when they visited the show the previous night. The older man stated that he was not medically fit, but had not been examined by the Army Medical Board, whilst the younger man stated that he was 18 in June last. – The men were both find £2, and ordered to be handed over to the military escort.

The court awarded the officers five shillings.

22/9/1916 Lincolnshire Echo

The ill will continues. Many families who had been friends now refrain from speaking. In the cook tent, lifelong companionships are broken up. Meals have become furtive for many. A man whose only sin is German ancestry bolts his meal at the sound of Gallic tongues at the tent flap.

High-School riders who previously had been interchangeable now refuse to work opposite ends of the same top. If the music for an act is French, in deference to the mademoiselle in the centre ring, the Austrian tumblers decline to work the platform simultaneously. Wholesale rearranging of the programme is now necessary, and I, whose duty it is to keep the performance functioning smoothly, face almost daily adjustments in billing. In the midst of all this chaos Al Ringling, the oldest of the brothers, has died.

Somehow we’ve blundered through the season, playing to poor attendance everywhere. The American public saves its cash against hard days ahead.

Mediocre gates exhaust cash reserves and management tempers also become

WAR CIRCUS NEWS: Reporting on all fronts! 1916

RIGHT

5 SEPTEMBER: LIEUT, ROBINSON AWARDED V.C. FOR BRINGING DOWN ZEPPELIN AT CUFFLEY. 15 SEPTEMBER: BRITISH ADVANCE, TANKS FIRST USED.

23 SEPTEMBER: ZEPPELIN RAIDS ON LONDON AND EAST ANGLIA; TWO ZEPPELIN BROUGHT DOWN IN ESSEX. 1 OCTOBER: BRITISH ADVANCE

SOUTH OF THE ANCRE; ZEPPELIN BROUGHT DOWN AT POTTERS BAR. 4 OCTOBER: ADMIRALTY TRANSPORT FRANCONIA SUNK IN MEDITERRANEAN.

57 7 OCTOBER: THE U53 ARRIVES AT NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND, N.Y AND SINKS 9 VESSELS. 21 OCTOBER: COUNT STUERGHT, AUSTRIAN PRIME MINISTER, SHOT

NEWS FROM LORENZ HAGENBECK.

short. The closing date - November 13 in Memphis - gleams like a faint aperture at the end of a dark tunnel.

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: B F

I have received a telegram from St. Louis Zoo, 2 years after presenting them with the 2 lion cubs, America is a neutral country and they have suggested that I make my way once again to America in one of our Uboats, which are doing their best to break the Allied blockade. They want me to build up their Zoo for them. I'm not sure that I can go. I have also heard that Hans and Gretchen have been rechristened, and now America has entered the war on the other side.

CODY BECOMES FLYING OFFICER. S.F.L. Cody is now 2nd Lieutenant and a flying officer in the Royal Flying Corps 41 Squadron.

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: H L

THE ROUND-UPS ___

THE RAID ON A CIRCUS AT CAMBERLEY. ___

EXCITING SCENES. As briefly reported in a recent issue the Military authorities at Camberley made a raid on a circus audience in one of the round-ups and full particulars are now to hand of the excitement caused; One of the female performers at the circus, who performs in male costume, was ready for her show when the raiders arrived, and promptly remarked to one of them, Do you want me? I am of military age and wear the breeches.”

Since Monday night the Local Recruiting staff have been very busy with those whose names and addresses were taken at the circus. Many were, of course, resident outside of the Camberley recruiting area, as the circus audience was drawn from the residents in the places on the borders of the three counties— Surrey, Berks and Hants., 30/9/1916 The World’s Fair

October 1916 LION TAMER FOR THE ARMY SHOWMAN ABSENTEE ORDERED TO AWAIT ESCORT AT LEEDS. At Leeds police-court yesterday, before Mr. J.R. Bower and Mr. O. Connellan, three more men, charged with being army reserve lists and with having failed to report for service, were handed over to military escort.

Timothy Kayes, 24, the son of a wellknown circus and menagerie proprietor, exhibiting on local feast grounds, was again before the court.

He was described as a “lion tamer” when he was before the court, having been arrested on the Showground recently. On that occasion he was discharged on his promise to join the army at once. He then reported to the recruiting office, and after having described his circumstances to Major Hill, was given a fortnights grace which expired on September 27th. He

15 Sept: British Advance, “Little Willie” First Tank used. based on Wilson-Tritton Track on test in Burton Park, Lincoln ©IWM 14489 had not carried out his promise to report at the end of that time, and was arrested at the show on Woodhouse Feast Ground on Saturday night by Detective-Sergeant Gunton.

The facts having been detailed to the Court by Supt.. Blakely, Mr.J.A.Atkinson, from the office of Mr.A. Willey, representing the prisoners father. Mr. Wm. Kayes, said he did not dispute the facts, but says it was a sad case. Prior to the war, Mr.Wm. Kayes had 20 men, 100 horses and ponies, and a number of wild beasts, and three sons, who assisted him in his business. The whole of the men and two of the sons had already been taken into the Army.

After a fortnights leave had been granted as a sequel to the last appearance of the prisoner, and application was made for permission to launch an appeal, and the reply was received from the Town Clerk of Leeds on Saturday morning saying that the application had been refused by the Tribunal.

He advised the prisoner that, as it was Saturday, it would be alright if he reported on Monday. Prisoner was arrested the same night. Mr.Atkinson also pointed out that Mr.Wm. Kayes is 70 years of age: that he has now three lions, a monkey, 15 ponies, and five wagons, in addition to having six young children under 14 years of age.

Now that his son has been taken away, he has no one to attend to the animals.

In addition to that Mr. Kayes himself is incapacitated, having sustained an injury to his toes whilst giving a performance for wounded soldiers last week. He (Mr.Atkinson) asked the Bench not to inflict on the prisoner of the stigma of a fine, but simply to order him to be handed over to the military authorities.

The Bench assented to this course.

3/10/1916 Leeds Mercury

SHOWMEN AND THE CONDUCT OF THE WAR. ADVICE TO THE TRIBUNAL. Before the Wallasey Tribunal on Saturday an application for further exemption was made by George Clownes, described as a showman, New Brighton.

The Chairman said they thought the applicant was off when he previously came before the Tribunal. He wished them good-bye, and they understood that he was going to the front to entertain the soldiers.

Applicant said he would have been off, but he could not arrange his business matters. He was proceeding to talk to the picture halls in the country which could have been put to better use, when Councillor Griffin asked what all this had to do with the Tribunal.

Applicant said they had not read his application through.

The chairman said they could not sit there all day to read such applications.

Applicant said he did not want to tell them their business, but he would like his application read.

The Town Clerk proceeded to read a portion of the written application, in which applicant declared that they still allowed Germans to be at liberty, and they banked their money in Germany. They were still in Liverpool and gave information as to their doings and the whereabouts of their transports and munition works.

Asked by the Chairman what time he really wanted before he would be ready to go, applicant said he wanted about a month in which to square up his affairs.

The Chairman: We will give you a month.

Applicant told the Tribunal, amid laughter, that he did not think he was a cripple before, but the Medical Board seemed to think so.

Colonel Hamilton, military representative: When you get to the front I don’t think that the Germans will think you are a cripple.

Applicant: If you had taken notice of Joe Chamberlain twenty years ago Germany would have been bankrupt today. You would have had them whacked (laughter).

Col. Hamilton: We have all made mistakes.

The Chairman told the applicant that he would not be called up until October 31st, and asked how old he was. Applicant: Say 41, and then you will be right (laughter).

9/10/1916 The World’s Fair

AMUSEMENTS IN WARTIME. The war has provided the economists with the rarest of opportunities of proving the virtue of their principles.

But there is available a disconcerting array of facts to show that more than two years of war have not served to make some people economical, even in pleasure and luxuries.

Though it has not been exactly “pleasure as usual” everywhere, there are examples in plenty of flourishing businesses in luxuries and enjoyments, which some people say we ought to do without altogether. The nation as a whole refused to be so dejected or depressed as to deny itself entirely any relief from the acute anxieties and accumulated difficulties of war time.

So far from being “taxed out of existence,” which was the alarming suggestion of those with capital involved, there are some “luxury trades” which have readjusted themselves so successfully to the altered circumstances of the time that they are doing as well or even better than usual.

The secret of this remarkable recovery from business despondency is to be found in the undoubted fact that the war has brought unparalleled prosperity to a great many workingclass people. They have had much more money to burn than they ever had before, and to the horror of the economists many of them are spending it somewhat extravagantly in indulgences, little and big, which they have avoided before.

The untold wealth following on years of enforced economy, even in necessities, has told its tale in many families. “Lightly come lightly go” hardly fits in with this remarkable state of affairs, for the money has been well earned by hard and strenuous toiling in munition shops and Government factories.

The entertainment tax, which was so strongly resisted by some amusement caterers, has had a damaging effect on theatres, music halls, and other haunts of pleasure, and yet Manchester people are still so keen on amusements that business had not suffered a serious slump, except in a very few instances.

Surveying the whole field of amusement and luxuries, it would be difficult to discover a single instance where war-time anxieties have not in some degree been relieved by the

WAR CIRCUS NEWS: Reporting on all fronts! 1916

58

DEAD IN VIENNA BY JOURNALIST. 1 NOVEMBER: NEW AUSTRIAN MINISTRY, UNDER DR. VON KÖRBER. 2 NOVEMBER: GERMANS EVACUATE

prevailing tendency of people with more money to spend to indulge themselves more freely than ever.

7/10/1916 The World’s Fair

PTE. ARTHUR FEELY. On the 11th October I was discharged from the Royal Army Medical Corps following my leg injury in France. I will return to Bostock’s & Wombells as soon as I can.

Family: Geoff Younger

Published by the authority of the war office.

Notice.

Men who have failed to appear when called up in their classes or groups.

Listed in Horley as last employed by Lord John Sanger’s circus are the names of several showman: James Ernest, Fletcher Horseman and groom - Class number 2/7/119 Edward Hutchinson, labourer in steelworks – Class number 2/8/81 William Smith, groom – Class number 2/9/86 William Mercer, circus performer - Class number 2/11/65

FORT VAUX, VERDUN. 3 NOVEMBER: ITALIANS CAPTURE STRONG DEFENCES ON THE CARSO. 5 NOVEMBER POLAND DECLARED INDEPENDENT AT WARSAW.

NEWS FROM TYRWHITTDRAKE, MENAGERIST. ___

WAR LION. The French Red Cross in Paris has offered up for auction a medium sized lion cub in order to raise funds. He is from a travelling menagerie in France.

Someone bought him for 10,000 francs. He offered the cub as a mascot to an English Division. The lion, now christened “Poliu”, was accepted by General Tom Bridges and is the mascot of the 19th Division of the English Army, which he commanded to the Western Front.

“Poliu” was at the time the size of a retriever, he was transported in a lorry and when they stopped for a few days they let him out to exercise in a portable run of wire netting. He is regularly allowed to go for a walk right up to the front line trenches. He can cope with all the sounds of War, but hates the roar of a passing lorry.

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: T-D G (2)

DEATH OF PRIVATE HENRY STRAND. We regret to have to record the death of Private Henry Strand, a popular young Scottish traveller, who passed away on Sunday last, at the Glasgow Military Asylum. The late Private Strand, like many other young Scottish showmen had joined the colours some time ago, but the shock of his brother being accidentally killed last year had left its mark on him, and this caused his removal to the Military Asylum where he unfortunately passed away. The late Private Strand was only 36 years of age, and news of his death will be received with regret by a large circle of friends as he was universally respected. He was laid to rest in the Camelin Cemetery, Bonnybridge, on Wednesday, and a large number of travellers attended to pay their last tribute.

14/10/1916 The World’s Fair

James Question, labourerClass number 2/12/61 Edward Hayward, groomClass number 2/26/53 Tom Jones, groom - Class number 2/19/54 All listed as at Bristow Lodge, Horley, Surrey PS – information to be forwarded to the area commander, Redhill.

Informants names will be kept strictly secret.

11th of July 1916 signed T.Quinn, Major R.O., Commanding Redhill SubArea.

19/8/1916 Surrey Advertiser & Co.

THE RINGMASTER. ___

ARCHIE PEARSON RELEASED. Mr. Archie Pearson, has returned to Britain. He was the Ring Master at Olympia, and one of the famous circus men of the continent before the war. He was in Germany with his son in August, 1914, and the two were interned at Ruhleben. The son owned some special circus horses, and these the Germans promptly seized for the Army.

Mr Pearson had luckily sent some of his savings to England while travelling on the continent, and as he was slowly starving in the prison on a diet of cabbage, it occurred to him that the bank with whom he had placed this savings might help him. He wrote to them, and they, glad to assist

LEFT

6 NOVEMBER: BRITISH SURPRISE ATTACK ON ALI DINAR’S FORCE AT GUIBA. CAPTURE OF THE CAMP, EX-SULTAN KILLED. 7 NOVEMBER: FRENCH ADVANCE AT

CHAULNES WOOD; MR. WOODROW WILSON RE-ELECTED PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. 8 NOVEMBER: MANY BELGIANS DEPORTED TO WORK IN GERMANY.

their unhappy client, arranged for a London firm to send him a fortnightly supply of biscuits. He doubts if he could have sustained life there without them.

Thanks to his age, he was released when the exchange of interned persons began. He returned to England and has been able to put his knowledge and experience at the service of the British Government.

rudder. Mr. Wm. Kayes, who is 70 years old, is afflicted with defective vision, which, apart from his age, would in its self prevent him from going into the lions’ cage to put them through their usual performance.

Then Mrs. Kayes, who has still six younger children left at home, determined that she would do her most to keep the show on the road, and took the show people by surprise and astonishment by announcing her determination to assume the role of lion tamer.

The circus and menagerie has been located at Castleford during the early part of this week, and before the awe stricken audience, Mrs. Kayes boldly entered the cages of the two distinct groups of lions, and successfully put them through their paces.” Thank God,” she exclaimed as she made her exit from the huge lion with an awkward turn of temper, “I’ve done it, and the show will carry on.”

If a Huns run up against the sons of a mother who can face living lions and hold them at bay, there should be something more exciting than exchange of words. G. C. C.

Narrative relates to 1916 extracted from 19/12/1919 The Sheffield Daily Independent

“THE LITTLE AIR LADY” ___

DEATH OF A GIRL WHO WAS CHRISTENED IN A CAGE OF LIONS.

There has just died in America from appendicitis Isla Tudor, aged thirteen, who was the youngest girl aviator, she made many flights with her father, Mr. 20/10/1916 Yorkshire Evening Post Harry Tudor, who came to England and joined the British Flying Corps.

“She became known as ‘the little air lady.’ A machine was fitted with a dual control so that she could pilot it. Mr. WOMAN LION –TAMER Tudor was for many years the personal representative of Mr. Frank TELLS OF HER Bostock, the ‘animal king.’ Isla was EXPERIENCES. christened in a cage containing twenty-seven lions at the Old Sea Beach Palace, Coney Island, where the THE PLUCK OF MRS. Bostock show was exhibiting. Cant, KAYES. Jack Bonita, the trainer, was her godfather. Twice she accompanied her “ My friends tell me it is foolhardy of father in trips round the world.”

21/10/1916 The World’s Fair a woman to tame lions. Candidly, I’m not fond of the job, but it’s either a case of going on showing, or of shooting the animals, for you cannot A BRAVE WOMAN WHO sell them now.”

Thus Mrs.William Kayes, the plucky ACTS AS LION TAMER. show-woman, who, as we stated ___ yesterday, has taken the place of her soldiers sons. It was at Castleford, last night, where our representative of TAKES THE PLACE OF “the Yorkshire Evening Post” saw her.

SONS CALLED TO THE She and her husband run an oldCOLOURS. established circus and menagerie that has been on the road 70 years or more In consequence of the “round up” of – latterly under the title of Buff Bill’s absentees at local feasts, and the show.

It was in danger of being closed subsequent arrest of the brothers William and Timothy Kayes, at down entirely a fortnight ago, and present somewhere in khaki, a most probably would have been but for the unusual, not to say risky, occupation pluck and bravery of the proprietor’s has been taken up by their mother, wife. Three of her stepsons had, in Mrs. Elizabeth Kayes. In normal turn, acted as keepers and trainers of times her three sons acted the parts of two cages of African lionesses. They a lion tamer and keepers respectively. were at Wilbury fair when the last of On their separation, by the eldest, the the sons was claimed under the trainer, going to the Army, one of the Military Services Act. Mr. Kayes, brothers who acted as keepers was having seen 70 winters in his prevailed on to deputise for him, and showman’s caravan, was obviously to go into the lion’s den. Later, too old to enter the lions cages, and however, by the operation of the there was not a man or boy left who Military Services Act, the show was fancied the job. deprived of its deputy lion tamer as “Very well,” said Mrs. Kayes.”I will well as of the services of the third do it myself.” She was as good as her word, and though she had then, and brother.

Faced with the responsibility of has since had, good cause to fear one keeping the show on the road (and the of the lionesses, she has made good” keep of the Lions it was no with a performance which she hopes insignificant item, by the way), the will ensure the show being kept proprietors were in a fix. The show, together “until the boys come home.” since the departure of the three Mrs. Kayes who is the mother of six brothers, has wandered around the children, is a comely as well as plucky vicinity of Leeds like a ship without a woman, and dressed in black velvet tunic, riding britches, and hightop

WAR CIRCUS NEWS: Reporting on all fronts! 1916

RIGHT

12 NOVEMBER: CAPTURE OF SAILLISEL. 13 NOVEMBER: BRITISH ADVANCE ROUND BEAUMONT HAMEL. 14 NOVEMBER: RUMANIANS

white kid boots, she looks the part of a lion-tamer to a nicety.

The lionesses which she faces are “five year olds”. Two of them are trained, but the other is an untameable brute in regard to which Mrs. Kayes can never feel a moment safety or security.

Only the other day that animal rose at her, and clawed in twain a skin rug protection which she was wearing shoulders. It may be well understood that she is not enamoured of her part, but, as she explained “needs must,” and although there be but fifty pennies and twopences in the show she takes her life in her hands and gives her performance.

To begin with, Mrs Kayes had a trial show in private. She donned her son’s clothes to look as much as possible like the trainer to which the animals have been accustomed to, and boldly entered the cage of the two trained lionesses.

“Then,” explains one of the eyewitnesses, “it seemed as if her courage failed her, and all she could do was to act as mechanically upon the advice which was shouted to her from the outside. When she came out of the cage her face was like marble. She gave vent to her pent-up feelings in a flood of tears, she nervously fasten on her skirt over her riding britches.

When she became calmer, she said she could not remember a thing. All she knew was that she had got the confidence to give the show, and, true enough, she has gone into both cages ever since without a show of fear or any emotion.”

Mrs. Kayes herself speaks very modestly of her performance, “I was very timid at first time, “she says, “but I had to get over that, for it would never do to let the lionesses see that I was afraid of them. I’ve got over the worst now. Although I’ve had some narrow squeaks with the savage one. “ Mrs Kayes is hoping to get some music hall or other engagements.

21/10/1916 Yorkshire Evening Post

IN THE BARBER’S CHAIR. ___

MR. J. W. BOSTOCK. Good morning, Mr. Bostock. What can I do for you? Hair cut, singe, shampoo, and shave. Thank you, sir.

Anyone can tell you’ve been in America. How’s that? By the way you give your order for a thorough overhauling by the tonsorial artist.

There is no class of people that likes to be “touched up” more than the Yanks, or those who have been amongst them.

And how are things, Mr. Bostock? Not too rosy, I suppose. You, like many of us, will not be called upon to pay any income tax or excess profits. What’s that, sir? All parts of the game. Yes, sir, it is; but, alas, it’s a very poor part that showmen are getting. It must trouble you, sir, when you think of the dinarii you would have been getting at Nottingham, Hull, Burton, Banbury, and other places, but it’s no use worrying, sir. And how is Anita? Very well. I am pleased to hear it. Have I seen her, sir. I should say so. And of all the novelties I have ever seen she is really “it.” But then the public always

DEFEATED AT TIRGU JUI. 15 NOVEMBER: ALLIED CONFERENCE IN PARIS 16 NOVEMBER: DEVELOPMENT OF FALKENHAYN’S OFFENSIVE

AGAINST RUMANIA. 18 NOVEMBER: BRITISH FRONT ADVANCED ON BOTH SIDES OF THE ANCRE 19 NOVEMBER: MONASTIR

59 CAPTURED BY THE ALLIES; RUMANIAN DEFENCES BROKEN THROUGH SOUTH OF THE VULCAN PASS BY FALKENHAYN. 21 NOVEMBER: HOSPITAL SHIP

A BRISTOL ENTERTAINER AT MALTA.

J.W. Cragg, patriarch of the Great Craggs Acrobatic Troupe, tells us that all his sons have gone to fight and so their act is not available.

Writing to a member of our staff, Mr Fred Vallance, the well-known conjurer and ventriloquist, who is with a concert party at Malta, states:“We have been here three weeks today and are having a great time. We do nine concerts each week, and find it’s quite enough in this climate. It is very warm here, and we bathe every morning. We show at all the hospitals and convalescence camps. Last Thursday we did a show on HMS – ___ .we had an audience of close upon 1000, with fine stage, footlights, scenery, &c., on deck. It was a grand site. I twisted a lot of “gyms” patter round to suit the occasion. I shall not forget the reception they gave us all for a long time. We expect to reach Bristol about the end of November.

We had some exciting times coming out. Expect to turn home via Italy. I trust the good work of looking after the boys are still going on alright in Bristol. I met a boy here in hospital, yesterday afternoon, who saw me at the Beaufort: It does one good to hear how well they speak of what Bristol is doing for them. I met another boy last week I had met at Cleveland Hill. I met a lot of Bristol boys out here: some were on the battleship we visited, and they don’t forget to let you know.”

28/10/1916 The World’s Fair

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: S,E

look to a Bostock to provide something really good. And the way Anita is shown is an education to all showmen. Trying to flatter you?

Certainly not, sir.

BELGIAN’S NON-APPEARANCE. ___

November 1916

BAIL ESTREATED.

21/10/1916 The World’s Fair

The sequel has not been reached in connection with the alleged horse cruelty case in which Jean Sosman, a Belgian circus owner and horse tamer trainer, was found guilty of RED CROSS HOSPITAL. and cruelty to an animal which was performing at the Palace Theatre. Mr. Six fresh patients have arrived in John Stainton, veterinary surgeon, of th place of those who left on the 15 inst. Reading, it may be remembered, had Motor rides have been given by purchased the animal, which had been friends in the neighbourhood and placed in the custody of Mr. Oliver much enjoyed. The men were Dixon, and from time to time had been entertained at Fossett’s circus on reported as going on favourably. Mr. October 11th.

Stainton and Mr. Oliver Dixon went 27/10/1916 Biggleswade Chronicle surety for Sosman’s appearance, each in the sum of £25, but the Belgian did not appear at the Reading Borough Quarter Session on Friday last week.

Mr. Stainton pointed out to the Recorder that he was unable to produce Sosman, who had apparently SHOWLAND’S ROLL OF decamped; he also added that the HONOUR. horse was now all right.

Then the horse need not now be destroyed, but you and Mr. Dixon We regret to have to announce that Private Tommy Hall, son-in-law of Mr. became sureties for Sosman, who had not paid the costs, which must be met Biddall, of Biddall’s Circus, has been by you, and an order also must be killed in action.

28/10/1916 The World’s Fair made estreating the recognizances.

Mr. Stainton said he had some money of Sosman’s still in hand, to which Recorder replied, “You can take that as a set-off against your payments.”

28/10/1916 The World’s Fair

MONKEY WHO REMEMBERS THE BATTLE OF JUTLAND. The Zoo has a new interest to-day. It has become a hostel for regimental mascots. Largely the public is to blame for this flux of mascots. People hear, for example, that a Welsh unit is entitled to march with a goat at it’s head; and forth-with the quartermaster’s office becomes like a scene in a Swiss Valley. But when thoughtful and kind-hearted people send bears to the Canadians it becomes a question at last of one half of the battalion protecting the other half while on parade- or the Zoo. As for deer and gazelles, regiments which had badges with suggestions of these creature might have had venison twice a week. There is a little herd of mascots (horned game) now deposited at the Zoo, and no less than six black bears.

There is also Bill. Bill recently sat in his cage looking so sad, haughty, and lonely that a lady suggested that perhaps he was only just caught and was thinking of bananas and orchids and palm trees.

“Not ‘e, mum,” murmured a sailor who had just come up. “ ‘E’s thinking of the Battle of Jutland. ‘E ain’t got over it yet.”

WAR CIRCUS NEWS: Reporting on all fronts! 1916

60

BRITANIC TORPEDOED; CRAIOVA OCCUPIED; DEATH OF THE AUSTRIAN EMPEROR, FRANCIS JOSEPH. 23 NOVEMBER: AUSTRIANS CROSS

THE LOWER CERNA. 24 NOVEMBER: RUMANIAN REVERSES AT ORSOVA-TURNU; M. TREPOFF, RUSSIAN PREMIER, IN SUCCESION TO M. STUERMER.

25 NOVEMBER: JUNCTION OF ARMIES OF MACKENSEN AND FALKENHAYN ON NORTH BANK OF THE DANUBE. 27 NOVEMBER: RAPID GERMAN

LEFT

ADVANCE IN ROMANIA. 29 NOVEMBER: SIR J. JELLICOE APPOINTED FIRST SEA LORD AND ADM. SIR D. BEATTY IN COMMAND OF THE GRAND FLEET.

BRATBY INJURED.

At that moment Bill caught sight of the sailor’s cap, made joyous sounds and played a tattoo on the netting with the soles of his feet. The spectators fell back respectfully at this show of emotion between old friends.

“Bill,” whispered the sailor, “action stations.”

Bill gave a wild cry, fell over backwards and was in the furthermost corner of the cage in two grand leaps.

Regimental Sargent Major, Richard Bratby has been wounded and hospitalised following a mustard gas attack at the Somme and has had to be repatriated to England. He was in command of a field gun horses and riders - he is a rider.

Family: Tom Sandow

4/11/1916 The World’s Fair

December 1916

WANTED, A LION TAMER. ___

MR. BOSTOCK’S OPENINGS FOR INELIGIBLES.

RE-OPENING OF HENGLER’S CIRCUS IN GLASGOW.

___

FEEDING PROBLEMS. ... If he finds this delightful butcher slaughtering animals to feed a menagerie he will be introducing him to the Controller of Food Supplies.

After all, if you can use up offal in standard bread, why not use up offal in sausage and entree instead of giving it to lions and tigers?

Mr Bostock demands of these paragons but three other virtues— that they shall be strictly sober, competent, and ineligible for the Army. We sincerely hope he will get them.

MR. BOSTOCK EXPLAINS. In reference to the above article, Mr. E, H. Bostock, writing from Zoo buildings, New City Road, Glasgow, gives some further interesting particulars of the famous menagerie.

In a letter to the editor of the “Star” he says:— Sorry I was not in when your representative telephoned this morning re the advert appearing for staff for Bostock and Wombwell’s Menagerie.

Yes, we are experiencing the greatest difficulty in getting men for same, and five of out principles are exempt only till December 1st, when I am again appealing for them, three of them being in their 41st year. This includes the foreman who has been 27 years with the show and who is also a trainer of the animals; the butcher, whose duty it is to purchase and slaughter old horses or procure other food for the animals— a very difficult job every day of the year and a fresh town almost daily; … The staff number forty and already a great portion of these men have gone from it to the Army, and its daily expenses are from £40 to £50. It is collecting about £55 a week in amusement taxes. For the past thirty-six winters it has been exhibited at the World’s Fair, Agricultural Hall, Islington, but for this winter (I presume on the grounds of economy) Mr. T. E. Read has made other arrangements, and, as the military have commandeered my own building here in Glasgow, where I ran a zoo for 14 years, I cannot get the use of my own place in spite of my entreaties…

26/11/1916 The World’s Fair

Unidentified P.O.W.s Knockaloe camp Isle of Man, one of the main internment camps for citizens of enemy countries. Including Otto Kleinschmidt husband of a member of the Fossett family and also Joseph Pilaties. © IWM Q34537

NEWS FROM E.H. BOSTOCK. My menagerie is experiencing unenviable times on the road.

Retaining staff and finding forage is another heart-break, it is now supplied under the rationing system.

But the greatest of all difficulties for circuses in England I find is the lighting restrictions, which impose a severe handicap on a show under a canvas roof.

To add to these difficulties I have learned, in the third week of October, that after 35 years of presenting a Bostock menagerie at the Royal Agricultural Hall, that the lessee of the hall has made other arrangements, on the grounds of economy, with an amateur menagerist, who had secured four or five of my discarded wagons, and the Bostock and Wombwell Menagerie was not wanted. This is one of the biggest disappointments of my life, not because of the loss of revenue, it never yielded much, but more because it robs the menagerie of a covering over the worst periods of the winter and will deprive the staff of much needed rest, to which we have all been looking forward to. I have written everywhere in the kingdom where there was a building capable of taking a menagerie for the winter, but it is a fruitless request. Every building seems to be occupied by the military is being used for munitions. They blankly refuse to vacate, or even consider vacating mine in Glasgow. So I now have no option but to allow the menagerie to remain in the open.

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: B EH

“SOME” CIRCUS. ___

MOSS’ EMPIRES VENTURE. The Moss’ Empires having decided to start a great circus at the Olympia, Liverpool, Mr. Ernest Wight, of the Moss’ Empires, outlined to a “Referee” representative certain of the arrangements which are being made for this big show.

In spite if the many and obvious difficulties in transporting the animals from abroad to England and from the port of debarkation to the place of destination, everything even at the present shapes for the provision of one of the biggest shows ever known in “The Annals of the Ring.”

It is remarkable on the equestrian side, the leading feature being “Horses in Liberty,” a stud of beautiful animals who go through a number of exercises which surely mark the highest achievement in animal training. There are besides splendid examples of horsemanship by John Yelding and Jos. Cranston, the latter combining humour with equestrian skill. The horse, while still monarch of the circus ring, no longer monopolises circus entertainment. At Hengler’s sea lions, dogs, and monkeys are also among the performers. The sea lions, introduced by Petite Nina, give a sensational cycling turn, the dogs of Miss Cashmore, who also introduces highly trained ponies, do wonderful things, and the chimpanzee with the pleasant name of Hiawatha is the limit. This quaint little creature dines, drinks, smokes, cycles, un-dresses and tucks itself in bed, and goes through performance in the most business-like and diverting manner. The Hanlon Family of gymnasts gave an extraordinary display, and the somersaulting of one of it’s members is a remarkable exhibition of acrobatic art….&c.

2/12/1916 The World’s Fair

25/11/1916 The World’s Fair

THE HIPPODROME. SURTEES-STREET AND BRIDGE-ROAD STOCKTON. CHARLES TURNER & SONS (Farmers’ Friends), LTD. Are instructed by Mr Coleman. On behalf of Mrs Haundford, circus proprietress. To SELL BY AUCTION, th on Thursday, November 30 , 1916, the whole of the remaining Plant etc. viz: 6 Horses, 20 Spring Trolleys, Vans, Trucks, 2 Flat Carts, Coup Carts, Framework and Seating for large tent, Ropes, Blocks, Lamp, Tools, a large lot of Harnesses and parts of Harness etc, Sale 10.30am. For Catalogue apply to Auctioneers, Lasenby, Easton.

25/11/1916 Daily Gazette for Middlesbrough

Good all round, without any transcending item, must be the verdict on the Hippodrome production. Every turn has an interest of its own, and there is not one that can be described as weak. Will H.Fox, an American humorist, gives what he facetiously calls satire on the great Paderewski.

Without any pretensions as a pianoforte genius, he is nevertheless an exceedingly clever player, and he turns his abilities to a droll purpose, interspersing his performance with many a funny yarnery. An eccentric comedian of marked originality, made a most successful debut on Monday night. MacIvor and Scott are two Scottish artists, whose step dancing is superior to anything of that kind that has been witnessed in Derby for a long while. Fred Lens is a speciality artist of exceptional merit, juggler, acrobat,

RIGHT

WAR CIRCUS NEWS: Reporting on all fronts! 1916

29 NOVEMBER: U.S. NOTE TO GERMANY PROTESTING AGAINST DEPORTATION OF BELGIANS. 30 NOVEMBER: KAMPOLUNG CAPTURED BY GERMANS; RENEWAL OF RUSSIAN ATTACKS IN THE CARPATHIANS. 1 DECEMBER: MR. LLOYD GEORGE’S PROPOSAL TO MR. ASQUITH FOR THE REFORM OF WAR ADMINISTRATION, AND A SMALLER CABINET. 2 DECEMBER: GREEK GOVERNMENT STILL RESISTS THE ALLIES’ DEMAND. ALLIED TROOPS LAND AT THE PIRÆUS; ALLIED TROOPS WITHDRAWN. 3 DECEMBER: BATTLE OF ARGES.

RUMANIANS DEFEATED. CAPTURE OF TIRGOVISTEA; PORTUGUESE PORT OF FUNCHAL BOMBARDED BY GERMAN SUBMARINE. 5 DECEMBER: RESIGNATION OF MR. ASQUITH, FOLLOWING THAT OF MR. LLOYD GEORGE. 6 DECEMBER: GERMANS CAPTURE BUCHAREST;BOARD OF AGRICULTURE GIVEN POWERS TO ACQUIRE LAND FOR ALLOTMENTS. 7 DECEMBER: MR. LLOYD GEORGE PREMIER. 8 DECEMBER: ALLIED BLOCKADE OF GREECE; REVOLUTION IN PORTUGAL. 11 DECEMBER: MR. LLOYD GEORGE NEW MINISTRY ANNOUNCED;

FRENCH WAR MINISTRY FORMED. M. BRIAND PREMIER. 12 DECEMBER: GERMAN CHANCELLOR ANNOUNCES PEACE OVERTURE MADE

BY FOUR ENEMY POWERS TO THE ALLIES THROUGH NEUTRAL GOVERNMENTS. 13 DECEMBER: GENERAL NEVILLE SUCCEEDS GENERAL JOFFRE ON WESTERN FRONT; RESIGNATION OF DR. VON KÖRBER, AUSTRIAN PREMIER. BRITISH RESUME OFFENSIVE TOWARDS KUT. 14 DECEMBER: KING APPOINTS NEW ARMY COUNCIL. 15 DECEMBER: GREAT FRENCH VICTORY AT VERDUN.

and comedian, he is equally attractive in all three rolls. Elsie and Emmie Newton are acceptable duettists, and Miss Jesse Preston is a versatile comedienne. The Sossmans gave short circus acts, and an interesting story attached to them. - In Belgium, before the war, they were circus proprietors and in a large way of business, but the Germans drove them out and took over all horses and other property, compelling them to seek refuge in this country. The usual bioscope pictures are included in the evenings entertainment.

BOSTOCK’S MENAGERIE IN LEEDS.

the best circus novelettes lay it down that the cages of the great carnivores are the finest smuggling deposits? At this point the Norwegian manager of the Trivoli came on the scene, and mollified his over-zealous compatriots, who for all their pocket lamps and drills had found nothing at all. As I saw him console them with a drink I absented myself as rapidly as I could and had recourse to a nearby butcher’s shop, where I bought a whole hog (slaughtered), quantities of bacon, ham, sausage, and all the rest, all of which I packed into the empty wagon. The police kind enough to put their seals on the door! When it was properly labelled “Lion and Tiger Food” I thought it was the best consignment I have ever had for that purpose. It certainly has delighted our good two-legged Stellingen pets here at home, for it is again Christmas time, and somehow I have not had time to feed a single piece of that meat into my carnivores’ hungry mouths.

19/12/1916 Derby Daily Telegraph

NICOLAI POLIAKOFF CHILD SIBERIAN SOLDIER NEWS. I’m lying in a hospital bed in Riga after being wounded in a bombing raid. Once able to I will be sent back to the front again. Fear consumes me.

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: Coco

MIDLAND NEWS. James W. Bostock is continually producing surprising novelties which succeed each other in every-varying round of pleasurable change. Last week saw the abnormal athletic feats of Madame Hercuine. She and her husband are on the eve of leaving for London where they join Sir Robert Fossett’s circus at the Hall. ____ On Friday, Mr Bostock’s excellently appointed show occupied by la Belle Zoe, whose body is adorned with really splendidly tattooed pictures of the great war, which the lady describes with telling effect. With the assistance of her manager, Mr. Staley, she gives a display of telepathy. ___ Mrs Collins’ lion show was, of course a great centre of attraction, where, amid breathless silence, the heroic Albert Williams put the beasts through their facings.

23/12/1916 The World’s Fair

___

A MILD SENSATION. … The land itself is a plot that remains over from certain street improvements and demolitions of slum dwellings, carried out some years ago. It has constantly been let for the purpose of fairs, and before the lighting restrictions came into force frequently brought in a profit of £300 or £400 a year. What happened in the present case was this: On October 28th Mr. Yeadon received a letter from Mr Wesley Petty, who wrote on behalf of Mr. E. H. Bostock, asking for an interview for the purpose of discussing the occupation of the site by the menagerie…

Holding the view that they would be able to satisfy military and police requirements with regard to lighting restrictions, the promotors of the show approached the Ministry of Munitions to ascertain whether a visit to Leeds was likely to affect the output of munitions. The negative reply they received appears to have been somewhat freely translated into an official sanction to hold the show. At any rate, armed with this document, they commenced negotiations for the renting of a suitable pitch in Leeds, and a contract was eventually signed whereby they agreed to occupy the vacant plot of land behind the wholesale meat market in New York Street, for one month, at a rental of £50. Messrs. Bostock and their agents were solely responsible for the negotiations with the Ministry of Munition and the Military Authorities, and the Corporation and its servants had no share in the matter until the contract came to be signed.

61

17 DECEMBER: GREEK GOVERNMENT ISSUES WARRANT FOR ARREST OF M. VENIZELOS. 20 DECEMBER: PRESIDENT WILSON’S NOTE COMMUNICATED TO BELLIGERENTS. 22 DECEMBER: KING’S SPEECH PROROGUING PARLIAMENT DECLARES THAT “THE RIGOROUS PERSECUTION OF THE WAR MUST BE OUR SOLE ENDEAVOUR”.

26 DECEMBER: GENERAL JOFFRE CREATED A MARSHAL OF FRANCE. 29 DECEMBER: MONK RASPUTIN MURDERED IN PETROGRAD. 30 DECEMBER: CORONATION OF KING CHARLES ADN QUEEN ZITA OF HUNGARY.

WHO’S WHO QUIZ?

I took my boyhood friend and years-

long tamer Reuben Castang a big jar of real Hamburg eel soup, and that soup was cooked from stock made from a Norwegian hambone – Reuben’s favourite dish. Together with all the things that go with it, I presented myself at the entrance to the Berlin foreigners’ internment camp, out on the of Ruhleben road, for it is there that as an Englishman the poor fellow has to spend the whole war.

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: H L

SIMONA’S PARROT.

30/12/1916 The World’s Fair

NEWS FROM LORENZ HAGENBECK. Now in Germany such pleasant things such has ham and salami are rarities and before we returned to Germany each man was anxious to smuggle something out for their folks at home. But somebody tipped off the Oslo police and just as Sawade was going through his last tiger item the police descended on us looking for prohibited goods, inc: gold, rubber and other things of use to the war effort. As at that moment the animal wagons were empty the law surged into them, tapping the walls and boring holes in the floors. For do not

“What

I Heard.” ____

Funds are required to carry on the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Buffet at Victoria Station, London. £25 will pay expenses for one day, which will be named :

“THE SHOWMEN’S DAY”

___ There is a German circus trainer, boxer and Gymnast called Joseph Pilates interned in Knockaloe Camp, Isle of Man. He is working on an integrated system of physical exercise fitness regime to help the inmates.

1 - THE EMPEROR OF GERMANY? 2 - MR ASQUITH? 3 - EDWARD PABLO? 4 - CINQUIVALI?

1,4,2,3 REDRO OHW S’OHW

WAR CIRCUS NEWS: Reporting on all fronts! 1914-1918

62

Toured Britain Ireland Cuba & USA: Great War, Easter Rising Ireland, Cuban Revolution,

Toured Britain & Ireland with her father

Taibosh & Hepston Ruhleben Internment Camp, Berlin 4 years

Mercia Wamba

Reuben Castang

EH Bostock Stayed in Britain

Bostocks

Douglas Toured the World until 1922 Based in Java

Jack, Gus, & Gordon worked in Britain then Served

Frank Foster

Toured Britain, wounded at Vimmy Ridge.

Lorenz Hagenbeck

Roman Proske

Toured Berlin, Warsaw, Oslo, Copenhagen Amsterdam

Garrard Tywitt-Drake

Nicolai Poliakoff, Coco

Adrien Wettach, Grock

Took Menagerie to America, Served in England & Wales

LEFT

1914 - Russia, to Switzerland, via Copenhagen and Berlin, Visit to Nante, performed Paris and Britain

2 years to get from E Africa to Austria, Fought Polish border

Great War and Russian Revolution: 6 Armies in 5 years taking him to Riga, Siberia, Moscow, Petrograd

63

Circus News From Across The Globe.

WAR CIRCUS NEWS Reporting on all fronts!

www.labonche.net @labonche

1917

ALLIES SEND FORMAL NOTE TO PRESIDENT WILSON January 1917

MONKEY IN WITNESS BOX.

6/1/1917 The World’s Fair

FOR SHOWLAND’S TOMMY ___

SOLDIER CLOWN’S VARIED EXPERIENCE. Drummer Johnnie Quinn, has just got back to Blighty after over two years in the Army. He enlisted on August 8th, 1914, and was at the landing in the Dardanelles, and had eighteen months out there.

Previous to joining the Army, Drummer Quinn was principal clown for some of the leading circuses

NEWS FROM E.H. BOSTOCK.

___

SERBIAN & HIS PERFORMING BEARS.

LIVERPOOL’S BIG CIRCUS. For the fourth year in succession a big circus has opened at the Olympia, Liverpool, and, judging from the initial performance on Boxing Day, it would seem that the successes of previous ventures in this line will be repeated. The programme is entirely good, and includes the Grenadier Guards’ band, the Decars with their clever performing geese; Mlle. Mona, lady rider; Gardener’s remarkable maniac bulldogs; Eddie and Cornel, splendid comedians; the Sylfide Sisters of The Air,” they go through an astonishing and graceful performance; the Royal Assam elephants and horses; Eddie and a Zeppelin; Gudzow, Caucasian rider; Grock and his partner, an exceedingly funny pair; the educated “Bonita” pony, guided by Rob Anderson; Frank Van Hoveen, the American mad musician, who made his immense audience shout with laughter; Pimpo and Timmy, with elephant; and the Shannon Family, daring riders. Jack's Smiles is a first class clown. On this occasion Mr George Harrington acts as ringmaster.

1 JANUARY: SIR D. HAIG CREATED A FIELD-MARSHAL. 5 JANUARY: GERMANS CAPTURE BRAILA; INTER ALLIED CONFERENCE IN ROME. 9 JANUARY: BRITISH FORCES CAPTURE RAFA; BATTLESHIP CORNWALLIS TORPEDOED; CARGO SHIP OF ELLERMAN LINES

Best Wishes from Frank. Cayeux 19/6/17 Photo: Frank Foster’s Grandson Frank Foster.

touring Ireland, including Lloyd’s, Hanneford’s, Buff Bill’s and Duffy’s, and has occupied that position over 20 years. He is in command of the Pipe Band and would be pleased to hear from old friends. His address is No. 694, Drummer J. Quinn, Royal Munster Fusiliers, Irish Command Depot, Tipperary. He sends us the following lines:— As I read the good old paper That’s read in every traveller’s home.

A verse is wanted for our Tommy, Fighting far across the foam, Though his people may be busy, In the Hall or Christmas Fair.

Still their thoughts are with you, Tommy, Fighting in the trenches there.

How they miss you from the wagon From the emma and the sheet, From the switchback and the jumpers, From the cine there complete.

From the roll-up and the kick-in, From the shooter and the swings From the stage and good old circus From the traps and flying rings.

But they have gone to do their duty Showmen, every inch, are they.

When we’ll meet them, how we’ll greet them, With a cheer “hip-hip-hooray” …(?)…

6/1/1917 The World’s Fair

At Old Street Police Court on Saturday Stevan Marinicovike (37), a Serbian showman, was charged with causing an obstruction at Virginia Road, Bethnal Green.

A police constable said he found the defendant and his daughter surrounded by a large crowd. The man was prancing about with a brown bear, and the girl was performing antics with a monkey to the accompaniment of a tambourine.

Asked by the magistrate what he had to say, the defendant replied, “Sir, your Worship, no more; I have finish.

No more London. If you catch me in London again, you cut off my head.”

The defendants daughter, who went into the witness box carrying the monkey in her arms, explained that her father and she had been travelling from Manchester with two bears and the monkey in a caravan.

Mr. Clarke Hall suggested that they might get rid of the bears, as they must be expensive to keep, to which the girl replied, “Oh, no, no. Must keep the bears, can’t sell. Oh, no, we will be vary, vary sorry to sell.”

On undertaking not to exhibit his animals in the street again the defendant was discharged. As he left he danced and gesticulated, apparently in appreciation of the magistrate’s leniency.

6/1/1917 The World’s Fair

OBITUARY BUFFALO BILL. On January 10th 1917, Buffalo Bill, Col. William F. Cody, died at Denver Colorado. He was a fine, upright, manly fellow and though much rubbish has been written about him, no one has ever said a mean thing about him.

Correspondence with John S Clarke

The menagerie is having a most terrible time, worse than staying out in the open all winter is that at many towns we have visited we are not able to take up a stance on account it being impossible to continue due to the lighting restrictions. We have to keep moving and my youngest son Jack is working like a galley slave to keep it so doing.

DEATH OF MR. JAMES WM. CHIPPERFIELD. We regret to have to record the death of Mr. James William Chipperfield, who passed away on Thursday last, January 4th, at the age of 68. The deceased was a popular Midlands traveller, but for some time has been located at Ludgershall, Wilts., where he was laid to rest.

13/1/1917 The World’s Fair

NEWS FROM LORENZ HAGENBECK. The circus has continued working in Germany, in the Stettin Central Hall, in order at least to cover the winter costs. Meanwhile Uncle John has managed to hire the empty Chiniselli circus building in Warsaw. Once again the Army Enlisting H.Q. combed through our personal belongings while I with my faithful elephant Jumbo worked all night in driving snow to heave our circus wagons onto the railway platform trucks. 10 hours it took, Jumbo was wrapped in a padded tarpaulin, I shared my last bottle of rum with her.

What a contrast to our Scandinavian tour! Most of the windows in our filthy circus train were broken. The savage wind swept the fine snow through every crevice. The journey took three days and nights, for we had to spend many hours in sidings, letting military trains go through, before our ark on wheels could move on. We’ve

64

WAR CIRCUS NEWS: Reporting on all fronts! 1917

S.S.LESBIAN SUNK; CAPTAIN FRY TAKEN PRISONER BY GERMANS. 31 JANUARY: POLICY OF “UNRESTRICTED NAVAL WARFARE” TO TAKE EFFECT ON FEBRUARY 1 ANNOUNCED TO NEUTRALS BY

played two months in The Polish capital. There is ample horse-flesh, for the carnivores, but not enough greenstuff for our herbage eaters, so that we have just lost two elephants, one of these being Nauke, a bull with magnificent tusks. Due to the war it is of course out of the question to get substitutes from India.

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: H L

LION TAMER AND MILITARY SERVICE ACT.

ANOTHER LION TAMER HANDED OVER TO ARMY. DEATH OF MR. JAMRACH. ___

PURVEYOR OF BEASTS FROM ELEPHANTS TO EARWIGS. In the death, at the age of seventyone, of Mr. Albert Jamrach, the famous “purveyor’ of all manner of wild beasts “from elephants to earwigs” (his own phrase) a remarkable figure has passed away.

“The war killed my trade and it is slowly killing me.” He said to me only a few months ago as we stood beside the empty cages in his formerly wonderful menagerie at St. George-inthe-East, London. “My heart is broken. My beloved beasts have gone except a few small birds and beasts, and all that I have left is the museum of curiosities collected by my father in his travels. Even these I am now selling off, but every time a blue vase or heathen god leaves this dusky exhibit I feel as if a part of myself goes with it.”

The Jamrach business was started by his grandfather a harbourmaster, when he bought strange birds and beasts from deep sea sailormen. From specializing in parrots and monkeys his son Charles launched out. It was quite a common things down my the docks to see him gravely conduct a camel through his wide shop door and showing it into the back premises, where alligators, ostriches, eagles, and man-eaters lived in harmony quelled

by Jamrach’s eye…

The business prospered under Albert. He took just as much trouble in supplying his customers with kittens as with kangaroos.

Best of all he was a kindly cultivated gentleman, generous and simpleminded. He considered his trade not as a tradesman merely, for his heart was in it.

At Chelmsford on Thursday, before Alderman G. W. Taylor and Mr. F. A. Wells, Leo Stanley, 19, described as a lion tamer, was charged with being an absentee under the Military Service Act. Police-Sergeant Field stated that the defendant was arrested in London on December 19th, and was then wearing a uniform. He told the police officer who took him into custody that he belonged to the Highland Light Infantry. A telegram was dispatched to the address he gave and a military escort was sent from them, and the prisoner conveyed to camp. On arrival there it was found that he did not belong to the battalion, and he was brought to witness, to whom he admitted that he had not been in the Army, nor had he attested; he said he bought the uniform in Petticoat Lane.

Prisoner: The sergeant is quite correct.

The Chairman: What are you?— I am an actor.— What, a military actor?— No.— What do you do?— I am a lion-tamer— Is that why you call yourself Leo?— No.— Where did you get the uniform?— I brought it in Petticoat Lane.— How long have you been a lion-tamer?— About two years; I bought some lions at Bostock’s — In reply to further questions the defendant said that he had a manager, who was somewhere in the provinces Fenwick Cutting 24/1/1917 Daily Mail with his show.

Mr. W. F. Arlidge, the assistant clerk, pointed out that the defendant all the time had been standing to attention properly, and asked defendant if he had not been in SHOWMEN AND THE the Army. Defendant: I have not been WAR. in any unit. I am only 19. I know how to stand when speaking to a ___ gentleman.

A fine of £2 was imposed and defendant was ordered to be NEW RULES FOR handed over to the military.

PERFORMANCES AT Mr Taylor: I suppose your manager FAIRS. sends you the profits of the show?

Defendant: I get them all right.

Mr Taylor: Well, the country will ‘There is not a showman who hasn’t want £2 of them now. put his ’bit’ in the War Loan”, said M. 13/1/1917 The World’s Fair Patrick Collins, the president of the Showman’s Guild, which held its annual meeting at the Agricultural Hall, Islington, yesterday.

A party of 300 soldiers were ‘We are carrying on with old me and entertained by Lord Dean of Guild cripples, but we don’t complain and Reid in Springburn Public Hall, are prepared to make any sacrifices if Glasgow. Tea was served, and they are help to win the war. When the attractive entertainment was given by railway became congested I placed my the artistes of Hengler’s Circus. engines and men at the service of the 26/1/1917 Daily Record Government. The military authorities were astonished at the rapidity with which they did their work.”…

At the meeting it was announced

that the showmen had given eight motor-ambulances to the Red Cross, and that thousands of pounds had been raised by them for patriotic purposes.

Fenwick Cutting 25/1/1917 Daily Mail

MONKEY DETECTIVE. ___

SHOWS MASTER’S GRAVE AND ATTACKS ALLEGED MURDERER. How the murder of a Chinese conjuror was revealed and the alleged murderer identified through the actions of an intelligent monkey belonging to the dead man is related by the “Singapore Free Press.”

Resting on a Malay hut after a performance on a rubber estate near Taiping the conjuror was attacked, killed, and robbed, the body afterwards being dragged out and buried. The murder apparently was witnessed by the monkey, which took refuge in the rafters.

Later a European walking some distance from the hut was surprised by a monkey coming towards him and pulling at the leg of his trousers. He tried to drive the animal away by kicking it, but it persisted in clawing at his legs and then trotted a little way ahead and looking back to see if it was being followed.

Finally the man followed the monkey to a mound of freshly turned earth, which it began to scratch up.

The man informed the police, who dug up the soil and found the mutilated body of the monkey’s master.

Suspicion fell upon a Malay, who on being brought up at the police station with a number of other men was immediately attacked with great fury by the monkey, which was with difficulty prevented from doing him an injury. The Malays’s guilt has yet to be established by the court.

27/1/1917 The World’s Fair

LT. FRANK CODY SHOT DOWN IN DOGFIGHT. On 23 January, Frank Cody was shot down in his plane over France.

He was seen in combat with four enemy planes east of Boesinghe after which he spiraled down in a nose dive.

From an enquiry, which was dropped over enemy lines, reliable sources confirmed that his body was found at Houthulst G.C. His father also died in an plane crash, 1913. He was 21 years of age and father of one.

BEAR IN THE TRENCHES. Mr. Henry Wood, the United Press correspondent with the Russian Army on the French front, mentions that the mascot of one of the Russian

LEFT

GERMANY. 3 FEBRUARY: U.S. BREAKS RELATIONS WITH GERMANY. 4 FEBRUARY: BRITISH DEFEAT SENUSSI AT SIWA. 7 FEBRUARY: REVOLUTION IN

regiments is a huge bear from the Caucasians. When the time comes for the men to go in the front line trenches for its six days of duty the bear goes along. He keeps the all night vigils with the sentinels, and as there is nothing else to eat on the front line trenches except the regular rations that are brought up from the rear he permits the soldiers to divide their share with him. When the bear has finished his time in the front line trenches along with he regiment he accompanies the latter back to the rear for the customary six days of repose.

27/1/1917 The World’s Fair

February 1917 THE WORKING OF BOSTOCK’S MENAGERIE. ___

APPEALS BEFORE TRIBUNAL. Before the Plymouth Tribunal on Wednesday, an application was made

by Messrs. Bostock and Wombwell, of menagerie fame, for the exemption of three men. Mr. Isaac Foot represented the firm, and said the circumstances were exceptional in view of the history of the menagerie and the remarkable contributions the firm had already made to the forces of the Crown. He hoped that with regard to Mr. Bostock’s son, Jack, the tribunal would see their way to say this was an exception coming under the description in the circular “could not be spared without serious detriment to work of national importance or on other strong grounds of exemption.”

The three men applied for were now at Bradford, but Mr. Bostock, the proprietor, had travelled from Glasgow to put his case before them.

Since this case was before them on the last occasion Mr. Bostock’s other son had joined the colours, and also two other men who were applied for. The son, now appealed for was the mainstay of the business, the conduct of which was just now made more difficult by the fact that the military had commandeered the building at Glasgow which was the winter home of the menagerie. Before conscription Mr. Bostock gave every encouragement to his men to enlist.

When the war broke out the had 38 men, and with the substitutes they had contributed 41 to the army. The capital invested in this business was £15,000, and the turnover £100,000, and it was recognised under the educational code that attendance at the menagerie was equivalent to school attendance.

The tribunal disallowed the claim of Mr. Bostock’s son, 27 years of age, and gave conditional exemption to the other two men, who were 40 years of age. It was agreed that the son should not be called up before March 1st.

3/2/1917 The World’s Fair

WAR CIRCUS NEWS: Reporting on all fronts! 1917

RIGHT

PETROGRAD. 22 FEBRUARY: GERMANS TORPEDO 7 DUTCH VESSELS OUTSIDE FALMOUTH BUSINESS NAMES ACT IN FORCE. 24 FEBRUARY: GENERAL MAUDE CAPTURES KUT-EL-AMARA.

25 FEBRUARY: GERMAN RETREAT ON THE ANCRE. 26 FEBRUARY: GERMAN RETREAT CONT. 28 FEBRUARY: BRITISH CAPTURE GOMMECOURT.

WAR STOPS SANGAR’S CIRCUS AFTER 74 YRS

MR. E. H. BOSTOCK’S ENTERPRISE. ___

THE ROYAL ITALIAN CIRCUS IN INDIA. The Royal Italian Circus, after a triumphant run in other countries, has now arrived in India and opened at Calcutta recently. The Press and public are unanimous in their praise of the excellent performance provided, and the following is a press cutting from one of the leading papers.

It is no exaggeration to state that the Royal Italian Circus which opened at the Grand Opera House on Monday night is of a class and quality never before seen in Calcutta. Apart from the clever artistes who are all “stars” in their particular lines, the circus possesses about two hundred small animals which are remarkably well trained and intelligent and who perform all the usual circus feats including trapeze work and even pantomimes. Indeed some of the tricks performed by the animals appear incredible of belief unless one actually sees them one’s self. ___ Among other things one of the performers walked up a rope stretching from the centre of the ring to the top of the gallery, and slid down it first on his back and then on one foot, balancing himself with a pole.

There is no net to protect in case he slips so that a fall means serious accident or possibly worse. A contortionist Julian aptly termed an “anatomical wonder,” Spuds, a funny little man, and Fasolin, a flying trapeze monkey, complete the program.

It only remains to add that the clowns are unusually good, that the human performers are all Europeans, that the house was packed, and the audience who were enthusiastic throughout thoroughly enjoyed the delightful and original entertainment put before them. ___ After having been in existence since 1843 the circus and menagerie of Messrs Lord John Sanger and Sons has been closed for the duration of the war in order to release labour for work of National importance.

Fenwick Cutting 15/2/1917 Newcastle Journal

SERIOUS ACCIDENT TO BOSTOCK’S BANDMASTER. Harry Holmes, of Newark, the bandmaster in Bostock and Wombwell’s show, had a narrow escape from death on arriving at the Leeds New Station on Saturday night, on his way to visit friends at Armlet.

He fell between the train and the platform whilst the former was in motion, and his right arm was badly mangled. He had the presence of mind to lie still when he fell, and undoubtedly that saved his life. He

Acrobat, having been officially informed that he belongs to one of the non-essential professions, determines nevertheless to devote his talent to the cause of his suffering fellow countrymen. Punch 29/2/17 Helen Averley Collection was afterwards taken to the Leeds Infirmary where it was found necessary to amputate the arm at the shoulder.

17/2/1917 The World’s Fair

NICOLAI POLIAKOFF CHILD SOLDIER GOING HOME. Food has become very scarce and quality meals are rationed to those desperately ill. The chief medical officer just came into the ward and made an appeal for any patient strong enough to walk to leave and fend for himself. Although I still feel very weak, I have said I will go. They have given me clothes that would make a circus audience roar with laughter - a soldier’s coat, an athlete’s belt, and civilian trousers - the hat I cannot describe! And now, in these grotesque clothes, I will walk the snowy streets of Petrograd.

This is a Petrograd I do not know.

The city is starving. Everywhere workers are on strike, even with threats of 25 years banishment to Siberia or the firing squad. Children wail, families huddle into the angles of the walls trying to keep off the deadly cold. People are literally starving to death. Everywhere armed policemen move the miserable people on. I cry for them, and Russia - tears of weakness and sorrow.

65

you to death There is no hope for you!

Are you going to stand by and see your husbands starved to death, your wives dying from the cold, your children trampled underfoot?’ He whipped off a red cloth attached to the side of the lorry revealing bayonets, swords, revolvers, and ammunition.

The crowd went mad! What cries and cheers came from those poor weak throats! As I write this I’m admiring the bayonet someone thrust in my hands and the sight of it in my athlete’s belt makes me grin.

Pandemonium has broken loose in Petrograd! A tired old man, carrying a dinner-basin tied up in a red handkerchief, tried to push his way through the crowd to cross the River Neva bridge. A Cossack stopped him.

In a thin, piteous voice, the old man explained that if he could reach the other side of the river his daughter might let him have a little food.

Looking sadly at him, the Cossack refused and turned away. The old man trailed wearily after him, repeating an old Russian proverb that says that a man who is not hungry can never believe a man who is hungry. This annoyed the Cossack officer who ordered a soldier to take the old man away. But the soldier did not move.

With an angry oath, the officer rode up to the old man and slashed him furiously across the face with his riding-whip. The old fellow dropped his empty basin and began to cry.

Without a word, the Cossack drew his sabre and killed the officer. The Cossacks killed all their officers. The crowd went mad and tried to rush the bridge. But from every housetop along the quays came a rain of bullets, fired by policemen hidden with machineguns, killing many. The bodies were tossed in the river. A howling, impassioned mob streamed across the bridge and stormed the public buildings. The revolution has begun.

This is not the kind of circus for me. I must get to Riga at all costs!

As conditions get worse, revolution becomes more attractive. I have just tried to cross the River Neva but have been refused by a policemen, saying that no one can cross the bridge tonight. What should I do! I wish I could return to the hospital, even without any food. A motor lorry pulled up packed with students, soldiers, sailors on leave, and a few women. A long-haired student stepped out and stood up on a box, addressing the crowd in a passionate language: I have cut my leg on my own “My comrades!’ he cried. ‘The war is bayonet. stare at a red rosette made being lost. At home they are starving from the Iclothes of dead men. I was

trying to push through the crowd in the Zabolkanski Prospekt when there was a fresh burst from the machineguns on the roofs. Men and women were shot down all around me and that’s when I fell and my bayonet clashed with my leg. Dazed and frightened, I picked myself up. Just as I was passing a big building, someone cried: ‘Look out, there!’ I rushed to one side just as a huge cabinet came crashing though a top-floor window. It smashed to splinters on the pavement, and out rolled three high police officials - dead. A soldier on horseback - how funny he looked - rode up and emptied his revolver into them - just to make sure. The crowd, screaming and shouting, tore the red-lined coats off the dead men. They made the linings into any red rosettes. An excited laughing girl pressed one into my hand. I stuck it into my coat. But I didn’t want it. I pressed on to the station. A circus clown in a revolution!

There is something comic in the idea.

But right now I don’t feel very comic.

Even just getting onto the train was a challenge. Amongst the crowd at the station, in my queer costume, my bayonet in my belt, and a red rosette in my buttonhole, I thought I looked enough of a revolutionary to get a pass for Riga. Hours later, it seemed, a train came in. Thousands of men, women, and children stampeded over the platforms. Women fainted.

Children were trampled underfoot. I heard terrible cries and groans.

Humanity and decency were forgotten in this wild exodus from a city gone mad. It was quite impossible to get into a compartment, so I climbed to the top of the coach, it was crusted deep in snow. But so thickly wedged were the passengers in the coach underneath me that the heat of their bodies rose like plumes of smoke through the ventilators. And this vapour, nauseating though it was, was the only thing keeping us alive as we travelled through the night in Russian winter.

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: Coco

SANGER’S CIRCUS. After an unbroken record of activity from 1843, it is stated Lord John Sanger’s circus and menagerie is to go on tour no more until the end of the war. The big tent has been stored away, the animals disposed off, and the seventy-five draught horses, including the famous royal cream ponies, are to be sold in London at an early date.

“It is chiefly the labour trouble that has made us come to this decision,” said Mr. Sanger on Saturday. “We have decided to heed Mr Neville Chamberlain’s appeal, and not hold men employed with these show horses who can be utilised for work of national service. When the war is over we shall resume our tour.”

17/2/1917 The World’s Fair

WAR CIRCUS NEWS: Reporting on all fronts! 1917

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LAUGHTER AT THE SOMME, BRINGS CLOWN TO TEARS

1 MARCH: ZIMMERMAN (GERMANMEXICAN) PLOT REVEALED IN U.S.A. GREAT INDIGNATION IN U.S. 4 MARCH: AMERICAN MERCHANT

17/2/1917 The World’s Fair, Editor

CUBA IN CRISIS. Havana, Cuba, Feb. 19. The uprising in Cuba has caused a panic among circus proprietors here. Other shows are also affected, but tent shows are the greatest sufferers. Before the disturbances, show business of all kinds was better than it has ever been.

The Plantz Circus has closed and the company disbanded. All the circuses on the road have closed and the Santos & Artigos and O'Holoran's Shows

SHIPS TO BE ARMED. 8 MARCH: DEATH OF COUNT ZEPPELIN. 11 MARCH: GENERAL MAUDE CAPTURES BAGHDAD.

but otherwise there was silence for a moment; then they all rose to their feet and cheered more lustily than ever. I cried, I couldn’t help it, they are so wonderful.”

WHAT THE WORLD’S FAIR THINKS. THE CIRCUS—

During the past week or two the end of three circus seasons has arrived. These circuses have been run in London, Glasgow, and Liverpool.

Our readers know how successful Sir Robert Fossett’s Circus always is at the Agricultural Hall, and the lessee, Mr. T. E. Read, would never dream of attempting to run his World’s Fair without such a valuable draw.

Hengler’s Circus in Glasgow has had another successful run and extra matinees have had to be given to cope with the crowds. At the Liverpool Olympia, the season has again been a record one, and it is interesting to read what the local papers say of the circus as an entertainment. The “Liverpool Courier” says: “There was a scene of enthusiasm in the Olympia on Saturday evening, when an immense audience bade farewell to the great circus, which, since Christmas, has afforded pleasure to many thousands.

Notwithstanding the unusual condition of things under which we are living, this year’s circus has broken records, and has been kept longer than the previous one. It would certainly have continued for two or three weeks more, but it has been found necessary to close the theatre for three weeks in order to make preparations for the stupendous revue, ‘Follow the Flag,” which is now in course of construction.

The circus idea has been very successfully tried for four years, and like pantomime, has certainly established itself in Liverpool as an institution. Not only the younger generation, but grown-ups will regret its unexpected early departure.” Now all the above cities are, to most people, over-stocked with places of amusement, but all reports have shown there is a great demand for the circus where bright, happy, and healthy amusement can be found. Our reason for drawing attention to the above is that we feel there is a growing demand for this class of entertainment, and we feel it is the duty of our readers to supply this want. Circusland had always been connected with Showland, and we have no desire to see a boom for circuses, when it does come, and we feel sure it is coming, to fall into the hands of outsiders. We all know what has happened in the cinematograph business where showmen, after doing all the spade work and paying the piper, have let the business slip out if their hands, and we do not wish to see the same take place in the case of the circus.

LEFT

23/2/1917 Newcastle Journal also 3/3/1917 The World’s Fair

NEWS FROM REUBEN CASTANG.

British troops in a captured German trench ('Old Hun Line') at Serre, March 1917.

Serre was occupied by men of the 7th, 9th and 62nd Divisions on 25 Feb 1917 © IWM Q1787

have returned to town. In districts not appreciably affected by disturbances show business continues good.

7/3/1917 New York Clipper

MIDGET TO BECOME AMERICAN CITIZEN. Paul Horompo, a midget, visited the Federal Naturalization Bureau last Friday and announced his intention to becoming a citizen of the United States. Paul was born in Hungary twenty-three years ago and was brought to this country for the Barnum & Bailey Circus. At present he is in vaudeville.

21/2/1917 New York Clipper

GROCK REPORTS FROM ENGLAND. Progress has been rapid. Max is supporting me splendidly and makes it possible to keep adding to and embroidering my number. We are the darlings of all England and appeared for three weeks at the Coliseum. My name is now world-famous. I have attractive offers even from America.

Every foreign manager who visits England is after me, and no matter at what figure. But as I am fully booked up to 1920 I cannot accept any offers.

Percy Reiss is a very adroit man of business, almost as good as I am. My price, owing to him, has doubled and trebled from the beginning of this year. I have now the reputation of being the highest paid artiste in England. I often perform twice and thrice a day at different theatres, partly to oblige managers and partly to swell my bank account.

I, and all the best variety artistes in England, have been summoned to perform at Buckingham Palace before His Majesty King George V. The command, signed, sealed and delivered, bade me to be present at Buckingham Palace on a certain day.

As the years pass I'm thinking again of my chimpanzees, this war cannot go on for ever. I have been talking to Charlie Buchan, an Elder Dempster skipper about returning to the West African jungles. It is good to have a plan for the future and this is my pledge. Meanwhile in Ruhleben, Food is running out in Germany, potatoes are more valued than gold, fats are non existent and even with the help of Red Cross parcels there was little enough to eat in the camp.

Nevertheless it is better in than out from that point of view. Outside there is real starvation so I am always amazed that the parcels arrive intact.

Mind you soap is unheard of and for six months I have not washed. Some people are being released now from the camp, interned prisoner swaps, I think it is quite possible that I have been held back, through sheer pettiness and peak, by my German captors, punishing me for winning the election.

It is a long drive from my hotel and as I did not know the way I took a taxi and was driven there at my own expense. I gave my name and was admitted. I was then conducted to the stables inside the Palace enclosure.

They had been arranged for my performance, with boxes specially set up for the royal family and other notabilities. I had a wonderful reception, but there was nothing else Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: T R to reward me for being chosen to entertain the Royal Family. I crept away as unobtrusively as I had crept in. However I have received one mark of favour - an appointment as NEWS FROM AMERICA. entertainer to the Royal Family.

Believe me it a great thing to posses Great Keystone Show. Goochland, such a document, I shall keep it all my Va., 15. A wagon shed and paint shop life.

Narrative extracted from Biography Bibliog. Ref: G has been erected at the winter quarters of the Great Keystone Show here. Manager Sam Dock has just returned from a three weeks' business trip. He has purchased considerable NOTED ENGLISH new paraphernalia. New stake and CLOWN. chain, plank and side show wagons have been ordered. Wiley Ferris is ___ dividing his time between reading the CRIED AFTER war news and playing the una-fon, ENTERTAINING TROOPS which arrived several weeks ago. Ed Davison has the stock in fine shape.

AT THE FRONT. Marion Liller, last season’s property man with this show, has joined the U. Footit, the English clown, who went S. Navy. to France with Lord George Sanger’s circus in the eighties, settled down and Hannefords became an established favourite in Paris, has spent a week between the The Hanneford Family will leave the British front on the Somme, where he Santos y Artigas Circo next month in has been giving two performances a order to open at the Garden with the Barnum & Bailey Show; also day.

With a son who has offered himself Rodriguez. (Despite unsettled times in several times to the British Army, but Cuba.)

24/2/1917 New York Clipper has been rejected— one son has joined up— Footit gave shows in tents and huts, anywhere, in fact, where an audience could be gathered. One of the old clown’s shows was given NICOLAI POLIAKOFF before 3,000 men who were returning CHILD SIBERIAN to the front trenches the next day.

SOLDIER NEWS. “They made the old clown cry, they are so wonderful,” Footit told a Only two months after my treatment correspondent. “At the end of my in Riga I am back in the hospital bed, show I called out to the boys: ‘Now this time in Petrograd for special give three cheers for your King and treatment, after being wounded in the country.’ They cheered loudly; then I feet and face. Although traumatised said: ‘Now give three cheers because by the capabilities of man revealed to you will all be in the front trenches me I am thankful that my sense of tomorrow.’ One or two men laughed, humour remains and am enjoying

RIGHT

WAR CIRCUS NEWS: Reporting on all fronts! 1917

12 MARCH: ANTI-MONARCHICAL REVOLUTION IN RUSSIA. 15 MARCH: ABDICATION OF TSAR NICHOLAS OF RUSSIA. 16 MARCH: GENERAL FRANCOBRITISH ADVANCE.

joking with other patients in the ward.

We’re not allowed to smoke though and how I have been longing for a cigarette! Thankfully the man in a bed near my own quickly lit up after the orderly left the room and offered me one. There was one problem though he had arm injuries so could not throw and I could not walk for my feet so on first look just getting the cigarette was problematic. But my circus mind came alive! I half fell out of bed and walked to him on my hands, my bandaged feet waving in the air! It is not all fun and games though on the ward. I lie awake every night knowing the Germans come nearer and nearer to my beautiful Russia every day, as if they can make no mistake. Insomnia consumes me as I hear the relentless tramp, tramp of their marching feet and I toss and turn in horror. Nicolai the boy has slowly died - I am now Nicolai the man. Deep inside Coco the clown lives on.

17 MARCH: BRITISH CAPTURE BAPAUME; RESIGNATION OF M. BRIAND AND HIS CABINET. 23 MARCH: GERMANS DEFEATED AT ST. QUENTIN-LA-FÈRE; GERMAN RAIDER MOEWE RETURNS TO GERMANY. 24 MARCH: ALLIES RECOGNISE NEW RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT.

looking after your interests in this affair and you must give them all the assistance you can to stop the restrictions on circus posters.— Yours, etc., HARRY HUMPHRIES ADVERTISING MANAGER Hippodrome,

Liverpool.

10/3/1917 The World’s Fair

Ready for a bite. Hippo shows a swallowing capacity like Jonah’s whale.

ALL SHOWMEN ARTISTES.

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: Coco

AMERICAN CIRCUS PROPRIETORS AND MOTOR TRACTION. The motor vehicle has now begun to oust the horse from its long monopolised importance in connection with travelling circus, the United States Circus Corporation, of New York, having just placed an order for no fewer that one hundred 3 1/2ton Kelly-Springfield trucks, on which the animals and properties of the circus will be transported from town to town and village to village throughout the United States.

A magnificent lion’s head

Fenwick Cutting, T&W Archives 7/4/1917 The Newcastle Illustrated Chronicle

cousin, Mr. Frank Bostock, who is over military age, to take charge of the menagerie.

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: B EH

FRANCE GOES DARK.

CUBAN REVOLUTION

Paris, Fr., Feb. 28. Owing to the coal crisis here the government has decreed that all theatres, music halls, cinemas, concert halls, circuses and skating rinks be permitted to open only three days weekly, with a total of five performances, three nights and two matinees.

7/3/1917 New York Clipper

Havana, Cuba, March 2. Havana is shut off from the rest of the island on account of the revolution. All the wires are down, and there are no trains leaving this city. There is considerable anxiety felt for shows on the road, which, though they have closed, have not reached here. The Pubiliones Circus played Camaguez more than two weeks ago, but nothing has been heard from it since.

NEWS FROM E.H. BOSTOCK. My youngest son Jack, John Reginald Wombwell Bostock, has now joined the Army, leaving the menagerie. Now my only other son, Douglas, is in the business. He is in India managing the Royal Italian Circus. I am left now with all my businesses, which have been built up, so to speak, around and for my family.

I really am disposed to break up the menagerie, but there is no one to buy them, nor give them away to and I do not want to shoot them, so I have struggled to find a solution on in this adversity and was relieved that I managed at Easter to convince my

The Pelican

Bostock & Wombwell’s visit to Newcastle -upon-Tyne.

24/2/1917 The World’s Fair

March 1917

67

7/3/1917 New York Clipper

FRANK FOSTER NEWS A forced march from Armentières to Arras, where we took part in the Battle of Vimy Ridge, it only lasted 4 days, 9-12 April, anyway it has ended with me a casualty and coming to consciousness in hospital at Etaples.

The first thing I noticed was that my feet were in huge bandages, sticking out of the bottom of the bed. I was horrified. I thought: my circus days are over. But a grinning nurse has reassured me that I will be alright they are only frost bitten. Only then did I notice that my head was bandaged as well. Then they told me that I had been dug out of a shell crater with shrapnel wounds in my head and a twisted leg.

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: F F

CIRCUS POSTERS TO BE RESTRICTED. TO THE EDITOR OF THE “WORLD’S FAIR” Sir,— We have now entered upon the third year of this terrible war, and the circus proprietor is preparing his show for the road. This year it will be a terrible season for all, so a certain well-know circus proprietor remarked to me a few days ago, when with the shortage of labour, the price of food and the restrictions on posters. For advertising is the chief item of the show. No circus, large or small, can make a living without advertising which is the road to success. No matter what the show’s like inside as long as you flood the town with attractive and startling posters the public will certainly flock to see it.

The new restrictions which come into force on March 11th, 1917, limit the size of posters to 600 superficial square inches which is exactly a double crown size. The only means of advertising the circus now is with day bills window bills and fly posting on the road, and before very long even these will be restricted, for I am given to understand from a most reliable source that all theatrical and amusement bills will have to be dispensed with altogether.

Now, gentlemen, your living is at stake. It is up to you to try and avoid these new restrictions, The public want amusements and as Mr. Neville Chamberlain said last Saturday, at a meeting in London, it was essential that amusements should be provided for the people.

Now, gentlemen, the theatrical managers association is

On Wednesday, February 28th, at the Hospital Command Depot, Tipperary, the sick and wounded soldiers were entertained with a tea concert provided by Mrs. Cox, wife of Lieut.-Col. Fitz Cox, commandant at the depot, and other ladies who reside in and about Tipperary. It is interesting to note that the artistes who appeared were well up to the standard. These included Johnny Quinn, late principle clown of Buff Bill’s, Hanneford’s, and Duffy’s circuses, who gave the boys a treat with his extempore clowning, bringing in all the events that happened at the concert, and that charming little comedienne, Annie Quinn (daughter of Johnny Quinn) was the bright spot of the evening.

10/3/1917 The World’s Fair

CUBAN REVOLUTION. Havana, Cuba, March 7. Pubiliones and what is left of his circus troupe has been marooned in Camaguey since February 11, and can not move anywhere, not even to this city. Some of his acts, including the Toto Seigrist Troupe, who have arrived here were obliged to spend four days and nights in a little sailboat in order to reach this city. There seems to be little abatement in the Revolution.

4/3/1917 New York Clipper

WANTED To Sell, owing to call-­‐up, large Funland, Oinest position in London; 7 years to run, on lease £1350.

Stock optional; plenty of buyers for it.

Fixtures valuation. Boos show satisfactory results, also income tax.

Apply, 107, Strand, London.

14/3/1917 The Era

WAR CIRCUS NEWS: Reporting on all fronts! 1917

68

26 MARCH: BRITISH ATTACK TURKS AT GAZA. 5 APRIL: U.S. DECLARES WAR ON GERMANY.

8 APRIL: AUSTRIA-HUNGARY BREAKS WITH U.S.A. 9 APRIL: BRITISH ADVANCE AND CAPTURE VIMY RIDGE; BRAZIL

BREAKS WITH GERMANY. 15 APRIL: QUASI-OFFICIAL OFFER BY AUSTRIA FOR SEPARATE PEACE WITH RUSSIA. 16 APRIL: FOOD STRIKES IN

___

FAMOUS WILD BEAST TRAINER’S FATAL STRUGGLE.

28/3/1917 New York Clipper 31/4/1917 The World’s Fair

WAR WORRIES AMERICAN CIRCUSES. With the gathering of war clouds in the United States, circus and carnival men frankly admit that they are worried concerning the outlook for the outdoor show season which is just about to begin. If the war should assume big proportions it would undoubtedly cripple the circus and carnival business to a serious extent, if it does not tie it up altogether.

The shipment of livestock to the Allies during the past three years has made horses very valuable. Prices on good animals have risen considerably during the war period. If this country should become involved in the European hostilities and the United States should throw her unqualified support in the Allies, there would be even a greater demand for all the live stock available. In this case, the circuses would be sure to suffer. It is known that circus men possess the best livestock obtainable and, in the event of this country facing actual hostilities, the livestock of the outdoor showmen would, in all probability, be commandeered by the federal government, showmen say.

Another problem that would face the circuses in the event of war would be that of transportation. The rolling stock of the circuses might be taken over by the government, which would mean a complete paralysis in the circus world.

The engines and engineers which are rented to the circuses by the railroad companies, would, also, probably be among the first to do federal service in transporting troops and supplies, so that even if the circus rolling stock should not be commandeered, it might still be an impossibility to move it.

Soup kitchens and tents belonging to circuses would also be most likely comandeered, if actual war should come upon the country.

28/3/1917 New York Clipper

GERMANY. 23 APRIL: GREAT BRITISH ADVANCE ON THE SCARPE.

in spite of the fact that no business has been harder hit than theirs with the war. Showland was never so proud as when a few weeks ago the managing director of Messrs. Wm. Foster and Co. Ltd., of Lincoln, builders of traction engines for showmen, was knighted. Sir W. A. Tritton, as has already been disclosed, took a very large share of the development of the “Tanks.” Fifty or more of the Guilds traction engines are working in France; over £3000 has been sent by them to the Prince of Wales’ Fund, and two battalions of showmen are now at the front. Next the Showmen of Great Britain decided to give to their country: a larger fleet of motor ambulances, and presentations of these have been already taken place at Manchester, Wolverhampton, Birmingham, Leeds, Walsall and Hull, as many are on order for other centres. Our “Travellers” did not forget to help the War Loan, and I noticed among the subscribers that

CAPTAIN BONAVITA KILLED.

Los Angeles, March 23. Capt. Jack Bonavita, famous animal trainer, died Monday night from injuries received when a polar bear attacked and mortally wounded him before the keepers could come to his assistance.

Capt. Bonavita entered the show business a quarter of a century ago as an acrobatic performer with a wagon circus. He soon became trainer of the wild animal show and his life from that time had been a series of thrilling escapes. He was formerly associated with Bostock’s Jungle, and travelled the world and had appeared before royalty. He had had many narrow escapes more than most men in his profession.

LEFT

British Soldiers convalescing at Rouen. © IWM 2339

A NEW TURN. A famous old performer— whose name, for the time being, I must not divulge— invited me the other day, for my own satisfaction, to witness his pupil— a most artistic young performer— a true Olympian— practice his unique Funambulistic “stunts.” Calm reflection showed me that I had discovered a rara avis in the direction of performers on the narrow path of the tightened rope. It would really be hard to find a more novel act, and it has rarely been my lot to see a youngster perform with such masterly ease; his somersaults, twisters, pirouette and new tricks being executed with incredible dexterity and grace. The act will be ready for showing in a month from now and if any enterprising entrepreneur would care to see it and would make it his business to communicate with me, I can promise him something worth travelling miles to see. ____

April 1917 BOSTOCK AND WOMBELL’S MENAGERIE. ___

Visit to Newcastle.

A first-rate “topper” at the Birmingham Hippodrome this week is Miss Cashmore’s great sporting act, introducing her five splendid white horses and highly trained canines. She is assisted by Joseph Cranston and his clever monkey. These performers some little time back, were the success of South America, being with the Frank Brown’s show for 18 months.

Bostock and Wombell’s menagerie will be located in the Haymarket, Newcastle, for ten days, commencing on the 6th April. … The numerous carriages will contain, amongst other unique specimens of forest and jungle habitants, a fine collection of lions of all ages from a few weeks upwards, (including “Wallace,” “Brutus,” “Nero;” and “Prince,” which Captain Wombwell performs with daily at 3.30, 7, and 8,30, tigers, leopards, bears, hyenas, wolves, jaguars, a wagon load of monkeys, and aviaries of foreign birds, etc.

The latest additions include the giant hippopotamus, the only one travelling; it is undoubtedly a show in itself…

To-morrow (Thursday), the opening will be graced by the patronage and presence of the Right Hon, The Lord Mayor, the Sherriff and City Council at 3pm. The whole of the day’s receipts will be given to the Lord Mayor’s War Relief Fund.

31/3/1917 The World’s Fair

Fenwick Clipping 4/4/1917 Newcastle Evening Chronicle

SIMONA’S PARROT SHOWMEN AND THE WAR.

(By ARTHUR J. FENWICK, Hon. Member of the Showman’s Guild.)

“What I heard” The size of Circus posters is now restricted by the Government to 600 square inches. Mr Proctor says we can only advertise now with day bills, window bills and fly-posting.

Ref: W,S, 10/3/17 The World’s Fair

The arrival of the Bostock and Wombwell’s Menagerie has always been an interesting event in our city: it is our oldest travelling show, and the Lord Mayor’s War Relief Fund has benefited by receiving from Mr E.H. Bostock, the proprietor, the whole of the opening day’s takings without any deduction. This generosity reminds me of many other instances of the great patriotism of the travelling showman,

ARTHUR FENWICK, © Fenwick Family, T&W Archives

the executors of the late Frank C. Bostock invested the splendid sum of £17,500 and one of the youngest roundabout proprietors took up £2000 worth. Mr Patrick Collins, president of the Showman’s Guild, said at the annual meeting in the agricultural hall, Islington, "There is not a showman who hasn't put his "bit" in the War Loan."

An appeal from Showland has been made for the Soldiers and Sailors buffet at Victoria Station, London, through the office of The World’s Fair, £25 paying expenses for one day, and through the generosity of its readers, they have now almost enough funds to provide four of these days, which will be known as “The Showman’s Days.”

It should also be mentioned that every show in the land is assisting to pay for the war through the Amusement Tax. Lord John Sanger and Sons have released from the circus all the elephants for work on the land, and photographs appeared in most of the illustrated papers of ploughs being drawn by this motive power, which is slow but sure.

If during the holidays you should be amongst the hundreds of people looking for a little relaxation by visiting the Menagerie in the Haymarket, Hancock’s Hoppings at Byker, the Carnival of Randall Williams at Gateshead, not forgetting the several roundabouts in the district of the Murphy family, remember the Showpeople have tried to do their bit for the war.

Fenwick Cutting 7/4/1917 Newcastle Journal

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WAR CIRCUS NEWS: Reporting on all fronts! 1917

AMERICAN CIRCUS BIG WAR EFFORT.

: FRANCO-BRITISH ADVANCE CONTINUES. 5 MAY: MR. BALFOUR ADDRESSES U.S. CONGRESS. MARSHAL JOFFRE AND M. VIVIANI VISIT CHICAGO. 14 MAY: SIR ERIC GEDDES APPOINTED CONTROLLER AT THE ADMIRALTY.

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15 MAY: GENERAL PETAIN APPOINTED COMMANDER ON WESTERN FRONT. 22 MAY: COUNT TISZA, HUNGARIAN PREMIER RESIGNS. 29 MAY: MR. ARTHUR HENDERSON LEAVES ON SPECIAL MISSION TO RUSSIA.

Army Service Corps.

BONAVITA’S WILL. Los Angeles, Cal., April 7. According to the will of the late Capt. Jack Bonavita, "Monte," his favorite lion, is to be given to the children of Brooklyn.

In accordance with Bonavita's wish, the animal will be shipped East at an early date and take up his permanent abode in Prospect Park, Brooklyn.

7/4/1917 New York Clipper

Driver Jack Powell.

Engine Driver Jack Powell is the second son of Arthur Powell now travelling the North, and grandson of the late John Whaite, artist, of Manchester. He would like to hear from old friends. his address is: Engine Driver J. Powell, 281442, A.S.C., M.T,, Saltfleetby, Louth, Lincolnshire.

AMERICA’S SHOWMEN READY TO FIGHT. Proof that the men of the outdoor show world are ready and willing to do their bit in defending Old Glory is evidenced in the fact that a movement is already under way to organize a detachment of outdoor showmen for active war service. It is estimated that when the detachment is completed it will have a minimum strength of about 1,500 men, although its actual quota may even double that number.

The movement started several weeks ago when Frank P. Sargent wrote to Secretary of War Baker offering the services of outdoor showmen and asking authority to organize a detachment of Big Top men to aid Uncle Sam in his trouble. Baker sent back word that Sargent would be called upon to make good his offer in the event of the outbreak of hostilities.

Now that war has actually been declared, Sargent and his assistants are already planning for the organization of the detachment, believing that the official order to assemble it is only a matter of a few days.

When the detachment is formed, Major J. H. Shanton will head it. For more than eight seasons, Shannon was chief cowboy with the Buffalo Bill Shows. Since that time, he has been connected with the New York mounted police and has also seen active service in Mexico. Heading the proposed outdoor showmen's detachment, he would rank as its Colonel. Whatever may be the initial cost of the organization, Sargent says that he is willing to personally finance it.

11/4/1917 New York Clipper

FRED BRADNA NEWS. America has declared war on Germany. With my military training I offered myself at once, but the American army spurned me. I had been a German soldier. No amount of pleading that I had been in the Kaisers ranks through compulsion, under the universal military service law, swayed anyone. Americans are naive about history. If I was a recruiting officer, I should instantly have commissioned an Alsatian such as myself to fight against Germany; but I can find no one in America who understands my

Photo reproduced by kind permission of The World's Fair Ltd.

Battles of Arras. German and British wounded going to the dressing station, together. April, 1917 ©IWM Q7801 position. Many of our American stalwarts however have immediately joined the army, and Alf T. Ringling, as usual in charge of specs and tableaux, is unable for the first time in his career to extemporise adequately in the face of many cancelled contracts, the show is ragged.

The army and industry have so cut our personnel that as the circus leaves Madison Square Garden for the road we have only eighty canvas men instead of the usual hard working two hundred and fifty; only twenty middle-aged to elderly property men compared to the normal eighty husky youngsters. The ticket wagon has lost everyone except the general manager and the treasurer. Of electricians, carpenters, and other skilled mechanics there are none with circus experience. There is no blacksmith of any kind. The sideshow manager is strictly on his own, picking up freaks where he can find them - and some just merely long enough to get a free ride to a munitions factory town, where they jump without notice. We have virtually no ostlers, grooms or valets and only one wardrobe mistress for the eighty girls.

As for me, I am now not only the equestrian director but - as in my first season with Bailey - canvas-man, stake driver, property boy, ostler and groom. Many a day I help to drive two hundred stakes before 6a.m., then move fifty trunks into the ladies dressing tent before hurrying to review the parade route with police officials, then rushing back to mount and head the parade. Many a night I am the last to crawl aboard the train.

As though all this is not enough, the Secret Service is following us, constantly finger printing and harassing our foreign-born as though they might turn disloyal between Milwaukee and Madison, or even between Minneapolis and Saint Paul.

We will not play at Washington D. C. at all.

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: B F

NEWS FROM AMERICA. Many Circuses Ready for the Road In less than two weeks' the circus season of 1917 will be in full blast with every manager almost hoping against hope that it may prove better than last year.

Despite the war scare managers have gone ahead and are willing to at least take the gambler's chance. There are practically no new shows hitting the trail this summer, but some of those that made their initial bow last season and fell by the wayside are out again, but under new management, and with strong financial backing will make a try for some of the money supposed to be waiting for the circus, both large and small.

Of the old standbys there is not much new that can be said. They retain the same heads of departments and most of the same performers. As usual, the two big ones - the Barnum & Bailey and the Ringlings - divide the country.

The Hagenbeck & Wallace show will this spring again invade the East as far as Pennsylvania, there to buck up against not only the Barnum show but the Robinson and Sells-Floto as well.

The Wallace show this season goes out again with Billie Curtis as general superintendent.

The Robinson Ten Big Shows will endeavor this season to re-establish itself in the good graces of the people.

In the South this show is a household word, and fears opposition from none of them, but, until Jerry Mugivan and Bert Bowers got control of it, and thoroughly reorganized it, it had lost most of its prestige. This season it goes out combined with the Howe's London show's equipment and a lot of new stuff.

18/4/1917 New York Clipper

AMERICANS JOIN UP. John G. Robinson, of circus fame, has tendered his services to the Government, and his name has been enrolled on the list of reserves for the quartermaster's department. W. I. Swin is another showman connected with the quartermaster's department, and in case of active service will be enrolled with the rank of captain. The value of experienced showmen in handling transportation matters was demonstrated to the Government during the Spanish-American War, when Broncho John Sullivan was put in charge of the loading and shipping of all stock from Tampa to Cuba.

21/4/1917 Billboard

Chicago, April 21. Will Delavoye, principal and producing clown with the Sells-Floto Circus, has turned over his eighty-six acre farm on Pensacola Bay, Fla., to the government for army or navy purposes.

25/4/1917 New York Clipper

Len Goheen will not troupe this season. He says he will go to war if Uncle Sam needs him.

28/4/1917 Billboard

May 1917 DUFFY’S. Wexford: “Duffy's Circus arrived in town in May 1917. It promised a noble stud of horses and coloured ponies along with a troupe of lady and gentlemen acrobats. Also to be looked forward to was "Mademoiselle Petresque, the female human serpent a mystery to all the medical experts of America". Add to these, Texas Jack, the famous rough rider, a merry gathering of men in motley, 10 clowns and several rare attractions and you had an excellent entertainment. To add to the excitement Duffy's promised a gorgeous street procession.”

Wexford County Online publication

WAR CIRCUS NEWS: Reporting on all fronts! 1917

70

NEW AUTO CIRCUS PAOLO’S CIRCUS NEWS. Frank Paulo: I am pleased to say I got back from the war in early 1917.

With my gratuity I bought a couple of horses and broke them for the ring.

With the help of a "mechanic," my daughter Clara was taught to ride. She loves it. Meanwhile, the other children, excited by these circus preparations, are playing truant from school and climbing on the horses' backs and imitating their elders. I have set up a post for the rings and muscles are hardening on them.

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: C-C R

AMERICA Circuses Aid Recruiting for Navy.

Two circuses have volunteered to do their share towards encouraging enlistment in the United States Navy.

John Ringling, for the Barnum & Bailey Circus, and his brother, Charles, for the Ringling Brothers Circus, are giving their cooperation in this direction to Commander K. M. Bennett, officer in charge of the United States Navy Publicity Bureau. The two circuses will carry with them a corps of United States officers and representatives to recruit wherever the circuses exhibit, to give out information, to answer questions, and to distribute literature.

Circuses should be especially effective for propaganda purposes because of the large crowds they draw on show days and because of the vastness of the territory they cover during their tours. These two organizations, between now and next November, will completely cover the entire country, exhibiting in small towns as well as large cities and attracting throngs from surrounding districts. Their campaign will be farreaching and is expected to bring forth big results.

2/5/1917 New York Clipper

ZOO WAR RATIONS. ___

ANIMALS NOW FED ON FOOD REJECTED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION. The Duke of Bedford, presiding on Monday at the annual meeting of the Zoological Society, said the animals were now being fed on food unfit for human consumption.

Meat was limited to horseflesh purchased from the Army. The potato problem presented no puzzle. Though they used to use over 15,000 lbs a year they use none now.

Bread has been prepared by flour not up to the Board of Trade standard and by stale ships’ biscuits rejected as no longer fit for use. Other substitutes

3 JUNE: ALBANIA DECLARED INDEPENDENT. 5 JUNE: 8 GERMAN RAIDERS BROUGHT DOWN. 7 JUNE: BRITISH CAPTURE

MESSINES-WYTSCHAETE RIDGE. 8 JUNE: GENERAL PERSHING, U.S.A., ARRIVES IN LONDON. 11 JUNE: KING CONSTANTINE OF GREECE DEPOSED.

LEFT

15 JUNE: GERMAN AIR-RAID ON LONDON; 104 KILLED; LORD RHONDDA APPOINTED FOOD CONTROLLER. 16 JUNE: ZEPPELIN BROUGHT DOWN IN EAST ANGLIA

equally divided on the point.

Ever since Spellman declared his intention of putting out a big show on motor trucks, the eyes of the circus world have been glued upon him, for all have been anxious to see the outcome of such a revolutionary venture. There have been many wiseacres who, from the first, have predicted that it "can't be done," while others have been just as quick to declare that Spellman is leading the other showmen in outdoor progress.

Bostock’s Collection in L.A. The animals of the Bostock collection are still in Los Angeles. The Spellman sources say that they are being kept there for the time being for purposes of economy, it being 100 per cent cheaper to feed them there than in Ohio. It will only take four days to transport them to Cincinnati, the Spellman men assert.

Juggler at Royal Engineers. E. Signals Wireless Sports, G. H. Q, 12th May, 1917.

It is claimed by the Spellman outfit © IWM Q29417 that the show has been delayed simply on account of the failure to deliver the were paddy rice and lotus beans for serious matter, seeing the amount of electric light plant on time, and it is a wheat, split beans and maize for oats, fodder which the circus horses fact that delivery cannot be made earlier than May 20. trusses rejected by the Army and consumed.

One hundred motor trucks have grass from London parks for hay, Lord St. Levan said the Government been purchased from the Kellysalted or stale fish for fresh, except were making a return of the horses for some delicate birds, and mangle kept by everybody, and when that Springfield people at an announced wurzels and beet root for bananas. return was received they would no cost of $4,000 each. Sixty wooden wagons, at $2,000 each, were also Sugar (about 51lb a week in all), doubt consider the matter. purchased to go with the trucks. These greens, dates, and bananas are used in 22/5/1917 The World’s Fair were bought from the Bodie Wagon small quantities, but only such as are Company. A large number of trailers unfit for human food. were bought from the Troy wagon 5/5/1917 World’s Fair people. The seats and ring curbs have been purchased and are now supposed CIRCUS PARTY to be in transit. The Bostock animals ATTACKED. and a number of elephants were ___ PADDY HEPSTON aka purchased for the Spellman show by CAPTAIN EPSTEIN. Albert E. Kiralfy while he was on a A DARING DACOITY. trip to California. More than two It is so good to be in America, I am dozen clowns have been engaged, as glad to get away for the madness of Mr. John Purchase, Junr., of well as a number of acrobats, riders revolution in Cuba and the ‘mud Purchase’s Menagerie, who is now in and feature acts. show’s. We had to go back to Britain India, sends us the following cutting 23/5/1917 New York Clipper to renew our passports. We arrived in from the “Madras (India) Times”:— rd New York on 3 May on the “A Bogra correspondent reports a Philadelphia. daring dacoity which was committed AMERICAN War Tax Bill. by a large number of Mohammedans We are at Dreamland now with Sam in a fair at Mahasthan Gar in that Gumbertz, the Freak show Czar. He district. It is said about 100 attacked Edward Arlington, manager, and has a fine sideshow line up this in broad daylight a Poona circus one of the owners of the Jess Willardsummer at Coney Island. It is better party, assaulted the players and shop- Buffalo Bill Wild West and Circus, than Barnum and Bailey’s. We will keepers, set fire to the tent and looted exhibiting in Boston this week, fears show alongside Little Lady, the cute about Rs. 10,000 in cash and property. for the future of circuses if the French midget, a Skelton man, Eddie A lion getting temporary release proposed war tax bill on amusements Masher, Amok, Professor Ajax and mauled some animals. The police on becomes a law in its present form.

Franz will be billed as ‘Wild Australian duty sent information to the "There will not be a circus in existence Wild Man’ and is a new star of the Superintendent of Police and the on August 1 if this bill becomes a law “Congress of Curious People.’

Magistrate Armed police soon arrived in its present form," declared Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: P N Arlington. "Circus owners," he and arrested about 24 men.

19/5/1917 The World’s Fair continued, "are willing to pay their share of the war taxes, and it is right that they should, but the Government will simply be defeating itself if the CIRCUSES IN shows are taxed out of existence. It must be born in mind that the circus is CORNWALL. already a very much taxed institution. pays a revenue tax to the United In Penzance Police Court on NEWS FROM AMERICA It States of $100 for each State, and the Wednesday Col. H. W. Williams, a Auto Circus Has Many city and State and other taxation is magistrate, drew attention to the Guessing. usually about all the traffic will bear. advertisements of a circus travelling On top of this, it is proposed to levy a through Cornwall. As a member of the ten per cent war tax.

County Tribunal, where the question Now that the circus season is well "I wonder if the author of that of food shortage was often discussed, under way there is considerable provision really knew what it means? and having in mind the face that a speculation in the outdoor show world The daily expenses of the largest member of a Penzance firm had as to whether or not Frank P. circuses in the United States average informed him they had not sufficient Spellman's outfit is going to take to pretty close to $5,000. There are days fodder for their horses, it was a the road. Opinion seems rather when they play to $10,000 and

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WAR CIRCUS NEWS: Reporting on all fronts! 1917

19 JUNE: ENEMY TITLES OF MEMBERS OF ROYAL FAMILY ABOLISHED. 21 JUNE: ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE FOUNDED. 26 JUNE: U.S. TROOPS IN FRANCE.

29 JUNE: GENERAL ALLENBY APPOINTED COMMANDER IN PALESTINE; GREECE DECLARES WAR ON GERMANY.

$12,000, but the average throughout the season is not much more than $6,000. Out of this apparent profit of $1,000 a day must be paid all costs of wear and tear on the physical property and enough money laid aside to winter the show.

"The actual profit on the great investment involved is comparatively small. On average daily receipts of $6,000 the tax for the season of thirty weeks would be $108,000. No circus could stand that tax and live. But that is not all. It is proposed to tax free tickets on their apparent face value.

Big circuses give away $100,000 in complimentary tickets every season.

This would add $10,000 more to the tax, and on top of that are the taxes on advertising, freight, telegrams, increased postage, boosted railroad transportation and the income tax levied upon the owners. The thing would be absurd if it was not proposed so seriously in Washington.

"I have heard the statement made that amusements such as theatres and circuses were not essential industries, and therefore should bear heavier taxation than other enterprises. This was England's view in the early part of the war. Now England, France and even Germany encourage public entertainment. It is the only relief the public has from the depression caused by the intimate horrors of war."

hours I was handed a pass for Woolwich, where the A.V.C. Depot is, so that I would not abscond with the the pass I was escorted to the railway station though it was only a few hundred yards away and I was va voluntarily enlisted man, not a conscript! Getting my uniform and boots I was recognised by the man issuing them. "I used to make your boots." said he.

6/6/1917 New York Clipper

RINGLING EMPLOYEES REGISTER. Boston, May 29. Nearly two hundred employes of the Ringling Brothers circus will be obliged to register for conscription on June 5 in this city.

Arrangements probably will be made for an election official of the Back Bay section to have an office on the lot on that morning. The show reaches here Sunday, June 8. Nearly one-third of the acrobats with the show are within the conscription age limit, according to the advance men of the circus.

30/5/1917 New York Clipper

June 1917 NEWS FROM TYRWHITTDRAKE, MENAGERIST. A couple of months back I was reexamined by a Medical Board, for the fourth time, and passed B2, so the lowest category - fit for labour. So I left my liaison job and was immediately replaced by a younger waged man!

I cannot get myself a commission, so I am placed in a rather difficult position because I am only eligible for "Labour Corps". I’ve therefore reported to the local recruiting officer in the local barracks and said I wanted to enlist in the Army Veterinary Corps.

Having been kept sitting on a bench in the barracks square for about two

My first job was weeding the C.O.s front drive; no doubt very useful, but to me seemed a waste of my time. The second job was with another new recruit - a master saddler who had to leave his business - and two old soldiers, to cut green fodder in a chaffcutting machine. We worked at a very leisurely pace, and when I suggested we could easily finish it all by 6pm I was at once addressed by one of the old soldiers. " You b-- fool, those are going to last us all day tomorrow", and so they did. The method of which was to set a bundle ready to cut, and one of us in turn on the look out for anyone in authority, when the three others sat about. It was my first lesson in the army to which I have had to be acclimatised. I hope I can remember to pick up the pace of work when I return to civilian life.

I was only at the Woolwich depot for 4 days and when I then went onto the A.V.C. Unit at Aylesford, coinciding with a German daylight air raid. It was about noon when we saw a lot of aeroplanes - I should say twenty or thirty - coming over. We all thought they were ours, but in a few moments everyone was ordered undercover. I don't think anything was dropped.

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: T-D G (1)

AMERICAN CIRCUS NEWS. Dear Sir, In your issue of May 30 your Boston correspondent predicted that those of military age with Ringling Bros. shows would register in Boston, on registration day. Allow me to state as a self-appointed committee of one, that as fare as this show is concerned there will be very little registering in Boston on that date. As has been extensively explained, those who must register must get their certificates to their home address or voting precinct or in the hands of the proper authority, by June 5. To accomplish this end, the boys of the ages called and secured their cards as soon as they were available, and established a record in Jersey City, Newark and Camden for applying early, filling them out and getting them to their proper destination. If there is any registering in Boston on June 5, when the show is there, it will be done by those who are unable heretofore to get cards, or have hesitated from not knowing the requirements of the law. As there has been a special tent for this work with the show every day, added by city officials in each town visited, Boston authorities need not be surprised if no

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CLOWN & EXEMPTION CHURCHILL APPLICATIONS one applies. We've already been there!

R. M. Wilson, care Ringling Bros.

Railroads Paralyse Circuses.

New England Shows Can't Move

What promises to culminate in a complete paralysis of circus and carnival transportation in the United States, has already made itself seriously felt in New England and New Jersey, where outdoor showmen are meeting with the most serious kind of obstacles from the railroads that are moving tent shows with little or no regularity, sometimes completely tying them up, and compelling the cancellation of many important dates.

Many shows in New England section are at a complete standstill, and it is predicted by prominent railroad officials that it will be only a matter of weeks until, from one end of the country to the other, circuses, big and small, will find it impossible to move.

This situation is the result of a government order, sent out from Washington, asking railroad companies to cooperate with the nation's executives for the purpose of conserving the supply of coal as much as practical and, to that end, running few or no special trains. The order asks the railroad companies to give the government their best and first service and to keep the lines clear as much as possible in the event that rush orders for the movements of troops or supplies might be necessary. ….. Other shows which are reported to be suffering seriously as a result of the action of the railroads are: Jess Willard and Buffalo Bill Show, playing New England; Colonial Shows, playing Connecticut; Eastern Amusement Shows, Maine and New Hampshire; Great Eastern Shows, New Jersey; Johnny Jones Show, Pennsylvania; K. G. Barkoot Shows, New Jersey; Acme Show, New Jersey; Lee Brothers, Pennsylvania; Travers Exposition Show, New Jersey, and a score of others.

Besides the New York, New Haven & Hartford embargo on circuses, it is reported that the following lines have taken similar action, and that other roads are about to follow suit: Erie, Lehigh Valley, Boston & Maine, Boston & Albany.

Portland, Ore., June 2. Because so many vacant lots have been plowed up and converted into vegetable gardens in this section of the country, circuses touring the northwest will have difficulty in finding ground on which to pitch their tents.

6/6/1917 New York Clipper

FRANZ TAIBOSH aka CLIKO, THE WILD DANCING BUSHMAN. Now I am in a big sideshow. One day I am called as ‘Wild Australian Wild Man’ another I am called ‘Klikko, a real wild dancing Bushman from the Kalahari desert, South Africa.’ This is closer to the truth. I hear the people copying me, I here them saying “Ooshwa” all across the fairground.

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: P N

AMERICAN CIRCUS NEWS. Washington, June 9. Circuses have been hard hit these days by the requisites of the war and are, therefore, delighted at the latest action of the Senate Finance Committee, in adopting an amendment to the war tax bill, providing for the exception of circuses and theatrical companies from the mileage and transportation tax if they own their own railway rolling stock.

The proposed transportation tax is 3 per cent on freight and 5 per cent on passenger travel, but those circuses and theatrical companies that own their own railway cars will not have to pay it.

13/6/1917 New York Clipper

France c. 1917. A strongman in the French Army lifting a cannon overhead

Mr. Churchill.

GROCK REPORTS FROM ENGLAND. I have just given a show for the Duke of Connaught, the King’s uncle, at the Jockey Club. The room only held a hundred and fifty people and only the elite were there. The applause also was well bred and restrained. I had just removed my grease paint when a liveried footman brought a message. Could I spare the time to go into the Club-room for a few minutes?

My English is good enough by now to let me pass for an Englishman in ordinary circumstances.

WAR CIRCUS NEWS: Reporting on all fronts! 1917

72

ELEPHANTS AID RED CROSS I recognised Churchill among the company. He was smoking a large cigar and he at once seized the initiative.

“Mr Grock, you must agree that the English are far and away the best comedians in the world.”

“Do you include me among them?”

“Well, of course!”

“But I am not an Englishman.”

“Not an Englishman?”

“No.” “Impossible! What are you then?”

“Swiss.”

“Swiss! I know your country well, but it is news to me that humour is one of Switzerland’s exports. But now won’t you be naturalised to put me right?”

They all laughed and so did I. “It would be simpler just to say in future that the best comedians are the English and the Swiss.”

“No, I shall say that the best comedians are the Swiss and the English.”

Isn’t that charming?

Narrative extracted from Biography Bibliog. Ref: G

Paul Schoene, the hand balancer, trapezist and loop walker, left the Cooper Bros. Shows at Conrad, Mont., June 2, to join the colors. He has enlisted in the Navy.

23/61917 World’s Fair

CPT. JOSEPH WOODWARD’S WAR SEA LIONS. Red Cross Collection week 1917, Bostock and Wombell’s elephants at Aberdeen Photo Geoff Younger

MILITARY SERVICE ___

___

WHEN APPLICATION FOR EXEMPTION MUST BE MADE?

A misapprehension exists among a large number of men who are affected by the Military Service (Review of Exemptions) Act as regards the time during which they may apply to the local tribunal for exemptions. All such application must be made within thirty days after the date of issue of FRANK FOSTER NEWS. the statutory notice calling them up for re-examination, and not within After a few weeks in hospital in thirty days – which brings them out of Etaples, I have arrived here at date – of the date of examination of Cayaeux-sur-Mer, a convalescent the calling-up notice to the colours. camp. There is a theatre here with a concert party. I am pleased to say that I have found my old friend Eddie Jay, a character comedian, “why,” he said, CIRCUS PROPRIETOR “ you are the very man I am looking for. Can you still juggle?” … “You FOR THE ARMY. don't want a costume you look funny ___ enough as you are!” I was wearing oversized boots on my feet to cover my INTERESTING CASE IN bandages, khaki shorts and a BIRMINGHAM. Balmoral hat.

The following night, with the aid of some plates collected from the mess Claude Powell (37), circus proprietor, and other odds and ends I juggled the 137, Dawlish Road, Bournbrook, was following night and established myself. summonsed before the magistrates in I could stay here for the duration with the Second Court of Birmingham the concert party, but you cannot get Police to-day, for being an absentee Blighty leave from a convalescent under the Military Services Act. base. I haven't been home for two-and- It was explained that the proceedings a-half years and after begging to be were of a friendly character, with a marked fit, I will have leave and will view to giving defendant an opportunity of providing his return shortly to England.

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: F F contention that the Act did not apply to him as he was not “ordinarily resident in this country.”

Mr. F. E. Darling, the defendant, described Powell as a nomad, adding that his family had been of nomadic tendencies as far as it could be traced back. His parents were in the circus business, and defendant, who was born at Rochdale, left England when five years of age and had travelled all over the world.

When war broke out he was in America. From there he went to Cuba, and he came to England to fix up an 16/6/1917 New York Clipper

8 JULY: RUSSIANS DEFEAT AUSTRIANS AT STANISLAU. 14 JULY: KAISER DISMISSES BETHMANN HOLLWEG. 17 JULY: BRITISH ROYAL FAMILY BECOMES “HOUSE OF WINDSOR”.

well-known horse dealer, collecting horses for the Army. He then joined the Army Service Corps and was drafted to France, where he contracted the paralysis, he then being discharged. He has previously spent six months in the Camberwell Infirmary. He sends his best wishes to Mr. and Mrs. W. Pinder, of Lavilledien, France, and Mrs. and Miss Bostock.

RE-EXAMINATION OF REJECTED MEN. PAUL SCHOENE.

LEFT

engagement in South Africa. At the termination of the engagement there, he failed to get another and returned to England, where he had an engagement of Blackpool. At present he was in this country against his will, and because he could not get away again. In 1910 he married a German woman, and had three children, the eldest being born in Germany and the two others in Blackpool and Yarmouth. The Bench decided the defendant came within the provisions of the Military Services Act and committed him to await an escort. No fine was imposed.

20/6/1917 Birmingham Mail

After having had promising trials with my sea lions in a swimming pool in Westminster and also at Lake Bala in Gwynedd, I have taken them for a further training trial in the Solent – in order to get them closer to a real life simulation of detecting German UBoats – they were tasked with chasing a Royal Navy submarine.

Unfortunately, I have to admit, they were easily distracted by shoals of fish and absconded for hours at a time.

I am sorry to say that as a result the Admiralty has ordered that the War Sea Lions to stand down. But never fear, opportunity is near and I will be presenting them as “The Actual UBoat Sea Lions”.

SHOWMEN’S BADGE.

Sir,— It has come to my notice that the showmen soldiers are wishing to wear some kind of badge of recognition so that should they meet at any time: out here they can always welcome and be welcomed with the same thoroughness which has always been characteristic of this widelyknown body. As I perceive, you think that a difficulty may arise as to whether the Army will recognise the adornment of this sign. Judging from my own observations a large number of Tommies out here have some charm or seal attached to their watch chain, which is generally hung from the top breast pocket and is allowable in the Army, why not attach the Showmen’s Guild badge to the chain by a small ring. I have mentioned this to two there of our boys who are of this profession and they heartily agree with me. Hoping to hear of this being taken up by the mass of boys who are now serving in the colours.— Yours, etc.,

H. BOLESWORTH,

HENRY HARVEY,

J. EDWARDS,

9th Lancers, B.E.F., France The many friends of Charley Colman, formerly of Bostock’s Circus, will be sorry to hear he is at present lying in Edmonton Ep. Colony, Silver Street, London, N. 18, suffering from paralysis of the right arm and leg.

Charley was out in France with Mr. and Mrs. Bostock when war broke out and immediately after he did two trips to Canada with Harry Clarke, the

H. FOSSETT’S CIRCUS IN OXFORDSHIRE. This well-known circus has lately been touring through Oxfordshire and adjoining counties, and last Wednesday paid a very welcome visit to Bledington.

There were performances in the afternoon and evening which were well patronised.

We heartily congratulate Mr. Harry Fossett and all the artistes who, in spite of the great present day difficulties, do their utmost to give the public every satisfaction.

The programme, an excellent one in every way, and by far the best seen in this neighbourhood for a great many years, includes the following: Joey, Pony, and Clown; Mrs. Macken, trapeze act: Tom Keyes, bar act: Miss Doris and her sister in their marvellous bending act, an excellent turn for artistes so young as these.

Little Arthur, England’s smallest bareback rider; Mons. Henry, on his silver wire; Kelly, the baboon with human brain, introduced by his trainer Henry; Miss Priscilla, stirrup act; the original Funny Harry, Funny Phillips and his dog; Miss Carrie Fossett in her latest war songs, a smart up-to-date act; Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Fossett in their daring jockey act; Rattlesnake Bill and Young Arthur, whip cracking, rope throwing, etc.; Funny Philips on his stilts; Mr. Willie Scott in his dashing trick act; Star, the educated pony, with the South African monkey, introduced by Count Floyd, Excellent clowning by

RIGHT

WAR CIRCUS NEWS: Reporting on all fronts! 1917

17 JULY: BRITISH CABINET RECONSTRUCTED. 19 JULY: RUSSIAN ARMIES BREAK UP IN GALICIA. 28 JULY: THE “TANK CORPS” FORMED.

Redhot, Chaplain, and Funny Harry.

Special reference must be made to H. Phillips in his stilt act, this is certainly the cleverest performance on the stilts we have seen, and is a novel and unique act which deserves much praise.

23/61917 The World’s Fair

AMERICAN CIRCUS NEWS. ____ OUR MEN SIGN UP. N. L. Morey, last with the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus was a caller at The Billboard last week, and was wearing the uniform of the Supply Company, Third Ohio Regiment, now stationed in Eden Park, Cincinnati.

Morey hails from Dayton, O., and enlisted in that city July 4 and saw service with the boys down on the border during the recent Mexican trouble. Another one of the Hagenbeck-Wallace boys in the same company is Wm. Barker, of Parkersburg, W. Va.

Peter W. Barlow Dies.

Peter W. Barlow, aged 48, bareback rider, acrobat and elephant trainer, died in his apartments at the Park View Hotel, Pittsburg, Pa., June 11.

Barlow was born in England, and started his career under the white tops at the early age of seven, going out as an apprentice to Ten Bausard. He next toured Australia with the famous St. Leon Circus, then joined the Eldrids in a tour of India and the East, and later returned to the Antipodes, joining the Wirths. After he had toured nearly the entire globe with the Circo Chirini, he became recognized as one of the world's premier bareback riders. In later years, he was seen with the Barnum & Bailey Show, doubling in an acrobatic act. In 1901 Barlow joined Fank Bostock, and during his connection with Mr. Bostock, as an elephant trainer, he introduced many tricks hitherto unknown. Upon the opening of the New York Hippodrome, he was engaged by Thompson & Dundy to put on the Hippodrome elephants, and the act was one of the most talked of offerings of the day. Of late years Barlow had appeared in vaudeville with a dog and pony act (Barlow's Comedy Circus), and until a few days before his death, was connected with the Brunen Carnival Company. He is survived by his widow and a daughter. Interment was in New York City.

23/6/1917 New York Clipper

HENRY DOLMAN KILLED. News has been received by Mr Henry Dolman, Highfield Lane, North Wingfield, that his youngest son Sergt.

William Dolman, who was serving with one of the Canadian Entrenching Battalions, has been killed by a shell in France. Sergt. Dolman, who is a brother of Mr Matthew Dolman, Senr.

Bailiff at the Chesterfield County

73

PATRIOTIC SHOWMEN DONATE FIELD AMBULANCES TO HELP AT THE FRONT Court, had been through the South African war, gaining two medals and six bars. He went to Canada some years ago and enlisted there on the outbreak of war. He was a keen boxer and wrestler, and was sparring partner to Johnson and Ginnett during their tour of Canada. Before going to Canada he won the heavyweight lifting competition at Algy’s Circus. Sergt. Dolman was 35 years of age, and is survived by his wife, who lives in Sale, Cheshire.

29/6/1917 Belper News

July 1917 BOSTOCK AND WOMBWELL’S MENAGERIE. ___

WEEKS VISIT TO ABERDEEN. The ever-popular menagerie of Messers Bostock and Wombwell was yesterday established on the Central Park, Aberdeen, for a six days sojourn. The stay is longer than usual, but this has been deemed desireable in order that certain painting and other work to the caravans and other parts of the establishment may be carried out by local tradesmen – chiefly by Messrs R. And J. Shinne, Union Row. It is also considered desirable that the animals and birds should have a rest, if not a holiday, for a brief period in order that they may be kept in the best condition after what has been proved a very trying winter. It is three years since the menagerie was in Aberdeen, and it should be all the more welcome now that it has come for a few days.

The past three years have brought many changes to the menagerie, And it may be mentioned that no fewer than 57 of the men formally connected with it have been drafted into the British Army. It may also be mentioned that Mr Bostock has three sons with his majesty’s forces. One of them, Mr Frank Bostock, was acting manager when the menagerie was in Aberdeen on the last two occasions.

All things considered – and the difficulties have been enormous in keeping the establishment up to its noted high standard – the exhibits are in excellent condition, from the great hippopotamus, for which a new large caravan and tank have been provided since the last visit to Aberdeen, to the lively monkeys, including a young one recently born in the menagerie, and it’s jealous and ever watchful mother.

In a special cage the only performing polar bears now touring can be seen, and with them a regular family of grizzly bears, spotted hyena, and Russian wolf. Other animals of special interest are the hyenas, Zebu or Brahman bull, prairie wolves, wombats, South African capybara – the largest of the rodent family – a lynx, etc.

As showing the kindliness with

which the animals are treated, it may be mentioned that several of the less dangerous ones might have been seen yesterday enjoying themselves on the green sward of the Central Park basking in the sunshine. Among the birds is a pelican, now over 70 years of age, which has been a feature of the exhibit since it’s early days, and amazing performances given by chimpanzee, elephants and camels will delight the children keen on “joy rides”.

At the side show there are three interesting natural history specimens – a miniature Shetland pony, 11 years of age, said to be the smallest in the world, which can stand underneath a great Dane dog, and by way of contrast, a miniature Manchester terrier, five or six years of age. Among the curiosities, also, is a hybrid between a sheep and a goat. The performance given last evening proved very popular.

The hippopotamus is induced to leave his tank and ascend to an elevated platform in his cage, where his great bulk can be seen, and where he opens his great mouth in begging fashion as persistently as the elephant. The lions go through a remarkable performance in which some idea can be obtained of the grace of movement and great strength. So, too, the wolves, hyenas, tigers, and other animals are made to “show their paces” in a remarkable manner.

3 July 1917 - newspaper cutting from Geoff Younger

DUTCH CIRCUS WOMEN DO NOT NEED MEN. Men are unnecessary on stage, they are only needed for the roles like Punch. Theatre could work just fine with only women. The roles a man can play are limited. Women are the only ones capable of playing women.

Women are just born comedians.

Women are the stars in the Circus (for example Carré or Frits van Haarlem, Barissons, Guilbert). There are no men of real use. Women can tame wild beasts like they tame their husbands. The first one ever to do the death trip was a woman. Dance is also actually only for women. On a stage, if a woman is dancing next to a man, everyone will look at the woman, including he man.

Women aren’t just beauty, grace, charm and loveliness but women are also a sign of courage, power, determination and mind. Women outstand men in the arts.

CARL HAGENBECK SPEAKS

THE FAMOUS

GERMAN SHOWMAN Explains his position plainly

____ To the American public:

" C e r t a i n u n s c r u p u l o u s r i v a l showmen, thinking to discredit my shows, have called attention in various ways to the fact that the Carl Hagenbeck Shows, as exhibited at the World's Fair, Chicago, at the St. Louis Exposition, and later throughout the U n i t e d S t a t e s , i s a G e r m a n institution, having headquarters at H a m b u r g , G e r m a n y , w h e r e p e r f o r m i n g a n i m a l s f o r C a r l Hagenbeck's Shows were trained.

While this is true, it is also true that Carl Hagenbeck's business in America is conducted during the great war absolutely in accord with American ideas and requirements, and American patronage is solicited on this basis only. Therefore, you are assured that you are in no way disloyal to America or American i d e a l s i n p a t r o n i z i n g C a r l Hagenbeck."

Always the public’s friend, CARL HAGENBECK

7/7/1917 Het Toneel (Translated by Leanne Staugaard)

Spicy Interest Statement The above advertisement, 10" x 27.25" red print on white field was ARTHUR FEELY. printed in America on 9 August,. It objects to the claim that the Ringling Bros. Circus is the "only American I have returned with a discharge owned circus" and mentions the from the Royal Army Veterinary "Circus Trust" a reference to the Corps, in France, due to an injury on Ringling ownership of the Sells Bros, my right leg. I now have rejoined Adam Forepaugh, and Barnum & Bostock’s in Aberdeen.

As Bailey Circuses. The advertisement dispensation because of my injury I also singles out the R.T. Richards am allowed to travel in one of the Circus which was owned by Richard T. Ringling. carriages instead of having to walk.

Geoff Younger

Ref: O. Circus World Museum.

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WAR CIRCUS NEWS: Reporting on all fronts! 1917

LEFT

MENAGERISTS TO HELP WAR HORSES OPERATION ON A ZEBRA. CLARK & ENOS. H. H. Clark, who for twelve and a half years trouped in the United States with Bostock, Ferari, Hagenbeck, Forepaugh and the Ten Big, is now a member of the King's forces in England. ___ Rue Enos, fool contortionist, has joined the Yankee Robinson Circus to do his comedy contortion act.

Is that Fred Wombwell on left assisting the Vet?

21/7/1917 New York Clipper

Fourteen men were required to assist the veterinary surgeon who has operated on a zebra at Aberdeen. As a result of long captivity in a menagerie, the animal developed an over-growth of the hoofs, which was successfully removed.

THE BLACKPOOL TOWER CIRCUS.

Fenwick Cutting 10/7/1917 The Daily Mirror

AUSTRALIAN CIRCUS NEWS. Brisbane, Queensland, June 20.

Wirth's Big Circus which is now playing its annual interstate and country tour, is meeting with its usual big success, the war seemingly having no effect upon attendance. A good program is presented, one of the feature acts being Maximo, who has captured our people with his marvelous wire act.

11/7/1917 New York Clipper

BOSTOCK’S ROYAL ITALIAN CIRCUS TOUR NEWS. Douglas Bostock reports: After the Royal Italian Circus’s tour of India, where all our personnel, suffered in the heat, in Bombay and Madras, we moved on to the cooler climes of Penang, in the Straits Settlements, we then journeyed through Java, Borneo, Sumatra, Batavia, Siam, parts of China (including French China), and the Philippines Islands. Then we spent nine months in Japan, and during our stay in Tokyo our circus was patronised by the Emperor of Japan and his seven sons. During the Tour of the Far East I have made Singapore my head quarters.

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: B EH

Corporal Garrard Trewitt-Drake, Army Veterinary Corps, with his mother and a mixed group of pets. T-W G(1) subscribed for by the showmen in that district and of which we gave a full report in our last issue. A large number of prominent people were present at the ceremony. Sir Thomas Oliver (chairman of the joint- committee) and Mr. Sheridan thanked the showmen for the gift, and Col. Percy Hall, who had just returned from the front, joined in the thanks for the two field ambulances which have been sent abroad. Others present included: Messrs. Randall Williams, John Evans, Peter Molley (secretary, acting on behalf of Mr. H. T. Smel(?) at the present in His Majesty’s Forces), John Hancock and, Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Anderson.

14/7/1916 The World’s Fair

14/7/1917 The World’s Fair

BIG CIRCUS FOR LONDON.

We are informed that a syndicate has been formed to build a huge circus in London as soon as the war comes to an end. A capital site has been secured in the West End and all arrangements are complete for proceeding with the venture. At the moment we are not at liberty to state who are the promotors.

14/7/1917 The World’s Fair

PRESENTATION OF EIGHT FIELD AMBULANCES. ____

will shortly join up. The “Monitor’s” report says:— The inimitable motion picture performer who is known to all the inhabitants of the world is immune to German censorship as Charlie Chaplin, has taken the great war and his relationship to it very seriously.

Like Harry Lauder, he has put a large part of his professional earnings into British bonds.

On June 5th he was among the first to register at Los Angeles, Cal., and under the call of his native England, he will cross the ocean and report for military duty at an early date.

Meanwhile, he will enter into no new film contracts. Whether it shall be screened or not, however, he has never appeared in a more creditable role than that of an obedient son to his mother country.

CHARLIE CHAPLIN. ___

BY NORTHUMBERLAND & DURHAM SHOWMEN.

AMERICA REPORT THAT HE WILL JOIN UP.

The Northumberland and Durham Showmen who were present at the presentation of eight patent field hand ambulances which have been

The “Montreal Star” (says the “Daily Express” correspondent) quotes a statesman from the “Boston Christian Science Monitor” to the effect that Charlie Chaplin

A CAPITAL TRIO. ___

AT THE ARMY VETERINARY HOSPITAL.

Blackpool without the Tower Circus would be sadly deficient in its entertainment, and Mr. Geo. H. Harrop, the general manager, sees to it that the Circus improves year by year and thus adds to the pleasure of the thousands of Blackpool’s visitors, who show their appreciation of his efforts which is demonstrated by the large audiences at the various performances (says the “Times”) A remarkable large animal turn is that given by the three Sisters Della Cossa, who introduce three huge Burmese elephants and three horses, which go through a series of evolutions together that denotes not only the docility of the huge animals but also the perfect training of both them and the horses. The mammoths are most tractable and allow the ladies to do whatever they please with them, their every command being obeyed promptly and with precision.

Lord John Sanger’s sea lions are another animals turn which merits the large measure of praise and rounds of applause that greet the numerous marvellous balancing and equilibristic tricks they indulge in. The remarkable thing is that the seals do all their balancing and equilibristic work on the tip of their noses. Their performance invariably evokes enthusiastic applause. Ague Gudzow is the fearless Russian rider who took Blackpool audiences by storm with his daring riding at Whitsuntide, and is once more amazing Tower audiences and eliciting round after round of applause. Pimpo and Tiny, the comedy elephants, cause much amusement by the burlesque of putting a baby to bed, having a meal, and taking part in a boxing bout with one of the artistes, and finally playing the big drums.

The army authorities have long been accused of not putting soldiers to the particular branch where they would be most useful. but it is pleasing to 21/7/1917 The World’s Fair know, at least in one instance, this has now been done. A short time ago we announced that Mr. G. Tyrwitt Drake, ex-Mayor of Maidstone, and owner of the largest private menagerie in CON COLLEANO. England, had joined the colours as a private, and it is interesting to know Con Colleano’s All Star Circus is that at the same veterinary hospital to which he has been sent are William presenting a fine show in Australia, Manders, of Mander’s Menagerie, and with exceedingly good acts. We look G. T. Sadler, who was formerly forward to seeing more.

The Lachlander, July 1917 keeper to Mr. Tyrwitt Drake’s troupe of performing bears (Madame Doris) and previously lion tamer with F. E. Bostock and Lord George Sanger.

21/71917 The World’s Fair

WAR CIRCUS NEWS: Reporting on all fronts! 1917

RIGHT

6 AUGUST: M. KERENSKY FORMS NATIONAL MINISTRY. 8 AUGUST: MR. HOOVER APPOINTED FOOD CONTROLLER IN U.S.A.

OUR SOLDIER BOYS. Drummer Rabbitt… writes:— “Just a little line to say, I am quite well, and still continue to receive the good old “World’s Fair” each week. About two months ago I got a shock on opening it. The first thing to meet my eye was a photo of my best chum, Georgie Wood (late with T. Essam). He was my best pal so you can guess it was a bit of a shock to see he had been killed. We had known each other for years, and his father (whom I was associated with) is one of the best know characters round Kettering district.

The last time I saw George was at Northampton Fair in October, 1914. I remember, some years ago, on Stamford Road Ground, Kettering, a model roundabout being made by Paul Wright, brother to Harry Wright, a well-known traveller. George, I, and Johnny were also very interested in it.

Upon it’s completion I bought it from Johnny. It evoked much interest wherever it was built. Through the “W.F.” I am now able to communicate with Johnny (whose photo appeared the same week.)…

28/7/1917 The World’s Fair

MAULED BY A PERFORMING BEAR. ___

INQUEST ON BRYNMAWR LAD. Mr. R. H. A. Davies held an inquest at Brynmawr on Wilfred Hawkins (5), The son of Mr. E. Hawkins, Worcester Street, Brynmawr, who died at Ebbw Vale Hospital on Monday following injuries received on May 26th, when he was mauled by a performing bear at the show ground. Evidence was given to the effect that the bear chased the lad, and afterwards hugged him.

The bear had been kept in the back of the van of the owner, and this van with others formed an enclosure.

The Coroner remarked that the police had made every investigation and found that the bear had been allowed to mingle among the people at Abergavenny, where it was considered quite tame and harmless. Continuing, he said he could quite believe that the bear had been teased by the lads. As he was going to Merthyr recently the lads had thrown stones at his ear, and others had stood near as possible to it without getting injured.

The jury agreed a verdict of “Accidental death” 28/7/1917 The World’s Fair

11 AUGUST: MR. ARTHUR HENDERSON RETIRES FROM WAR CABINET. 15 AUGUST: U.S. TROOPS MARCH THROUGH LONDON.

August 1917 NEWS FROM LORENZ HAGENBECK. Matthias Walter has updated me on his Military service with Jenny our War Elephant, he says:

16 AUGUST: NAVAL ENGAGEMENT IN THE GERMAN BIGHT. 111 FRENCH AEROPLANES OPERATE ON THE MEUSE. 28 AUGUST: RUSSIAN ARMIES ROUTED IN FOSCANI REGION.

chairs. But there is less bickering and complaining than any season I’ve previously worked.

Despite difficulties we parade every day. The management consider this a contribution to civilian morale. To all America, a parade has become the symbol for men marching to war, and a brass band is the crowd-gatherer for another Liberty Loan drive. Then the circus comes to town. Seeing its parade, which has no other purpose that to entertain them, the citizens let off the calliope steam of tensions and dissipate, at least for one day, the mental agonies of war.

Occasionally during a parade someone will call to me from the kerb, “Hey buddy, why aren’t you in the army?” All I can reply is, “I wish I were.” All my male relatives are fighting for France. To all my other burdens I have the added frustration of being on the military sidelines.

Yesterday was a cruelly hot day, and following the afternoon performance in Toledo, Ohio, Charlie Ringling and his son Robert took me on a swimming party in Lake Erie. As we relaxed on the sand, Charlie said to no one in particular, “We could get round all the shortages if we combined the two big shows. Then we’d have help enough, and acts enough, to go on.

What a show that would be!”

Jenny is now employed anywhere as a large grey maid of all heavy works.

They are most impressed with her: she has pulled out a traction engine that the French drove into a ditch to prevent us from using it; she has pulled out a whole column of motorised transport which had got stuck in the mud; worked as a shunting engine making up trains; she has even been harnessed to the plough on the old Floumount parade ground, which has been turned to arable land.

Jenny's triumph was when a visiting General, disbelievingly, saw her lean into the rear truck of a train making all 60 tonnes of it move. The General, speechless, issued her with ginger cake and 6 cigarets for me. It was through this hard work and occasional evening turns for troops seated on an amphitheater of tree trunks, that Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: B F Jenny has become known all down the front.

The only thing that Jenny cannot stand is an aeroplane, and it does not matter whether it is ours or the AMERICAN CIRCUS enemy's. If I am not around to calm NEWS. her, she pricks up her ears, to try and locate the enemy whose thundering Winninger Bros. Wagon Show was din she would swipe out of the air by swinging her trunk and trumpeting compelled to close temporarily at Steubenville, O. This is a small show loudly and combatively.

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: H, L and so great a percentage of the members were called for the army that the show was seriously handicapped.

FRED BRADNA NEWS. Oddly morale is improving. Men who are working fifteen hours a day have no breath for argument. With the United States definitely committed to war, personnel of German sentiments have been screened out and we are once again a congenial, if weary, family. There are depressing episodes, naturally. For example kindly, quiet Bruno Weise, a fine gentleman who balances a pole on his shoulder while his two husky partners, Alfred and Otto, do great tricks at the top. In some cities people in the audience are booing his entrance. He has a fierce pride, and his proAmerican sentiments are unimpeachable. He takes the abuse with clenched teeth, and drives his share of stakes.

All the able-bodied men, and some of the stronger women, take turns morning and night getting the show up and down. Mr. Hutchinson is offering one dollar extra pay for each stint of this work, and nearly every man is pocketing an extra twelve dollars a week. But money is not the incentive. Such is the tradition of show people that they would mount and break up the circus whether they were paid to or not. Every day is a challenge. Great stars are loading trunks, seats and stringers; the slighter women carry such things as

11/8/1917 New York Clipper

NEWS FROM TYRWHITTDRAKE, MENAGERIST. Now I have been posted to the operating lines - stables to which all the horses that had undergone operations were at once sent. This entailed attending operations, my particular job being to hold the patient's tongue while It was under anaesthetic to prevent it "swallowing" it and choking. I also have to keep my finger on it's pulse - under the cheek bone - and at once report if it flagged so that the chloroform bag could be eased off the animal's nose. We usually have three or four operations a day. Once the patients returns to the lines my real work begins.

How we loath cases that entail slings, a sort of harness with a wide supporting belt under the stomach, the whole hooked on to a beam above so that the horse can stand or if it wishes, or should it tire or be taken very ill the sling supports and saves it from falling. From my experience very few sling cases recover and more often than not when we come in at 6am we find the poor brute hanging in

75

CIRCUS ALSO NEED MEN a grotesque attitude dead as mutton.

The other reason we hate sling cases is because in addition to the extra attention of the patient required the d---- slings have to be taken off daily and throughly cleaned - not a great job in itself. From 6am to 6pm we in that unit work nonstop except for meals. It is difficult for me not used to manual work, especially when the hay comes in, each weighing 1 cwt.

After a few weeks I received my first stripe and am now Lance-Corporal Tyrwhitt-Drake, but in this unit the N.C.O.s have to take off their tunics and work as hard as the men troopers. Our O.C. is not popular, and to our great regret was returned to England from the Horse Guards at the beginning of the war having been blown off his horse by a shell. One time he called me in and asked for me to find the nearest Justice of the Peace to witness a document. I replied "I am a J.P., sir." ( I am also the Deputy Mayor of Maidstone) "You won't do."

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: T-D G (1)

THE LATE BOMBARDIER TAYLOR. As briefly announced in our last issue the sad news has been received that Bombardier D. J. Taylor, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. David Taylor, was killed in action on August 1st. He was only 28 years of age, and the sad news has come as a great blow to his wife and relatives as well as to a large circle of friends, in a letter to his wife one of his officers writes:— Dear Mrs. Taylor,— It grieves me very much to inform you that you husband was killed in action on the evening of the 1st inst. I was not there at the time, but, according to accounts from his fellow N.C.O.’s, he was returning to the guns after delivering a message when a shell burst just by him killing him instantly. He was buried on August in a pretty little cemetery some distance behind the line, a representative of officers, N.C.O.’s and men being present. I am sure you have my deepest sympathy at this sad hour. Your husband was one of our best men and has done excellent work since coming out here. He was ever cheerful and ready to do his duty whatever the danger. Amongst the men he was a great favourite, always putting their interests before his own.

I can assure you the Battery have sustained a great loss through his death. The officers, N.C.O.’s, and men of the Battery desire me to express their deepest sorrow with you. I trust it may be some consolation to you to know your husband was such a good soldier and that he was held in such high esteem by everyone here.— Yours sincerely,

LIEUT. E. J. BLAYNEY,

Shrops. R.H.A. The World’s Fair

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WAR CIRCUS NEWS: Reporting on all fronts! 1917

CHAOS REINS IN RUSSIA - REPUBLIC PROCLAIMED BY REVOLUTIONARLIES

18/8/1917 The World’s Fair

THE BOXING CIRCUS PROPRIETOR.

Champion Jess Willard may be 6ft.7in, and too tall for the trenches, but he is to have a chance to do his “bit” without going to France.

Lawson Robertson (the old Olympic sprinter and coach of the University of Pennsylvania), who is in charge of training camp activities at Plattsburgh under the Fordick Commission wants Jess to come there and give a boxing exhibition for the benefit of the thousands of prospective army officers.

Soldier Kearns is in the camp.

Kearns is in the artillery. He says that he is willing to put on the gloves with Jess again, for either a fight or an exhibition, and that he does not want money for doing it either. This is a whole lot of willingness, for the doughty soldier must have a vivid recollection of the tremendous right hander Jess landed on his chin once, years ago, before Jess was even considered a championship possibility.

That blow put Kearns out and spoiled his chance to become a title chaser. He has just knocked out One Round Davis in a round, and was looked upon as a second Tom Sharkey. …

18/8/1917 The World’s Fair

AMERICAN CIRCUS NEWS. George A. Glover, circus trouper of Aiken, S. C., appeared at the local recruting office of the army this week, and after stating that he had failed to register because of the movements of the show with which he travelled, asked that he be allowed to enlist. He was accepted and assigned to the infantry after he had appeared before the board.

18/8/1917 New York Clipper

LABOUR SHORTAGE. Between the plea for soldier recruits and the unprecedented demand for labor, circuses are finding it almost impossible to get crews. Practically every tent show is short of hands, and many have none at all, making it

3 SEPTEMBER: GERMANS CAPTURE RIGA. 15 SEPTEMBER: RUSSIA PROCLAIMED A REPUBLIC. 17 SEPTEMBER: THE 9d. LOAF ORDER IN FORCE.

NEWS FROM CIRCUS BLEUMENFELDS, GERMANY.

THE LATE SAPPPER SMITH. The sad news has been received of the death in action on July 31st of Sapper Charles Wilfred Smith, Royal Engineers, oldest son of Mr Smith, florist of Victoria Market, Oldham. He was 30 years of age and leaves a widow and three children who live at Oldham Road, Rochdale. He enlisted fourteen months ago. before which he carried on the business of fruiterer and florist, and for some years he toured with the Lomas Troupe. His widow is a daughter of Captain Payne, a well known showman.

LEFT

Berlin Circus has changed. “Berlin, your dance partner is death!” howl the advertising columns. Death has become the leitmotif in so many performances in the circus, and has replaced the old romantic military acts enjoyed before the war. Now almost every show features new thrills and contraptions. The anticipation of potential catastrophe dominates the ring, the prevailing mood is morbid, so the cannon catapults a man across the ring into a giant funnel, indeed in Circus Busch, Berlin, you can even see a man pedal for his life on a conveyor belt, always in danger of running into sharp spears set up at both ends. In the ring there seem to be evermore SANGER’S ELEPHANT POWER FOR THE LAND. elaborate machines, by the day, as the Lord George Sanger, the famous circus proprietor has offered his elephants for circus is almost in an arms race with work on the Land. Here a plough is being drawn by this motive power, itself. These stunts are beginning to which is slow but sure.

Fenwick Cutting 21/2/1917 Daily Mirror T& W Archives give the police concern for the safety of the audience and artists. So we are increased interest from the necessary for the performers to put up BIG MENAGERIE SALE. finding municipal officials and police and take down their own show. This is ___ administrators to try and curb these even true with the Barnum & Bailey innovations.

We are creating outfit.

MR. E. H. BOSTOCK BUYS Todesartistick (death artistry) stars.

22/8/1917 New York Clipper Still the audiences, on the way to or SEDGWICK’S. back from the front, lap them up.

Yet more sinister is that still our We are informed that Mr. E. H. loyalty is questioned, the Prussian Bostock, proprietor of Wombwell’s Theatre Police regularly supervise Menagerie, has bought the whole of theatres and circuses and seem to keep PASSING AWAY OF MR Sedgewick’s Menagerie including the files on all protagonists in the front wagons and livestock.

JOHN HENRY COOKE. entertainment industries including in 25/8/1917 The World’s Fair circuses, whether they are major or minor. They want to know who A wonderful career had Mr.John attends the theatres and send agents to Henry Cooke, the well-known circus virtually every performance to ensure proprietor, his death has taken place that we do not stray from the ROUND-UP AT THE in Edinburgh. He was 81 years of age. approved and censored scripts.

With different circus companies Mr. CIRCUS. Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: O M Cooke travelled to practically all over the globe, with the exception of Russia At the close of the evening and China. He visited America nine times, and for over two years acted as performance at “Bronco Bills” Circus principal artists and equestrian at Marlow, on August 14, some director of the circus in Paris. Latterly excitement was caused by a “roundhe settled down in Edinburgh, where up” carried out by the military and for nearly half-a-century Cooke’s police, with a view of securing men who were evading military service. circus was a household word.

Springing from stock that had been The result of the “raid” was the associated with circuses for many appearance of four men at the Marlow generations, Mr. Cooke took early to Police Court on the following the ring. At the age of five he was an morning, the magistrates being Mr. A. SHOWLAND’S SONS expert tight rope walker, and as an Davies (in the chair) and Mr.W. J. equestrian he also made a name for Morgan. The men were Goff Godfrey, NOW IN HOSPITAL. himself early in his career. He had of Stoke Newington, circus artist: William Crecraft, Newport, Mon, great skill in the training of animals, and Queen Victoria more than once circus follower; Thomas E. Dolbear,, sent horses to him to be trained. On no home, circus follower: and Frank one occasion he and other members of Groves, of Wolverhampton, circus the Cooke family performed before follower, charged with failing to report Queen Victoria and Prince Albert at for service. Lieutenant C. P. Wright, Recruiting Officer, Aylesbury, and Buckingham Palace.

Mr Cooke was also well known in Lieutenanant J. B. Rickatson-Hatt, Officer, Wycombe Gloucester, where he made many Recruiting represented the military authorities. appearances.

After hearing the evidence the PRIVATE WILLIAM 24/8/1917 Daily Record magistrates made an order in each TESTO. case for the man to be handed over to the military authorities Private W. Testo is the son of Kate Two other members of the circus staff and Billy Testo… He has recently were charged with failing to produce a LORD GEORGE CLOWES. National Registration card. Their undergone an operation in France and is now in hospital in Macclesfield.

1/9/1917 The World’s Fair Lord George Clowes, circus names are Albert George Wallace, no Photo reproduced by kind permission of home, circus follower and Alexander proprietor, Tower, New Brighton, Has The World's Fair Ltd. been wounded in the back and chest E. Fisher, Bath, groom, both being youths between 17 and 18 years of age. while serving somewhere in Belgium.

The defendants pleaded guilty, and 21/8/1917 Liverpool Echo were fined 10s each.

September 1917

25/8/1917 Reading Mercury

WAR CIRCUS NEWS: Reporting on all fronts! 1917

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77

LION TAMER FINDS RUSSIAN UNDER BED AMERICAN CIRCUS NEWS Billy Exton is in Detroit awaiting the call to the army. During his absence from the Sells-Floto Show his position as press agent will be filled by Ed Deck, a former newspaper man of Los Angeles.

1/9/1917 Billboard

CIRCUS PROPRETOR AND LOTTERY. At St. Columb, on Friday, Thomas Fossett, a circus proprietor, was summoned for exercising a lottery by offering at Wadebridge on August 1st a gun-metal watch, which was to be worn by the person purchasing a certain book of songs. Mrs. Fossett, junr., represented defendant, and admitted the charge. Police Inspector Northcroft said he visited the circus.

One of the defendant’s employees came out into the ring, and it was announced that a number had been previously chosen, and that the person purchasing the particular song book which had a corresponding number would get a watch. Later on it was announced that the number chosen was 1,484, and the holder was asked to step forward. A man named Sweet held up his song book, and was presented with the watch. A similar procedure was adopted at St. Columb the following day. Witness spoke to Mr. Fossett about it, and he replied that he had travelled all the way down from Wales and had conducted a similar thing everywhere and had never been interfered with before. If it was wrong he would discontinue the practice.— Fined 6s.

8/9/1917 World’s Fair

OUR SOLDIER BOYS ___

Private James Sweeny writes: “In sending these few lines to you it is mainly with the idea of “Owt for nowt,” that is to say out here one can’t get much news, and I would be real happy if I could get a “World’s Fair.” I was talking to a sergeant of the King’s Own (a Yorkshire “tyke”) and he spoke of Woodhouse, Armley, Kirkstall, Eccleshill, Dewsbury, Holbeck. I wonder what you are all doing, Chas, Relph, Monty (of Irish Norah fame), Tippler White, Hobson’s pictures and posing, Sedgewick’s (Arthur and dear old Dad), Alf. Testo, and the Rev. T. Horne, Mr. and Mrs. Piper. Does Jim Watson still tell them about his likely lads? Did Bert Hughes get any decent houses on August Bank Holiday? My address is: Pte. Jas. Sweeney, 39492, 65th Trench Mortar Battery, Salonica Forces. All my wants are supplied from home (Liverpool) but I should like to read your paper.

Last night I was back with Ben Hobson. We were building up, and then I woke up shortly after. I could pay for it quite easy but P.O.’s are very scarce and the crowd are far from base. I wonder if Bill Spendler (of

Waddington’s yachts) is still lucky?

Still I can’t help thinking of the happy days. A peep behind the scenes. Does tippler White remember that P.C. he got one Saturday at Oldham going to join up? how is Pauline, Carrie, Miss Elizabeth and Jim Chipperfield, also Frank Montano. Happy days of Long ago. Does anyone know where Paddy Burns is? If Mrs. Wesley wants any variety this beats Crosses. I must now conclude, wishing all the best of luck, Mrs. Ben Hobson, where is your driver? I’m in Macedonia, Merci Beaucoup, bon jour, Madame.” ____ Pt. Thomas Gardner, 16259, A.V.C., No. 5 Section, B.E.F., France writes: “Just a line to say I have been able to get the ‘W.F.’ every week, although somewhere in France, and reading the sensible part of it, ‘The Showmen’s Motto, We keep our own poor.’ Seeing you comment on same I think it only right we who profess it should act up to it and it would not rob the pocket of any traveller, say one or two days in the year to give a donation as he can afford to do, but to think no worse of those who can’t afford a trifle. I have been often named ‘Mysterious Tommy.’ It is a mystery to me why such a good scheme has not sprung up before now. So I look forward to reading the ‘W.F.’ where some of the tober look-outs have taken the matter well in hand. Well, it would surprise the the boys on the grounds to see so many showmen somewhere in Froggy France.’ We all know the meaning of the word ‘Showman’ is to show men what showmen are doing…… this is just what the ‘touch-em’ boys are doing. Showing Fritz they don’t keep a shooter on the fair ground for nowt.

We’ve got out here one of Sanger’s lion tamers. Now he’s doing his bit taming Huns for King and the good old country. So he’ll be well able to bounce when showing at the next big fair. Let it be Hull Fair if you wish it. I was reading in the ‘W.F.’ of a certain Lord Mayor joining as a private. I find he now grooms odd mares in a vet’s camp. I wonder if he finds any difference in mayor or mare. Well, it’s about ‘lights out’ so down goes pencil.

Wishing your good paper the best of luck and all travellers likewise. Keep smiling boys, good days to come.’

men are reported to be under his command, including "Lady" Bob Montgomery, who had the rank of First Lieutenant, "Blackjack" Sullivan, Jimmy McGuire, "Punk" Brunswick, Baldwin Sours and a host of others. Sargent collected most of his army during the last winter's outdoor show conventions at Chicago, many of the men being recruited from the Wortham Show, the Con T. Kennedy carnivals, and the Hagenbeck-Wallace outfit.

12/9/1917 New York Clipper

WEDDING IN CIRCUSLAND. ___

BRATBY – FOSSETT. “An interesting wedding took place at Eastbourne, on Wednesday last (26th Sept 1917), the Happy couple being Sergt. R. Bratby, 27, of the Zola Brothers., and Miss Carrie Fossett,” 21, “Miss Christine” youngest daughter of “Funny Harry” and Harriet Fossett, circus proprietor.

“Both bride and groom are well known in the circus profession, the groom being known as Young Sandow, the strong man. The wedding was attended by several boys in blue ( late of the circus world), but now, like the bridegroom, recuperating from wounds received in France. After the wedding the newly-married couple left

NEWS FROM AMERICA.

8/9/1917 Billboard

Frederick Sargent, an outdoor showman, is now in France with a contingent of Big Top men who have volunteered in the service of the United States. Sargent has the rank of Captain. More than a thousand circus

29/9/1917 World’s Fair with added family information

AMERICAN CIRCUS NEWS. A. Lawrence, formerly general manager of the John Robinson Ten Big Shows, and this season with advance car No. 1, has resigned from the show to answer Uncle Sam's call.

Lawrence, having been drafted, will be sent to the training camp at Rockford, Illinois.

William Roddy, "Bill," is now devoting his services to Uncle Sam. On August 30 he was appointed a first lieutenant in the National Army. On September 5 he was called to the colors and assigned to the 301st Regiment of Stevedores, now located at Newport News, Va. "We are living under canvas," says "Bill," "and the camp is an active one - reminds me greatly of the white tops." His circus experience got him the commission.

Yankee Robinson people contributed over one hundred and fifty dollars at Albuquerque to a Soldier's Tobacco Fund. Bat Nelson is a Spanish War veteran, so he gave his afternoon gross receipts.

29/9/1917 Billboard

ROMAN PROSKE, LION TAMER, NEWS. Russians under the bed.

Our battalion has been sent to the front, to where the Austrian Army is holding the line against the Russians in the Wolhynian district of Russian Poland. We had several days in over crowded freight cars, then in full battle equipment we started off on an overnight march to the Kowel Armoury. I was slogging along at the back of the long column, wishing to sleep in warm straw in the village we had just passed through, when the three young officers behind me had the same idea, we could get a wagon and catch up the column the next morning before we were even missed!

8/9/1917 The World’s Fair

Ever hear of a "Yiddisher Artillery"?

There is one with Sells-Floto. In the street parade there is a British field piece, which is drawn by two small elephants, and mounted on the cannon are three uniformed men. These three happen to be "Mickey" Goldberg, Jake Bloom and Willie Souble, the Hebrew ticket sellers.

should they be stopped. They are two fine performers in equestrian riding and will make an excellent double act on the one horse and she an equestrienne ballerina. We wish them well.

I plucked up the courage to ask them if I could join them, they think kindly of me almost as a pet “ the lion tamer”., plus I could be their excuse, we were all to stick to the story that I had been taken sick – so they took me to the village.

Carrie Fossett, c. 1914 age 19 years, dressed in cowgirl whips and ropes costume. Photo: Tom Sandow for Norfolk where the circus of the bride’s father is at present touring.”

After the wedding the couple hitched a lift in an army lorry, with Carrie in a great coat and cap, seated between 2 soldiers in the cab, to avoid discovery,

We got a room, hot tea and a massive fright in the night. I smelled smoke, and looking over my bed I saw a lit cigarette burning a hole in the carpet.

Then I saw an enormous hand come out from under the bed, crush the cigarette and withdraw. I thought I was dreaming, but no there was still smoke. Who ever that hand belonged to was big enough to squash me like a bug. I managed to get out of bed,

78

WAR CIRCUS NEWS: Reporting on all fronts! 1917

1 OCTOBER: BRITISH CROSS THE STRUMA. 2 OCTOBER: REICHSTAG INFORMED OF MUTINY IN GERMAN FLEET AT WILHELMSHAVEN.

passed the huge feet sticking out from under the bed, to the door and to grab the key and in panicked haste slammed the door shut and lock it behind me.

I pounded on the door of the officers, “ There is a man under my bed…

Look! You’ve got one too!.” All three officer turned round and sure enough there were big boots sticking out from under each. Naked except for a shirt and tunic I ran, until I bumped into a patrol of military police. It was all I could do to convince them I had not gone mad, I showed them proof too, pulling my lion tamer photos out of my pocket.

When I eventually found the barn, with a patrol of six M.P.s in tow, it was early morning. The Officers had taken prisoner the four Russians, and the little bearded man who owned the barn. “The Russians meant no harm he said, they were only going to steal your uniforms.” I wondered how the big one would ever have fitted into my uniform.

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: P R

October 1917 AMERICAN CIRCUS NEWS. Cincinnati, O., Oct. 7. Harold Rufus Ray, circus clown, failed to appear for rollcall at Local Draft Board No. 3, to go to Camp Sherman with the third group of selectives. He was certified to adjutant-general as a deserter.

9 OCTOBER: DEATH OF SULTAN OF EGYPT. 23 OCTOBER: FRENCH VICTORY ON THE ASINE. 27 OCTOBER: FIRST AMERICAN SHOT FIRED AGAINST GERMANS.

CHRISTMAS MAILS TO DISTANT TROOPS. The Postmaster-General announces that letters and parcels intended for delivery to the troops in Egypt, Salonika, etc., by Christmas should be posted in time to reach London as long as possible in advance of the dates given below:— 13/10/1917 The World’s Fair

NEWS FROM E.H. BOSTOCK. Since Easter, while Frank has been in charge of the menagerie, business has improved greatly, as has the weather. The menagerie has made tracks for Scotland, where the lighting restrictions are not so rigorous.

Finally after more than 2 years, I prevailed after many applications and reminders, that I need winter quarters for my menagerie, I have my Zoo Buildings back from the military. All their aeroplanes have gone with no real rent paid. In all this time there have only been a handful of staff handling them. The stock of aeroplanes varied; sometimes there were only a few, while at other times almost the entire floor space was covered and then packed two high. I have often speculated on the result of a stray bomb dropping through the roof of the Zoo building or a fire engineered by some malicious or foreign agent! The loss would have been stupendous. On the point of rent, there had been no arrangement made since the end of the hosteling of troops, I had to go Edinburgh to state my case and had to accept just what the authorities liked to give me by way of rental, which in reality was a mere acknowledgement.

10/10/1917 New York Billboard

I was able to get possession on the 28th of October, and have moved in the menagerie and registered a vow to keep it here until the war has ended.

FROM CIRCUS TO ARMY

I have also been appointed a Justice of the Peace, so once more I have become practically a public servant, this is not unfamiliar since I already have served as a Councillor for the Cowcaddens of 16th Ward, Glasgow Town Council, from 1909.

John “Jack” Fossett, died Ypres, 17 October 1917 Photo: George Pinder

many kilometres to try and find him as I am attached to the Canadians myself, but he must be a long way from me as I could not get to know where the hospital was. I am pleased to say that I don’t do so bad as regards getting letters from some of my friends, but would be glad to hear from Fred Stanley, Dan Gartland, or Johnny Stockwell, so you three hurry up and use the pen. We have some Manchester lads in our company and a lively lot they are. They all know the Oldham Street shop where I worked for a good while, and wish they were there again doing damage to the wax.

In fact, one of them remembers C. Birch, junr. and myself throwing him out one Saturday night. Well, I think I have told you all this time. Hoping to hear from some of the boys soon.”

13/10/1917 The World’s Fair

MACHINE GUN CORPS.

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: B EH

PRIVATE ALF. FOSSETT. Private Alf Fossett is the son of Sir Robert Fossett, the famous circus proprietor, and has been a popular artiste at the World’s Fair, Islington, for many years. He has been in France some time now and would be pleased to hear from old friends. # 76170 No. 4 Platoon, 126 Labour Corps, B.E.F. France.

13/10/1917 The World’s Fair Photo reproduced by kind permission of The World's Fair Ltd.

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OUR SOLDIER BOYS. Private Mat Mooney, whose address is: No. 51310, 86th Labour Co., 3rd Platoon, B.E.F., France writes:— …

However, I have been lucky up to now and expect to be seeing you all in Blighty by Christmas. I think, myself, Fritz is about ready to throw in the towel. i notice a lot of the boys in our game are eager to see a mark of distinction worn on some part of the dress out here, and I think it a good idea as we must often pass one another at times out here. I have never had the luck to meet any boys of Showland yet. When I saw Pte. Kayes was in a Canadian Hospital, I walked

PRIVATE ROBERT PROCTOR. Private Robert Proctor, is a son of the late William Proctor, well-known Yorkshire traveller. He is now somewhere in France… #102825 No 97 Machine Gun Co. Section 2, B.E.F. France.

27/10/1917 The World’s Fair Photo reproduced by kind permission of The World's Fair Ltd.

OUR SOLDIER BOYS. Private Henry Beaumont whose address is: 018003, Pte. H. Beaumont, A.O.C., B.M.E.F., Salonica, writes: “Can you find a small space to put in ‘The World’s Fair’ that I should be very pleased to try and keep in touch with some of the old boys, as no doubt there will be plenty that remember me as one of the old school, late of Sedgewick’s and Mr. F. Bostock, although I have not done much in the old country of late years, but, in the event of my return shall be pleased to meet them again. Wishing them all the best of luck and pleased to hear that things are keeping up under the circumstances.”

PTE. JAMES SWEENEY WRITES: “Many thanks for your wonderful paper, ‘World’s Fair,’ dated Sept.

15th. The photo of the late Charles Hart reminds me of the time P. C. ran a circus down that way. The scheme of unity is strength to help themselves is just what not only Showland wants but the world at large. The Jewish people are to be admired in that respect. I have been out here 12 months and only been sick once. I was at the base when wounded some five months ago. Your paper got here prompt and caused me to feel more happy than you might realise. That scheme of yours may entail a lot of worry, but carry on, then you will know how sweet is the saying, ‘In all things charity.’ Yes, I have had uphill fights in civil life and won. Also that recognition badge—clever. These improvements make me think of that song “Oh, this is the end of a perfect day.’ Well, I hope this strafing will soon cease. Of course, not being born in a wagon, as you can guess, I filled the humble capacity of doorman and

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WAR CIRCUS NEWS: Reporting on all fronts! 1917

28 OCTOBER: ITALIANS ABANDON GORIZIA. 31 OCTOBER: GENERAL ALLENBY CAPTURES BEER-SHEBA. 2 NOVEMBER: GERMANS ABANDON

general factotum. So I was a ‘general’ before I entered the army. Oh, yes; oh, no. In regard to animal training, does Richard Sedgwick recollect Buckfastleigh Devon, the Bouncer, Monicer, and I? Well, if I failed to join the army at first I did try at Leeds Car Sheds (Swingate) and Oldham, then got a rejection form at Clitheroe, failed at Manchester, and accepted in my own town. Yes, kind hearts are nicer than coronets and I quite realise I am taking up some, if not a lot, of your valuable time. Please forgive me, Young Pat has fished out the ‘dinarii,’ lives up to his reputation. Some sport.

Does Billy Slater carry on as usual?

How are the Brockleys? Is James Leo still at it in blighty? Does Ellis Cook (Fossett’s wonder) still beat the band?

If possible will enclose the ‘Balkan News.’ When I first went to the Technical School, Liverpool, to enlist, my insurance card was marked ‘traveller.’ The sergeant said what sort of traveller. Then I had to laugh. Oh, Monty, the Top King. Oldham Street.

Where did you get that girl? What a manager! Sup up! Oh, I wish you meant it!”

27/10/1917 The World’s Fair

GROCK REPORTS FROM ENGLAND. I have had a manservant for some time. a pleasant hearty young fellow, who has not taken on the job for the sake of money. His people are well off.

It is his way of avoiding military service. He never gives his parents a sign of life and they have no idea where he is. All call-up notices are returned marked “Gone away.

Address unknown” And as we are always on the move from town to town, the military police were for some time unable to trace him.

However last week, when we were at the Bradford Alhambra, the military police came in and asked to see the papers of all the artistes and staff. my man-servant was in a fix, but he acted promptly. He went straight up to the sergeant.

“Military police?” he asked in a lordly tone.

“Yes, sir.”

“Come this way.”

He lead them straight to our dressing-room and said sharply, “Gentleman, M.P.s to see your papers.”

While our passes were being examined, he vanished and did not return that night.

Narrative extracted from Biography Bibliog. Ref: G

THE ZOO DURING A RAID. The only animals at the Zoo who give voice during a night air raid are the lions, wolves, and jackals. The hullabaloo of the wolves and jackals has a note in it of acute distress and fear, but the lions, as one of their keepers has assured me (writes Twells Brex in the Daily Mail”), “roar out of

CHEMIN DES DAMES; NAVAL ENGAGEMENT IN KATTEGAT. 3 NOVEMBER: FRENCH RE-OCCUPY FORT VAUX. 4 NOVEMBER: BRITISH TROOPS

excitement and jealousy of the guns more than anything else. In fact, it’s a sort of song and they sing loudest when the raids are over. The cranes are the only birds that show disturbance. “They make a rare clatter,” says their keeper, “but that signifies nothing with cranes— they shout their heads off every time a barge passes on the Regent’s Canal!’’

The only animals that show “nerves” next day are the monkeys and the gazelles. One would expect it of gazelles; they have a character for timidity they must live up to.

Otherwise, after a raid, the Zoo keepers have “nothing to report.” The keeper of the elephants, indeed, declares that a thunderstorm upsets them much more than a raid. …

BRAVEST MAN IN BRITAIN. If the people in the cages are unperturbed, raid nights, the writer adds, give anxious hours to their guardians. Sometimes I think that the night watchman at the Zoo is the bravest man in Britain. For it is his duty immediately after a night raid to go round the Zoo all in the lonely dim moonlight, to see whether any damage has been done by bomb “duds” and whether any of the Zoo people— including the rattlesnake, who lives behind plate-glass— have “got loose…”

27/10/1917 The World’s Fair

JOIN ITALIAN ARMIES; PRINCE OF WALES WITH FIRST REGIMENT. 6 NOVEMBER: BRITISH CAPTURE PASSCHENDAELE. 7 NOVEMBER: BOLSHEVIKS SEIZE

GOVERNMENT IN PETROGRAD. 9 NOVEMBER: BRITISH SUCCESS IN PALESTINE. 13 NOVEMBER: BOLSHEVIK VICTORY AT TSARSKOE SELO.

Showland, but put it, say, at 10,000, and if all had only given one shilling each, the sum of £500 would have been realised. Yet, somehow, the men don’t seem to see the necessity for something like this, so now I am making an appeal to all the women of Showland to give me their assistance and see what we can do, as I think it is the first time the women have been asked to do something by themselves, and I should like to be able to show the men the lead for once. I am afraid it is the women who suffer chiefly when the pinch of poverty is felt, as the husbands and sons can get out into the world and in that way forget for a time, but the woman has to stay in the wagon or house and just wait and do the best she can, often going without things herself so that the others may have a little more.

I should like to see women do something to assist this fund as I feel they will be in the majority who will need assistance after the end of this awful war, and also will, in time, be called upon to assist in dispensing the funds. Feeling all this as I do, I wish to appeal to the women of Showland to help to get £100. So are there 2,000 women who will give one shilling each?

I will start the Women’s Fund with one hundred shillings and the amount aimed at will soon be realised if some readers would take it upon themselves to make a collection on any fair ground where they may be located.

there we started a collaboration with the Nordisk Film Company. They have just employed the circus's elephants, zebras, and camels in a few shots for Robert Dinsen’s The Maharajah’s Favorite Wife (Maharadjahens Yndlingshustru) it was released this year.

The Maharajah’s outfit worn by the leading actor, Gunnar Tolnaer, is magnificent. I think maybe it is time for a change from my cowboy one.

3/11/1917 The World’s Fair

November 1917 APPEAL TO THE WOMEN OF SHOWLAND. ___

(BY MRS. FRANK MELLOR.) After reading the figures in a recent issue of the “World’s Fair” of what Showland has done for outside charities, then the very poor amount so far raised to assist Showland’s own people, has made me wonder what is wrong, and I can’t help thinking, JUST INDIFFERENCE, because it is our own people. It cannot be lack of generosity, as the figures of what has been given to outsiders disprove that.

Although not personally known to many travellers, I have always taken the deepest interest in all their affairs since the commencement of the “World’s Fair,” and watched the generous help given to those in trouble from North Wales, West of England, and other places, to travellers who have suffered. Then look how well we have done in giving the Showland’s ambulances, and the capital amount for our splendid boys to the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Buffet at Victoria Station.

Then, to me, put greatest and most deserving fund of all, the Showland’s Benevolent Fund, I expect to see beat them all, and to my surprise and disappointment up to now it has done practically nothing. It has often been stated there are 70,000 people in

79

NICOLAI POLIAKOFF CHILD RUSSIAN SOLDIER NEWS. At last I have reached Riga! Nearly dead with cold and exhaustion I have made it to my home. It is so good to see mother and father, brothers and sisters. At this moment and after what I have experienced I never want to leave home again.

My older brother has also returned from War and he is angry with the revolutionaries. He told me that I must join Kerensky’s Army with him.

It is our duty. My mother is distraught, and she clung to me and wept, but I know I must join. I am not eager to see any more fighting, against anybody, but as my brother said - it is my duty.

I have been drafted into the First Petrograd Artistes Company. We work all day and travel all night from camp to camp entertaining troops to boost morale. The soldiers are restless and anxious to be demobilised. I fear our Company will be disbanded.

I am sad to say that the war shortages have almost destroyed our important and magnificent menagerie: elephants and exotic animals have been taken by the Army to be used for transport, and most of the wild animals in the circus’s vast zoological collection have died or had to be killed.

I am also working on another pantomime this one Torpedo... Los! will open in 1918 and I am happy to say that it will be presented at Circus Busch, Berlin.

Paraphrased from CP

THE JUGGLER & ARMY. ___

ANIMATED DIALOGUE AT COMMONS TRIBUNAL. Sir Donald Maclean, M.P., on Monday presided at the sitting of the House of Commons Appeal Tribunal, when a music-hall artist, who was represented by Mr. Walter Frampton, appeared.

The Chairman: You are on the music-hall stage. Then you will have to come off it, that is all I can say. We cannot have a young man of 28, and single, on the music-hall stage who is fit for any kind of service.

The applicant: I am not fit for any kind of service.

The Chairman: You are fit for C3, and if you can go about presenting sea lions you can be of some service to the Army.

Applicant: Mine is a juggling scene.

I have nothing to do with the sea lions.

The Chairman: A month, final.

Applicant: I shall ask leave to appeal.

The Chairman: You won’t get it. If you can juggle on the music-hall stage, you can go into the army.

3/11/1917 World’s Fair

PADDY HEPSTON aka CAPTAIN EPSTEIN.

We set off on 15th November form Miami, once again, for Havana. We are part of the Santos y Artigas circus tenting show, which is billed as the Barnum and Bailey of Cuba, we will play six weeks. The circus artistes NEWS FROM CIRCUS include the Hannefords, Davenports, and May Worth. The whole of Sam SARRASANI. Gumbertz Dreamland Side Show is Hans Stosch-Sarrasani Reports: also contracted, so I will be keeping While Circus Sarrasani survives with Franz busy.

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: P N our patriotic pantomimes in Dresden, the touring circus was been in Denmark (in 1915) and while it was Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: Coco

WAR CIRCUS NEWS: Reporting on all fronts! 1917

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16 NOVEMBER: M. CLEMENCEAU BECOMES FRENCH PREMIER. 17 NOVEMBER: BRITISH TROOPS OCCUPY JOPPA; NAVAL ENGAGEMENT IN HELIGOLAND BIGHT.

18 NOVEMBER: GENERAL MAUDE DIES OF CHOLERA IN MESOPOTAMIA; SUCCEEDED (24)

BY GENERAL MARSHAL. 28 NOVEMBER: ADMIRALTY

ANNOUNCE FORMATION OF THE WOMEN’S ROYAL NAVAL AIR SERVICE.

Thursday, November 8th. - When tonnage is so scarce it seems odd that room can still be found for consignments of wild animals. Mr. Peto drew attention to a coming cargo, including two hundred avadavats, the little birds about which Joseph Surface was so contemptuous, and six hundred monkeys – “sufficient,” as he pleasantly observed, to fill this House.”

17/11/1917 The World’s Fair

THE GLASGOW ZOO. ___

BOSTOCK AND WOMBWELL’S WINTER QUARTERS.

Fenwick Cutting 14/11/1917 Punch

The Prince of Wales (second left) has joined his first Regiment

In place of my staff now in the forces, I have engaged Danes and Swedes, for whom I suddenly found I lacked visas, we had to unload and reload three times at Bremen because of this. It was enough to make one despair because each time I had the papers I had to go chasing for rollingstock again. Having manoeuvred all my men through the red-tape front, DRIVER F. CHARLTON. even our German Horse trainer, we unloaded at Sloten, an Amsterdam Driver F. Charlton is the son of the suburb, and finally had our first show. late Mr. F. A. & Mrs. Charlton of When I had just banked our first circus fame. He is now in India, and would be pleased to hear from any of takings and tossed down my second tot of gin, I nearly choked when the his numerous friends in Showland.

10/11/1917 World’s Fair Amsterdam chief of police laconically Photo reproduced by kind permission of said it was my first and last The World's Fair Ltd. performance in Holland. This the result of the press attacks on us claiming that our numerous personnel and animals would reduce the Dutch people’s rations still further.

BRATBY R.S.M. BRATBY is stationed at Catterick where he is working as a PT Instructor for the Army. His wife has joined him there. Italian P.O.Ws are part of the camp’s labour force.

Family: Tom Sandow

NEWS FROM LORENZ HAGENBECK. We are very pleased to report that we have succeeded in undertaking another Scandinavian tour, this time starting in the Copenhagen circus building. But the War is making it’s mark there too. Coal supplies have run out and the Danish Government has ordered all electric current to be cut to two days a week. That is bad luck indeed. We cannot give performances in darkened buildings. Nor can I use the tent anymore, for it has a starry sky in it now and there are no more materials available for repairs – no canvas, no ropes or spare parts. Still I need to support Stellingen Animal Park, so we have searched all over Germany for stages or empty halls where we can put on a show. I was relieved when, at last, my applications to Holland bore fruit, but before we could go I have had to go through a fancy riding performance with the military authorities.

CIRCUS £S TO WAR FUND £600 per week in amusement tax. We feel sure he will have the congratulations of a large number of friends in Showland on the honour bestowed upon him.

WILD ANIMAL TRADE.

ROYAL FIELD ARTILLERY.

LEFT

I had the sense at once to take a census of all the Dutch workers – tent men, musicians, drivers, porters. At the next performance I told the audience that there were three hundred and four Dutchmen at the moment in our employ, so I hoped that Holland could feed my German staff of seven. I bowed and the band played the Dutch national anthem.

Thus I was able to get our permit to continue from the Ministry of Interior at The Hague. Most of the papers are now printing fair criticism, but there were still some which continue to paint our food-snatching presence in the blackest of colours.

One even went so far as to warn its readers to keep their cats and dogs indoors lest our folks caught them and stuffed them! However, this warning has a sharp boomerang effect, for the very next morning there was a most enterprising Dutchman at the door with a whole wagon-load of dead dogs and cats, which he tried to sell us. He was furious when we explained that we had no use for them, he withdrew, grumbling, to call upon a certain newspaper editor.

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: H L

CIRCUS MAN FINED £50. ____ FRAUD AGAINST ENTERTAINMENT TAX.

Bostock and Wombwell’s menagerie is now on exhibition at the Zoo Buildings, New City Road, Glasgow, and on the opening day Mr. E. H. Bostock made the day’s drawings a contribution to the Lord Provost’s Prisoners of War Fund. The menagerie, which is a household word in every town in the United Kingdom, is a splendid collection of all manner of animals. There are lions, Bengal tigers, leopards, bears, wolves, and other groups of performing animals which are put through their performances by their respective trainers. There is also the educated chimpanzee, which is described as almost human, and the elephants and camels are an attraction. Recently added to the collection is a group of three leopards born in the menagerie.

In addition to the menagerie itself, Mr. Bostock has introduced other attractions, including a scenic railway and side shows. Anita, the smallest lady in the world, is to be seen in this section. The whole combination makes a pleasing place of entertainment.

Mr Bostock announces that (with the exception of Saturdays and holidays) wounded soldiers and sailors will be admitted free of charge.

An unusual case under the Entertainment Tax Law was heard at Ottery St. Mary Bench on Tuesday, when Thomas Fossett, circus proprietor, was summonsed, but failed to appear. According to the prosecution (Mr. C. E. Fitzroy appeared for the Customs and Excise authorities) the local Excise Officer and a friend attended Fossett Circus at Sidbury on September 25th and purchased tickets, paying 2d each tax.

The tickets were not taken from a roll, but from among loose ones.

Proceeding to the entrance box they had in turn handed their tickets to Mrs. Fawcett, who tore one in two and gave each man a part. Thereupon the Excise Officer revealed his identity.

The advocate said there was a reason 17/11/1917 The World’s Fair to believe that it was the practice of the defendant to use loose tickets and give up the wrong pieces to patrons, thus pocketing the tax. In the Sidbury case the officer found that portions of ROMAN PROSKE, LION tickets held by many persons TAMER, NEWS. attending the circus were not correct.

Mr. Fitzroy stated that Fossett was summonsed at Truro this year on Cossacks! three counts, one being the same as that heard now, and find £3 in each - I have had another near escape. We a total of 9 pounds – the bench have just had another advance push imposed the full penalty of £50. and are now occupying trenches 16 /11/1917 Western Times wrestled from the Russians. I was on a patrol with a corporal and another private when we came to a deserted farmhouse. We found a dog chained in E.H. BOSTOCK, the yard in the last stages of The corporal put him out JUSTICE OF THE PEACE. starvation. of his misery, but it nearly cost us our lives.

Among the gentlemen recently appointed Justices of the Peace for the We went on into the house to county of the City of Glasgow, on the investigate and when I was descending recommendation of the Lord from the attic I opened the lid of a Lieutenant, is Mr. Edward Henry chest, the odour of death, and decay Bostock, 5, Burnbank Terrace, hit me like a blow in the face and I Glasgow. Mr. Bostock, besides being found myself staring into the sightless owner of the Bostock and Wombwell eyes of a corpse of an old woman. I Menagerie is owner of numerous made the flight down the stairs and places of amusement in Scotland, also out into the yard in seconds flat with in Norwich and Ipswich. It is the corporal and private hot on my interesting to record that Mr. Bostock heels. Ah, yes we are all brave soldiers has three sons in the army, and together. Just as we reached the gate, another son in Java just now in charge the corporal shoved us violently to the of a big circus. Mr. Bostock, with his ground. “Cossacks! … they’ll kill us!” own ventures, is now collecting over We could well understand his terror,

RIGHT

WAR CIRCUS NEWS: Reporting on all fronts! 1917

LIONS HELP GERMANS we had seen the mutilated bodies of Austrian soldiers who had been the victims of these barbaric horsemen – disemboweled, tongues torn out, ears chopped off.

Our only chance was to hide, and so we threw ourselves across the yard: the corporal into the trough with my rifle (covered in straw), the private I interred under an upturned hollowed out log, which left only one option for me the manure pile at the gate. I flung myself in and clawed desperately at the dung and straw pile until it loosened an avalanche on me. It was at this exact moment that the Cossacks galloped in, streaming with sweat. I saw eight bold and fearsome riders.

They struck fear into my heart. I dared not breath, until my lungs would burst, because their leader remained in the yard on his horse and I was convinced was looking straight at me, while the rest searched the yard.

Suddenly there was a commotion, and three came bursting out of the farmhouse, laughing roariously, having found the old lady, they wanted their comrades to see. But still the officer was on guard outside, until they all emerged again, their loot bundled in sheets. The men grabbed their lances, swung into their saddles, jerked their horses round and with blood curdling yells charged directly towards me. I prepared myself to die under the charging hooves and thrust of lances.

Pounding hooves and clattering steel thundered in my ears… louder… louder. Dust filled my nostrils, straw and manure cascaded over me, Now… now… This is what the end was like. I pitched forward and landed on my face as the last horseman had swept by me. I was alive.

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: P R

NICOLAI POLIAKOFF CHILD UKRANIAN SOLDIER NEWS. My fears were made reality and I have now joined the White Ukraine Army at Kiev. I share a room with a railwayman - a secretive, dark fellow.

He does laugh at my tricks though.

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: Coco

HENRY A.A. WHITELEY. Since our son Harry left us in Grimsby to join the Army, Leonora and I have continued to perform as the Henry Whiteley Four since with 2 of my younger sons, Ben age 16 and Harold 14. They are very quick learners and in a very short time Ben caught up joining the act and was tumbling, doing head to head and acrobatics well. According to our view girls in tumbling is more effective.

With our daughters are not yet old enough to perform, and I am not prepared to get licenses for them to do so, we presented Ben and Harold as girls, with their natural long hair curled each night. We were on the road doing well, when they both rebelled.

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: W HAA

6 DECEMBER: MUNITION SHIP EXPLODES IN HALIFAX (N.S.) HARBOUR AND WRECKS TOWN; FINLAND DECLARES INDEPENDENCE FROM RUSSIA. 7 DECEMBER: GENERAL ALLENBY OCCUPIES HEBRON.

LIONS ON THE SIDE OF THE HUNS. ___

EAST AFRICAN HORRORS. ___

THIRTY VICTIMS IN A FEW WEEKS. General Northey’s despatch has recently drawn attention to Nyasaland which has served as a base for a portion of the British forces operating in “German” East Africa. Some of the administrators went over the border to help administer the conquered territories, and it would almost seem as though the Germans were allied with the brute creation, for one of these administrators on his return found his village being vigorously warred upon by lions, and up to the date of the last mail (says the “Field”) the British were still acting on the defensive. The extracts given below speak for themselves: “ I meant to write to you by today’s post but lions interfered, as when I got to the office at two I was told six lions had been seen about two miles out.

Last night or rather evening— 5-30— the mother of one of my rickshaw boys was taken on the road, but I did not hear of it in time to get after them.

This is the fourth victim in a week, so I’m anxious to do them in as the town is getting panicky, and it’s upsetting my grain convoys.”

24/11/1917 The World’s Fair

MASSIMILIANO TRUZI RUSSIAN REVOLUTION. My Papa, Sam Truzzi, is the boss of the famous Truzzi’s the Russian Italian Circus. But all our family have had to leave Russia and everything behind because of the revolution. We had to go in a submarine from Sevastapol. On the submarine there was also Nicholai Nicholaivich, the brother of the dead Czar.

My Papa left only with a valise full of rubles. When we arrived at Constantinople Papa found that the Czar’s currency was worthless. Now we have absolutely nothing. We all wish to continues working as circus performers.

Narrative extracted Ref Online -Massimiliano Truzzi Note Other sources say Nicolaivich left on HMS Marlbrough 1919.

PADDY HEPSTON aka CAPTAIN EPSTEIN. We set off on 15th November, 1917 from Miami, once again, for Havana.

We are again part of the Santos y Artigas circus tenting show, which is billed as the Barnum and Bailey of Cuba, and are coming to the end of our six weeks. The circus artistes here

8 DECEMBER: REVOLUTION IN PORTUGAL. 10 DECEMBER: GENERAL ALLENBY OCCUPIES JERUSALEM. 15 DECEMBER: RUSSO-GERMAN ARMISTICE FOR MONTH’S TRUCE SIGNED AT BREST-LITOVSK.

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22 DECEMBER: RUSSO-GERMAN PEACE NEGOTIATION OPENED AT BREST-LITOVSK. 30 DECEMBER: ELECTION RIOTS IN QUEBEC, CITY UNDER MATIAL LAW.

include the Hannefords, Davenports, and May Worth. The whole of Sam MADAME HERCULINE. Gumbertz Dreamland Side Show is I happened to meet Madame also contracted, so I will be keeping Herculine the other evening who Franz busy. informs me that she has had a most Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: P N successful season with Tom Fossett.

Everybody admires a demonstration of unusual strength in a lady and Madame Herculine provides such an exhibition in abundance. So, I shall merely mention in passing that I see in her performance what I imagine to be an excellent “draw” for picture-house or sideshow.

December 1917

15/12/1917 The World’s Fair

NEWS FROM TYRWHITTDRAKE, MENAGERIST. I have been promoted now to a fullpaid corporal and was put in charge of the mule stables. I never have liked mules; I like them even less now!

About forty percent of them are vicious and in a few cases worse than wild animals. To obviate as many kicks as we could we stable two decent ones against every bad one, and to get the bad ones we passed up between the good ones, and get under the head or shoulder of the bad one in this way.

ALBERT FLEXMORE.

Albert Flexmore, of the Royal Bucks Hussars, having been wounded in Egypt, has been lying in hospital in Birmingham, the town in which he first saw the light. His many friends (circus and otherwise) will be glad to know that, thanks to a fine physique, he had already been drafted to his regiment in Ireland to recoup. Albert is the son of Mrs. Flexmore, so In November 1917 our unit was favourably known in Ireland, and shifted from Aylesford to nephew of our own clown, Harry Trawsfynydd, North Wales. This is a Gilleno.

15/12/1917 The World’s Fair beastly isolated and windy place, at least in winter. It was originally a summer artillery camp.

The Canadians who were here before us, arriving in September 1917 refused to stay here. We, I must say, are most uncomfortable and so are our poor SHOWMEN. patients.

Showmen although known all over Before we had been twenty-four world as generous people, are slow hours in the camp the Command had the recognising the necessity of looking sent us 600 of the most disgusting and at advanced cases of mangy horses and after themselves ___ mules - the sweepings from several boats from Liverpool. Many had no There was never a greater need for a hair at all, and their skins were in Benevolent Fund and still many folds like a rhino with sores at the thousands of Showmen have not sent bottom of each fold. These brutes are along their donations. stabled in lines with only a corrugated ___ roof over them. We are only a unit of 200 men, including all ranks, cooks IS THIS RIGHT? and orderly room staff, hopelessly If YOU think it isn’t, send along your understaffed for such a crowd of bad donation to: cases.

The O.C. requested more men, and The Secretary is himself a Showman received 100 men from the Labour who BEDFORD, Corps, some old soldiers and men WM. Fair” Offices, wounded and back from the front, as “World’s well as low-category men who did not Oldham.

15/12/1917 The World’s Fair know one end of a horse from the other. To add to the disdain the men had for our patients the rations are very bad and short. On the first morning 99 of the 100 reported sick ELEPHANT TRAINER and did nothing until they could be AND A SICK ANIMAL. examined by the M.O. We do not have an M.O. Only a local doctor. Dr Evans At West London Police Court on was not used to dealing with people who are sick only to avoid doing work. Friday, Alfred Rossi, proprietor of In 4 days only one man worked Rossi’s Musical Elephants, appeared because he liked horses, we was the to an adjourned summons, taken out only one to work for the next six. He by the Royal Society for the was not allowed to stay, despite his Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, requests, when the transfer came, alleging that he ill-treated a elephant at the because the Army could not clear performing Bush Empire on their own red-tape to get him into the Shepherd’s November 7th.

A.V.C. from the Labour Corps.

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: T-D G (1) The prosecution stated that the animal, which was known as “Daisy,” fell twice on its journey to the theatre, and although it was doused with three

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WAR CIRCUS NEWS: Reporting on all fronts! 1917

bottles of whiskey, it was unable to do its tricks. The defendant did his best to coax it, but it was alleged that an attendant goaded the elephant with a short spike. The animal has since died.

Considerable interest was aroused by the arrival at the court of the three remaining elephants, which, gaily caparisoned and trumpeting loudly, made a brave show, as with jingling bells and gold-tipped feet they marched along the street, and lined up in front of the court buildings. In the courtyard the elephants were inspected by Mr. Boyd, the magistrate, at the request of Mr. Hanson, who defended.

Frederick Stamp, inspector of the R.S.P.C.A., stated that on November 9th he saw the defendant, who said “The elephant was all right until I was going to the show, when she fell down twice. She was all right at the first house, but was not so well at the second. After the show I took her to the stable, and she died next morning.

Asked if the animal groaned, he said, “She never said a word.” ___ Mr. T. W. Chamberlian, M.R.C.V.S., said that the examination of the body showed that the elephant was in the second stage of pneumonia.

LEFT

Aden Field Force Sports, Christmas 1917, held at Sheikh Othman. The Camel Race. © IWM Q13070 carnage to go on.” It was through tribulation they entered into the Kingdom.

24/12/1917 Lancashire Evening Post

SIMONA’S PARROT.

15/12/1917 The World’s Fair

“What

I Heard.” ____

AMERICAN CIRCUS NEWS Circus Experts Offer Aid to Government Will Advise on Transportation.

At a meeting of important circus men held this week, it was decided to offer to the government the services of experts on transportation, who have learned by long experience with the tent shows just how to transport large bodies of men and equipment.

It is expected that the offer will be received gladly by the State Department at Washington, as the efficient methods of circus men can be applied directly and with great advantage to the moving of supplies for the army.

Through long years of close application and study the circus men have familiarized themselves with the various roads of the country, and with the obstacles that are met in transportation. For this reason there is probably no class better equipped on this subject in the world.

The booking of a circus or show depends largely on its transportation experts for its success. In touring across the country the making of jumps in the most efficient way is essential to the success of the company. This fact is demonstrated by the instance of the Barnum and Bailey tour of Europe some years ago.

Business Affected by War. Future of Circus Business in Doubt

By Fletcher Smith.

The season passed has been an eventful one in circus history. It has been full of surprises, and more surprises are in store ere the blue birds take wing in the spring. What the future of the circus will be is problematical. Circus managers hope for the best, but the railroad situation is serious and it is a question whether circuses will not be classed by the Government as non-essentials and the railroads will refuse transportation.

Circus owners are doing nothing at present in fitting up for the next

An Italian woman and her children helping British troops to pluck turkeys for their Christmas dinner, December 1917. © IWM Q 26536 season. All are waiting for the first of the year, when it is expected the railroad magnates will arrive at some decision. Circuses have felt the effects of the war this fall, as, for the first time in the history of circusdom, all of the roads running from Washington south refused to haul circus trains.

Carnivals also suffered, lost time and dates, and, in many cases, were obliged to close.

service at the Tower Circus, Blackpool, taking for his subject the words. “Be of good cheer,” words he said were used on four separate occasions by our Lord. They could have the merriest Christmas they had ever known if they knew their sins had been forgiven. Some people asked, “Why did God allow all this awful

At Bideford, there is a lovely painting of Sir Robert Fossett’s Circus standing in the Strand, with Sir R. there in the front of his two pole tent & the company with 70 horses returning from parade. It is in the front shop window of Messers. George Laing & Sons. cabinet makers. ____ State censorship is recommended for cinemas. and the Censor should be nominated by the King in Council and should not necessarily be a Civil Servant. ____ There are clowns at the front. ____

19/12/1917 New York Clipper

ESPECIALLY FOR OUR SOLDIER BOYS. To all our readers both at home and abroad, especially our soldier boys. we beg to tender the Season’s Greetings.

To those at home who are assisting to keep the businesses going we extend our good wishes for a busy and happy Christmas, and to our soldier boys we tender in the name of Showland, as happy a Christmas as they can possibly have under the present circumstances. To those of our readers who have lost sons and relatives we send our condolences and sympathy.

Showland has suffered severely in the war. May the coming year see a successful end to hostilities and 1918 bring a brighter and happier time to all.

22/12/1917 The World’s Fair

“BE OF GOOD CHEER.” Last night, Bishop Taylor Smith, Chaplain-General of the Forces, spoke at the Pleasant Sunday Evening

Southern Division Troops clowning around on the Rhine. © IWM Q 34911

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Circus News From Across The Globe.

WAR CIRCUS NEWS Reporting on all fronts!

1918

www.labonche.net @labonche

BRITAIN CREATES AIR MINISTRY

1 JANUARY: ARAB FORCES BEGIN ACTIONS FOR ET TAFILE. 2 JANUARY: GERMAN “PEACE” DENOUNCED BY BOLSHEVISTS. 8 JANUARY: PRESIDENT WILSON’S “14 POINTS” SPECIFIED TO CONGRESS.

10 JANUARY: UKRAINE REPUBLIC RECOGNISED BY DELEGATES TO RUSSO-GERMAN PEACE CONFERENCE AT BREST-LITOVSK. 14 JANUARY: ATTEMPTED ASSASSINATION OF LENIN AT PETROGRAD.

21 JANUARY: RESIGNATION OF SIR EDWARD CARSON FROM WAR CABINET. 23 JANUARY: NEW REPUBLIC MEALS ORDER, ESTABLISHING TWO MEATLESS DAYS A WEEK. 28 JANUARY: BOLSHEVIST RED GUARDS CAPTURE HELSINGFORS;

January 1918

commercial man, capable of driving a good bargain with natives or hunters, and able to keep his own end up in freightage dealing with shipping agents. The rare boy who combines all these qualities will betake himself either to the forest of South Africa to bargain with natives or Boer hunters, or he will establish himself in one of the Indian cities and familiarise himself gradually with the business ways of native hunters and trappers.

NICOLAI POLIAKOFF CHILD RED ARMY SOLDIER NEWS. This railwayman turned out to be destined as a friend in need to me.

Already I have joined a different army - the Railway Red Army of Kiev! One day the Red Army stormed Kiev and drove the Whites out. in the confusion I was left behind and found myself in the hands of some of the Red soldiers.

They seemed to think that I was a secret service agent. They asked me many questions about the White Army. I protested that I knew nothing.

The butt of a rifle crashed into my face. They beat me with rifles until I was half dead. ‘A little reminder, eh, comrade? Better to tell and live, eh, comrade?’ I told them I knew nothing and that I am only a circus clown and have been entertaining the troops. The soldier spat on the floor: ‘Well, we have a theatre here for you.’ I was dragged to a building, and the guards pushed me in. I was in the Kiev theatre - an astonishing sight! The stalls were filled with prisoners - officers, soldiers, civilians, suspected aristocrats, wandering merchants, beggars, sick and wounded. They had all been rounded up by the Reds and put in the theatre seats, while all around stood armed sentries. A Red officer strode on stage - a paper in his hand. He read out a list of names and these prisoners were dragged from their seats and marched out. After a few minutes we heard a fusillade. That was all. Next to me sat an officer. We tried to ease the awful tension by talking. I told him of my life as a clown and of the concerts I have been giving to the troops. We looked up as the officer read another list of names, listened to the fusillade, and then continued to talk again. The officer came on stage again, this time without his paper. I hoped we were all to be released! Every ear was strained.

‘Nicolai Poliakoff,’ he shouted. So I was to go alone, I thought. The officer silently pressed my hand. I walked with the two guards to the anteroom.

Sitting at the table, wearing a leather jacket, was the railwayman - my room companion at Kiev! My heart gave a

STRIKES IN BERLIN AND OTHER PLACES IN GERMANY. 31 JANUARY: ITALIANS COUNTERATTACK AT VAL BELLA. 1 FEBRUARY: UKRAINE REPUBLIC RECOGNISED. 9 FEBRUARY: PEACE SIGNED BETWEEN

5/1/1918 The World’s Fair

OUR SOLDIER BOYS.

Troops from the Royal Flying Corps Kite and Balloon Section rehearsing the pantomime "Cinderella"at Bapaume, 2 January 1918. © IWM Q8381 great jump. ‘Tell them I am no soldier,’ I gasped. ‘I have killed no comrades. I am a clown.’ He calmed me and told me I would be set free.

‘Free to go home?’ I said. ‘Oh, thank you, thank you. I have had enough of war.’ My heart groaned inside me as he told me I was to join the Red Railway Army of Kiev, but it was that or the firing squad.

Cuba, its cigars are very good. I did not know what would happen next.

Then I was taken to a big building they got me to undress and covered me with white plaster from head to foot, put straws in my nose. Then they took photos of me and fed me a huge amount to see how my stomach would swell. Then we got on another ship and sailed back to Britain.

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: Coco

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: P N

FRANZ TAIBOSH aka CLIKO, THE WILD DANCING BUSHMAN.

WILD ANIMAL DEALER’S QUEST FOR AN ADVENTUROUS YOUTH. ___

WILL ANY OF OUR BOYS SUIT?

Franz Taibosh, post card photo. c.1913 I have arrived back again in the USA, this time instead of saying I had elastic hair and pinging it, they stopped me for a medical examination because I am small, 4’2”. I will miss

Mr. Hamlyn, the dealer in wild animals, is trying to discover an English boy ready to be trained into a successful buyer and organiser of transit in the countries where the animals are trapped. He must be prepared to go through the drudgery of learning the business thoroughly at Shadwell before going abroad. This is necessary, because the buyer must thoroughly understand the habits, feeding, and management of the creatures he deals in. He must know how to pack them, and how to provide for their food during a long overseas journey. He must also be a keen

Corporal Jack Lewis, whose address is 8447, 10th Warwicks, c/o A.P.M., 19th Division, France, writes:— “Would you please send me a copy of the “World’s Fair,” as I have not had one for a long time. I have seen a lot of boys of Showland out here. I have been out here now over two years and a half, and I am thankful I am still in the land of the living. Of course you know me, Corporal Jack Lewis, of the Warwicks, late of Bostock’s Circus.

Will you please remember me to Mr. Joe Caddick, junior., of Brownhills, Staffs., and tell him I am coming to Hednesford after this is all over. Will you please give my best wishes for a peaceful New Year and I hope all the boys will be back on the old tobers once again in full swing. I have still got my photo and “World’s Fair,” which I had in June, 1915. I must now close, hoping all my dear friends in Showland are well and wishing every success for the good old showman’s paper, “The World’s Fair.” Wishing you all a Happy New Year.”

12/1/1918 The World’s Fair

AMERICAN CIRCUS NEWS. Jess Willard's show, Barnum and Bailey and Ringling Brothers are in winter quarters in Chicago, unable to decide what to do. Their situation is made more difficult by the fact that their running expenses continue, the animals all requiring a great amount of food, which is in itself scarce.

16/1/1918 New York Clipper

WAR CIRCUS NEWS: Reporting on all fronts! 1918

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CENTRAL POWERS AND THE UKRAINE. 10 FEBRUARY: LORD BEAVERBROOK SUCCEEDS SIR EDWARD CARSON AS MINISTER IN CHARGE OF PROPAGANDA.

13 FEBRUARY: FRANCO-AMERICAN SUCCESS AT TAHURE. 14 FEBRUARY: BOLO PASHA SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR HIGH TREASON. 16 FEBRUARY: GENERAL SIR HENRY WILSON APPOINTED CHIEF -OF-

O’DONNELL-BLAIR CIRCUS NEWS.

SHOWS AT THE FRONT. ___

MUSIC HALL JOKES AMID SHELLFIRE. ___

FAMILIAR TURNS. ___

THE TRAMP AND THE NUT. The “turns” were on just the same lines as you are accustomed to in a music hall at home. There are the usual couple— a man in a fantastic tramp’s costume and brilliant red nose and another in fashionable “nuttish” attire, the “nut” standard being quite sufficiently indicated by a stand-up collar and a relic of a silly hat. The two ran through the usual style patter in a mixture of army slang and pidgin French of the na-poo brand. I can forsee that the music-hall stars at home will have to learn a new language if they are to sustain their reputation when the army returns. ___ A great joke progressed elaborately amongst some subalterns on the benches in front of me. One asked another if it was true that the (?) was a W.A.A.C. The other replied scornfully that he though everybody knew she was a V.A.D. from the C.S.S., who was engaged to the B.C. of a R.A.F. battery. The army nowadays talks in initial besprinkled language. The argument was bandied to and fro among the group and finally snared the “Guy,” who asked timidly if he-she were not a man. “Good lord, no,” he was told, “we’ve given up having men in these parts. You’re out of date since you went home, old man.”

12/1/1918 The World’s Fair

AMERICAN CIRCUS NEWS. John Ringling will shortly take up the routeing and management of a four-car show that is to tour in the interests of the Red Cross and the British War Exhibits, and is to be composed of one British tank, one German submarine and the articles that compose the British war exhibits.

The tour, it is understood, is to go from coast to coast, playing one, two and three day engagements, the Government providing the transportation.

NEWS FROM TYRWHITTDRAKE, MENAGERIST. We had a mild mutiny at a particularly atrocious dinner, I had to agree with the men, when the O.C. harangued them and appealed to me for support to agree with him that everything was lovely. I am in charge of thirty men in my hut. I expect my stripes will now remain stationary.

Since then I have been posted to the dispensary, being the only man in the camp who was supposed to know a smattering of Latin. As the dispensary has a small tortoise stove, I am in clover! I have never in my life once made up a prescription. I now make up all for those left of the original 600 (horses), I may not have cured any but I have not yet killed any. I make mange dressing up by the barrel. I'm also in charge of the dead-house where the carcasses of all that have died are skinned and dressed, and even have to make water-colour drawings of the most interesting cases to send up to the A.V.C. headquarters.

I am also now medical orderly to Dr. Evans. Meanwhile the O.C is getting s bit tired of being so many men short due to "sickness". One day the doctor said to me, apropos of an old ruffian who was going sick 4 times a week: "Corporal, what shall we do with this man?" I at once replied: "Give him a No. 9 (strong pill) to-day, sir and two the next time he comes in." With much pleasure I gave him the pill, for I do not like malingerers.

Knowing my man I watched him as he went out, and sure enough as soon as he was out of the door he spat the No. 9 out. At which point I called him back and told the M.O. The next pill was supplied with a whole pint of cold water. He did not trouble us any more, and the new treatment having been noised about, our "patients" dropped off considerably.

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: T-D G (1)

DEATH OF AN OLD SHOWMAN. There has just passed away at Hednesford, Staffs., one of the oldest (if not the oldest) showmen in the Midlands in the person of James Potter, of circus fame, known all over the world, Barnum and Bailey’s, Forpaugh’s, Fitzgerald’s, etc., in America.

26/1/1918 World’s Fair

23/1918 New York Clipper

FRANK FOSTER NEWS. I keep half expecting to receive our marching orders to the front but they never come, I have been here at Etaples since my leave in 1917.

Instead, I am occupied in entertainments. I met George Doonan, ‘the life and soul of the party,’ of radio and stage; and we started a concert party which is called ‘The Electric Sparks’. It has really caught on.

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: F F

STAFF. 18 FEBRUARY: HOSTILITIES BETWEEN GERMANY AND RUSSIA RECOMMENCE. 21 FEBRUARY: BRITISH OCCUPY JERICHO; GERMAN STATEMENT OF

February 1918 DEATH OF LITTLE TONY. Little Tony, who was only 4ft. height, has died at Liverpool at 40 (?) years of age. Beginning his stage career at four, he travelled Great Britain many times, and at one time was engaged with Chang the Chinese giant.

2/2/1918 The World’s Fair

LEFT

PEACE CONDITION TO RUSSIA. 25 FEBRUARY: COMPULSORY RATIONING OF MEAT, BUTTER AND MARGARINE IN FORCE IN LONDON AND HOME COUNTIES. 27 FEBRUARY: THIRTY-SIX

LEICESTER REGIMENT.

Circus Will Come Over.

The O'Donnell-Blair Circus, which has been playing throughout Europe for some years, is to arrive in America in April and tour the country under the direction of John Ringling. Owing to war conditions, there is no chance for the organization if it remains abroad. It may arrive here sooner if shipping can be secured.

6/2/1918 New York Clipper

PRIVATE R. COWIE. STRANGE STORY IN BIRMINGHAM CHILDREN’S COURT. A remarkable explaination was given in Birmingham Children’s Court, to-day, of the appearance before the magistrates of Alfred Adamson (14), charged with stealing a £1 note and diamond ring, belonging to Mrs. May Fawcett, proprietor of a travelling circus.

Detective Wright stated that seven months ago a travelling circus visited Halesworth, Suffolk. At the same time the boy disappeared from a comfortable and respectable home.

“The detective did not know quite how it happened, but the lad was evidently attracted by the glamour and glitter of the circus, and went away with the caravans. Since that time he had travelled the country with the show which came this week to Raddlebarn Road, Selly Oak. When there the boy stole the money and the ring, the former from the caravan and the latter from the house where Mrs. Fawcett had deposited it with the occupant for security*. The lad went to the house and told the woman that there was a rat in the fowl-pen. The woman ran out of the house, and the lad dashed in and stole the ring The lad’s account was that the circus people have treated him so badly that he wanted to get home, and committed the theft to enable him to return to his parents. Immediately on obtaining possession of the money and the ring he went to New Street Station and boarded the first train which happened to be bound for Sheffield. It was in attempting to pledge the ring at Sheffield that the boy’s conduct aroused suspicion, and he was detained and handed over to Detective Wright yesterday.

On the application of the Detective the lad was remanded for a week for enquiries.

7/2/1918 Birmingham Mail *We have noted that Radelbarn Road is at junction with Dawlish Road, on p 72, its mentioned as Claude Powell’s address.

DEATH OF JOE CASTANINA. We regret to have to announce the death of Joe Castanina, the Fire King, or Human Ostrich, who passed away in Glasgow, on Monday last after a short illness, at the age of 76 years.

The funeral will take place from the Show Ground, Vinegar Hill, Glasgow, at 4 p.m., on Friday, February 8th.

9/2/1918 The World’s Fair

Private R. Cowie is the son of Mr. and Mrs. R. Cowie, of the Show Ground, Byker, Newcastle-on-Tyne, and is widely known in the North of England… he would welcome a few lines from any of his old friends in the north.

9/2/1918 The World’s Fair Photo reproduced by kind permission of The World's Fair Ltd.

WE ARE DOING WAR WORK. My name is Margaret and I am seventeen. Things are as you would expect at the moment for us Shufflebottoms, but it is made worse when some people around here, who do not know us, are being really nasty to my big brother John, just because he is not fighting. They keep reporting him to the Military Boards, and each time he has to explain that he has to look after all 9 of us, his younger brothers and sisters. He has been the head of the family since Father died, helping my Mother keep the business going. Then when the snow came and took our tent away in 1917 things got even worse We had to stop Riffle Bills Wild West Show.

Luckily John managed to get War Work in Hampshire Forrest, with our show horses. They are really stars and not suited to work outside the ring. I’m so pleased that they do not have to go to the front. Anyway, still people think that John is not doing his duty, he is, I have seen this with my own eyes, when I drive the horse and cart to take him a hot lunch. He and our horses help to get wood out of the forest down to the mill. It is a bit creepy there, I have asked what the wood is for. John says the big bits are for pit props for mines

Wanted. for John Duffy and Sons’ Big Circus, Acts, in all Lines.

Anything that can be done in a Circus Ring.

Nothing too Big. All coms. To John Duffy, Circus Proprietor, Coslow, Ireland.

31/1/1918 The Stage

WAR CIRCUS NEWS: Reporting on all fronts! 1918

RIGHT

BOMBING RAIDS INTO GERMANY BY BRITISH AIRMEN. 2 MARCH: GERMAN-BLOSHEVIK TREATY OF PEACE. 5 MARCH: PRELIMINARY TREATY OF PEACE SIGNED BETWEEN CENTRAL

POWERS AND RUMANIA. 13 MARCH: ODESSA OCCUPIED BY GERMANS; PETROGRAD EVACUATED. 18 MARCH: GERMANS REPULSED ON BELGIAN FRONT. 19 MARCH: LORD PIRRIE

APPOINTED CONTROLLER GENERAL OF MERCHANT SHIPPING. 21 MARCH: GREAT GERMAN ATTACK FROM SCARPE TO OISE. 22 MARCH: GEN. ALLENBY CROSSES THE JORDAN.

and the flat bits are for seaplane floats, but I get a feeling that that is not the truth as each is the right size for a man, and there are many needs for boxes of that kind at the hospitals and at the front. I don’t like to think about it. Much better to think of the planes.

___

TRADERS NOT MUCH CONCERNED ABOUT IT. The new order prohibiting the use of shop window lighting in Liverpool and district area is now in force. The Order states:— No light shall be used in any shop front on any week-day, other than Saturday, after 3-30 p.m. or during any period of abnormal darkness occurring at an earlier hour.

KIDNAPPED BY GIPSIES.

9/2/1918 The World’s Fair

BREAD FOR BEARS. ___

STORY OF A TRAINER WHO WAS FINED £5.

At Alloa Sheriff Court on Friday, William Vincent Permaine, animal trainer, admitted having fed four performing bears with bread.

He said he bought the bread in Glasgow and brought it with him to Alloa. It was sold very cheap— 3d. a loaf. Each of the animals got two pounds of bread a day. They would not look at turnips or potatoes.

A fine of £5 was imposed. A number of loaves in the accused’s possession were declared forfeited.

16/2/1918 The World’s Fair

OUR SOLDIER BOYS. ___

INTERESTING LETTERS. Corporal W. Hughes, 352, E. & M.C., R.E., B.E.F., France, who has just been on leave, writes:— “May I take the liberty of thanking one or two friends who wrote to me in

23 MARCH: PARIS SHELLED BY BIG BERTHA. 24 MARCH: FALL OF PERONNE AND HAM. 26 MARCH: GEN. MARSHALL

SHOPLIGHT ORDER.

Narrative drawn from conversation with Margaret’s daughter Margaret Wilby

The Right Hon. Charles Fenwick, M.P., the representative of the Northumberland miners for the Wansbeck division, tells a story of a boyish adventure and kidnapping, which might have ended in his becoming a gipsie.

“When a small boy, living at Seaton Burn,” says Mr. Fenwick, “I managed somehow or other to evade my mothers gaze, and strayed away from the door. I had the misfortune to be kidnapped by band of gipsies on their way to a fair held on Newcastle Town Moor.

“When I was missed a search was made, but I could not be found. Then, obtaining a clue from a gentleman on horseback, my friends set off after a caravan. When my captors saw they were being pursued they set me down by the roadside between Seaton Burn and Newcastle, and left me to fend for myself until my friends came along.

The caravan made good its escape.”

When Mr. Fenwick was elected and M.P. on December 8th 1885, his father, on offering congratulations, with tears in his eyes, reminded him of the kidnapping incident. “Aye, hinny, instead o’ being a member of Parliament thou might ha’ been a gipsie.”

85

23/2/1918 The World’s Fair

March 1918 “However, these circus ads, never come up to expectations.”

From the Louiville Times, U.S.A. Evening Dispatch 3/3/1918

France. I would like Colman(?) junr. (of Punchinello fame) to know that being transferred from my company to R.E.’s his letter followed me from one sector to another so it was impossible for me to do anything re concert parties. I wish to tender my best wishes and thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Dick Monte for the kind way they treated my wife and children during their stay at Benwell. For their consideration and kindness I am very grateful. I wish also to answer a question and settle an important point (to me). I joined up on July 10th, 1916, after a fortnights exemption, and was not escorted to the station with a pair of ornaments on my wrists as some silly thoughtless person caused a rumour to be spread to that effect to the annoyance of my wife. The only escort I had was good old genial Joe Gess, to whom I would like to refer all maliciously inclined persons, with the following advice written in verse:

If a thing does not concern you don’t interfere, There is an old saying which is often said, A still tongue makes a wise, wise head, Never try kicking anyone when they’re down For you might be the next to fall, And if you can’t say any good of anyone, Then shut up and say nowt at all.

Before going back to France I should like to give a message to the mothers and wives of our lads that have gone to help in the great cause of right and freedom, to bear up, and keep smiling a little while longer. All is right out yonder and I don’t think any letter will be addressed B.E.F. in 1919, and to those who have made the supreme sacrifice in loved ones I tender my deepest sympathy. I wish all our lads out yonder the best of luck and honours and a safe return and hope to hear from as many as possible. ____ I wish to inform Mr. Headley through the “World’s Fair” that,

following the directions as given to him by the War Office, I was able to locate his son’s grave on our map. It was just four English miles from our camp, but I am sorry to say I was unable to visit the place, as we moved out for the rest on the same day, and are now miles away. If we go back that way I will have another try…

23/2/1918 The World’s Fair

MIDLAND MEMS. I have just heard , with deep regret, of the death of Cyril Lloyd, late of the Brothers Lloyd, tight rope performers. The deceased, who was only twenty-four years of age, was a rarely gifted artiste, whose work won him a high reputation wherever he appeared. ____ I also regret to announce the death of Robert Hannah, professionally known as Bob Swift, and at one time as Griffis, of Griffis and Brighton.

Deceased, who was partner with Emma Swift in the popular duo of that name, was born in Liverpool, in 1864 and first started with his brother as Elvene and Oscar, performing on the trapeze, ring and bar at the Star, Liverpool; Day’s, Birmingham; the Scotia, Glasgow; and places of equal importance. Later on they joined Arthur Reed, the couple being known as Griffis and Reed. With him he toured all the principal Continental cities, doing a comedy trapeze act.

Their many important contracts fulfilled by this strain included two exclusive engagements at the Palace, Shaftesbury Avenue, with the late Charles Morton. In the year 1900 Bob married Emma Leaurence, of the Leaurence group of lady cyclists, and commenced under that lady’s tuition, to learn trick cycling. The late duo was founded in 1901.

23/2/1918 The World’s Fair

GROCK REPORTS FROM FRANCE. As we all know the war is still on.

The Germans are dropping bombs on London. They are not very dangerous, but they cause considerable alarm. I am booked to appear in Paris this month at the Folies Bergere for my friend Baretta.

I have left my wife for safety’s sake in London.

There were all the formalities to be gone through first, and then the crossing of the Channel, which is not entirely without risk owing to German submarines. We were to set sail in the evening, to avoid daylight, but one alarm followed another and it was five o’clock before we got away.

We steamed slowly for France. I had an excellent night and when I went on deck I found it was a fine sunny day.

At about one o’clock some passengers on deck started shouting and pointing at something in the water about two hundred and twenty yards off which was twirling along straight for our stern, leaving a track of foam.

“A torpedo! A torpedo!”

People were running in all directions and I confess I did not feel very happy. The captain had seen the thing and had put the boat in hard about. But how slowly it seemed to answer and meanwhile the torpedo was barely fifteen yards off, leaving a distinct wake behind it. I stayed at the taffrail, which I thought might be the safest place, giving uneasy glances at the boats and life-buoys. The track of foam was closing on the ship stern and I waited for the explosion, but nothing happened. I ran to the rudder. The Captain had taken evasive action just in time. A loud report followed. The U-boat had surfaced and was bombarding us with its deck-gun. It submerged rapidly when English torpedo-boats came up at full speed.

I wonder whether there were any among the crew of the submarine who had applauded me in Germany?

We arrived at St Lazare Station in Paris at a little before eleven o’clock.

There were no porters, no taxis, no lights. Paris is blacked out. We had to leave our heavy luggage in the left luggage office and walk to Montmartre, where we had rooms

86

WAR CIRCUS NEWS: Reporting on all fronts! 1918

DEFEATS TURKS AT KHAN BAGHDADIE. 30 MARCH: APPOINTMENT OF GENERAL FOCH TO CO-ORDINATE ACTION OF ALLIED ARMIES IN FRANCE.

1 APRIL: R.N.A.S. AND R.F.C. MERGED INTO ONE, THE "ROYAL AIR FORCE”.

2 APRIL: CAPT. McCUDDEN, D.S.O. WITH 53 ENEMY MACHINES TO HIS CREDIT, AWARDED THE

V.C. 4 APRIL: GREAT GERMAN THRUST FOR AMIENS. 5 APRIL: BRITISH AND JAPANESE MARINES LAND AT VLADIVOSTOCK. 9 APRIL: QUEEN ASSUMES TITLE

reserved in an hotel, carrying our suitcases.

When a street-girl of Montmartre said “Darling come with me, you’ll be much more comfortable,” I only said, “Why?” The new number I am doing with Max brought the house down. Every paper in Paris has long notices this morning. I am besieged by journalists.

It is impossible to get out of their way.

I have been photographed, caricatured, drawn, and interviewed.

The manager has observed to me that a Grock epidemic has broken out in Paris.

LEFT

OF COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE W.A.A.C.’S. 10 APRIL: GERMAN THRUST ON THE LYS; BRITISH RETIREMENT, ARMENTIÈRES-LA BASSÈE. 14 APRIL: GENERAL FOCH APPOINTED GENERALISSIMO OF THE

restless. Then the curtain rose. The conductor was in his place; he had a violin, and beside him there was one woman violinist in the otherwise empty orchestra. She showed more courage than her male colleagues.

To start with I went through my usual fooleries at the piano until Max joined me.

“We’ll do it in English tonight,” I whispered.

The men greeted to the sound of English on a foreign stage with rousing applause. The laughter was so loud that we could not hear whether any more shells were bursting.

Paraphrased from Biography Bibliog. Ref: G

April 1918

CLOWN AND THE BOYS. At the Wigan Borough Police Court on Saturday, before Messrs. J. Heaton, E. Dickinson, and A. Ranicar, Thomas Hall was summoned for procuring for the purpose of performing for profit two boys under the age of 14, and engaging them in a public performances without having a licence for them to be so engaged.

Mr. A. E. Baucher defended.

The Chief Constable said the defendant had been performing at the Hippodrome as a clown during the week, and he had taken young boys from the street on to the stage to do tumbling feats. One of the boys in respect to whom the summonses had been taken out was 13 years and 10 months old and the other 11 years and 10 months…

The Bench dismissed the case but expressed the opinion that Mr Hall should take pains to verify the ages of boys, and see that the regulations and the law were not being contravened.

9/3/1918 The World’s Fair

TRAVELLERS’ CARDS.

Travellers’ butter and meat cards are now being issued. The meat card is mauve in colour, the butter card green.

The class of person for whom travellers’ cards are intended include: ___ Showmen, commercial travellers, lecturers, actors and variety artists on tour, employees in canal and river boats, buyers. Travelling inspectors or Government, municipal and other organisations.

9/3/1918 The World’s Fair

NEWS FROM E.H. BOSTOCK. We have had four months of splendid business over winter, having added several amusements along side that of the menagerie, but then dullness set in.

I considered the state of the maple

Chinese stilt-walkers entertaining British and American soldiers, local inhabitants and Chinese workers at their camp at Samer, 26 May 1918 © IWM Q8851 floor I had put in in 1909, at great expense, and decided that despite the damage caused by the military it could once again be used as a roller skating rink. To this optimistic view I was assisted by the fact that two other rinks had opened up in England. The supply of skates has been a bit of a problem, importation from the United States is impossible, and there are of course no new supplies in this country.

Fortunately, I happened to have 400 pairs in Norwich, a few at Ipswich and Paisley and have been able to augment this supply by advertising my need in the newspapers. With a further 450 pairs I was able to reopen one half of the building as a roller skating rink, the menagerie in the other. I’m not sure which side is the zoo.

The opening night was in February, I shall never forget it. The success of the venture was an eye opener. We had reckoned on steady stream of patrons, what we got was a veritable avalanche. All went well at the skating, although among the 500 odd skaters there was a rough and unruly element and many munitions workers, they are making big wages and have "money to burn".

No one is allowed to wear a hat whilst skating, while the majority wore caps, and these they kept in their pockets, the others, of course, placed their hats, cloaks, sticks and umbrellas in the cloakroom, which was a temporary structure. When at 10 p.m. the bell sounded for the cessation of skating, and after the band had played the National Anthem, a crowd lined up at the men's cloakroom. The two women dealt out the articles as quickly as possible, while the skaters grew impatient and this provided an opening for the hooligan element to pursue their nefarious designs. They grouped together and then charged the side of the cloakroom which was raised to the floor. In their quest for plunder the hooligans preferred tailcoats and trampled top hats. We were left to "face the music". I found we had forty victims to deal with. The next day I distributed £15 among the most aggrieved. I have subsequently bought insurance against hooligans, built a stronger cloakroom and have arranged for a number of police

constables to be on duty in the vicinity at closing time.

The clientele of the rink are of a different class to the elite in 1909, when we first opened, they are more boisterous and fast skating. Strange as it may seem their unruliness and horse-play has resulted in fewer accidents and use of smelling salts, than the more well behaved clientéle.

These war-time patrons I find are well hardened and able to take care of themselves.

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: B EH

GROCK REPORTS FROM FRANCE. Unfortunately the war still goes on.

Last night when I was on my way to the Folies Bergere, I suddenly met some firemen running along the street, giving the alarm with rattles. I went into a cafe for a cognac, and took it to the door to see what was happening. I had just emptied my glass when there was such a loud explosion I expected to be smothered in debris.

There was a cloud of dust hanging over the street. What a sight it was!

The building opposite the cafe had been hit and the glass roof under which I had stood to drink my brandy had been carried away by the blast.

Firemen were running about excitedly and police were barring off the street.

I ran to the theatre as fast as I could.

The audience were surging out to seek shelter in the nearest cellars. I forced my way in in spite of them, though I felt for certain the performance would be cancelled. But when I looked into the auditorium I saw a crowd of English and Canadian soldiers sitting waiting. The stage was empty, so were the dressing-rooms. The whole staff had all vanished.

“Grock, you’ve turned up, thank God! You can save the situation on your own. Get ready and go on. You must keep these soldiers amused for as long as you can.”

At that moment we heard a dull thump. The soldiers shouted Hurrah.

They took it as a joke. The stage had been unoccupied for quite half and hour and the soldiers were getting

NICOLAI POLIAKOFF CHILD WHITE ARMY SOLDIER NEWS. The White Army has advanced and driven us out of Kiev. We have retreated to Ramadan, between Kiev and Poltava, and disaster follows us this time, typhoid.

I have woken up in a strange bed in a strange place. I received orders to go to Poltava to take charge of some supplies. During my expedition I felt more and more unwell, and I realised with horror I had the first symptoms of typhoid. I must have collapsed suddenly into blackness. A nurse here has warned me that the Whites have taken over Poltava and that I should say nothing until I am well as they are not quite sure who I am. I will do as she tells me.

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: Coco

PADDY HEPSTON aka CAPTAIN EPSTEIN. Barnum and Bailey paid for 2nd class passage for us on the American Line steam ship New York. We were in Britain only long enough, two months, for me to renew our passports once again.

This time the names are Morris Hepston and Franz Taaibosh, (instead of W.D Bushman). We will join Barnum and Bailey when they open at Madison Square Gardens on 25th March 1918.

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: P N

FRANZ TAIBOSH aka CLIKO, THE WILD DANCING BUSHMAN. Now this show is different. First I have to go in a big procession of freaks, we march around the track waving to the audience, sometimes 8000 people are watching. We are all shapes and sizes, Lady Little is here, Abomah, Princess Wee Wee, Jim Tarver, Zip too. I know many of the people from Dreamland.

All the time the circus band is playing very loud. We are followed by three herds of elephants, with small ears, , then by Signor Bagonghi on a very small horse to fit him, The Hannefords are here too so I know lots of people.

WAR CIRCUS NEWS: Reporting on all fronts! 1918

RIGHT

ALLIED ARMIES IN FRANCE; HELSINGFORS OCCUPIED BY GERMANS 18 APRIL: GERMAN ATTACK, GIVENCHY TO THE LYS; FRENCH THRUST IN AVRE VALLEY. 19 APRIL: BRITISH COUNTER-

ATTACK AT GIVENCHY. 23 APRIL: SUCCESSFUL NAVAL RAID ON ZEEBRUGGE UNDER SIR ROGER KEYES; BARON VON RICHTHOFEN, MOST FAMOUS OF GERMAN AIRMEN, BROUGHT DOWN.

1 MAY: U.S. TROOPS ON THE AMIENS FRONT; SEBASTOPOL OCCUPIED BY GERMANS. 5 MAY: FRENCH ARTILLERY PUT GERMAN LONG-RANGE GUN OUT OF ACTION; FIELD-MARSHAL

The Ring Master is called Fred Bradna. Hepston dose not like me to try to talk to people. We freaks do not have to wait for dinner because we are on show all the time, we can also eat in our costume, such as it is.

87

VISCOUNT FRENCH APPOINTED LORD-LIEUT. OF IRELAND. 7 MAY: RUMANIA SIGNS “PEACE OF BUCHAREST”.

9 MAY: NAVAL SUCCESS AT OSTEND AND ZEEBRUGGE. 15 MAY: END OF BONNET ROUGE

FLYING CIRCUS THE RED BARON.

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: P N

MIDLAND MEMS. I like to be where there is a bit of sawdust and if last saturday had been anything but the terrible day it was I should have run over to Atherstone to have had a look at Mr. Tom Fossett’s Royal British Circus, the energetic proprietor has got together very smoothly and giving much satisfaction wherever they appear. Hirsutia— known to us as La Belle Herculine— is once more with the show, which I sincerely hope, despite the troublous times, will have a successful tour. _____ Sergeant-major (ex-circus hand): What’s that? Promised the chaplain you wouldn’t swear any more? Then who the blank blank is going to look after the blanking mules?

HARRY WILDING. 13/4/1918 The World’s Fair

DEATH OF FRED KEMPSTER. ___

THE ENGLISH GIANT. We regret to have to record the death of Fred Dempster, the famous English giant, who passed away on Monday last. As stated in our last week’s issue he had been on exhibition with Mr. J. Healey in Victoria Street, Blackburn. He was removed to the Queen Park Military Hospital on Saturday suffering from pneumonia.

He was 8ft. 4in in height and weighed 27 stones, and eight men were required to move him from his room at the Haymarket Hotel to the ambulance, the fire brigade jumping sheet being requisitioned. On reaching the hospital, where he had been taken owing to accommodation difficulties arising from his extreme height, it was necessary, in taking the patient to his bedroom, to use the outside fire escape, the stairs inside being too narrow, and three beds were made into one for his accommodation in a room set apart for him. In 1916 he was able to visit his brother George, who was wounded. For most of the War Frederick had been touring the country.

20/4/1918 The World’s Fair

OBITUARY.

VETS AND VETERANS: Garrard Trewitt-Drake has described working in equine operating theatres in Wales the scene might be much like this one.

AMERICAN CIRCUS NEWS. ____

GERMANS WITH CIRCUS ARE WATCHED. Thirty German performers and other Teutonic attaches of the Barnum & Bailey circus were thrown into a panic last week when they learned that each one of them would be required to file a $1,000 bond before being allowed to leave New York.

Hasty consultations were held between the affected actors and the circus management, with the result that the legal department of the aggregation was appealed to. Counsel for the "greatest show on earth" repaired posthaste to the office of United States Marshal Thomas D. McCarthy, in the Federal building in park row, and a way out of the predicament was sought. The marshal told his petitioners that he was merely carrying out the orders of the Department of Justice at Washington, and that modifications of the instructions, if it was to be had at all, would have to be obtained at the National Capital.

John M. Kelly, of counsel for the shows, forthwith jumped on to Washington, where, it was reported Monday, the matter was being threshed out. In the meantime, representatives of the circus importuned Marshal McCarthy to issue a temporary permit which would allow the affected performers to appear in Brooklyn in time for the opening performance Monday afternoon. This permission was finally granted.

The permit granted the Teutons, who are classed by the United States authorities as alien enemies, is for one week - the duration of the circus' stay in Brooklyn, where it is appearing this week - at the expiration of which they will have to report to United States Marshal James M. Power, of the Eastern District of New York, in which Brooklyn is situated, before they can leave Brooklyn.

It is the intention of the Federal Government representatives to require a bond of $1,000 for each of the German subjects. The matter is now pending in Washington, whither lawyer Kelly hurried to effect an

arrangement whereby permission would be granted for the men to fill the show's engagements throughout the country during the season just entered upon.

When it was realized that German artists and workmen connected with the show would violate the letter, if not the spirit, of the Government's prohibited edict in various parts of the country, agents of the Department of Justice took the matter up with the United States Marshal for the Southern District of New York, with the result that the management of the circus was informed that, if it wished to transport the German attaches from town to town over the country, it would have to furnish bonds to insure their good behavior and respect of Government restrictions. It was for the purpose of obtaining a definite interpretation of the order that the management dispatched its legal representative to Washington.

Realizing that action could not be had before the time for the circus to begin its engagement in Brooklyn Monday, representatives of the shows conferred Saturday night with Marshal McCarthy, with the view of obtaining a temporary permit which would allow its German actors and workmen to be in Brooklyn for the opening show. The Germans were listed by the Marshal's office and a copy of this list was sent to Marshal Powers in Brooklyn. The latter will keep the men under surveillance during the Brooklyn engagement, or until the matter is disposed of by the Department of Justice in Washington.

War Hits Circus Man Brunner.

Cincinnati, O., April 20. The war has hit the Sparks' World Famous Shows, which are preparing to start their spring offensive by leaving winter quarters at Carthage, near here. Fritz Brunner, German animal trainer for the Sparks' Shows will not go on the tour. He was not permitted to travel by the government. George Sparks took Brunner to Marshal Devanney for a permit to engage in permanent occupation here. When Sparks said that a new baby camel had just arrived and needed Brunner's care, the Marshal rushed through a local permit.

24/4/1918 New York Clipper

Manfred von Richthofen (1892-1918), also known as the 'Red Baron', is perhaps the most famous and feared German air ace of the war and the highest-scoring ace with 80 official victories. After serving in the German Army on the Western Front, Richthofen transferred to the air service in May 1915 and was later given command of the 'Flying Circus', a unit comprised of Germany’s elite fighter pilots. He was killed in action in April 1918 and buried by the British with full military honours.

OUR SOLDIER BOYS IN HOSPITAL. Ginger Osborne, who toured the country with Harry Hughes, also Harry Collis and Alf Ball’s boxing saloons, is in hospital, after three years and seven months in France and Belgium, and would like to hear from friends old and new. His address is: Private J Osbourne, 4522, M.T.A.S.C., A.I.B. Ward, 1st Southern General Hospital, Edgbaston, Birmingham. ___ News has also been received that Private Dennis (Peters) Saccomani, son of Mr. and Mrs. M. Peters, Yorkshire and Lancashire travellers, has been severely gassed. He is in a base hospital in France. His address is: 37688, Pte. D. P. Saccomani, 1/10th Manchesters, B.E.F, France.

27/4/1918 The World’s Fair

May 1918 HENRY A.A. WHITELEY. Since the age for Military Service has been raised, and I am 46, I have registered and have passed the Medical B11. So I had to find some work of National Importance, or I would be called up. I applied for some a the labour exchange Camberwell Green, and then found myself doing foundry work, carrying pails of molten lead, for which I feel very unsuited. I have had to arrange for Leonora, Ben and Harold to perform without me as the Henry Whitley Trio.

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: W HAA

WAR CIRCUS NEWS: Reporting on all fronts! 1918

88

TRIAL; DUVAL CONDEMNED TO DEATH. 17 MAY: DISCOVERY OF GERMANIRISH PLOT; MANY SINN FEINERS ARRESTED. 26 MAY: ITALIANS CAPTURE

MONTICELLO PASS. 27 MAY: GERMAN THRUST ON THE ASINE. 31 MAY:GERMANS REACH THE MARNE. 2 JUNE: GERMAN ATTACK BETWEEN

OURCQ AND MARNE. 6 JUNE: FRANCO-BRITISHAMERICAN COUNTER-ATTACK SUCCESSFUL. 9 JUNE: GERMAN ATTACK MONTDIDIER TO NOYON.

10 JUNE: BELLOY. 11 JUNE: BELLOY. 12 JUNE: ASINE TO 14 JUNE:

LEFT GERMANS ATTACK ROUND FRENCH RECAPTURE GERMAN ATTACK FROM VILLERS-COTTERETS. GENERAL GUILLAMONT

KAYES WOUNDED.

FRED BRADNA NEWS.

The many friends of Private Timothy Kayes, son of Mr. Wm. Kayes (Buff Bill), will be sorry to hear he has been wounded. He has had the misfortune to lose his left leg and is now in the hospital in Leeds. He would be pleased to hear from old friends. His address is: 3779, Private Timothy Kayes, 15th West Yorks, A Napier Ward, East Leeds War Hospital, Harehills Road, Leeds.

We played to Woodrow Wilson on 4th May 1918 when the whole circus went to Washington DC for 3 days.

Mrs. Woodrow Wilson came too. We made a record $3350 on the first day.

George Auger, the Cardiff colossus and Wild Dancing Man have been especially popular and indeed quite a sensation.

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: P N

18/5/1918 The World’s Fair

June 1918

NEWS FROM HOLLAND German soldier on a slack wire entertaining other troops, 30 June1918.

NEWS FROM LORENZ HAGENBECK. We are but a few miles from the front where terrible battles are being fought, yet we have received the most courteous treatment from the manager of the Scheveningen Seaside Resort Company. Here most of the are full of British wounded, and Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands. hotels the British military police have set patrols all round us, to prevent their HAGENBECK’S CIRCUS folks coming to our shows. The blockade, however, does not defeat the IS UNWANTED IN good British. As the name of SCHEVENINGEN. Hagenbeck triumphs over war and the artificial hatred of peoples, and the The circus came here because British Officers found their way in as Germany was getting difficult for – Dutch civilians!

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: H L them. They are hoping to find food and money in Holland. But the Dutch women do not want this, so they have sent a letter to the Queen saying; ”We are shocked to hear that the circus will HOW TRAVELLING receive government funding for their 100 people and all of their wild SHOWMEN GET ON IN animals. ( they say they’d need 300kg WAR-TIME. of meat for the animals per day.)” The housewives say that they don’t even With the approach of summer the have a scrap of meat for feeding feast season will be in full swing, and themselves and that the zoos don’t’ most of the showmen are making even have enough food for their arrangements for travelling through animals. out the country. Many causes have 22/5/1918 Het Vaderland: Belgisch Dagblad te Havre (Translated by Leanne Staugaard) combined to make the lot of the Showmen in war-time not a happy one. Chief among these are the lighting restrictions, the increased cost and the difficulty in travelling from PADDY HEPSTON aka place to place, and the shortage of CAPTAIN EPSTEIN. labour. This latter feature is providing a great handicap, and in many cases It is altogether a different thing women assistants have been called in working in the circus. I have to keep to fill the vacancies created by the control of Franz, they must not know Army’s requirements. that he can talk, or I will not have an It would appear that the motor income. I wear Khaki in the side show roundabouts which displaced horses, tent, and carry a whip to underline pigs, cockerels and the like, have had how wild Franz is, the act is basically their day, for at the Preston Fair the same, I tell the story of capturing miniature tanks which made their and taming, Franz, he lets out un- appearance on the showground and godly yells and dashes about, dancing “went into action” for the first time wildly. They like it when he turns from proved highly popular with the savagery to cuteness in a moment. visitors. Among other novelties promised this season as the Sam Gumbertz has been back in touch “Disappearing German soldiers,” a and on 18th May I signed a contract series of figures at which patrons are again for the 1919 summer season for invited to shoot, and the “Flying $65 per week plus 50% of all net Zeppelin,” in connection with which receipts from postcards. the amateur shots may have an Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: P N opportunity of wreaking their vengeance on the “Baby Killers.”

Many of the side-shows where toys are given as rewards for various games of

skill are suffering owing to the higher prices of goods and the difficulty in obtaining them, for in pre-war days the majority of these cheap articles came form Germany.

It is interesting that the ‘fat lady,” almost inevitably associated with the fair grounds, is still in evidence, and there are no signs of the Rationing Order having greatly reduced her rotundity.

Fenwick Cutting 23/5/1918

NEWS FROM REUBEN CASTANG. At the insistence of Hagenbecks, I have finally been released from the Ruhleben Internment camp in Berlin, they made the case that I would be of more use outside than in. My liberty is restricted to the Theirpark and the immediate surrounds. First I was put to work in charge of a chicken farm that once had been an ostrich farm managed by my friend, John Millen. I have to say it is not easy to breed chickens in these circumstances.

Potato peelings and husks of bran are all I have, still the chickens did well.

Then I was placed in charge of five scraggy elephants before they died. I am very grateful to be able to care for these starving beasts and I managed to improve their condition, enough even to managed to work them for Lorenz Hagenbeck before a German Audience.

THE BOSTOCK RED CROSS CAMPAIGN. ___

ANNIVERSARY OF THE GLASGOW ZOO. To mark the 21st anniversary of the Zoo, Mr. Bostock arranged that one day’s drawings at his several establishments should, without any deduction, be handed over to the Scottish Red Cross. At the Zoo, Mr. Bostock duplicated the sum taken, namely, £13 2s. 6d. The total drawings from the five halls amounted to £393 19s. 6d.

Following are the details:— Blantyre House … … … 73 9 6 Skating Rink … … … 40 14 0 The Zoo … … … … … 13 2 6 Duplicated by Mr. Bostock … … … … … 13 2 6 Paisley Rink Picture House … … … …

33 11 0 Hamilton Hippodrome.. 220 19 6

£393 19 6

Crowded audiences were the order at the Blantyre Picture House to give Bostock’s Red Cross Campaign a good start, and as usual the result was very gratifying. The total realised was £73 9s.6d.,…

1/6/1918 The World’s Fair

TOO BIG FOR THE ARMY.

A despatch from Camp Upton, Long Island, U.S.A., states that George Bell, the negro giant, who was in the cast of “Chu Chin Chow,” at a New York theatre, has been rejected by the army surgeons on the grounds that he is too GERMANS REQUISITION big to be a soldier. Bell is 7ft. 11ft in height, and weighs about 350 pounds.

CLOTH. When he went to the camp with a The Germans demand sail-cloths and contingent of drafted men, two army other things such as tent canvas or cots had to be provided for him, and even circus tents either new, used, or he was entered on the company rolls of an infantry regiment as two men, in use.

25/5/1918 De Gentenaar De Landwacht. De Kleine because he couldn’t get along on the Patriot (Translated, Leanne) rations of a single soldier. The dusky giant was quite anxious to serve, but said he wanted to warn the quartermaster that his boots cost £3 NOTICE TO 12s. 6d. a pair in peace times, and that the regulation equipment of three ADVERTISERS. pairs would make a big hole in the In consequence of the shortage of Liberty Loan, to say nothing of the paper we regret we are compelled to yards of Khaki required for his hold over a number of advertisements uniform.

1/6/1918 The World’s Fair from this week’s issue.

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: T R

RIGHT

WAR CIRCUS NEWS: Reporting on all fronts! 1918

APPOINTED MILITARY GOVERNOR OF PARIS. 20 JUNE: ITALIAN SUCCESS AGAINST AUSTRIANS. SERIOUS FOOD RIOT IN VIENNA. 22 JUNE: AUSTRIANS RETREAT ON THE PIAVE. 23 JUNE: GREAT AUSTRIAN DEFEAT. 24 JUNE: ITALIANS ACROSS THE PIAVE. 2 JULY: ITALIANS DEFEAT AUSTRIANS ON LOWER PIAVE. 3 JULY: DEATH OF VISCOUNT RHONDDA; DEATH OF SULTAN OF TURKEY. 6 JULY: FIRST AERIAL SUPER-

DREADNOUGHT, U.S. “GIANT” AEROPLANE LAUNCHED AT NEW YORK; MURDER OF COUNT MIRBACH, GERMAN AMBASSADOR AT MOSCOW. 9 JULY: MR. J. R. CLYNES APPOINTED “FOOD CONTROLLER”.

12 JULY: ALLIED FORCES REPORTED

sisters or relatives I would very much be obliged as I have not heard from any of them for over two years. I am being transferred to Manchester some time during this week and I will let you know as soon as I am in Manchester the hospital I am in.”

8/6/1918 The World’s Fair

AMERICAN CIRCUS NEWS. The menagerie of a traveling circus PERFORMING ANIMALS. was seized recently while touring ____ Germany and the entire collection of animals, including several lions, five CASE DISMISSED. or six monkeys, an elephant and one or two camels, were slaughtered to supply the inhabitants with food, At Lambeth, on Wednesday, Alfred according to a press dispatch sent out Silaborn, of Brook Street, Kennington, from a neutral country last week. and his daughter, Rosie, were

summoned by the R.S.P.C.A. for causing unnecessary suffering to two Windjammers Enlist. cats “by unreasonable compelling Amusement parks, circuses and them to go through a certain traveling shows, carrying bands are performance.” doomed to become bandless within the near future unless they grab the only Mr Polhill described the alternative left - the employment of performance in detail, and women musicians. A number of causes complained that a white Persian cat, have combined to create this which was required to drop from a condition. The National Army draft platform 12 feet high to the female since June 5 last year has drawn defendant’s back missed it’s mark, hundreds from the ranks, particularly and fell with a thud on the stage; and players of wood, reed and brass that a tabby cat, which was intended instruments. A condition already acute to drop on a dog’s back also fell onto has been accentuated by an order of the stage. the General Staff of the War After the performance on May 18th, Department, on General Pershing's a veterinary surgeon examined the recommendation, that all regimental animals. The white Persian cat was in bands be increased from 28 to 50 a highly nervous state; and the tabby pieces. Besides enlarging the bands, was ill, suffering from lung trouble, bugle and drum corps for every and ought never to be made to company of infantry are to be created. perform at all. Mr. Polhill submitted 5/6/1918 New York Clipper that the cats underwent physical suffering, and were mentally terrified.

Without calling upon the defence, Mr. Francis said there was no evidence which would justify him in AMERICANS IN convicting the the defendants of NEWCASTLE. wanton cruelty, and he should dismiss the summonses.

Soldiers from America are to-day to 8/6/1918 The World’s Fair give an exposition of their national game of baseball at St. James’ Football Ground, Newcastle, and the novelty of the pastime will doubtless attract many spectators. The game was first NICOLAI POLIAKOFF played in this country, including CHILD WHITE ARMY Newcastle, on the occasion of the visit of Barnum and Bailey’s Circus 20 SOLDIER NEWS. years ago. Later teams of baseball players visited the country, but, with I have been made a German the exception of Sheffield, the pastime interpreter now that I’m well enough. did not catch the fancy of football I was marched before the German followers. officer who was commanding this Fenwick Cutting 8/6/1918 section of the White Army. I pretended I was still dazed and incoherent, so much so that I even fainted on the way to his office. We passed guards flogging a man with ramrods. His screams were PRIVATE JAMES DIXON rifle terrible, the guards were cursing and BACK IN ENGLAND. the blood flowing. I thought that this was the next treat in store for me, but 259, Private James Dixon, 3rd Royal to my surprise I’ve found that no one Fusiliers, N. 11, No. 1 London General has any hard feelings towards me, and Hospital, Camberwell Green, London, so when they learnt I could speak S.E., eldest son of the late Robert some German I was instructed to Dixon, who has been a prisoner of war, interpret for them. writes:—“Just a line to let you know I I decided today to approach the have arrived in England once more officer in charge, after being in after being in a living hell for over Poltava for some time now. I felt so three long years, sir, and if you would weary and homesick that I thought I be so kind as to let me know the would probably risk approaching him address of any of my brothers and to ask how much longer I have to stay

ON MURMAN COAST. 15 JULY: GERMAN THRUST AT RHEIMS. 16 JULY: MURDER OF EX-TSAR NICHOLAS BY BOLSHEVISTS. 18 JULY: FOCH OPENS COUNTERTHRUST.

here. He looked surprised and asked me whether I am a prisoner. ‘I think so, Herr Kommandant. But on what charge I do not know.’ He said he would look into it, which gives me hope.

I was sent for by Herr Kommandant again today and he told me no one seems to know anything about me! ‘If you want to go, go now.’ I saluted him.

For the first time in my life I am happy that nobody cares whether I live or die, stay or depart Moscow is melancholy and disorganised, stricken by famine.

After some months of struggle I have made my way to the city to find potatoes and herrings are worth their weight in gold. Starving people risking the bullets of the guards, scrabble and dig in the pits to find decayed food.

The hideous scenes of cruelty, hunger, and lust that I have seen will stay with me to my grave.

Today I could not believe my ears! I was wandering along the streets and somebody called my name - my father’s voice! I stood in frozen amazement and then turned round cautiously. There stood my father who I had believed was safe in Riga. He has lost weight and has rags for clothes. He smiled wistfully at me.

There was barely time for him to explain the strange, stormy story of what had brought him to Moscow before we realised we urgently needed to eat. We have decided to walk into the country, buy bread, and bring it back to the city to sell for profit! After a time we will be able to travel to Vitebsk.

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: Coco

MIDLAND MEMS. By the death of Johnny Julian the circus has lost one of its oldest and best-know members. He may be said to have been William Batty’s favourite clown, and there is not the slightest doubt that he was a most excellent performer. ___ Chris Towler, the Birmingham agent and journalist, has been commissioned as second lieutenant in the Army Service Corps. ___ My good friend, M. Hengleur, is engaged for the large five days Red Cross Fete, to be held on the Duke of Hamilton’s estate, Scotland, commencing next Monday. She also appears at Mr. F. A. Lumley’s Waverley Market annual Edinburgh season, 1918, when she presents her full troupe of dogs and ponies, Billy Housini and Co, and the Charley Meteor Trio of comedy aerialists are also engaged for the latter carnival and the bookings were negotiated through the Geo. Zalvo agency.

89

19 JULY: MR. HOOVER, U.S. FOOD CONTROLLER, ARRIVES IN LONDON. 20 JULY: GERMANS FALL BACK ACROSS THE MARNE. 22 JULY: ALLIES FORCE PASSAGE OF THE MARNE. 26 JULY: GERMAN RETREAT

Mr Adrien Wettach and the defendant Mr Perezoff, the proprietor of a sketch known as “Noni and Partner.”

The defendant claimed that the act was the same as his,, except that he could make funnier noises with his mouth and he caused much laughter in the court by giving an example...

15/6/1918 The World’s Fair

MERCIA WAMBA NEWS, CHILD ARTISTE. Father and I are still performing, again as Las Wambas, doing our music, cross-talk and gymnastics, but he says that Music Halls are not the same anymore. People seem to like the flicks better. Anyway I will be 18 soon enough, no longer a child, and this war will end too, won’t it?

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: D, C

HAGENBACH WALLACE CRASH, CHICAGO! A disastrous railway collision has occurred near Hammond, Indiana.

The first report states that many persons have been killed and injured.

Four coaches, in which members of the well-known Hagenbach Wallace circus was sleeping, were demolished.

– Writer.

Later: A train of steel cars travelling at a speed of 60 miles an hour dashed into the rear of the circus train, which had stopped. The circus coaches, made of wood gaudily painted, were telescoped and caught fire. The deaths are mainly among the circus people. Early this afternoon the Michigan Central Railway officials estimated that 59 persons were killed and 115 injured. – Reuter.

24/6/1918 Newcastle Journal

HENRY FANNING.

Mr. Henry Fanning, proprietor of the Royal Court Marionettes, writes: — “No doubt it will interest many of our showmen and readers of the ‘World’s Fair’ that marionette workers are not always behind the scenes, as this war has proved itself.

As to the boys at the front, my brother-in-law, Harry Wilding, of champion marionette exhibition, has five sons at the front. Eldest, Private Harry Wilding, 7930, 68th Prov. Batt., C. Company; Pioneer Herbert 15/6/1918 The World’s Fair Wilding, R.E.; Private Arthur Wilding, South Staffs; Walter Wilding (eight years) in Royal Navy; Jack Wilding, 5th K.R.R., who has been wounded in 19 places in Somme GROCK TAKES my son-in-law, Private Arthur PEREZOFF TO COURT. battle; G. Williams, twice wounded, 13th Mr Justice Coleridge had in from of Cheshire Regiment.28/6/1918 The World’s Fair him an alleged infringement of copyright of a music hall sketch called “Grock & Partner”. The plaintiff was

WAR CIRCUS NEWS: Reporting on all fronts! 1918

90

GENERAL ALONG THE MARNE. 31 JULY: SERINGES SURROUNDED AND CAPTURED BY AMERICANS. 1 AUGUST: FRANCO-BRITISH ADVANCE NORTH OF THE OURCQ. 2 AUGUST: GERMAN RETREAT SOUH

OF THE ASINE. 3 AUGUST: ALLIED TROOPS LANDED AT ARCHANGEL AND VLADIVOSTOCK; GERMANS WITHDRAW BEHIND THE ANCRE 6 AUGUST: GENERAL FOCH

CREATED A MARSHAL OF FRANCE. 8 AUGUST: FRANCO-BRITISH ADVANCE EAST OF ENEMY. 11 AUGUST: NAVAL ENCOUNTER OFF FRISIAN COAST. FIRST JAPANESE CONTINGENTS

All through the last few years my Curative Institute continued to trade and I was able to buy back Sandow Ltd form the receivers. But things have been a trial, I have had constant litigation to deal with and had to see the family suffer, especially Hélène as the doors to show-business closed for her as have the saloon and National Doll League.

But I have been writing and will soon publish a book on the Sandow System.

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: W D

GROCK AT HOSPITAL.

Frank Foster, after being injured, balancing a man on a chair, to entertain men and staff at a convalescence hospital behind the lines. © Juliet Powell, Daughter.

MIDLAND MEMS.

28/6/1918 The World’s Fair

July 1918 CHARLIE CHAPLAIN’S WAR EFFORT. Here in America, I have been busy. I have helped to launch the 3rd round of Liberty Bonds, and then made a film to launch the 4th set of Liberty Bonds, a short propaganda film in support of the British War loans with Harry Lauder.

My film "Shoulder Arms” is set in the trenches,. I have to say that I was not pleased with it initially, but it is gratifying that it has become a great favourite with the soldiers in the trenches.

It brought me a chuckle to see in a French paper 'The Bayonet" a caricature featuring the Kaiser holding a poster of me and it's caption says, "Don't be jealous of Charlie, sir!

Your pride need not be hurt! He will never make as many people laugh as you have made people cry!"

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: C C

FAMOUS CLOWN DEAD. ___

MERRY TO THE END. William Shovelton, who claimed to be the original “Pimple,” the popular clown, who toured with Sanger’s Circus, was buried at Reigate.

“Pimple” delighted hundreds of thousands of children by his merry antics. For the last two years and a half he had been employed at the Redhill Remount depot, and to the last was merry and bright, and cracked a joke.

6/7/1918 World’s Fair

ARRIVE AT VLADIVOSTOCK. 13 AUGUST: KING RETURNS AFTER NINE DAYS VISIT TO THE FRONT. 14 AUGUST: GERMANS RETREAT ON ANCRE. 15 AUGUST: BRITISH TROOPS CROSS

EUGEN SANDOW NEWS.

FRED CONNOR. Mr. Fred Connor, the genial stage and equestrian director of the Blackpool Tower Circus, has forwarded me a bill of the summer opening company at that popular amusement resort, which has earned itself the title “Highest Class Circus in England.” The same precision and carefulness is always practiced in the selection of the artistic talent that is to present the performance at this establishment. As all are of equal merit in their respective lines their position in the following list must not be taken as any indication that they rank and higher that the very last one named. Hickey’s Comedy Circus… A. D. Robbins and Co., the Canadian Cycle Tamers, The Beneditti Brothers, the Italian comedy violinistic limits, Doodles, Douglas Connor, Les Bastions, Mona Connor, The Demonas, The Flying Banvads, Miss Cashmore, The musical director is Mr. Tom Cheetham. It will be seen that there is no such thing as mediocrity or “fill-in” performers in the entire list.

LEFT

An acrobat, aged 38, and Grade 2, appealed for the renewal of his exemption at the appeal tribunal sitting at Birmingham last week. His solicitor pointed out that he was supporting three homes, his own, his father’s and mother’s, and his epileptic brother’s. In his spare time he made crutches, four pairs of which he sent to military hospitals each week. If he went into the army he would lose his cunning and suppleness, which it would be difficult to regain. By the casting vote of the chairman, the Tribunal granted three months’ exemption, and gave Capt.

Sydenham (N.S.R.) leave to take the case to the Central Tribunal.

rapidly on his sensitive back he is taught to kneel with his rider.

13/7/1918 The World’s Fair

LANCASHIRE FUSILIERS.

Grock and his partner, were accompanied by Sir John Leigh, as they rehearsed their turn in the grounds of the John Leigh Memorial Hospital, Altrincham.

14/7/1918 Sunday Mirror

NEWS FROM TYRWHITTDRAKE, MENAGERIST. I have not been able to get myself a commission. But I have been transferred away from Wales and the horses and have managed to transfer into the Labour Corps engaged on farms. First I was sent to Canterbury to drive a tractor and from there I got promoted as chauffeur to the civilian supervisor in charge of some 10 units of tractors, all driven by soldiers.

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: T-D G (1)

DRIVER B. BIDDALL.

CINQUEVALLI.

6/7/1918 The World’s Fair

THE EDUCATION OF A WAR HORSE. ___

ANIMALS THAT MAY BE RUINED BY CARELESS LESSONS.

Driver Benny Biddall is one of the famous Biddall family of circus people who have for some years been in Scotland. He has been in France for two years… He would be pleased to hear from any old friends.

ARMY ORDNANCE CORPS.

___

INTERESTING HINTS. The real war horse has quite a long education before he is proficient, an education (writes “S.M.” in the “Daily Mail”) almost as severe and certainly as comprehensive as that of the recruit who ultimately rides him into battle.

The well-bred cavalry horse possesses a highly strung nervous system, but when properly trained he will face barbed wire and even an entanglement when put to it, regardless of lacerated legs and flanks.

But his education is begun carefully, or he may be ruined by a few careless lessons.

His education must not begin too soon after being brought to camp, or his legs will not stand the strain, and the first step is the most important. If he is terror-stricken or if his temper is aroused he may never get over the incident. He is walked around free from the leading rein, and after he has been accustomed to have a man mount

PRIVATE H BIDDALL. Private H. Biddall is another son of the famous Biddall family and, like his brother, has been in France for two years. No doubt thoughts of both brothers as well as many other Scottish showmen will be of Glasgow Fair to-day, and we hope before another Glasgow Fair comes round they will all be back at the old game.

13/7/1918 The World’s Fair Photos reproduced by kind permission of The World's Fair Ltd.

Paul Cinquivalli has died. He was a juggler with all the charm, humour, self-assurance, and geniality of a star of the stage. He was born at Lissa, in the province of Posen (then Prussia, now Poland) in 1859, and educated in Berlin. For two years he toured as an acrobat until he fell from a trapeze; while lying for several weeks in hospital he taught himself to juggle.

He came to London in 1885, in the circus that was installed at Covent Garden and adopted us as we adopted him. He became a naturalized British subject on March 23rd, 1893 and settled down at Brixton as all good "variety artistes" did then. His curly, golden hair - a wig, for actually he was bald - won the hero-worship of womankind, and somehow it was certainly the thing to have seen Cinquevalli, whoever you were. But 1914 (and the War) changed all that.

His Teutonic "name" like his Teutonic curls gave offence. Even old

WAR CIRCUS NEWS: Reporting on all fronts! 1918

RIGHT

THE ANCRE. 17 AUGUST: BRITISH ADVANCE SOISSONS TO LASSIGNY; U.S. TROOPS ARRIVE AT VLADIVOSTOCK. 18 AUGUST: BRITISH ADVANCE BERQUIN TO BAILLEUL. 23 AUGUST: BRITISH ATTACK ON 30MILE FRONT. 26 AUGUST: BRITISH

acquaintances were antagonized. "It broke his heart," said H. G. Hibbert, who knew him well. Though Emil Otto Braun was Cinquevalli's real name, he had no other country but England, no other people but this. Nobody is likely to approach his grace and kindliness of manner. We shall never see another like him and our affection for him, is equally and so sadly mingled with regrets.Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: D W

REINFORCEMENTS LAND AT ARCHANGEL 28 AUGUST: GERMANS RETREAT ON THE SCARPE. 29 AUGUST: BRITISH EMBASSY AT PETROGRAD ATTACKED BY BOLSHEVIST TROOPS. CAPTAIN CROIME, NAVAL ATTACHÉ, KILLED. 30 AUGUST: BRITISH CROSS THE

SOMME; STRIKE OF LONDON POLICEMEN. 31 AUGUST: END OF POLICE STRIKE; SIR E. HENRY, CHIEF COMMISSIONER, RESIGNS. 1 SEPTEMBER: GERMAN RETREAT BECOME GENERAL. 2 SEPTEMBER: BRITISH BREAK THROUGH DROCOURT-QUÉANT LINE.

about 1881 she came with him to this country, where he died. Three of her daughters were married to British subjects now in the Army, and a fourth was married to a Frenchman.

Mr. d’Eyncourt imposed a fine of 20s. on the first charge.

And by notifying two weeks before then I can ask for a further deferment.

So we will be the Henry Whitley Four once more.

3/8/1918 The World’s Fair

CLAUDE OHMY NEWS RUHLEBEN.

& 17/71918 New York Clipper.

SIMONA’S PARROT. THE BLACKPOOL ENTERTAINMENT HOUSES STRIKE. The strike of employees at the Blackpool places of entertainment was settled yesterday as far as it concerned the Tower Palace, Grand Theatre, and Tower Circus. The dispute was referred to the Conciliation Board of the Provincial Managers’ Association, and the resorts mentioned were carried on as usual. The strike continued at the Winter Gardens, and Opera House, but there was no interruption with the entertainments there. Last night negotiations were in progress, and it was expected that a similar settlement would be arrived at.

The Mayor (Alderman Parkinson) took a prominent part in bringing the parties together.

19/7/1918 Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer

August 1918 GERMAN WOMAN ON THE COAST. ___

MARRIED TO CIRCUS ARTISTE. At Marylebone Police Court on Wednesday, before Mr. d’Eyncourt, a German woman named Sophia Gottlieben Blumenfeld, alias Bloomfield, living with her daughter at Oakland Grove, Shepherd’s Bush, was charged with failing to register with the police, entering a prohibited area without a permit and in giving false information at a boarding-house at Eastbourne.

It was stated that the woman went to the police at Ealing at the outbreak of war and told them she was an American, with the result that she did not have to register. Last month, however, she was instructed by the Battersea police to register at Wandsworth. Instead of doing so she went to Eastbourne with her daughter where she stayed at an apartment house and signed a form giving her nationality as British. She explained that she did this because she could not have got lodgings if she had said she was a German.

She also stated that while very young she had been married to a German in America. After her husband’s death she returned to Germany with a circus. At 24 she was married again in Berlin to Wilhelm Blumenfeld, and

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: W HAA

“What

I’d like to know.”

___ Who is the latest to start caravanning? ___ And how have they enjoyed it? ___ If Joe Beckett was introduced to the Prince? ___ If the ruling on “What is a matinee,” doesn’t make it possible to have performances from morning till night? ___ And if many pro’s are not now tied up every day from noon to mid-night? ___ How long they can stand the strain? ___ If it isn’t a big change from the old order when an hour used to be all the time they had to devote to their performances? ___ If sales by auction are not becoming very numerous in Showland? ___ And if it is found that better prices are obtained this way? ___ How many fairs have been held this year without a riding machine? ___ And if the little people are beginning to think they are unnecessary? ___ If it is true that Knutsford is to have its May Day celebrations next year? ___ And if the famous heath will once again be crowned by people? ___ How many lessons have studied the question of where they will go for the celebration of peace?

3/8/1918 The World’s Fair

HENRY A.A. WHITELEY. I have applied for deferment and Mr. Bevan, my solicitor, a man well known in the profession, put my appeal in.

Before my hearing I had to step in to replace my son Ben, who had broken a finger while so I had to step in for the Mile End Empire booking for the Henry Whiteley Trio with Leonora and Harold. My appeal was heard in early August and I got 3 months exemption, until the 10th November.

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3 SEPTEMBER: BRITISH PENETRATE HINDENBURG LINE; GERMANS EVACUATE LENS. 7 SEPTEMBER: GERMANS RETREAT ON ST. QUENTIN. 12 SEPTEMBER: ‘THE WORST IS OVER’ (LLOYD GEORGE); U.S. TROOPS DEFEAT GERMANS AT ST. MIHIEL.

FRANZ TAIBOSH aka CLIKO, THE WILD DANCING BUSHMAN. I like this circus, the train, the people, the places, and the food. It is much better than Dreamland or any of the places I have worked. I am beginning to make some friends, and Hepston does not control all my life. I want to stay here with this circus.

Things have changed here in Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: P N Ruhleben since 1917 and the tide of war changed. Now the German guards are often seen searching for scraps of food in the swill tubs, it seems as if FROM A PRISONER IN they are short of food now. If a carter comes to camp he seldom leaves GERMANY. without also having a look in the swill tubs. So outside in Berlin there is Mr. Sam Stott has received the also hunger. following letter from his son who is a Narrative Extracted 7/12/1918 The World’s Fair prisoner of war in Germany. This is the first letter Mr. Stott has received.

31186, Pte. E. Scott, 12th Royal Scots, Kreigs-Gefangeven, ROUNDABOUTS AND Strummlager, Gustroto, I.M.

LIGHTS. Consett Prosecution.

This afternoon, at Consett, Henry Powell, amusement caterer, was charged with having neglected to extinguish their lights at the roundabout shows and stalls in the public recreation ground act at Consett at 10.50 on the night of the 27th July.

Defendant’s manager enquired what was the proper time for roundabout lights to be extinguished. They had been allowed to burn at certain places until 10.30 without complaint. The Bench said the official time was half an hour after sunset, and the Clark pointed out that the defendant could not display an outside light after this time without the authority of the superintendent of police.

Fenwick Cutting 12 /8/1918 Newcastle Evening Chronicle

Dear Mother, Father and Kitty,— I hope you are all keeping well as I am a little better. I am still in hospital— shrapnel in the shoulder and malaria the same that I was sent home from Salonika with. I have been pretty bad and expect to be in for some time. I have written four letters and hope you have got them. I am longing for a letter from Sam and Maggie, but I am looking forward as they take so long to get through. There were three Belgian ladies came round the hospital visiting one day. They gave me chocolate, cigarettes, cake, a few strawberries and an English book, and before they left they gave me some underclothing. It was very good of them and was more than I expected.

They were of the well-to-do class. I have very little to say. Is there no signs of this finishing. I shall write as often as I can, but don’t expect to have much to say. I will now finish. God bless you all.— Your ever affect. son, ERNEST. 17/8/1918 The World’s Fair

AMERICAN CIRCUS NEWS ROUND-UP. Portage, Wis., Aug. 10. A raid against the Hagenbeck-Wallace circus here last night netted the Government 150 slackers. All were members of the circus aggregation. The show left for Beaver Dam with boys in the places of the men arrested.

14/8/1918 New York Clipper

Dutch government boycotts HAGENBECK’S CIRCUS. Amsterdam, Tuesday.

The minister of Agriculture has, according to “Het Volk,” prohibited food cards to the German staff of Hagenbeck Circus performing near Amsterdam and also of meat to the animals. Amsterdam municipality for bidselectricity supply to the circus. – Reuter.

15/8/1918 Western Times

MR. E. H. BOSTOCK’S ENTERPRISES. Mr. E. H. Bostock announces the sale of the hippopotamus, which is one of the features in the Glasgow Zoo. Purchased in Hamburg just before the war, “Hippo,” has twice outgrown wagons specially built for him, and he keeps on growing. Owing to war exigencies it it impossible to procure another wagon. Therefore the huge animal will go to augment the famous collection at Belle Vue Gardens, Manchester. This hippopotamus is the first ever exhibited in Scotland, and is one of the finest specimens ever seen in Britain. All zoological collectors are suffering from the prohibition of imports. Recognising that there will be demands for stock after the war, Mr. Bostock has started a training zoo in Singapore, under the management of one of his sons (his three other sons are in the Army). In addition, Mr.

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WAR CIRCUS NEWS: Reporting on all fronts! 1918

13 SEPTEMBER: REIGN OF TERROR IN PETROGRAD. 15 SEPTEMBER: GERMANS RETREAT FROM MEUSE TO MOSELLE; AUSTRIANS MAKE OVERTURES OF PEACE. 17 SEPTEMBER: RITISH TROOPS

INVADE BULGARIA. 18 SEPTEMBER: RITISH ADVANCE TO HINDENBURG LINE; BULGARIANS IN RETREAT BEFORE SERBIAN CAVALRY. 19 SEPTEMBER: GENERAL ALLENBY VICTORIOUS AT MEGÎDDO. 20 SEPTEMBER: GENERAL ALLENBY

Bostock is in touch with all the medical or other grounds, to enable principle depots in Africa, so that this the show to take the road again.

The wild-beast menageries, which business will never again pass into the used to be a popular feature, has not hands of the Germans.

24/8/1918 The World’s Fair yet returned. One of the two liontaming sons of Lizzie Kayes the wife of the proprietor of Buff Bill's Menagerie, is now in Leeds military hospital, minus a leg. Two years ago the sons had joined up, whilst the ROMAN PROSKE, LION menagerie was in Leeds, and the mother entered the cages alone - a TAMER, NEWS. rare instance of woman's courage.

An injury to my leg has earned my Following an engagement by the late release, and I yearn to return to the Sir Edward Moss, to appear at the Waverley Market Carnival, circus.

To know fear is not to be a stranger Edinburgh, Lizzie Kayes, commenced to courage. Indeed, what is courage a tour of the Variety Halls and is still but the triumph over fear? I have "carrying on" in that way, until it is come to enjoy the shock and sensation possible to get the menagerie reof fear in the arena, for with it came a established on the old lines.

31/8/1918 Yorkshire Evening Post divine quickening of all my powers, a consciousness more intense than the mundane existence. Is it not for such moments that we live our lives?

But, if fear can produce courage when the soul is properly attuned, it can also breed the most abject terror when our world is out of joint. It was this debasing and devastating fear I am experiencing now in the Austrian Army.

COUNT & COUNTESS

September 1918

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: P R

OCCUPIES NAZARETH. 23 SEPTEMBER: BRITISH CAPTURE ACRE AND HAIFA. 25 SEPTEMBER: BRITISH OCCUPY TIBERIAS AND AMMAN. 26 SEPTEMBER: FRANCO-AMERICAN VICTORY ON THE MEUSE. 27 SEPTEMBER: BRITISH BREAK

HINDENBURG LINE AT CAMBRAI. 28 SEPTEMBER: SUCCESSFUL ANGLOBELGIAN ATTACK. 30 SEPTEMBER: BULGARIA OBTAINS CONDITIONS OF PEACE. 1 OCTOBER: BRITISH OCCUPY DAMASCUS; ALLIED VICTORY AT ST. QUENTIN; COUNT HERTLING, GERMAN

FRED BRADNA NEWS.

mountain suggests that they were able to take it up the Quay Road.

The Ringlings have folded their tents Mr Walsh: The horses were tired, a month early and put the show in and when they stopped it was difficult winter quarters. But they did not to get them to start again. retire to Baraboo, Wisconsin, as usual.

A small fine was imposed.

They have sent everything to 7/9/1918 The World’s Fair Bridgeport, home of Barnum and Bailey! Now we know of the impending changes in the Ringling tradition, and have just received our BENEFIT PERFORMANCE orders to close also.

Late this summer an influenza AMERICA HAGENBECKepidemic struck. It has been WALLACE. devastating in the circus, especially with the bandsmen infecting each The entire equipment of the other. Henry Ringling has also died. Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus will be Patronage on our show fell below the brought to the lake front on Sept. 20 break-even point. The Ringling show for a benefit performance for the was in the same difficulty. The Stage Women's War Relief. The tents brothers met. They concluded the war will be pitched in Grant Park. A will last at least another year. While monster circus parade through the they deliberated, the railways served streets of Chicago will inaugurate the notice on them that they could not event. The engagement will be limited.

18/9/1918 New York Clipper support two big circuses any longer during wartime.

That forced a decision which had been long postponed. As usual the brothers kept their secret until now.

GROCK REPORTS FROM There is much talk of amalgamation.

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: B F & P N

ROSSAIRE. (Fred Ross)

We are at Wakefield with the family, our boys are nearly ready for the THE LEEDS CIRCUIT OF circus. I’m living in a little house belonging to the colliery company, FEASTS. where I work. I recently built a living___ wagon, so that after the war, when we on the road again, we will have A CIRCUS ONCE MORE go something to live in and now that my BUT NOT THE boys are now old enough to perform.

MENAGERIE. But a chap has offered me forty-five pounds so have sold it, and have set to another.

Armley Feast, which starts today, is work on Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: C-C R the first of what the showman speak of this as the "Leeds Circuit," for the reason that four feast weeks follow in succession in the city. Next Saturday, Holbeck Feast will commence, then York Road, whilst Woodhouse will complete the "circuit."

PRISONER OF WAR. The Leeds Corporation has given notice to the showmen that the tolls for the feasts on the Holbeck and Woodhouse Moors will be increased 25 per cent, and proprietors of fairground paraphernalia predict that, as a consequence, the "shows" there will not be on the big scale of former years.

Armley Moor, where the feast of that district is held, is not under civic control in this respect. A body known as the Armley Moor Trustees is letting authority, and the income they derive from the feast, as well as for the certain grass lands, in the vicinity, goes, in the first instance, to the PRIVATE FRANK Charity Commissioners, and under the CODONA. provisions of a trust, is afterwards disbursed in the the locality. The present lessees are Messrs Murphy Private Frank Codona is a son of and Campbell, amusement caterers, Frank Codona, the well-known Leeds who also control the York Road Scottish traveller. He joined up in feast ground. Seville Green.

1916 and was wounded on March 24th The old-time circus has reappeared last and taken prisoner, and has had at Armley Feast, and it is still under the misfortune to have an arm taken the management of the family that has off. He would be pleased to hear from held it for two generations. Enough old friends… Germany male members of the circus have now 7/9/1918 The World’s Fair Photo reproduced by kind permission of been returned from the Army on The World's Fair Ltd.

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A RARE CASE. ___

CIRCUS HORSES THAT WERE ALLEGED TO BE OVERWORKED. At Ballycastle Petty Sessions, the District-Inspector summoned James Duffy and Elizabeth McLean, circus proprietors, for alleged cruelty to horses by working them whilst in an unfit state.

Mr. Louis J. Walsh, B.A., solicitor, appeared for the defendants.

Sergeant Brannigan, stated that on the 23rd inst., he observed the defendants circus vans coming up Quay Road. Later, in the field, he examined the horses, and found one with a fresh cut on the shoulder under the collar, which it had apparently been in contact with. The wound was about three quarters of an inch in diameter. He also found on a piebald horse belonging to Mrs. McLean a very bad cut, about an inch and a half in diameter, under the saddle. Mrs. McLean said she had driven the horse from Cushendall, and it was her fault.

By Mr. Walsh: He had known the Duffy family and their father for a great many years, and never remembered a prosecution against them before.

Miss O’Connor, Quay Road, deposed that on the date referred to she saw some of the circus horses coming into town. A van stopped opposite her house. Witness paid Mr. Blackmore for bringing his two horses along and helping to take the van to the field. The circus animals were more like ponies than horses. The drivers did not beat the animals or show any cruelty towards them in that way.

Mr. Walsh: The fact that they brought the van over Cushendall

ENGLAND.

The end of the war is obviously, finally, drawing near.

We’re performing in Henley the mayor has asked us to make an appeal for the sale of war bonds, and suggested we might do so from a Churchill tank in the market-place. He has it all thought out and is so taken with the idea that I did not like to refuse him. I discussed it with Max. “You must be inside the tank,” I said, “and then you must show up from the turret and ask the people to wait a bit as I haven’t turned up yet. Actually I’ll be in the crowd and I’ll call out, ‘Of course I’m here. You can carry on,’ to which you will reply, ‘What are you doing down there? You ought to be up here.’

“What - to be shot at? I prefer to stay here with my wife. Why, my wife offers me five pounds if I will stay with her.”

“Right. If your wife offers five I’ll make it ten.”

“Ten? That’s another story.”

Then I was to ask Max to let me in; Max was to refuse, and I had to climb up the outside. and after that we would make it up as we went along.

The market-place was crowded. I got next to a very fat red-haired woman with freckles and off we went, until I began clambering on to the tank in a way of my own. It took me over five minutes and the crowd nearly doubled up with laughter.

“Now I want my ten pounds.”

“Here you are.”

“What? That’s only a bit of paper.”

“It is no bit of paper. It’s far better than gold. It’s war bonds.”

“War bonds! Louise, I don’t want your five pounds. Buy me war bonds instead.”

Silly as this was and although it made no sense, people laughed. They don’t stop to think what is being said as long as it goes.

“Funny thing,” Max said later.

“Here we are two neutrals, advertising war bonds.”

This is the first and I hope only time in my life I will ever engage in warpropaganda.

Narrative extracted from Biography Bibliog. Ref: G

WAR CIRCUS NEWS: Reporting on all fronts! 1918

RIGHT

CHANCELLOR, AND ALL GERMAN SECRETARIES RESIGN. 2 OCTOBER: GERMANS RETREAT ON VASLE AND AISNE. 3 OCTOBER: PRINCE MAX OF BADEN APPOINTED GERMAN CHANCELLOR. 4 OCTOBER: GERMANY PROPOSES AN ARMISICE. 5 OCTOBER: SUCCESSFUL FRENCH ADVANCE EAST OF RHEIMS; GERMANS EVACUATE MORONVILLERS RIDGE. 7 OCTOBER: GERMAN ARMISTICE PROPOSALS REACH WASHINGTON.

NEWS FROM LORENZ HAGENBECK. For more than 2 years Jenny, the first and possibly the only war elephant on the books of the Wehrmacht, has worked at the front, but after her keeper Matthias Walter was wounded badly, she has returned home unwounded to return to her circus work with us.

Meanwhile I am looking to take the Hagenbeck show onto other places. I have applied to hire the Chiniselli building again in Warsaw, but my application has been refused so firmly by the German military authorities that I feel that we are on the point of losing the war. The Army has begun to withdraw on all fronts.

So where next? Dresden, Breslau and Berlin all have permanent circuses, but Ruhr another a great conurbation with a densely packed population does not, so I have sent my business representative, Dr. Katz to approach the fathers of the city of Essen. I expect the results of the enterprise to be good for Hagenbecks Circus, we should open in time for Christmas with Caré’s transportable building from the Bremen fleamarket as the main structure.

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: H L

BRATBY RETURNS TO CIRCUS LIFE. After leaving the services Bratby and his wife Carrie have started to perform their own double act – table adagio - with Duffy’s in Ireland.

Family: Tom Sandow

BAILEY’S CIRCUS. ___

SHOW OPENED AT BRIGHTON. The visit of Bailey’s great American Circus to Brighton drew large assemblies to the Race Hill when the first of the shows was given. A huge tent was erected at the back of the Grandstand and every seat in this was occupied before three o’clock, when the initial performance commenced.

There was a long programme, put the interest and enthusiasm never flagged for one minute, and long and hearty was the applause at the various clever achievements.

28/9/1918 World’s Fair

8 OCTOBER: PROPOSAL REJECTED UNTIL INVADED SOIL IS EVACUATED. 9 OCTOBER: FRANCO-BRITISH ATTACK RENEWED; BRITISH VICTORY AT CAMBRAI. 10 OCTOBER: DEATH OF GENERAL

October 1918 PAOLO’S CIRCUS NEWS. Frank Paulo: We’ve had a bit of luck. Mrs Paulo's sister came for a stay and knew where a tent could be had cheaply. I bought it and another six horses, and I acquired an old lion.

Days have been spent in practice and in painting the wagon and tent yellow and black with the cheapest paints that could be got. We are ready to take Paulo circus on the road again.

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: C-C R

ALEXIEFF, EX C-IN-C OF RUSSIAN ARMY. 12 OCTOBER: ALLIES OCCUPY MISH AND DIRECT LINE BERLINCONSTANTINOPLE BROKEN. 13 OCTOBER: FRENCH OCCUPY LAON AND LA FERE.

would not press for a penalty being imposed.

Bailie Gillespie: That is the opinion I have formed, and I will just order Lister to be handed over to the military without imposing a fine.

5/10/1918 The World’s Fair

DUFFY’S CIRCUS. Duffy’s Circus is touring Ireland with a first-class programme, including Captain Perman’s wonderful performing bears; John Moriarty, strongman, Mazaao handcuff king; Master James Duffy Champion Rider; Mlle. Rozaivie, on the flying trapeze; and other attractions. The name of Genial Fred Lewis at the foot of a circus bill is a guarantee of the quality of the show 9/10/1918 The Era

NEWS FROM CIRCUS BLEUMENFELDS, GERMANY. Alex Blumenfeld has died in combat at the front. Two others, Arthur and Eugen Blumenfeld, have been decorated with the Iron Cross (second class) for their special deeds at the front.

93

14 OCTOBER: ALLIES ADVANCE IN BELGIUM. 16 OCTOBER: BRITISH ADVANCE IN VALLEY OF THE LYS. 17 OCTOBER: GERMANS EVACUATE OSTEND, BELGIAN TROOPS ENTER FRANCO-BRITISH TROOPS OCCUPY LILLE AND DOUAI. 19 OCTOBER: BELGIANS RE-OCCUPY ZEEBRUGGE AND BRUGES. 20 OCTOBER: FRANCO-BRITISH VICTORY ON THE SELLE BELGIAN COAST CLEARED OF GERMANS. 23 OCTOBER: BRITISH SUCCESSES AT LE CATEAU. 24 OCTOBER: SUCCESSES OF ALLIES AGAINST AUSTRIANS IN ITALY. 25 OCTOBER: FRANCO-BRITISH ADVANCE GENERAL; ANGLO-ITALIAN SUCCESS ON THE PIAVE. 26 OCTOBER: BRITISH CAPTURE ALEPPO; GENERAL MARSHALL

was in a Heath Robinson crate with one side coming out.

Poliu is now in charge of the Belgian lion tameress, who has started to train him for performances, which he does not care for much. His displeasure has been shown in biting her in the fleshy part, and she has the greatest difficulty now in sitting comfortably, so for some days his education will be deferred. Meanwhile I am back to my duties.

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: T-D G (1)

KILLED IN ACTION.

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: O M

QUITE WILLING TO JOIN THE ARMY. ____ ACROBAT’S EXPERIENCE. I have already undergone nine medical examinations, and failed to pass. I am quite willing to go to the army,” declared Carl Lisando Lister (33), music-hall artiste, 6, Elizabeth Street, Dundee, when he appeared before Bailie Gillespie at Dundee on Saturday. He pleaded not guilty.

Mr. Albert Ramsey, National Service representative stated that the London area had informed them that a callingup notice had been sent to Lister at his registered address in London, and as he had failed to respond, to arrest him as an absentee.

Lister stated that his letters had not been forwarded in time with the result that when he was arrested at a theatre in Dundee last Saturday it was his first intimation that he was required to join the army. “I am quite willing to go, and have been nine times medically examined,” he said. “Since the age of 12 I have been on the stage as an acrobat, and also appeared in drama.”

Bailie Gilespie asked the military representatives if it was possible to have Lister examined now.

Sergeant Glassie— Yes Bailie Gilespie: We will adjourn the court until 12-30 to allow him to go before the doctors.

When they court reassembled Lister stated that he had been passed Grade III. Mr. David Dewar said accused had conducted his defence in a straightforward manner, and he

Charlie Chaplain has married Mildred Harris, Actress, aged 18.

PRIVATE ALFRED CHADWICK. News has been received that Private Alfred Chadwick, aged 22, is reported killed in action. Private Chadwick is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Chadwick, at present on the Market Ground, Crewe, and he has been in the army 2 1/2 years. His brother Joe is now in hospital.

PRIVATE FREDK. HOLLOWAY Previously reported missing and wounded, official news has been received that Private Frederick Holloway was killed in action on August 8th. He was a son of Mr. and Mrs. W. Holloway, Empire Theatre, near Nuneaton, and the sympathy of a large number of friends will be with the family for the great loss they have sustained.

12/10/1918 The World’s Fair

PRISONER OF WAR. NEWS FROM TYRWHITTDRAKE, MENAGERIST. ___

WAR LION LEAVES WESTERN FRONT. I have been asked to take on Poliu, the British war lion and Mascot of the 19th Division of the English. His master the New General of the 19th had been severely injured, and has agreed that Poliu was to be sent “down”. It is not often that you are offered a lion and although I am still in the forces I have agreed to take him on. He crossed the Channel, in mid October, by torpedo-boat destroyer and was nearly lost as large wave nearly washed him over board. Finally he arrived by train at Maidstone East Station with the General’s A.D.C. He

PRIVATE WM. HOLLOWAY. Mr. and Mrs. Holloway have also received official news that another son, Private William Holloway, has been taken a prisoner of war. He was in the Royal Warwickshire Regiment and the double blow is very hard for the parents. News of his destination has not yet come to hand- but probably news will be received from him in the near future.

12/10/1918 The World’s Fair Photos reproduced by kind permission of The World's Fair Ltd.

WAR CIRCUS NEWS: Reporting on all fronts! 1918

94

DEFEATS TURKS ON THE TIGRIS RESIGNATION OF GENERAL LUDENDORFF. 27 OCTOBER: GERMAN RETREAT BETWEEN OISE AND SERRE; BRITISH REPULSED ON DWINA, N. RUSSIA ITALIANS TAKE PORT OF ALESSIO. 28 OCTOBER: CONFERENCE AT VERSAILLE OF ALLIED CHIEFS.

29 OCTOBER: FURTHER ITALIAN ADVANCE, BRENTA TO THE SEA. AUSTRIA SUES FOR PEACE; GENERAL MARSHALL DEFEATS TURKS S. OF MOSUL. CONCLUSION OF TIGRIS CAMPAIGN. 30 OCTOBER: CZECHO-SLOVAK STATE PROCLAMED AT PRAGUE; UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER OF

TURKEY. 31 OCTOBER: AUSTRIANS APPLY FOR ARMISTICE IN ITALY; HUNGARY DECLARED A REPUBLIC; REVOLUTIONS AT VIENNA AND BUDAPEST. 1 NOVEMBER: HAIG DEFEATS GERMANS AT VALENCIENNES; VERSAILLES CONFERENCE OPENS.

Poem by Gustav Hochsetter.

THE WAR TO END ALL LAUGHTER. Variety and World War Some say: the world war Is in fact a money war Where richer people In the end Will hold victory in their hands.

This theory must be rejected.

The world war is a war of nerves.

Victory will fall to those who have the better nerves.

And what strengthens our nerves?

Serenity, Distinction, and Everything that gives us pleasure.

The variety theatre, Without a doubt, is nerve-strengthening.

Therefore we welcome it To see the German country hale and hearty At home and at the front the variety theatre helps victory!

Published first in October 1918, in Das Organ Dee Varietweld, and Bibliog. Ref: O M

JOHN DUFFY & SON’S FAMOUS CIRCUS. ___

TERMINATION OF SUCCESSFUL IRISH TOUR. At the conclusion of a most successful Irish tour Mr. and Mrs. John Duffy and Sons entertained their artistes and band to a sumptuous dinner and dance which took place at the Grand Hotel, Limerick, on Monday, October 14th. The following members of the company sat down and did justice to a happy repast:— Mr. and Mrs. John Duffy, Masters John and James Duffy, the famous Fred Lewis (advance agent), Captain Permane (talking bear fame), The Siva's (acrobats), Simmie and Rosie Mayon, Mr. and Mrs. Olgar, John Moriarty (strong man), Ida Chisolm, Mr. and Mrs. Paddy Walsh, Mr. and Mr.s Derbyshire, George Knight, Mr. Osmond (leader), full band and staff.

Songs, dances, toasts, and speeches were freely indulged in, the function winding up about seven o’clock to the strains of “Auld Lang Syne” and “He’s a jolly good fellow.” The company then proceeded to the Theatre Royal where seats were reserved for them, and further enjoyed a splendid evening’s entertainment of the “Lord Mayor” and “Duty” presented by Arthur Sinclair’s clever company of Irish players.

26/10/1918 The World’s Fair

OUR SOLDIER BOYS. Private Matt Mooney, whose address is: 51310, 80th Labour Co., B.E.F., France, writes:— “ I take great pleasure in writing these few lines and

LEFT

3 NOVEMBER: AUSTRIA ACCEPTS CONDITIONS OF PEACE; GERMANS CLEARED FROM THE ARGONNE; SERBIANS RE-OCCUPY BELGRADE. 4 NOVEMBER: HAIG DEFEATS GERMANS ON THE SEMBRE; MUTINY OF GERMAN SAILORS AT KIEL; REVOLUTION SPREADS IN GERMANY. 5 NOVEMBER: HASTY RETREAT OF GERMANS FROM AISNE TO MEUSE; GENERAL FOCH PLACED IN SUPREME DIRECTION OF ALL FORCES OPERATING AGAINST GERMANY ON ALL FRONTS; GENERAL TOWNSHEND ARRIVES IN PARIS. 6 NOVEMBER: FRANCO-AMERICAN TROOPS OCCUPY SEDAN. 7 NOVEMBER: KIEL AND HAMBURG IN HANDS OF COMMITTEES OF WORKMEN AND SOLDIERS. 8 NOVEMBER: BAVARIA PROCLAIMED A REPUBLIC; BRITISH CROSS THE SCHELDT;PRINCE MAX OF BADEN, IMPERIAL CHANCELLOR, RESIGNS. 9 NOVEMBER: ABDICATION AND FIGHT OF GERMAN EMPEROR TO HOLLAND; GERMAN ENVOYS RECEIVED

BY GENERAL FOCH. 10 NOVEMBER: REVOLUTIONS IN BERLIN.

PROCTOR. A circus proprietor, George Proctor, was at Rotherham on Thursday, fined £2 for failing to post up a list of his employees above 16 years of age.

Mars, God of War, Dead, but the remains are still with us. ___ Courtesy of the Library of Congress The order prohibiting the sale of sweetmeats in theatres and cinemas will come into force on November 11th hope they find the staff of the scheme and asking for the cancellation instead of November 1st as originally “World’s Fair” and all my friends in of the registration and invoicing decided upon. schemes. the best of health…

9/11/1918 The World’s Fair 26/10/1918 The World’s Fair Well, I am pleased to tell you we have old Jerry on the run proper and am living in hopes of being home for Christmas, as our lads are sure he will NICOLAI POLIAKOFF throw in the towel before then. I had a CHILD WHITE ARMY leave last July and enjoyed it very SOLDIER NEWS. much, but was in the wrong part of the country to see any of the shows. At In Vitebsk, I have met by chance an any rate let us hope that before long i old Italian circus clown, called and all the lads of the game will be Bernado. His sons have deserted him seeing them as of old. I have about SHOWLAND’S ROLL OF and now he is alone. I’ve decided that told you all now, so will conclude, we might keep out of trouble and away HONOUR. hoping you will excuse me for taking from fighting if we combine together ___ up too much space in your paper, do the work I did in the Kerensky which is as good as a tonic to me when LANCE CORPORAL J. H. and Army - providing concerts for troops.

I receive it.”

KIDSON. It took some convincing but I managed 26/10/1918 The World’s Fair to convince Bernado to accompany me News has been received of the death to the Red Army headquarters and of Lance-Corporal J. H. Kidson who they approved our plan! We will be passed away in October, from given a small percentage of the money STARVED HORSES. bronchial pneumonia at A.V.C. No. 11 taken at performances we organise. ___ Veterinary Hospital Salonica Forces. We haven’t received our first orders The late Lance-Corporal Kidson was yet and with the little money we have I have told my father to go home to EATING FALLEN LEAVES widely known in South Wales and left Riga. He was reluctant at first, but I news of his death will be received with IN THE STREET. regret by a large circle of friends. persuaded him, and I gave him many From letters he has sent home the messages from myself to give to “Thousands of hard-working horses traveller has met out there W. Yelding, mother and my brothers and sisters. in London and other places are being no doubt one of the circus family, and It is enough to say that if we don’t starved by the rationing system, and if his parents should see this they are are dying in the streets.” Said mr. R. requested to communicate with Mrs. get out of this frozen hell we should R. Brown, president of the Association J. Kidson, Fair Ground, Barry Dock, both die. Our first orders from the Red Army were to go on active service in of Retail Corn Dealers, at a meeting to South Wales. protest against the rationing scheme 2/11/1918 The World’s Fair Siberia! Conditions here are terrible. I got poor old Bernado into this at Cannon Street Hotel on Thursday. situation and it worries me terribly.

Yet there were, he said, thousands of For every mile of our awful journey he Army horse in this country doing thought of a new name for me. When practically nothing but eating all the had worked them all out in Italian, best hay.

THE LATE PRIVATE H. C. he he began all over again in Russian.

“As a citizen and as a magistrate I WRIGLEY. Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: Coco positively refuse to be bound by stupid regulations. The law I recognise, is the Official news has been received of law of humanity— the law of God— and I refuse to allow a beast to go the death in action of Private H. C. HENRY A.A. WHITELEY. hungry.” When the ration was applied Wrigley, professionally known as for, added Mr. Brown, there was a Algar. He was married to Amelia, youngest daughter of Walter Scott. Ten days ago I applied for a further great difficulty in obtaining it.

Mr. F. Cox, Equine Defence League, His parent’s address is 32, Ronny deferment from military service, to said only that afternoon he saw two Street, Blackpool. take affect from the today and my 9/11/1918 The World’s Fair horses on their knees eating dried solicitor Mr. Bevan has received his leaves that had fallen from the trees. fee, as it turns out I have paid him for The meeting passed resolutions for nothing, as tomorrow will be the protesting against the rationing beginning of the Armistice.

November 1918

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: W HAA

95

Circus News From Across The Globe.

WAR CIRCUS NEWS SPECIAL EDITION!

11 November 1918

www.labonche.net @labonche

ARMISTICE SIGNED TODAY

THE “CEASE FIRE” Note to Artists’s Rifles, 09.30 hrs, 11.11.18

Caption: To Old Bill, with Best Wishes, F. A Foster, 18

© IWM Q42481

Photo: Frank Foster’s Grandson Frank Foster.

NEWS FROM TYRWHITTDRAKE, MENAGERIST. I was in Faversham visiting one of my units when news of the Armistice reached me. I hurriedly drove my van back to Canterbury, and what a pandemonium is here. Army Lorries by the dozen are parading up and down the narrow High Street, full of Tommies inside and out with four or five astride the bonnet of each. They must have found it a warm seat. I'm celebrating now with champagne at one of the best hotels.

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: T-D G (1)

FRANK FOSTER NEWS. I am standing here at Etaples, France, on a sand dune with George Doonan.

George said,

“ what do we do now? I have it Jug. We’ll do our burlesque imitation act together in variety.”

“No,” I replied. “I’m going back to the circus.”

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: F F

MERCIA WAMBA NEWS, ARTISTE. Yesterday was my 19th birthday, all I wished for was an end to the war.

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: D C

GROCK REPORTS FROM ENGLAND. The war has ended. I knew all about it when I could not get any dinner. All the restaurants were shut and the whole population was dancing in the streets.

Narrative extracted from Biography Bibliog. Ref: G

PEACE - SHOWLAND’S CONGRATULATIONS TO THE KING AND PRIME MINISTERS.

Jubilation in London & Carriage where Armistice was signed Councillor Patrick Collins, President of the Showmen’s Guild; William Savage,

Acting Secretary.

Lonsdale House ____

The following are copies of messages THE KING’S RELPY. that have been sent in the name of Showland to his Majesty King George and the Right Hon. Lloyd George, The following reply has been Prime Minister:— received:— Councillor Patrick Collins, His Majesty King George, President of the Showmen’s Guild, Buckingham Palace, Walsall.

London.

The King thanks you and the Acting Secretary, and Showmen of Great The Showmen of Great Britain and Britain for your kind and loyal Ireland tender to your Majesty their congratulations upon the conclusion sincere congratulations upon the of the armistice with Germany. termination of this terrible war and

after these years of great anxiety they Buckingham Palace. pray that the peace now proclaimed The World’s Fair will be a lasting and binding one.

CIRCUS NEWS: Reporting on all fronts! 1918

96 11 NOVEMBER: ARMISTICE GRANTED TO GERMANY; FIRING CEASES ON ALL FRONTS. BOLSHEVIK ATTACK REPULSED ON N. DWINA; SCENES OF GREAT

THE SHOWMEN’S GUILD. ___

THE PRESIDENT AND PEACE. To my fellow member,— This week’s issue of the “World’s Fair” being a Peace issue, I take this opportunity of congratulating my fellow members, indeed the whole of Showland upon the return of peace after all these years of much anxiety and hard fighting, proving to the whole world the grit our brave soldiers and sailors are made of, and when the country is in danger they are ready to defend it to the last drop of blood.

Their chivalry and endurance deserves the highest praise, and we shall never forget the debt of gratitude we owe to them in saving us from the great danger of invasion which at one time we were exposed to.

Our own boys have proved themselves worthy of the ancestry to which they belong, and by their daring deeds and conspicuous bravery upon the field of battle have merited our highest appreciation and regard.

When they return home, which we trust will not now be long, we shall not be behind in giving them a right royal welcome, and which they so richly deserve.

There are many questions to settle now the war is over, some of which affect us as showmen and these will not be overlooked, so that a speedy return to pre-war conditions, so far as we are concerned, will be brought about.

Believe me, yours sincerely, PATRICK COLLINS, PRESIDENT.

REJOICING IN PROVINCES. 12 NOVEMBER: PASS THROUGH 13 NOVEMBER:

LONDON AND ALLIED FLEETS THE DARDANELLES EMPEROR KARL OF

WHAT WORLD’S FAIR THINKS. ___

PEACE. The whole of Showland will rejoice that, after four years of war, peace has arrived. They will unite with other Britishers in tendering their thanks to the Army and Navy and to all our Allies for the splendid work they have done. Messages of congratulation to his Majesty the King and the Prime Minister have been sent in the name of the Showmen of Great Britain and Ireland, copies of which will be found elsewhere. To the soldier boys of Showland we send, in the name of Showland, a message of thanks for the great work they have assisted in. They with others have done their bit and it is now up to us to do our bit for them.

We must use every effort to get them back to their old life at the earliest possible moment and though this may take some time some Showland’s claims must, as we have pointed out before, be put before the authorities.

We are not out for preferential treatment, and when the boys do come home we must all give of our best to put them back into the position they formerly held, as early as is ever possible.

16/11/1918 The World’s Fair

CZECH CIRCUS NEWS Cirkus Kludský.

16/11/1918 The World’s Fair

MACHINE GUN CORPS.

Karel Reports: Now that the war is over we must patiently start again.

Our star elephant Baby, who weighed 6,600 pounds (metric) in 1914, weighed less than three tons (metric) at the end of the war. Of 400 animals in the Kludský menagerie, just sixteen have survived the war. Yet we will rebuild the circus, step-by-step, until we reach our pre-war size.

Narrative extracted from CP

SHOWMEN AND THE ARMISTICE. PRIVATE CHARLES BIRCH. Private Charles Birch is widely known in Noveltyland, having been associated with midget shows all his life. He would welcome a few lines from any of his old colleagues and friends in Showland.

16/11/1918 The World’s Fair Photo reproduced by kind permission of The World's Fair Ltd.

DEATH OF MRS. PINDER. We regret to have to record the death of Mrs. Pinder, of Pinder’s Circus, who passed away at a quarter to nine on Tuesday night, at Clydebank.

23/11/1918 World’s Fair

___

THE PRIME MINISTER’S REPLY. The following is a copy if letter received by the Showmen’s Guild from the Prime Minister, the Right Hon. Lloyd George, in reply to a telegram sent to him:— 10, Downing Street, Whitehall, S.W.1, 13, Nov. 1918.

Dear Sir,— I am desired by the Prime Minister to convey to you his thanks for your kind telegram.

— Yours faithfully, F.L. STEVENSON. 23/11/1918 The World’s Fair

AUSTRIA ABDICATES; KING OF THE BELGIANS RE-ENTERS GHENT. 14 NOVEMBER: ALLIES COMMENCE FORWARD MOVEMENT; GERMAN FORCES SURRENDER IN E. AFRICA.

SHOWMEN AND DEMOBILISATION. Mr. P. Collins, as President of the Showmen’s Guild, writes:— I have read Mr. Corrigan’s letter in last week’s “World’s Fair” and which was directed to me as President of the Showmen’s Guild, upon the question of demobilisation and I can assure him, indeed all our people, that we are alive to the many sides of this important matter and have put ourselves in communication with the proper authorities with the view of getting our case properly considered so that our boys may be released at the earliest possible moment, indeed it would surprise them if they knew all that was being done.

It must be remembered that peace has not yet been declared and a great deal has to be done before this can be brought about.

It is true that the armistice with the Germans has been signed and for the present there is a cessation of hostilities, but the armistice only covers a period of 36 days, and if the conditions therein mentioned are complied with then peace negotiations will be proceeded with.

No one will be more pleased than ourselves in knowing that we have succeeded in getting the whole of our boys released, also for them to know that their situations are still open to them, and they will find that the conditions will be much better than they were before they joined up.

There will be more comfortable jobs and better pay, because during their absence we have had a lot of duds to deal with and muddled along as best we could.

We are all proud of their brave deeds and when they all get home we must arrange to give them a right royal welcome at some convenient centre, also pay their expenses so that everyone of them will have an opportunity of being present and having extended to them a right royal welcome.

We have been officially informed that there will not be any men released from the army for the next two or three months, but in the meantime cards are being sent them to fill up, giving particulars of where they were last employed and for whom, before they joined up, and when these are returned the employers will be communicated with asking them if they are willing to find employment for them once released…

LEFT 19 NOVEMBER: FRENCH TROOPS OCCUPY METZ; KING AND QUEEN OF BELGIANS RE-ENTER ANTWERP. 20 NOVEMBER: FRENCH TROOPS OCCUPY CONSTANTINOPLE; GERMAN SUBMARINES SURRENDERED.

thousands more of Showland’s boys will very soon be in the unenviable position of having neither joints or swag when we re-enter civil life, and in consequence I would suggest that the influential members of the Guild should (if they have not already done so) take such action as they deem necessary to ensure that those connected with the business derive some benefit from existing national funds, in order to resume their former business.”

We have received several letters in a similar strain to the above, and the article by the President of the Showmen’s Guild which appears on our front page will no doubt convince all that every effort is being made to secure equal rights for our soldier boys with all other classes. It should be remembered that anything like this cannot be done hurriedly as the authorities will take their own time.

23/11/1918 The World’s Fair

HOW PEEP SHOWS HELPED TO WIN THE WAR. One of the best guarded secrets of the war has been the extraordinary successful use made by the Royal Air Force of the stereoscope as an aid to aerial intelligence.

30/11/1918 The World’s Fair (Headline peep used here regarding stereoscope)

NO PERMITS NEEDED. The War Industries Board announces the removal of all restrictions in the non-war construction. All building operations may now proceed without permits. In view of the altered conditions, the Board of Trade give notice that the Horses Order has been revoked, and it will no longer be necessary for dealers or other persons to obtain licenses from the controller of horse transport for the purchase of agricultural horses for other work.

30/11/1918 The World’s Fair

BATTLE GRAVES.

Many of our readers who have lost relatives in the war are anxious to have some information as to their last resting place and we have made many enquiries for them on the matter. It REMOBILISATION. will be gratifying to them to know that every effort is being made by the One of our soldier readers writes as authorities to keep a careful record, follows:— “I should be pleased to and we are informed that already have your views on the following nearly 500,000 graves of British important point:— Are travellers to soldiers killed in action have been be included in the One Man Business registered in France and Flanders.

Groups, and will they be eligible for Many inquiries have also been made grants in order to reinstate themselves as to paying a visit to the last resting in their pre-war capacity? I, myself, place of those who have fallen, but it is am a traveller, and in April, 1915. I stated this is not yet practicable. At a joined His Majesty’s Forces from later date near relatives will be able to patriotic motives, and gave up the few pay a visit to the sacred spot, but joints which had hitherto provided me owing to transport difficulties it will with my daily bread. The fact that is be some time before relatives of the looming ahead now, is that I and 23/11/1918 The World’s Fair

RIGHT

CIRCUS NEWS: Reporting on all fronts! 1918

21 NOVEMBER: GERMAN FLEET SURRENDERS TO BRITAIN. 22 NOVEMBER: KING AND QUEEN OF THE BELGIANS RE-ENTER BRUSSELS.

fallen heroes can pay a visit to the graves, but we understand every wife, mother, father, or other close relative will be afforded the opportunity directly circumstances permit. In no previous war has so much care been taken to preserve the identity of the resting places of our fallen and the long line of cemeteries numbering over a thousand will live forever in memory of British sacrifices in the great cause.

30/11/1918 The World’s Fair

December 1918 GUILTY IN AN HONOURABLE WAY. “Guilty in honourable way” was the plea tendered by James Ord Pinder, circus proprietor, at Forfar Sheriff Court to-day in relation to a charge of having, on 27th August, at Montrose, (1) by the hands of his wife, torn into two 200 government tickets before they were issued to persons paying for administration to the circus, and (2) failed to collect the tickets of 200 persons about to be admitted to the entertainment.

Accused explained that under the method adopted by him his wife sold the tickets in two, giving half to the purchaser and droped the other half in a box. They have done that all the way down from Perth to Nairn and back to Montrose, and have never been interfered with. The half tickets retained were always kept for examinations by the Revenue Officers.

The fiscal stated that what the accused should have done was to have issued the tickets whole and have them collected by another person, by whom they should have been halved. The revenue officer who watched Mrs Pinder at work stated that he was quite certain a number of half tickets dropped into the box did not correspond to the number of persons passing into the tent. Examination of these taken showed that a large number are missing.

Sheriff Gordon remarked that the fact that at least 200 tickets had not been accounted for showed great carelessness. He imposed a fine of £3.

3/12/ 1918 Dundee Evening Telegraph

A MILLION HORSES IN THE BRITISH ARMY. ____ BROUGHT FROM THE ENDS OF THE EARTH. That the motor has not quite displaced, the horse, even in war, is vaguely understood by most people.

Few, however, know how large a share

24 NOVEMBER: BRITISH AND U.S. TROOPS ENTER GERMANY. 25 NOVEMBER: ITALIAN TROOPS OCCUPY INNSBRUCK. 27 NOVEMBER: MARSHAL FOCH

ENTERS STRASBURG. 28 NOVEMBER: KING GEORGE, THE PRINCE OF WALES, AND PRINCE ALBERT ENTERTAINED IN PARIS. 12 DECEMBER: BRITISH TROOPS CROSS THE RHINE.

97 13 DECEMBER: U.S. TROOPS OCCUPY COBLENS. 14 DECEMBER: ARMISTICE PROLONGED AT GERMAN REQUEST U.S. FLEET LEAVES BRITISH WATERS.

in winning victory has fallen to the horse. In Captain Sidney Galtrey’s AMERICAN CIRCUS “The Horse and the West” (published NEWS. by “Country Life”), we are told that ____ while the army possessed about 25,000 horses on August 4th, 1914, it must now own at least a million.

CIRCUS BILL POSTERS In four years this million, and many GET BIG RAISE. more (since allowance must be made for the heavy wastage from death and disease), has come from all The circus bill posters have been quarters…. granted a wage increase of some 5/12/1918 The World’s Fair thirty-three and one-third per cent.

This was brought about by the signing of a new agreement by the International Alliance of Bill Posters and Billers and the large and small CLAUDE OHMY NEWS. circus managers of the country, in Boston last week. . . . Twenty-five per ___ cent of the advance constitutes a flat wage increase, while the remainder is RUHLEBEN. an allowance for traveling expenses and incidentals. The old contract Since October the camp has been expired on Dec. 2, 1918; the new very tense. The camp guards were agreement runs until Dec. 2, 1920. nervous of the people outside, they burned their uniforms and joined with 11/12/1918 New York Clipper a few of the prisoners – who were formerly British soldiers – in case the camp should face an emergency.

As soon as the Armistice was signed the Camp Captain, Joseph Powell, FRANZ TAIBOSH aka began organising our repatriation.

CLIKO, THE WILD Finally, on the 15 November, after DANCING BUSHMAN more than four years as a civilian prisoner of war I and all my fellow Today, 11 December 1918, Mr. Cook, prisoners were released from Ruhleben. We were all given a piece of from the circus collected me, I was paper which read ‘Peace and very cold, there is no heating, so I was Reconciliation, Forgive and Forget’ on sitting under a blanket with hardly it! I will never forget. We were taken any clothes on in a bare room. Mr. out of the camp and travelled by train Cook came gave me a coat and I went to Sasantz. It was a cold journey with him and his chauffeur, I was very without lights in the carriages, and pleased to see him. So now we are with the windows broken. We then going to his house. I think I will have a sailed from there to Copenhagen. better life.

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: P N While we all travelled in great discomfort through Germany, we were hospitably treated in Denmark, to us it was like heaven. From there we were transferred onto the pride of the Danish fleet, SS Frederick VIII, and so SHOWMEN AND LOCAL we sailed to Hull. The journey was CHARITIES. across mine-infested waters and took us three days. On their arrival, they Showmen are constantly benefiting were greeted with loud hoots from the steamers in dock. At Hull we were local charities and at a recent sale by treated right royally, The Lord Messrs, Fenwick, of Newcastle-uponMayor of Hull, in full regalia, was Tyne, Mr. Gordon Anderson, of the standing on the quay and he delivered Bigg Market, bought a collection of a message from King George V to war pictures to the values of nearly welcome us all home. But at Rippon £200. The whole of the proceeds were we were ‘mentally decontaminated!” to be handed over to the Royal and were only allowed to leave 3 days Victoria Hospital so once more a local charity has benefited by a showman’s later after lengthy questioning.

Then onward I travelled, weary and effort.

14/12/1918 The World’s Fair free until I reached Blackpool on Thursday. It is very good to be home, in Leicester Road, but bitter sweet also, for I have returned to see, for the first time, my new nephew, Lord John SHOWLAND’S ROLL OF Sanger, but never will I see again my HONOUR. sister Ada. Ada was so terrorised by her ordeal in 1914, when we were all ____ interned in Berlin, that despite her THE LATE OTTO being free for over three years, she SYLVESTER. was never the same again.

over to this country in the late nineties with the famous Buffalo Bill, as an expert knife thrower. Subsequently, on the outbreak of the South African War he enlisted in the British Army and was with the column that relieved Ladysmith. As a despatch rider he carried an order from Ladysmith to the late General Buller when the latter was at Colenso. At Nicholson’s Nek he was badly wounded on the right side of his body. After the war he served in India. The intervening period between his discharge in 1904 to his re-enlistment in August, 1914, was spent working for some of the foremost and best known showmen of Great Britain, during this time he made a large circle of friends both masters and men. His first time in action in this war was at Armentierres, later in the thick of the fray at La Base where he received a bullet in the left shoulder. in the right groin, and pieces of shrapnel in the right ankle and right shin bone. His sight was also impaired as a result of a bullet having entered his head. Since his discharge he has augmented his pension of 13s. 6d. per week by working for various Yorkshire showmen as engine driver, but was too broken in health to remain with them long together. Consequently he and his wife were in dire straits, and we are sorry to relate that within a few days of his death he and his wife (she was ill with “flu” and shortly to become a mother) had neither food, stimulants, nor coal in the house. The local officials on learning the facts quickly remedied that by catering most generously to their immediate wants.

We feel sure the sympathy of Showland will be with his young wife in this her hard and trying time.

Adding to the long list of noble lads’ deaths from Showland there is still another to record in the person of T.B. OUTBREAK. Otto Sylvester, who died at his residence, 14, Hill Street, Bingley, Joseph Pilates believes that his new Yorkshire, on November 28th, and method of physical fitness has saved was accorded a military funeral on many from the T.B. outbreak at December 3rd. The deceased, who was Knockaloe. Isle of Man. better known as Texas Harry, came

WILD DANCING BUSHMAN. He was stolen or escaped from my lodgings today.

Narrative Extracted from 7/12/1918 The World’s Fair & centenarynews.com

14/12/1918 The World’s Fair

OUR SOLDIER BOYS. Lance-Corporal Harry Righini, 37897, 16th Lancashire Fusiliers, “D” Company B.E.F., France, writes:- Just a line to let all my relations and friends know that I have come through the war, without a scratch. I have been out here with the 16th Lancashire Fusiliers for the past three years, and I am now on my way to Germany as the Fourth Army to which my battalion belongs has been detailed as an army of occupation on the Rhine, and I am quite proud to be one of the boys to march into Germany. We are now, in Belgium, in

CAPTAIN EPSTEIN REQUESTS THE RETURN OF HIS STOLEN PROPERTY:

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: P N

CIRCUS NEWS: Reporting on all fronts! 1918

98

14 DECEMBER: WOMEN VOTE FOR THE FIRST TIME; PORTUGUESE PRESIDENT ASSASSINATED. 27 DECEMBER: BETROTHAL OF PRINCESS PATRICIA TO COMMANDER RAMSAY.

a place called Froid Chapelle and we are resting here for a few days. It is quite a treat to be amongst civilians again, as we have gone, many a time three or four months, without seeing civilisation, and now that we are not disturbed by either lumps of iron or Fritz’s aeroplanes flying through the air, it seemed like heaven. I am anxiously looking forward to the time when I shall return to civilian life, but I don’t expect that will be for another six months or more, and by then I hope to find all fairs and Showland carrying on as in pre-war days. I am sure all the boys from Showland who are out here will be most anxious to get home, as quickly as possible now that the fighting is all over, so as to be ready for next spring, and all make hay while the sun shines, as they say.

Well I must close, wishing all Showland the best of success for the forth-coming year and wishing the “World’s Fair” all the success it deserves…

14/12/1918 The World’s Fair

SIMONA’S PARROT.

“What

I Heard.”

An estimated 1.2m horses and mules were used by the British Army during the war, with about 484,000 dying.

During the war the Blue Cross, a British animal welfare charity, raised funds for their treatment.

Steven Broomfield, Blue Cross

____ On one day at the Battle of Verdun in 1916, 7000 horses were killed by shelling. ____ Whimsical Walker talked of a war horse called Verdun who was saved from the tannery, and trained as a performer. ____ By the end of the war, nine percent of all British men under the age of 45 had died, and over 500,000 children had been left without their father. ____ The war is not over everywhere.

NICOLAI POLIAKOFF NEWS. BACK AT HOME. There is no light and laughter in my home. I am back in Riga, after being invalided home. Bernardo was also sent home, before me - another casualty. Whilst I had been in Petrograd a party of Reds had burst into our home. My elder brother was there, having a meal with my father and mother. The Reds knew him for

LEFT

WISHING CIRCUS & SHOWLAND THE VERY MERRIEST POSSIBLE CHRISTMAS & PEACEFUL 1919 an ex-soldier in the White Army. They dragged him out into the back garden.

My poor mother screamed and entreated them in vain. They shot him down there and left him to bleed to death in the snow. I feel the senseless hatred that burnt at the core of this revolution, and I swear vengeance against all Reds.

I’ve decided to stay at home with my father and mother for a little time.

They are growing older and are sad and lonely after my elder brother’s cruel death. I’ve managed to get stage work at the cinema in town. Every night, on my way home from work, I pass a block of flats. Last night, passing these flats, something fell on to the pavement in front of me. I saw a box of matches. I picked them up and looked up at the house. Two girls and one young man were looking from a sixth-floor window, laughing at me. I called up, and asked them if the matches belonged to them. One girl came down, and I looked at her and I thought she was the loveliest girl I had ever seen. We smiled at each other.

Her name was Valentina. She told me she recognised me from the stage and I told her not to keep her windows open in winter. She admitted she dropped the matches on purpose as she has long waited to meet me, and then invited me up to meet her brother and friend. Her brother is a nice young fellow, about twenty years of age. His name is Victor, and he was a pilot in the Red air force. They gave me a cup of tea sweetened with saccharine. And I looked at Valentina, and know that she will be my wife.

Food is very scarce in Riga and people are starving. The White Army is only forty miles away and times are very hard. The English and American governments send for to the city - rice, coca, sugar, flour, and milk. In nearly

every street they have opened canteens, where food is cooked for the poor people. People queue up early in the morning, however cold it is, for the sake of getting a little hot meat. It is almost impossible to find a bread shop. If bread is sold it is sold very quietly, as if the Bolsheviks hear of it they come to the shop and take everything, paying in Kerensky money, which is worthless. I work at the cinema for eighty roubles as day.

But forty of the roubles are paid to me in Kerensky money, which brings nothing. With the other forty roubles I can, if I am lucky, buy a pound of bread. The cinema is always full. The people do not know what to do with themselves in their hunger. They go there and sit from opening time to the end of the last performance, and you can’t even throw them out. A hungry audience, laughing at a hungry clown.

Valentina asked me to lunch today. I accepted joyfully, sure that I would certainly get something to eat! We had potato peelings, washed and minced, mixed with a little pea flour and fried in castor-oil. For three days I have eaten very little, and it was delicious.

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: Coco

SIMONA’S PARROT.

“Happy

New Year!”

Above: Christmas in the Trenches, © IWM 1630 Below: British Father Christmas handing out presents to German Children. © IWM 56265

99

Circus News From Across The Globe.

CIRCUS NEWS Reporting from all Corners!

www.labonche.net @labonche

1919

U.S. VOTED DRY!

PEACE IS WITHIN GRASP AS THE ARMISTICE HOLDS When the war ended one of the first luxuries Carstang reports is that of the lather of soap; the joy of plunging the arms up to the shoulders in soap suds. When old Ruhlebenites talk together, the memories of the men are pleasantly arranged to sift the good form the bad, "so that listening to them one might imagine the experience of a pleasant holiday. The other memory they keep buried deep and will not thank you to disturb it!"

January 1919 LEST WE FORGET. ___

(BY “NORMAN”) I remember as a boy having to commit to memory a lot of poetry in which occurred the line “Coming events cast their shadow before.”

Whilst home on my third and, I hope, my last leave before I finish, I had conversations with several men who had been like myself in France and whilst there had asked themselves the question “What have we to look forward to?”

Out here I have met proprietors, proprietors’ sons, and workmen. Out here there is this difference— all are men!

The man with the little joints has had the same chance of stopping a bullet as has the proprietor or his son.

Of course when we have met the conversation has veered round to “what fairs are on? Are they having fine weather there?” and then the invariably “I wonder will my grounds be all right when I get back?— if I do.” Of course to me, any idea of there being any doubt whatever about a man’s ground being right after his being out here two or three— or even four— years seems ridiculous— but just a moment.

Whilst on leave I met a man who had been refused ground and he was a discharged soldier who had been gassed and wounded. And a roundabout proprietor refused him ground.

Don’t all blush , you budding Barnums! I may not mean you!

Now I can write from a rather favourable position. I am of the show world without being a showman, and I ask you as a man who has no axe to grind, “Are you going to forget?” You must not forget nor must you allow the Big ‘Uns to forget. It is up to you. there are men in Showland who were unable go for three reasons, “Age, health, physique,” but there are others who, in vulgar parlance, have “ducked it.”

Are you other sportsmen enough to remember both Big Uns and Little Uns

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: T R

ROYAL ARMY MEDICAL CORPS

The Naples soldier reads about the Spanish Flu: It is our Biggest Enemy now more than 40 million killed! Many businesses in the global entertainment and service industries are suffering losses in revenue as a result. Where as healthcare industries are reporting gains. when these men come back who have been and seen. There has been wire pulling and technical twistings that would have made Sir Choizza Money grey with guessing but the end has been achieved. They have stayed at home. And the Big Uns are more guilty than the Little Uns of this pro rata.

I have not taken up my pen to accuse or defend, but I ask you men aye women also, to see that the men who have been “out here” get a fair share when they come back and allow no one who has been home through it all to dictate terms to those who have seen and suffered.

I am not a Red Revolutionist. I am not a socialist, I am not after ground but I have seen, have heard, and I say again, “Don’t Forget, be Fair, and be Just.

11/1/1919 The World’s Fair

NEWS FROM E.H. BOSTOCK. It is with a heavy heart that I write to inform Showland that on the 12th of January, my son Lieut. A. Gordon Bostock died at the Military Hospital, Dovercourt. He has succumbed to pneumonia, following influenza. To accentuate this tragedy he had been married for just four months and was only three days away from his discharge after four and a half years of service; this has really added to the suffering of the family.

PRIVATE FRED BAXTER GRAY. Private Fred Gray is the only son of Madame Herculine, lady athlete, and well known in both the showman and circus world, He volunteered early in 1915 and has had over three years’ service in France. He would be pleased to hear from any old friends.

11/1/1919 The World’s Fair Photo reproduced by kind permission of The World's Fair Ltd.

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: B EH

February 1919 NEWS FROM REUBEN CASTANG

Now the war has ended there is scarcely a chimpanzee to be seen in CIRCUS ELEPHANTS AS the "civilised" world, and it will be FOOD necessary to take some time for new COBLENZ, February 2. beasts to be caught.

I have found a 20th January: I am pleased to say that, after 12 weeks, I have just been fellow London Cockney prepared to discharged from hospital. As the day join me in an unarmed trip to the The American soldiers have found a after the armistice I was taken ill, not jungles of West Africa and will sail to new source of amusement in Freetown aboard Buchan's ship, on from champagne but with the flu.

Hagenbeck’s Circus which presents its Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: T-D G (1) the Elder Dempster Line. first show tonight. It is but a poor

NEWS FROM TYRWHITTDRAKE, MENAGERIST.

CIRCUS NEWS: Reporting on all corners! 1919

100

4 JANUARY: £1,000,000 DAMAGE BY FIRE OF FOOD WAREHOUSES AT BETHNAL GREEN. 7 JANUARY: LABOUR PARTY RESOLVES TO ACT AS OFFICIAL OPPOSITION IN THE HOUSE.

9 JANUARY: 100,000 MILL WORKERS IN INDIA STRIKE. 10 JANUARY: MR CHURCHILL APPOINTED MINISTER OF WAR. 11 JANUARY: JAQUES LEBAUDY, SO-CALLED EMPEROR OF THE

SAHARA, SHOT DEAD BY WIFE ON LONG ISLAND. 13 JANUARY:KING OF THE HEDJAZ CAPTURES MEDINA. 388CT DIAMOND FOUND IN JANERSFONTEIN MINE. 18 JANUARY: PRINCE JOHN, DIES.

3/2/1919 Yorkshire Evening Post

March 1919 W. Furno Drake.

26/3/1919 The Era

NEWS FROM E.H. BOSTOCK.

LORD JOHN SANGER’S TINY TINY, the £2,000 Necklace Sensation Elephant, photographed on work of National Importance, on which she was employed from 1915 till February of this year. The London Necklace Sensation was the talk of two Hemispheres, and only by her unusual interest in War Work has she retrieved her character. Tiny will celebrate her 75th Birthday, Whit Monday. There should be great rejoicings in Whitley Bay.

April 1919 SHOWMEN LOOK FORWARD WITH HOPE. ___

THE FAIRGROUND

RESUME ITS Lieut. John Reginald, Wombwell PRE-WAR GLORIES. Bostock, has been released from the Army. I have made him a present of the Bostock and Wombwell No community of traders is looking Menagerie, lock stock and barrel, as it is time to take it back out on the road. forward more eagerly to a period of And I agree with Elizabeth, it is also prosperity now that peace is at hand time to have our remaining sons home. than the travelling show folk who Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: B EH provide the noisy entertainment of the feasts and fair ground, for no class has been harder hit during the war.

BOSTOCK’S ROYAL ITALIAN CIRCUS TOUR NEWS. Douglas Bostock reports: I am trying to get back to England with the Royal Italian Circus, we have had a most wonderful tour, hard work too, since 1914, one that my father says is unequalled. None of the boats are allowed to carry the circus.

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: B EH

PEACE CONFERENCE MEETS IN PARIS. 19 JANUARY: MONARCHIST RISING IN PORTUGAL; MONARCHY PROCLAIMED IN OPORTO.

FRANK FOSTER NEWS.

remnant of the circus we know in prewar days. Of the 800 animals which gave so much delight to children about 100 are left. The camels and llamas have all been killed. There are elephants tigers lions and bears.

Hagenbeck, who is here, tells how during the war the people remarked that it was better to eat elephants then to see them, and many were killed for food. – “Times” message.

W. Furno Drake, The well-known circus business manager, is back to harness with Lord J. Sanger, after a little over two years and nine months with the colours. He has seen a deal of active service – Ypres front being his principle sporting ground. Mr. Drake brings back with him a treasured souvenir in the shape of a cigarette case, finely engraved and suitably inscribed, presented to him by the 65th Brigade, R.G.A., for his untiring energy in connection with a Cinderella pantomime production put on for the boys and liberated civilians at Tourcoing, Christmas, 1918.

LEFT

The showman has now entered on his reconstruction period, and like the housewife, is busy "spring cleaning", not only his caravans, but tractors, organs, roundabouts, and the general paraphernalia of the feast ground. It is still impossible to buy new vans, engines, or other properties, and consequently there will be no new feature in the shows which begin at Hull and other Yorkshire towns at Eastertide, and continue right through the Summer until the many Leeds feasts begin with the big one at Hunslet on August Bank Holiday.

There are other drawbacks. Labour is plentiful once more, but many of the men have been wounded and disabled, and are now finding shell-shock and old injuries severe handicaps in the type of rough life of the fairground, the climbing and hard work generally.

The people with the greatest troubles are the circus proprietors.

The menageries are short of animals,

and there is a tragic dearth of the young men who used to play a big part in the circus ring - bareback riders, trapeze artists, and lion tamers. Many have been killed or maimed in the war, and it will be a long time before the travelling circus is the delight it was of old.

Sad stories are told of clever circus lads who before the war earned £5 to £7 a week, and are now rendered useless in their old calling by the loss of a limb. One Leeds lad, well known among Yorkshire circus people as a bare-back rider and acrobat, who could go round the ring at full gallop turning wonderful somersaults from the back of the horse's back, has now returned to civil life minus a leg.

Whilst serving in France he stuck to his beloved horses, and combined duty with the occasional pleasure! when down the line, of delighting his astonished comrades by riding tricks! and many a time his skill was turned to good account for breaking-in spirited young animals.

I'm still in the military hospital at Whalley Bridge, with a recurrence of my knee trouble. Having heard that the old Sanger show was pitched at York, I obtained permission to go and see George Sanger. As soon as I reached the tober and saw the tent standing and a flag waving at the top of the king-pole, I had an overwhelming nostalgia to be in harness again, enhanced when I got inside the tent and watched many of my old friends still performing in the ring and breathed in those smells, even the smell of humanity: artistes and audience, which a circus man loves and never forgets.

When I arrived back at the hospital I heard I was to have a further operation on my knee. I refused and begged for a discharge. Given my “ticket”’ I was packing to leave when a telegram was handed to me, it read: COME TO DURHAM IMMEDIATELY. GEORGE SANGER. Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: F F

FROM THE SOUTH.

PRIVATE R. J. HATTON.

Private R. J. Hatton is widely known in the South of England having travelled with Biddall’s for many years. He adds still another to the long list of Showland’s sons who did their duty in the war, and though there are Still proprietors generally are many still in khaki we trust soon to looking hopefully to the future, said welcome many more of them back to an old Leeds showman Mr. George their rightful positions.

5/5/1919 The World’s Fair Campbell, to-day. "There is plenty of Photo reproduced by kind permission of money about, in spite of The World's Fair Ltd. unemployment, and a lot of it will find its way into our pockets when the feasts are in full swing again. It will be nearly like of old times with no lighting or other restrictions, and feasts will be as popular in every district of Leeds so as they used to be.

AMERICAN CLOWN All we want is more coal for our DISCHARGE. engines, and some novelties to replace the cake walk, razzle-dazzle and other comparatively modern shows.

We hear that Corporal Pewee, The old wooden horse roundabout and the coconut and Aunt Sally shies acrobatic clown, has been discharged will go on for ever, because they are from the army and will be back in clown alley with the Yankee Robinson traditional institutions of the feasts."

"Old amusements like this survive all Circus.

19/4/1919 Billboard the new-fangled sensations," he added philosophically.

4/4/1919 Yorkshire Evening Post

CIRCUS NEWS: Reporting on all corners! 1919

RIGHT

25 JANUARY: STRIKE IN SHIP BUILDING & ENGINEERING TRADES IN BELFAST. 25 JANUARY: PRINCIPEL OF THE LEAGE OF NATIONS ADOPTED 1 FEBRUARY: COTTON STRIKE ENDS.

3 FEBRUARY: DE VALERA & 2 SEIN FEINERS ESCAPE LINCOLN GAOL. 6 FEBRUARY:GERMAN NATIONAL ASSEMBLY AT WEIMAR. 11 FEBRUARY: HERR EBERT ELECTED PRESIDENT.

19 FEBRUARY: ATTEMPTED ASSASSINATION OF M. CLEMENCEAU. 20 FEBRUARY: HABIBIULLAH AMIR OF AFGHANISTAN ASSASSINATED. 21 FEBRUARY: BAVARIAN PRESIDENT ASSASSINATED.

101 28 FEBRUARY: PRINCESS PATRICIA MARRIED CMDR. RAMSEY 18 MARCH: 8 MILITARY OFFICERS & OTHER RANKS MURDERED IN TRAIN UPPER EGYPT. 21 MARCH: DANUBE NAVIGATION THROWN OPEN.

said to have been recently captured in “the mackerel nets.” In regard to the arrangements for the celebrations, why not give Major H. R.. Willis and Mr G. W. Haynes (the chosen organised a free hand. They have the confidence of the town generally, and I hope their efforts will not be thwarted or hindered by any carping criticism.

17/5/1919 Lost reference to name of British Newspaper

June 1919

The Greatest Show in the AEF. This three ring circus was presented in Montabaur, occupied Germany by the “First Division Circus” on July 11-12, 1919.

ALL THE FUN OF THE FAIR - FROM LEEDS. ___

EVERYTHING BUT ROUNDABOUTS FROM YORKSHIRE. The craze for pleasure and amusement during the holiday period, has led many folk back to the oldfashioned attractions of the circus and fun ground, and showmen have reaped a rich harvest. The circus in Leeds has been visited by great crowds of people; and wherever the small fairs have made an early start, they have met with remarkable success. at Grantham hundreds of people lined the queues for rides on the hobby horses. the proprietor raised the charge from 2d to 6d. Pretty rise, in the hope of lessening the rush somewhat, but still the folks trouped up.

This sudden leap into popularity of the showman's business, has prompted the inquiry as to where the roundabouts, the swing boats, and the caravans are made. Leeds and the neighbouring district of Yeadon provide many things showmen require. A Yeadon firm makes about nine-tenths of the caravans, swings and wooden stall fittings used in this country. Here also are made the "strikers" - the machines at which, if you would test your strength, you strike a metal pin, fiercely with a mallet, and up goes an iron missile to ring a bell or to register in pounds of your blow.

Apart from some horse-carving in a small way at Brighthouse, Yorkshire does not produce roundabouts. The home of the whirligig is King's Lynn, in Norfolk, which is the only place where wooden horses, ostriches, and motor-cars, and the machines to carry them are made.

The part Leeds plays in the showman's trade is largely a distributing one. To showmen the city is the most important centre in the United Kingdom for obtaining "swag" - which is the showman's abbreviated word for indicating the thousand and

one small things they need for their stalls.

"Swag" during these years of War, has been dear and hard to obtain.

Prices for some things, tinsel goods and darts from France, for example, have doubled again and again; but the general increase is about 100 per cent above the prewar figure. Germany made most of the "swag," especially alarm clocks and highly coloured china ornaments; but now Japan has captured most of the trade, with America a long way behind, and home manufacturers further off still. A few plaster imitations of German china figures have been made in Leeds. A Leeds firm invented and made the first rings and boards for the houp-la game which is still so popular at fairs.

The wooden rings have been difficult to obtain of late, but the board of Trade has now issued a license for the importation of a large consignment from America. The smaller rings which "fair-goers" try to throw over a watch or other prize, on the miniature houp-la are made a in Leeds.

23/4/1919 Yorkshire Evening Post

TALK OF THE PAST. The circus people talk of the past, Including King Ohmy.

Claude Ohmy returned from internment the other month back (March or Feb 1919). Ohmy sat down when asked about the profession nowadays he agreed it is easier work and at a better pay than in his younger days, but where he asked, are the big shows of those days? Sanger, Bailey, Pinder, Barnham, and all those lords of the profession – where are the modern equals of a circus built at Blackpool some years ago which is no more. Bostock’s show is touring Australia and the other big shows are touring any country but the land which is the home of the circus England. “Ohmy” thinks the men in the Showman’s profession have the money necessary to finance a big circus or directors of either musicals

or theatres, but the result of war is NICOLAI POLIAKOFF that all the English “cracks” (and the NEWS. English are the finest riders, the most ___ daring trapezemen, the neatest tumblers and the funniest clowns the world) are touring the Continent BACK AT HOME & I GET under foreign names. They are being MARRIED. better paid for the people abroad delight in the circus. “ Not that the Things are growing worse. People English have lost this delight,” “Ohmy” said “but they are forgetting now walk twenty or thirty miles out of Riga to try and find food. Sometimes what the circus is.”

25/4/1919 Yorkshire Evening Post the farmers give them some bread in exchange for clothes, gold and silver.

I’ve had to exchange my overcoat for two pounds of bread!

May 1919

The Bolsheviks have left Riga. The town is now occupied with Latvian and German soldiers.

And I have married Valentina at the Orthodox Church! Afterwards we went back to my mother-in-law’s house, and for our wedding feast we had on the table a pound of bread and one salt herring. We cut it in half and Reading through the report of the that was our wedding party.

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: Coco recent council meeting I find that when the Peace Celebrations were discussed one or two members expressed an opinion that “Lord” Charles Bank’s Circus would not be an altogether desirable feature.

Whatever be the attitude in regard to this circus (made up as it mainly was by the fisherfolk), I would just remind those whom it may concern how this estimable young Folkstonion before THE WAR IS NOT OVER the war worked with a will on more FOR ME! than one occasion for the best of all causes – The Royal Victoria Hospital. ___ He put himself to an enormous amount of trouble in organising his troupe, and displayed an energy NICOLAI POLIAKOFF worthy of all praise. His one great LATVIAN SOLDIER object was always to hand over a nice NEWS. sum to the Hospital and with that accomplished Charlie was always I have been ‘pressed’ into the happy. When the war broke out he th joined up subsequently for fighting in Latvian army! ( This is the 6 Army I have been in since 1914!)

I was Palestine, with the result that one of his arms is practically crippled. These walking home from the theatre and things should be remembered of him. some soldiers stopped me and asked “Lord Charles’s” circus as always me my name and age. They ordered pleases the millions and many will be me to follow them to the barracks. I disappointed if his “Lordship” does asked them to let me go home and tell not have a “look in” during the my wife that I was in the army. But coming festivities, with amongst other they would not let me go. Valentina things, his two “Sea lions,” which are came to the barracks yesterday and I

LORD CHARLES BANK’S CIRCUS PEACE CELEBRATIONS.

July 1919

102

CIRCUS NEWS: Reporting on all corners! 1919

25 APRIL: AUSTRALIAN TROOPS VICTORY MARCH - ANZAC DAY. 2 MAY: PRINCE OF WALES A FREEMASON. 3 MAY: FIRST ROYAL ACADEMY BANQUET SINCE WAR STARTED.

7 MAY TERMS OF PEACE PRESENTED. 9 MAY: FIGHTING BETWEEN AFGANS & BRITISH TROOPS NEAR LANDI KOTAL. 9 MAY: ALIENS EVACUATE ODESSA. 27 MAY: AMERICAN SEA PLANE NC4

ARRIVES AT LISBON COMPLETING FIRST ATLANTIC CROSSING BY AIR. 21 JUNE: GERMANS SCUTTLE SURRENDERED FLEET AT SCAPA FLOW 23 JUNE: DR. ADDISON APPOINTED FIRST MINISTER OF HEALTH.

November 1919 NICOLAI POLIAKOFF LATVIAN SOLDIER NEWS.

Ormer Locklear, is making a great name for himself. He joined the U.S. Army Air Service, in 1917, and did daring stunts while learning to flying. He is now considered the foremost aviation stunt man in the world. In July 1919 Universal Pictures bought all of his future air show dates. He stars in their new film “The Great Air Robbery”. was allowed to speak to her through the window. I told her to go home and not to worry. Now I am preparing to leave for the station after my name was read out in a list of names. I asked the sergeant if I might go and say goodbye to my wife, but he said it was quite impossible. I am very sad.

Valentina has made me very happy!

We had marched to the station with a band and people following us, crying and laughing, waving good-bye to brothers, husbands and fathers. I was about to climb into one the goods waggons waiting to transport us, when I heard a small, tearful voice. It was my wife. I ran to her and took her in my arms, and how she cried. I told her I am a soldier now and she must go home, also reminding her to think of my brother - I was going to fight the Reds! She told me if I didn’t take her with me she would throw herself under the train. ‘I mean it.’ Well, even by this point I know that if my wife says a thing she means it. Two soldiers reached out and each one took one of her hands and dragged her into the wagon as the train was starting to move off. I jumped in after her.

The soldiers gave Valentina blankets and coats in case we came to a station and were inspected by an officer. At the first station a roll-call was made, but they did not find my wife. I started to sing in my happiness and the soldiers joined in. Sometimes we laughed because my wife looked so funny. When she left home she had not had time to dress. All she had on was a night-gown, slippers, overcoat, and round her neck an old-fashioned gold chain with a bunch of keys! The journey was very slow. At eleven o’clock at night we arrived at a station called Juan Gulbene. It was a three mile walk to the old castle where we are now. I went to one of the drivers and asked him to take my wife in the luggage cart, offering him pay. He’s a sour old man and he asked, ‘since when is it allowed to take one’s wife into the Latvian Army?’ But he accepted. It was cold and dark and very muddy. I did not mind so much. I was used to the army, but it was bad for the young lads only just joined.

When we came at last to the castle, the carts were already there. I ran to my wife and helped her down. The driver promised to take her to the caretaker of a big house nearby. I will see her tomorrow. I lie in my bunk in what

used to be a fine library and I cannot sleep, even after that long walk. I am sorry for myself, and sorry for my wife, and sad about everything.

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: Coco

September 1919 THE CHARM OF THE CIRCUS. One advantage of having a kiddie of your own (writes Stephen Proctor in the “Daily Dispatch”) is that you can play the fool without looking one.

You may even go to the circus. And the circus is still just the same elemental affair that it was when you were a boy. The same airy Nymph on horseback, fluttering like the Winged Victory as she floats through the paper hoop. The same old chalk-face clown, cracking his whip and his chestnuts in the same old way. It is the chief merit of the circus that it is so delightfully out of date. Thank goodness, it has clearly never heard of the war, or even Smillie. The performers are men not of to-day nor of yesterday, but of all time. They and their circus and their audience, too, are the deathless spirits of the ancient amphitheatre, changeless as childhood itself.

Valentina and I have been allowed by the old major to look after the officers club. This morning, after rollcall, we had to go one by one into his office. After telling him my previous occupation and army record he named me as a corporal. I told him of my wife to his astonishment and after a lot of questions allowed me to go see her and report back in the afternoon.

When I returned to him he granted us the officers club duty. My wife is looking to sell her gold chain to buy some new clothes. I have a new uniform and I wear my corporal’s stripes with pride.

We have not stayed very long at the officers club as the work is too hard for Valentina. The responsibility of buying food for both of us has been way too much for me. So, Valentina has returned to Riga and I have been put to being an instructor.

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: Coco

LEFT

28 JUNE: GERMANS SIGN PEACE TREATY. 1 JULY: PROHIBITION IN U.S.A. 2 JULY: PRINCE OF WALES CALLED TO THE BAR. 19 JULY: PEACE CELEBRATIONS.

___ Sangar’s magnificent parade wagons are abandoned at his farm, a sorry sight to see with the gold stripped off.

Will there not be another parade? _____ Russia’s Circuses have been Nationalised.

July 1920 NICOLAI POLIAKOFF LATVIAN SOLDIER NEWS. 15th July, 1920, Germany and Latvia have signed a ceasefire, so after two and a half years in the Latvian Army I heard that the War is over! I am so happy to be back to Riga!

I have joined the Circus Salamonski in Riga, and it is a happy company!

Most of us have served in the War, and the gleaming lights, the smell of ring, and the sound of applause are a glorious relief and refreshment after bursting shells, the smell of death, and the whine of bullets. My hands have been used to handling rifles and bayonets. Now they are strangely clumsy when grasping sticks of makeup.

Narrative extracted from Bibliog. Ref: Coco

SIMONA’S PARROT.

EDITORS THANKS.

“What

I Heard!”

There is a talk of an ambitious new circus starting at Olympia, led by a certain Captain Bertram Mills. He was formerly a harness maker & forage department of the R.A.S.C. during the war.

Now that Nicolai Poliakoff has finally returned to his circus life, we believe that all of our War Circus correspondents have been demobilised. We would like to express our gratitude to all those who have contributed to our newspaper.

Through your letters, photos, and articles we have learned much about how you have fared during the war. It is also with sadness that we remind ourselves that Showland cannot be the same nor reunite with those who we have lost in the terrible conflagration of war.

- The Editor

5/9/1919 Yorkshire Evening Post

SANGER’S GREAT CIRCUS AT HULL. A considerable portion of the ground was taken up by the manifold effects that go to make Lord John Sanger’s Circus and Menagerie the stupendous affair it is and nearly 200 men were engaged in the many and various duties in connection with the circus.

After an absence of eight years the circus arrived in Hull this morning from Beverley, making the journey in two hours. The stay of one-day only had been made in the Minster town, but remarkable business had been done, and at the evening performance there was a crowded “house.” The heavy rain during the night did not seriously affect operations, as these sturdy people of the travelling circus make light of the vicissitudes of the elements.

14/9/1919 Hull Daily Mail

The Lord George Sanger's sensational peace year circus and menagerie

Positively visiting Arbroath Monday, August 11 (one day only) Entertaining and refreshing, Thank the famous

Elephant land workers demonstration.

An extraordinary agricultural display - work of national importance on which they have been deployed the last four years - ploughing, reaping, and sowing.

These inimitable elephants will introduce their original elephant self – loading cart for which they are famed throughout the world.

Wanted!

Aviation ground within reasonable distance of Arbroath for Lord John Sanger to land, on the occasion of his visit to buy aeroplane Monday, August 11.

Landowners and farmers are kindly invited to communicate stating size of ground and locality.

Look out for Lord John and his £2000 challenge White Car. 1/8/1919 Arbroath Herald and Advertiser for the Montrose Burghs

103

Section 2.

WAR CIRCUS LISTS

1914-1918 !

During the war it was reported by The World’s Fair that there were 70,000 British Showmen soldiers, including circus soldiers. If this is accurate we have documented only about 1% of them in these lists. The lists have been compiled over a years worth of research, with reference to the following sources: • Biographic accounts; • Newspapers, the most significant of which has been The World’s Fair Newspaper, which is available for research at the National Fairground and Circus Archive, University of Sheffield. Other British titles, including the Era, have been accessed online via British Library Newspapers Archive (BNA), the American ones via the Circus Historical Society (CH) while other have been found as cuttings in the Fenwick Archives, Tyne and Wear Archives, Newcastle; • Online resources, including circus history forums including via facebook groups; • Family memories and records, through conversations and online chats; • Circademic publications.

CIRCUS A-Z 1914-18 !

The first list is an A-Z of people who we have identified as members of the extended circus community: artists, managers, labourers, and their family members, as well as individuals performing circus or side show type acts in other contexts. There are 453 entries, representing only a fraction of the community. !

We have cross-referenced the Circus A-Z with many of articles in the ‘War Circus News’ (Section 1), however not all of the dates in the list will relate to news entries. The list is predominantly of British/Irish nationals. Other nationalities are given where known.

SERVING SHOWMEN 1914-18 !

The second list is of over 630 British showmen who’s details have been published in articles or letters to The World’s Fair newspaper; around 50 of these are known to have died in the conflict. It is not a comprehensive list. It is possible that some of the individuals listed are circus folk, although there is no specific evidence to confirm this.

104

Letter from E.H. Bostock to Arthur Fenwick.

Fenwick Collection , Š T&W Archives. 944/191

7 May 1917, A. Fenwick Esq. 12 Brandling Park !

Newcastle uponTyne Dear Sir, !

Your letter of April 30th sent to the Menagerie was duly received but it was just at the time that my son was leaving for the Army and my brother-in-law taking over the management.

105

CIRCUS A-Z 1914-1918 !

The War Circus Project team has been particularly interested in tracking individuals through 1914-1818 and early 1919, rather than just understanding the overall social narrative of Circusland during this period. Following these individuals through the period has brought to light many iconic events of the war as well as little known details while also highlighting the issues at home. !

For a broader social and historical perspective, Steve Ward’s book “Beneath the Big

Top, a social history of the Circus in Britain” offers a chapter for the period, as well as what happened before and what followed. !

We are very grateful to those who have researched and recorded their family history.

However, by concentrating on interesting and exciting individuals and events, they sometimes omit dates and context, which can limit their value. In spite of this, their efforts are much appreciated.

Edward Henry & Elizabeth Bostock and Family, Gus, Gordon, Douglas, Jack, Hilda, Lucy & Elizabeth Frances.

!

The Bostocks are an interestingly and well documented family. Their story can be drawn together through: Edward Henry’s biography, in newspapers of the day and in circus and family archives. !

Between 1914 & 1919 this circus and menagerist family experienced a huge amount of upheaval: E.H. Bostock had his building requisitioned by the army & managed to keep all the family’s many businesses going even after all his sons joined up or left the country. Gus served and survived to return to the family; Gordon served, married in 1918 and died of influenza in January 1919, 3 days before his de-mobilisation; Douglas took one of the the families circuses, The Royal Italian Circus, on a tour across the world, returning in 1922; Jack married, then served, but sadly died in a motor car accident in 1920: the daughters were all at school so there is less information about them, as for Elizabeth, E.H. tells us she was devastated by the loss of her sons.

!

This Bostock family are members of a larger global Bostock/Bostwick Family. The genealogy of which unusually is well researched and documented on the www.bostock.net/tree. It helped to provide details about the “circus” Bostocks who are listed in it as the ‘Bostocks of Leek’. It was through this website that we found the photo of Gordon. !

It was Elizabeth Francis the youngest daughter of E.H. Bostock (see photo above) who, in 1965, shared the ‘Bostocks of Leek’ birth, marriage and death dates from the front of the family bible with Edward Bostock, from the ‘Bostocks of Duffield’. He happens to be Helen Averley’s great uncle. !

The family is still being researched sixty years on. It is now curated by Roland Bostock, Edward’s son. It lists thousands of individuals, and gives some burial details. !

CIRCUS A-Z, 1914-18

106 CIRCUS & PERFORMING SHOW FOLK Details are focused on events between 1914 and early 1919. Jobs or events after this time fall outside the scope of this project. Some individuals have both legal identity and performance identities.

These multiple personas, as well as the difficulty of cross referencing multiple incomplete sources, may have resulted in some duplication.

KEY SURNAME, Forenames, Rank/Title Aka: Other names known as Nationality: If not British/Irish Born: Date, location Married: Date location Died: Date location Cause O.D.: Cause of Death Buried: Location of Burial or Memorial Related to: Mainly set in relation to others on this list or parent Job: Before war if known Act: Name of circus troupe or artistic partnership &c.

1914-1918 Notes: Brief notes. More information may be contained in the Newspaper section.

Military No.: (No. = Number) The number relates either to the service number or regimental number, often supplied with an address.

If #? info is from Imperial War Museum Lives of the First World War online site, and may relate to the individual. If there are more than 1 possibility for a match then no information is added to this note.)

Regiment: or Service. A full list of WW1 abbreviations can be found online www.nationalarchives.gov.uk Ref: References are annotated as see bibliography for source codes page 158 and 159.

B = Bibliography Ref (see codes page 158 and 159) D = Page number from Dictionary of Circus Biography F = Family source, name N = Newspaper with Newspaper Name and Date (day/month/year).

Dates relate to publication date. Note: some entries will correspond to dates to War Circus Newspapers.

O = Online source, ( Note: all data was collected by research team unfortunately as a result some references have been mislaid and remain blank.)

X = Other

AEROS Job: 3x Aerialists 1914-1918 Notes: Called up Ref: N. Hull Daily Mail 4/8/14 AFLANA, Basil Nationality: Russian Born: 18 July 1891 Job: Acrobat Act: Alfana Brothers 1914-1918 Notes: Joined the White Russian army in 1917 but was injured and discharged in Shanghai. Joined the Bostock Circus (Royal Italian) and toured with them in Far East.

Ref: D. p2.

ALPINE, Charles Job: Wire Walkers Act: Alpine Troupe, x5 in troupe 1914-1918 Notes: With Sells-Floto Buffalo Bill for 1914/15 season.

Ref: O. ANDERSON, Ernie Job: Clown 1914-1918 Notes: Working In America. Mentioned by Fred Bradna, in feud with German Bear Trainer, Emil Pallenberg.

Ref: B. (B F) ANDERSON, Eugene Related to: Son of Madame Gitana, English Strong Lady 1914-1918 Notes: 1915 serving on HMS Grafton, Formerly on HMS Ganges.

Ref: N. The World’s Fair, 4/9/15 (photo) ANDREU, Jose Nationality: Spanish Born: 23 April 1895, Cubellas, Catalonia Died: 1980 Job: Acrobat, Clown, Aerialist 1914-1918 Notes: in 1914 left France for Spain, joined Cortez Circus Then Valencia Circus. With his father started Circo Reina-Victoria and travelled throughout Spain, 1916 in Madrid. Started clowning as Charlie Rivels.

Ref: D.p246 “ANITA” Aka: Anita The Living Doll Nationality: Hungarian Born: 1882 Act: Small Lady 1914-1918 Notes: Toured with British Showman Frank Bostock.

Ref: Multiple N. Hull Daily Mail, 10/10/14

ARLEY Job: Animal Trainer 1914-1918 Notes: performed in 1914 at the Blackpool Tower circus with a troup of acrobatic and footballing dogs.

Ref: D. p12 ARRO Job: Aerial Act: Arro Brothers 1914-1918 Notes: Performed with Hannefords 1914.

ASHBY, Aka: Happy Ashby Job: Juggler and Circus Artiste 1914-1918 Notes: Took 4 months to get back to Britain from Peking after extensive tour.

Ref: N. The World’s Fair, 26/12/14 “ATLAS” See: Rokis AUSTIN, Albert Aka: Albert Bandbox Austin Born: 1872 Related to: Son of Geo. & Emma Act: Clown 1914-1918 Notes: Ran Ginnett’s Circus until war started.

Ref: D. p16 AUSTIN, Alby Born: 1903 Related to: Son of Albert Bandbox Job: August (type of clown) 1914-1918 Notes: Debut 1916 in Frank Bostock’s Circus, 2 Seasons.

AUSTIN, (BROTHERS - Charles, George, Harry) Aka: Austin Brothers Born: (Harry 1872) Died: ( Harry 1919) Related to: Sons of Geo. & Emma Act: Equestrian & Clowns 1914-1918 Notes: Circus closed 1915 due to war.

Ref: D. p16 BAILEY, Francis Related to: Nephew of F.C Bostock and R Fosset Jnr 1914-1918 Notes: In Armed forces at Colchester in early 1915 Regiment: Royal Field Artillery Ref: N. The World’s Fair 20/2/15 (photo), 28/8/15 BAILEY, Gordon Related to: Brother of Francis Bailey 1914-1918 Notes: In Armed forces at Colchester in early 1915 Regiment: Royal Field Artillery Ref: N. The World’s Fair 20/2/15 (photo) and 28/8/15

CIRCUS A-Z, 1914-18 BALE, Arthur Percy

Photo Karen Nesbitt

Aka: Young Tyko Menia Born: 6 Dec 1895, Paddington Died: 17 Oct 1916 Related to: Father Frank Bale, Clown at Bognor 1914-1918 Notes: C. 1913 he joined the 2/9th Cyclist Battalion. He volunteered on 27 Oct 1915 in Southampton aged 19 yrs. 10 months. Arthur was at Beaumont Hamel on 1 July; his regiment at St John's Rd in reserve and then in Mary Redan Trench. On 27 July they were sent from Candas to the Ypres sector but brought back on 7 Oct to the Somme. By 11 Oct they were in trenches south of Gueudecourt and on 12 Oct they were in support during the attack on the Hilt Trench. On 18 Oct they attacked Grease Trench and their objective was taken and held.

The conditions were terrible in the trenches and they were not relieved until 20 October.

Regiment: Private in the 2nd Battalion Hampshire, 88th Brigade, 29th Division. Regiment.

Ref: F. Karen Nesbitt BALE, Edwin George Born: 1876 in Blackburn, Married: Florrie Gardiner 1914 Related to: Son of Edwin Bale Sr from Isle of Wight Job: Trapeze & Cycling Act Act: Yokohama Troupe 1914-1918 Notes: Performing Ref: D. p22 BANVARD, Billy Nationality: American Born: b.1865 America Married: 1914 Died: 1951 Related to: Billy Founder of Barnvards Job: Aerialists Act: Flying Banvards 1914-1918 Notes: Performed at Tower Circus Ref: D. p25 BARLOW, Peter W Died: age 48 1917 Job: Bareback rider, elephant man etc 1914-1918 Notes: Performing Ref: N. NY Clipper, 23/6/17

BARNUM, Lce_Cpl. 1914-1918 Notes: Injured, Mule kick to face.

Regiment: 1915, 23rd Division Train, 191st Co. Army Service Corps.

Ref: N. The World’s Fair, 27/2/15 and 28/8/15 BARNUM, F Cpl. 1914-1918 Notes: Injured, France, 1915.

Regiment: A.S.C. Ref: N. The World’s Fair, 16/10/15 BEAN, Arthur Born: 22 Nov 1894, Kent Died: 24 April 1961 Job: Circus Agent & Zoo Keeper 1914-1918 Notes: 1914 was in New Zealand, joined Army, was discharged due to bad eyesight, returned to Britain and worked at Remount Depot, Upminster.

Ref: D. p29 BEAUMONT, Henry, Pte. 1914-1918 Notes: Serving France, Ref: N. The World’s Fair, 27/10/17 (letter) BECKETT, Charlie Born: 1895 Job: Tumbler, Rider, etc 1914-1918 Notes: 1915 with Broncho Bills Circus in the Black Country Ref: D. p29 BECKETT, Joe Born: 4 May 1892 Died: 12 March 1965 Act: Boxer 1914-1918 Notes: During war he served in the Royal Flying Corps as an air mechanic, and boxed professionally throughout, re joined the circus after.

Ref: D. p30; O. NFCA

BELL BROTHERS CIRCUS Related to: Amelia Bell - To Arthur Feely 1914-1918 Notes: The Bell family (19 members) were travelling to Europe having fled the Mexican revolution, to perform when the war broke out.

They fled back to latin America via the Panama Canal Ref: O. Obituary (ref lost) BELL, Dickey Married: Alice Died: 7 Feb 1939 Job: Acrobat & all rounder 1914-1918 Notes: In 1914 he attempted to sign up but was rejected on account of his many broken bones. His wife had to step into the

107 act to replace his partner who went to war.

Ref: D. p30 BELL, George Nationality: African American Job: Giant, 7’11”, 350 lbs 1914-1918 Notes: went to enlist, had to have 2 cots, enrolled as two men so could get double rations, rejected.

BELLINI, Jim Born: Norway?

Job: All rounder 1914-1918 Notes: 1914 with Poole and Boscos Circus in Ireland Ref: D. p31 BERNARD, Bert Act: Karno’s “Mumming Birds” 1914-1918 Notes: 1914 in Germany, Interned in Rulheben Camp.

Ref: N. The World’s Fair, 26/2/1 BIDDALL, Benny 1914-1918 Notes: 1916-1918 Service, Military No.: 36404 Regiment: 19th Lancashire Fusiliers, transport section, B.E.F. Ref: N. The World’s Fair, 13/6/18 and 13/7/18 BIDDALL, H 1914-1918 Notes: Serving France in 1918 Military No.: 018191 Regiment: 109 S Co., Army Ordinance Corps, A.O.P., No. 4, B.E.F. Ref: N. The World’s Fair, 13/7/18 BIDDALL, James Freeman Born: 1860 Job: Circus Proprietor, Biddall’s Circus 1914-1918 Notes: Biddall’s Circus performing in St. Andrews in 1914 BIRCH, Charles, Pte. Job: Midget Shows 1914-1918 Notes: Served.

Military No.: 179025 Regiment: 21st Platoon, “C” Co. 20 hut, “M” Lines, F., Machine Gun Corps.

Ref: N. The World’s Fair, 16/11/8 BLUMENFELD, Adolf Nationality: German 1914-1918 Notes: Serving with German Army.

Ref: B. (O,M) BLUMENFELD, Alex Nationality: German 1914-1918 Notes: Killed while serving with German Army.

Ref: B. (O M)

108

CIRCUS A-Z, 1914-18

BLUMENFELD, Arthur Nationality: German 1914-1918 Notes: Served in German Army, Awarded Iron Cross.

Ref: B. (O M)

1914-1918 Notes: He was put in charge of his Father’s circus, Bostock's Royal Italian Circus, in 1913. He took it to South Africa in November 1914, then on to Calcutta, Bombay, Madras, Java 1917 etc basing in Singapore. He could not return circus to Britain after the war, eventually returning in 1922.

Ref: B. (B EH); D. p40; O. B

BLUMENFELD, Eugen Nationality: German 1914-1918 Notes: Served in German Army, Awarded Iron Cross.

Ref: B. (O M) BLUMENFELD, Leo Nationality: German 1914-1918 Notes: Serving with German Army.

Ref: B. (O M) BLUMENFELD, Sophia Gottieben Nationality: German 1914-1918 Notes: long time British resident, In court for travelling without permit, Aliens Act. Ref: N. The World’s Fair, 3/8/18 BONAVITA, Jack, Captain Died: 23 March 1917, Polar Bear attack, America.

Ref: N. NY Clipper, 28/3/17 BOSTOCK, Alexander Gordon

Photo: Janet Carolan, Dollar Academy (his old school).

Born: 22 Feb 1885 Married: Oct 1918 Elvyn Margaret (b.

1899) Tendring Essex Died: 12 Jan 1919 Cause O.D.: Pneumonia in the Military Hospital in Dovercourt (3 days before de-mob.

Burried: Ipswich, Suffolk Related to: 3rd son of E.H. Bostock ( 2nd son died in infancy) Job: Manager Ipswich Hippodrome 1914-1918 Notes: 15 May 1915 enlisted as gunner, 7 Sept 1916 commissioned to Essex & Suffolk Regiment RGA, 1 Feb 1917 promoted to Lieutenant.

Regiment: Royal Garrison Artillery, A&S Highlanders, and Royal Scots Ref: B. (B EH); D. p39; O. B BOSTOCK, Arthur Douglas Fairgreave Born: 13 August 1887 Married: Violet Selina (b. 1889) Died: 17 July 1963 Related to: 4th son of E.H. Bostock

BOSTOCK, Claude William Born: 17 Jan 1891 Died: 29 Oct 1970 Related to: Son of J.W. Bostock Job: Artiste 1914-1918 Notes: To New York on 10 Jan 1914 on Caronia, at outbreak of war, worked with brother Gordon as a Vaudeville Agent, registered for service 5 June 1917.

Ref: O. B BOSTOCK. Edward Henry Born: 19 Oct 1858 Married: Elizabeth Bostock, Cousin 1881 Died: 17 Sept 1940 Buried: Hillfooot Cemetery, Bearsden, Strathclyde Related to: Son of James (1814) & Emma Bostock Job: Circus & Menagerie Proprietor 1914-1918 Notes: Managed businesses in Bostock & Wombell’s Menagerie, Zoo buildings in Glasgow and various Hippodromes, while family served or were abroad, buildings requisitioned at times by military, Became J.P. Ref: B. (B EH); O. B BOSTOCK, Edward Henry Augustus “Gus” Born: 4 June 1882, Le Mans Married: 1927 Elizabeth Little (b.

1891) Died: 5 August 1943 Related to: 1st son of E.H. Bostock 1914-1918 Notes: Served, survived Regiment: A.S.C. Ref: B. (B EH); O. B BOSTOCK, John Reginald “Jack” Born: 22 Feb 1889 Married: 17 June 1915, Jean (b. 1 Aug 1894) Died: 22 Dec 1920 Cause O.D.: Car Accident Related to: 4th son of E.H. Bostock Job: Menagerist & Manager Bostock & Wombwell’s, also champion cyclist & rollerskater 1914-1918 Notes: 1914 responsible for family menagerie, applied exemption Feb 1917, denied Joined March 1917, Motor Transport, De-

mobbed 1919 reaching rank of lieutenant.

Regiment: R.A.S.C. Ref: B. (B EH); N. The World’s Fair 3/2/17; O. B BOSTOCK, Frank Related to: Cousin to E.H. Bostock Job: Big Cats & Circus Proprietor 1914-1918 Notes: In France at outbeak of war with circus, had to escape to England, Continued touring with circus once all equipment arrived from France. Managed Bostock & Wombwell’s after Jack Bostock joined army. Invested £17,000 in War Loans.

Ref: B. (B EH); O. B BOSTOCK, James William Born: 27 Aug 1855 Married: Susannah Julia ( b 1855) Died: 18 Dec 1919 Buried: Abney Park Cemetery, Stoke Newington Related to: Elder brother to E.H. Bostock Job: Menagerist & Showman 1914-1918 Notes: discharged from his bankruptcy in 1914. Continued through war to present novelties, Ref: N. The World’s Fair, 23/12/16; O. B BOSWELL, Claude Related to: Boswell’s Circus, S.Africa 1914-1918 Notes: Joined up British Army 1914 in Pietermaritzberg.

Ref: B. (R C) BOSWELL’S CIRCUS BAND Nationality: German Job: Musicians 1914-1918 Notes: 1914 Interned in South Africa at outset of war, allowed to play one more show.

Ref: B. (R C) BRADNA, Ella Nationality: Hungarian/Naturalised American Married: Fred 1914-1918: Helped secure acts with Husband for Ringling. Performed throughout war in America.

Ref: B. (B F) BRADNA, Fred Nationality: Alsatian/German/ Naturalised American Married: Ella 1914-1918 Notes: 1913 seeing war on the horizon, went to Europe to scout for acts to bring to America.

Performed as Equestrian Director for Ringling. See Biography.

Ref: B: (B F)

CIRCUS A-Z, 1914-18 BRATBY, Richard “Dick”, RSM Aka: Dick Sandow, The Young Sandow, note: Surname often spelled as Bratley Married: Carrie Fossett 26 Sept 1917 Died: 1957, Northampton Related to: Tom Sandow ( youngest son) Job: Strongman, Acrobat, Equestrian Act: American Swells 1914-1918 Notes: In British Armed Services, Gassed at Somme, after hospital return to Britain, was PT instructor Catterick, toured with wife in 1918 with Duffy’s Circus in Ireland, survived the war.

Military No.: L/31408 Regiment: 177 Brigade, R.F.A. Ref: D. p.256; N. The World’s Fair, 7/8/15 and 29/9/17; F. Tom Sandow (son) BRAUN, Emile Otto Aka: Paul Cinquevalli Nationality: Prussian/Naturalised British Born: 1859, Possen, Poland Died: Summer 1918, Brixton 1914-1918 Notes: Ostracised as alien resulting in “broken heart”, and death.

Act: Juggler Ref: B. (W D); N. NY Clipper 17/7/18 ‘BRICK” See: GALANTE, Marius BRUNNER, Fritz Nationality: German Job: Animal Trainer 1914-1918 Notes: 1918 working in America, Not allowed to travel now that America at War. New regulations enemy workers have to put up $1000 bond, in order to travel.

Ref: N. NY Clipper, 24/4/18 BURNS, John Job: Bostock’s Circus man.

1914-1918 Notes: Rifleman Burns, injured ( back & both legs) in a big push at Loos Sept 25,1915. In Military Hospital Hillsbrough Barracks, Sheffield.

Military Service #: 12147 Regiment: K.R.R.C. Ref: N. The World’s Fair, 27/11/15 BURRAGE, Douglas Aka: Butch Renyolds Job: Circus after the war 1914-1918 Notes: 1914 joined, served 3 years in France, wounded and promoted to Lieutenant.

Regiment: Canadian Field Artillery Ref: D. p241

“CAMILLO” Nationality: Belgian Born: 1896 Brussels Job: Clown at Carré’s Circus 1914-1918 Notes: His German master Fernando went to war.

Ref: B. (F F) CASHMORE, Martha Born: 1870 Died: 1 Sept 1957 Related to: Daughter of Ike Cashmore Job: Equestrienne 1914-1918 Notes: Performed throughout war with Frank Browns Circus in Copenhagen in 1914, Warington 1917, in Glasgow for winter 1916/17 with Henglers Circus performing with Joe Craston’s horse and dogs act. 1917 Birmingham Hippodrome, 1918 Tower Circus Blackpool.

Ref: D. p52 CASTANG, Reuben Aka: The Ape Man Born: 1870s Job: Animal Man, especially Chimps Act: Chimps: Max & Moritz 1914-1918 Notes: Caught up in Europe at start of War Interned Ruhleben Camp Berlin 1914-1918, was leader inside camp, released just before end of war, returned to work for friend Lorenz Hagenbeck at Stellingen Ref: B. (T R); D. p52 CASTANINA, Joe Aka: Fire King or Human Ostrich Died: 1918 age 76 Ref: N. The World’s Fair, 9/2/18 CHADWICK, Henry Aka: Henry Hazenberg Job: Circus Proprietor 1914-1918 Notes: Sued Francis Carvell who had taken one of his horses in 1914, at court in April 1915 Ref: N. The World’s Fair, 3/4/15 CHAPLAIN, Charlie Married: 1918 1914-1918 Notes: Lived in America, made many films throughout war, including “Soldier to Arms” about the trenches, the ‘Tommies’ liked it. 1917 registered for service in British Army, while in America. Helped sell War Bonds.

Ref: B. (C C) N. The World’s Fair, 4/8/17 CHARLTON, F, Driver 1914-1918 Notes: In India 1917 Military info: 231641, Royal Field Artillery Reinforcements, R.H., R.G.A. Base Depot, India

109 Ref; N. The World’s Fair, 10/11/17 (photo) CHIPPERFIELD, Carrie 1914-1918 Notes: Injured 1915 fall at work.Run over by waggons both legs broken.

Ref: N. The World’s Fair, 16/10/15 CHIPPERFIELD, James 1914-1918 Notes: Injured 1914 fall at work. Fell off waggon.

Ref: N. The World’s Fair, 5/12/14 CHIPPERFIELD, William 1914-1918 Died age 68 Ref: N. The World’s Fair, 13/1/17 “CHOCOLAT” See: PADILLA, Rafael CLARK, Captain Died: 1914 CLARK, H.H Job: With Bostock’s in America 1914-1918 Notes: Joined British Army 1917.

Ref: N. NY Clipper, 21/7/17 “CLICO”, Wild Dancing Bushman See: TAIBOSH, Franz CLOWES, George Aka: Lord George Clowes Job: Circus Proprietor, Brighton 1914-1918 Notes: 1916 exemption denied, Served, wounded in back & chest in Belgium August 2017.

Ref:. N. The World’s Fair, 7/10/16 and 21/8/17 COCHRAN, Charles Blake Aka: “Cockie” Cochran Born: 1872 Sussex Married: Evelyn Dade Died: Feb 1951 Job: Circus Manager 1914-1918 Notes: 1914 He presented Hagenbecks Zoo and Wonder Circus in England which was a great success but had to stop at outbreak of war.

Ref: D. p61 “COCO THE CLOWN” See: POLIAKOFF, Nicholai CODY, Samuel Franklin Leslie, 2nd Lt Aka: ‘Frankie’ Born: 7 Sept.1895 Bazel Married: Maude Helier, 1913 in secret Died: 23 January 1917 Related to: Son of Col. Samuel Franklin Cody and Elizabeth King nee Davis.

Act Child performer in parents acts and onstage in fathers’ melodrama

CIRCUS A-Z, 1914-18

110 ‘Viva, a Woman of War.’ 1914-1918 Notes: 1914 enlisted with Kings’ Own Rifle Corps, Oct 1914 to Royal Field Artillery, 19 June 1915 to Royal Flying Corps. Pilot licence no.

1797 issued 28 Sept 1915 at British Flying School, France. 10 Oct 1916 commissioned 2nd Lieut. P17479.

Sept 1916 became a flying officer n Royal Flying Corps 41 Squadron. Jan 1917 he was shot down in his plane, FE8 7613, during a dogfight by Lnt W. von Bülow-Bothkamp of Jasta 18. His body was found at Houlthulst.

German grave number 826A. This is possibly the first recorded instance where both a father and a son were killed in the air piloting a plane.

Ref: O. IWM & Wikipedia COLEMAN, Charlie 1914-1918 Notes: 1914 with Frank Bostock and caught up at outbreak of war on continent. 2 trips to Canada with Harry Clark collecting horses for Army. France, contracted paralysis right arm and leg.

Regiment: Army Service Corps Ref: The World’s Fair, 23/6/17 COLEMAN, George Sanger Related to: Grandson of Geo.Sanger 1914-1918 Notes: Performing in America and South Africa.

Ref: D. p63 CONNOR, Douglas Born: 1897 Isle of Man Died: 5 Feb 1991 Related to: Son of Frederick J Connor Job: Rider & Clown, Proprietor Connor’s Grand Circus 1914-1918 Notes: 1914 his father’s horses were requisitioned by the army, so family moved to Blackpool tower circus. Father became ring master while he and Mona rode there.

1918 worked for Sylvester’s Circus.

Ref: D. p65 CONNOR, Eileen Born: 31 July 1906 Married: George Pinder 1942 Related to: Daughter of Fred Connor 1914-1918 Notes: At school in Dublin until taken away by her mother after the Easter rising of 1916. Then rodeo with the family at Blackpool tower circus 1916-18 Ref: D. p65 CONNOR, Frederick “Fred” J Born: 1865, Dublin Died: 7 Nov 1924, Blackpool Job: Acrobat and proprietor 1914-1918 Notes: Pat Collin's Circus reopened Douglas in 1914 travelled the kingdom with beautiful daughter Mona, 1914 horses were requisitioned by the army, had to

close his circus in Feb 1915 and remained closed during war. Family moved to Blackpool Tower Circus, became ring master in absence of George Lockhear. Presented a circus programme at ‘Easter Week’ 1916 in Blackpool and family performed 1917-18 Ref: D. p65 CONNOR, Mona Born: 1896 Died: 4 feb 1969 Related to: Daughter of Fred Connor Act: One of best bareback riders of her generation, trained by Johnny Watson, performed tricks whilst standing on the horse backwards.

1914-1918 Notes: Performed with Brother Douglas and Connors Circus, Blackpool 1916 Ref: D. p65 COOK, JA Pte Aka: The Colonel Married: Madame Zaza 1914-1918 Notes: Joined up 1914, Served Dardenelles, Egypt, India, Killed in action 1916.

Military No.: 11376 Regiment: 10th Batt. “B” K.O.R.L. Ref: N. The World’s Fair, 27/5/16 COOKE, Edgar Married: Iona Ginnett 1914-1918 Notes: enlisted Ref: D. p68 COOKE, Douglas Born: 8 July 1897 Aberdeen Related to: Brother of William Job: Equestrian 1914-1918 Notes: Enlisted - served in Italy and France breaking in mules.

Ref: D. p69 COOKE, Hubert 1914-1918 Notes: Enlisted - Killed Odessa 1917 Ref: D. p69 COOKE, John Henry Died: Edinburgh age 81 1917 Ref: The World’s Fair, 24/8/17 COOKE, J. William Died: early 1915 Ref: N. The World’s Fair, 10/4/15 COOKE, William Talbot Born: c. 1874 Ireland Died: 20 Sept 1948 Edinburgh Job: Equestrian Jester 1914-1918 Notes: Exempted from War service - toured with Johnny "Broncho Bill” Swallow Circus Ref: D. p69

CORDONA, Alfredo Nationality: Mexican Born: 7 Oct 1893 Hermosillo, Sonora Mexico Married: Clara Curtain 1917 Related to: Son of Edward Cordona a Mexican circus proprietor Job: Aerialist and equestrian events director.

1914-1918 Notes: Was with Wirth’s Circus, Australia, in 1913 and when war broke out, then several seasons with Barnum and Bailey. Joined a troupe of 14 aerialists in 1916 “Silbon Troupe”, had his own act in 1917 with brother Allow.

Ref: D. p62 COSTELLO, Jock Born: 1886 Job: Acrobat Clown 1914-1918 Notes: Served in Navy During the War Ref: D. p69 CRAGGS, (Brothers) Billy, J.W., E.T., J.A., J.H., A.E., Aka: THE FAMOUS CRAGGS Act: Acrobatic Troupe 1914-1918 Notes: Act had to close in 1916 when all the sons x7 joined up.

Act was decimated by war. (not sure how many killed). No act after war.

Ref: B. (S E); N. The World’s Fair; CRASTON, Joe Born: 15 May 1868 Died: 9 Oct 1948 1914-1918 Notes: Performed during the war, including at Birmingham Hippodrome Ref: D. p71; N. The World’s Fair, 31/3/17 CRECRAFT, William Job: Circus Follower 1914-1918 Notes: Rounded up at Broncho Bill’s showground 14 Aug 1917, in court & handed over to Millitary.

Ref: N. Reading Mercury, 25/8/17 CROSS, W Simpson Born: 1872 Died: 1920 Job: Animal Man 1914-1918 Notes: Menagerie at Otterspool opened just before the war, 1916 his gardens opened for the season, with buffalo & llamas Ref: D. p73 CULEEN, Thomas Henry Born: 1871 Died: 25 July 1960 Job: Equestrian 1914-1918 Notes: Served in France Regiment: Veterinary Corps, Ref: D. p74

CIRCUS A-Z, 1914-18 DALE, Albert

Photo: Colin Dale

Aka: Albert Wamba Born: 28 Feb 1873, Oldham Married: 1897 Martha Blackmore, Gymnast, died 1912 Died: 1966 Related to: Son of Harry Dale, jester & musical clown Job: Musician, Acrobat Act: Les Wambas 1914-1918 Notes: Performing with daughter, Mercia.

1914 - 1916. Volunteered 18 April 1916 at Drill Hall Edinburgh, Royal Scots, played in Batallion's Military band, discharged 28 July 1916, due to age. Returned to aerial act with Mercia performed across Britain.

Military No.: 4776 Regiment: 3/9 Battalion, Royal Scots, Ref: B. (D C); F. Colin Dale DALE, Harry Aka: Harry Wamba Born: 26 Jan 1875, Oldham Married: 1899 Jane Levin Died: 1957 Related to: Son of Harry Dale, jester & musical clown.

1914-1918 Notes: Volunteered 11 August 1915, Edinburgh ,3/9 Battalion, Royal Scots, promoted to Band Corporal Nov 1915, played in Battalion's Military Band with Brother’s, discharged 28 July 1916, due to age.

Regiment: Royal Scots, Ref: B. (D C); F. Colin Dale

wife stressed by looking after 3 sons, the 2 eldest sons Harry & Jack enlisted, his wife took to the bottle, He, left for London looking for work in 1818.

Regiment: Royal Scots, Ref: B. (D C); F. Colin Dale DALE, Dorothy Mercia Victoria Aka: Mercia Wamba Dale Born: 10 November 1889 Married: 1923 Died: 1960 Related to: Daughter of Albert Wamba Dale Job: Acrobat & musical artiste Act: Les Wambas 1914-1918 Notes: Performing with father 1throughout war except for 3 month period when her father was in the Army. After War soon stopped performing.

Ref: B. (D C); F. Colin Dale DAPLYN, W.J 1914-1918 Notes: Armed Forces, 1915.

Regiment: Royal Engineers Ref: N. Billboard, 10/7/15 DAVIES, Jim Job: Clown & Actor 1914-1918 Notes: Audio file www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/ object/8009535 Content unknown Ref: O. IWM DAYTON 1914-1918 Notes: Dayton family fled to America Ref: D. p79 DEER, Lewis, Chief, Nationality: Cheyenne / American 1914-1918 Notes: Caught out in Europe at the start of the war.

Ref: N. El Passo Herald

DALE, Stanley Henry DEITRICH, Emerson Nationality: American Died: 1914, Cause O.D.: Mauled by fiancé, Adige Costello’s, lions in America.

Ref: X. Facebook, Chris Berry

Photo: Colin Dale

Born: 1880 Married: 19 Feb 1916 Eva Morrison Related to: Son of Harry Dale, jester & musical clown Job: Circus Musician 1914-1918 Notes: With Ohmy Circus band Dec 1914, joined up on 29th April 3/9 Battalion, Royal Scots, played in Battalion's Military Band with brothers & never shot in anger, de-mobbed Feb 1919. Returned to

DEMAGNETISE, Patrick 1914-1918 Notes: In British Armed Services Regiment: 17th Lancers Ref: D. p79 DELBOSQ, Alfred 1914-1918 Notes: Performed during war in Germany Ref: D. p79 DICK, F., Pte Job: Circus proprietor

111 Relation: Son of Nathaniel Dick 1914-1918 Notes: Served France Military No.: 6064, No. 9 Platoon, “C” Co., 1/6 Black Watch, B.E.F., France Ref: N. The World’s Fair, 31/3/17 (photo) DICK, Henry, Pte Relation: Brother of F Job: Circus proprietor 1914-1918 Notes: Served Regiment: “B” Co., 5th Platoon, Black Watch, B.E.F., France Ref: N. The World’s Fair, 15/9/17 (photo) DOLBEAR, Thomas E Job: Circus Follower 1914-1918 Notes: Rounded up at Broncho Bill’s show ground 14 Aug 1917, in court & handed over to Millitary.

Ref: N. Reading Mercury, 25/8/17 DOLMAN, William, Sgt. Died: 1917 Job: Boxer 1914-1918 Notes: Killed by shell in France, serving with the Canadian Entrenching Battalions.

Ref: N. Belper News, 2/6/17 “DOODLES” See: McALLISTER, W.L. DOYLE, James Aka: Frederick Lewis Born: 1865 Wexford Died: 4 June 1952 1914-1918 Notes: With Duffy’s Various Circuses - "The Highest Paid Man in the Business" Ref: D. p169 DRAKE, Furno Job: Circus business manager 1914-1918 Notes: Served 2 yrs 9 mths inc Ypres, and a 1918 Christmas pantomime, Cinderella.

Returned to work with J Sanger. 1918 Regiment: 65th Brigade. RGA Ref: N. The World’s Fair, 26/3/18 DRESHER, Sylvia Genevre Bonita Aka: Bonita Dash Nationality: Australian? Anglo/Spanish Descent Married: 1913 William Lee, Kennington Act: Sharp Shooter 1914-1918 Notes: 1914 in Australia with husband. 1915-16 touring S Africa and India with Royal Italian Circus billed as "Bonita and Billy Lee". 1917 returned to Australia Ref: D. p75

112 DUFFY, John Born: 1 Oct 1875 Married: Janie McCandish 1914-1918 Notes: Family remained together as Duffy Family Circus, performing in Ireland, 1917 the show split into three parts. John set off with his own circus, End of successful tour announced World’s Fair. 1918 Ref: D. p87 and p88; N. The World’s Fair, 26/10/18 DUFFY, James Born: 1884 Died: 1971 1914-1918 Notes: Family remained together as Duffy Family Circus, performing in Ireland, 1917 the show split into three parts. James set off with his sister Elizabeth McClean, Duffy & McClean’s Circus.

Ref: D. p87 and p88 DUFFY, Elizabeth Born: 1880 Stratford, London Married: McClean Related to: James Duffy brother 1914-1918 Notes: 1917 Set out with brother James Duffy as Duffy & McClean’s Circus.

Ref: D. p87 and p88 “DUNCAN” Patterson, John Job: Animal Trainer Act: Duncan's Royal Scotch Collies 1914-1918 Notes: Performed with a famous dog act - 1915 at Tower Circus, Blackpool, 1917-18 Hengler’s Circus Glasgow.

Ref: D. p89 ELLIOT (family) 1914-1918 Notes: Cyclists During the War Ref: D. p92 Van EMDEN, Max Nationality: Dutch 1914-1918 Notes: c. June 1916 became performance parter for Grock.

Ref: B. (G) ENOS, George & Mary 1914-1918 Notes: 1915 sailed from America to S America for 3 year contract.

Ref: N. Billboard, 6/11/15 ENOS, George & Mary 1914-1918 Notes: 1915 sailed from America to S America for 3 year contract.

Ref: N. Billboard, 6/11/15 ENOS, Rue 1914-1918 Notes: Joined Yankee Robinson Circus 1917 Ref: N. NY Clipper, 21/7/17

CIRCUS A-Z, 1914-18 ESSANGEY, Joseph Nationality: Parents Mexican Job: Lion Tamer 1914-1918 Notes: Charged with being Absentee, handed over to authorities Ref: N. The World’s Fair, 23/9/16

1914-1918 Notes: Rounded up at Broncho Bill’s show ground 14 Aug 1917. In court for failing to produce National Registration Cards as between 17 and 18 years.

Ref: N. Reading Mercury, 25/8/17

“ETHARDO” HICKS, Thomas Married: Edith Rouse, Yarmouth Job: Flying gymnast 1914-1918 Notes: 1914 with George Sangar’s Circus at outbreak. working with Frank Foster and Jimmy Freeman. Arrested 11/12/1915, Living at 27 Cambridge Street Wellinbrough, Did anti-aircraft training.

Regiment: ? RGA 124955 or 38?

Ref: B. (F F) Ref: O. Britishgenealogy, ‘chat’ thread

FLEXMORE, Albert Born: Birmingham Job: Ringmaster/Agent 1914-1918 Notes: Served, injured in Egypt, in hospital in Birmingham 1917, returned to circus Military No.: 38094 Regiment: Royal Bucks Hussars Ref: D. p98; N. The World’s Fair, 15/12/17 FOOTTIT, George, Nationality: Born: 1864 Died: 1921 Job: Clown Act: Partner Chocolat 1914-1918 Notes: Worked for Théâtre aux Armées, the entertainment branch of the French military, performing for the troops ( made him cry). In 1916, he appeared in a revue

by Rip (Georges-Gabriel Thenon, 1884-1941), L’école des civils, at the Théâtre de l’Athénée in Paris.

Ref: N. The World’s Fair, O. CP

EVANS, Frederick William Aka: “Pimple” the Clown Born: 1889 Died: 1951 Related to: Son of the original Pimple Fred Evans Ref: D. p93 EVANS, John Richard Aka: Riskit Jack Born: Manchester Died: 1955 Job: Wire Walker & Clown 1914-1918 Notes: Performed trapeze act with wife, 1916 joined up, served France, & entertained troops. Wife died just after war.

Regiment: Kings Regiment Ref: D. p243 EVERS, J Aka: Jungle Jack Job: Animal Trainer 1914-1918 Notes: 1914 on tour in South America with Chimps, returns to UK before April 1915 Ref: N. The World’s Fair, FANQUE Darby, Edward “Ted” See: PABLO, Edward FEELY, Arthur Married: Catherine Died: 1955 Bromley Cause O.D.: Cancer Related to: Bell Family Job: Animal man, elephants 1914-1918 Notes: Volunteered 25 November 1915, worked with horses, served in France, wounded in right leg, discharged 1917 with limited pension. Returned to Bostock & Wombwell’s Menagerie 26 May 1917 Military No.: 3653 Ref: F. Geoff Younger (G. Grandson) FISHER, Alexander E Job: Circus Staff

FORT, Alice Married: George Sanger Coleman 1914-1918 Notes: Spent war touring with husband Ref: D. p99 FOSSETT, Alf 1914-1918 Notes: Served France 1917 - 1918 survived.

Military No.: 76170 Regiment: No 4 Platoon, 126 Labour Corps, Ref: N. The World’s Fair, 13/10/17 FOSSETT, Caroline “Carrie” Aka: Miss Christine Born: 1896 Married: 26 Sept 1917 Richard Bratby Related to: Daughter of ‘Funny’ Harry Fossett Job: Equestrienne 1914-1918 Notes: Performed for much of the war probably with her Father's Circus after husband posted to Catterick family oral history suggests she was in married quarters and German POWs and the laundry.

Later with her husband touring in Ireland c.1918 with Duffy’s in Ireland.

World’s Fair notice of wedding and performance singing war songs.

Ref: D. p99; N.The World’s Fair, 23/6/17 and 29/9/17; F. Tom Sandow (son)

CIRCUS A-Z, 1914-18 FOSSETT, Claude Pte. Military No.:40298 Regiment: Bedfordshire Regiment.

FOSSETT, Edward Born: 1898, Rickmansworth Married: 1924 Mona Powell Related to: Second youngest son of Sir Robert Fossett and Mary nee Francis Job: Equestrian Acrobat 1914-1918 Notes: Sent by his family to Ireland 1917 with Georgie Knight.

In Ireland during war with Wilson and Duffy’s show and John Duffy’s show.

Ref: D. p101 FOSSETT, Harry Aka: Funny Harry Job: Clown 1914-1918 Notes: Worked throughout war.

Ref: Multiple inc N. The World’s Fair 23/6/17 FOSSETT, John “Jack” Born: c.1893 Died: 10 October 1917 Cause O.D.: Wounds Related to: John Fossett, 10. Hope Place, Dawlish Rd, Selly Oak, Birmingham 1914-1918 Notes: Served in France, died at the Battle of the Somme.

Remembered at Tyne Cot Memorial.

Military No.: 21710 Regiment: 11th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment Ref: F. George Pinder FOSSETT, Robert, Sir 1914-1918 Notes: Show Performed through the War, Napoleon, his intelligent horse drowned, when being taken for a wash in the sea in 1915.

Ref N. The World’s Fair, 5/6/15 FOSSETT, Robert 1914-1918 Notes: Aged 27 At Borne Police Court, Charged as absentee under Military Services Act, fined £2 handed over to Military escort to enlist, Officers rewarded 5s.

Ref: N. The World’s Fair, FOSSETT, Thomas Job: Proprietor 1914-1918 Notes: In court 2 times 1917 re holding a Lottery and another time re Entertainment Tax law.

Ref: N. The World’s Fair, 8/9/17 and Western Times 16/11/17.

FOSSETT, Thomas 1914-1918 Notes: Aged 18 At Borne Police Court, Charged as absentee under Military Services Act, fined £2 handed over to Military escort to enlist, Officers rewarded 5s.

Ref: N. The World’s Fair, FOSTER, Joe Job: Lion Tamer 1914-1918 Notes: Applied for extension to exemption, told to join up 1 Nov 1916 Ref: N. Yorkshire Evening Post, 14/9/16 FOSTER, Frank Born: 1892 Job: Equestrian, Juggler, Animal man (later Ring Master) With George Sanger Circus 1914-1918 Notes: After finishing14/15 winter season with George Sanger’s Circus, enlisted in Army at Preston early 1915, joined the 5th Dragoon Guards, Autumn 1915 crossed to France as cavalryman, Wounded at Vimmy Ridge also frost bite, hospital at Etaples, began entertaining troops in France. In Wally Bridge hospital in 1919, gained discharge, returned to Circus.

Regiment: 5th Dragoon Guards, then Royal Scots Ref: B. (F F); F. Juliet Powell (Daughter) and Frank Foster (Grandson) FRAMPTON, Walter Job: Juggler 1914-1918 Notes: age 28, in court, sent to Army 1917 Ref; N. The World’s Fair, 3/11/17 FRANKLIN, Sgt. 1914-1918 Notes: Recruiting Officer in South Wales Ref; N. The World’s Fair, 21/8/15 FREDERICK THE GREAT See: KEMPSTER, Fred FREEMAN, George Related to: Brother to Jimmy Freeman Job: Equestrian & Clown 1914-1918 Notes: With Bostock's Royal Italian Circus - Tour S Africa and Far East for duration of war.

Ref: D. p111 FREEMAN, James “Jimmy” Aka: “Pimpo” from 1920 after original “Pimpo” was injured Born: 1888 Married: Secret marriage to Vicki Sanger 1917 Died: 22 Jan 1966 Related to: Brother of George Freeman Job: Equestrian Acrobat 1914-1918 Notes: Rejected for military service in 1914, 1915 doing table acrobatics with Hannefords,

113 years of hardship. Went to Bostock’s then Sanger’s.

Ref: B. (F F); D. p220 FRIEDMANN, Hayem Job: Musical Clown, partner to Grock 1914-1918 Notes: Violinist, Performed with Grock 1916, then in May 1916 joined up.

Ref; N. The World’s Fair, 21/8/15 GALANTE, Marius Aka: Brick Nationality: ?

Died: 1938 Job: Clown Act: Brick & Grock 1914-1918 Notes: Fought Salonika, wounded, shot in the lung.

Ref: B. (G) GALPA, Anatoly Nationality: Russian Job: Circus Boy 1914-1918 Notes: Youngest soldier, Mascot to Siberian Artillery Ref: N. The World’s Fair, 26/12/14 GARDINER, Florrie Married: 1914 Edwin George Bale Job: Equestrienne 1914-1918 Notes: Returned from Germany just before war, died shortly after. See George Bale entry.

Ref: D. p115 GEORGETTI Nationality: French Job: Hand balancer 1914-1918 Notes: Working In America. Mentioned by Fred Bradna Ref: B. (B F) GERBOLA (Brothers: Leopold, Michelle, Rodolpho “Toni”) Aka: Gerbola Trio Died: Michelle d. 1918 Ref: D. p117 GIBSON, Henry Aka: Zakaree Ermakov, Rusian Expert at Arms 1914-1918 Notes: In court for accidentally shooting audience member.

Ref: N. The World’s Fair, 1/7/16 GILBERT, George Died: 1915 Cause O. D. Illness Job: Proprietor Yarmouth & Lowestoft Hippodromes 1914-1918 Notes: Business effected

by Zeppelin attacks on Great Yarmouth.

Ref: N. The World’s Fair, 7/4/15

114

CIRCUS A-Z, 1914-18

GILLENO, Paul Pte. Job: Clown 1914-1918 Notes: Killed in Action Ref N. The World’s Fair,

Bostock in 1916, then joined Tom Fossett’s 1917, very successful season.

Ref: D. p133; N. The World’s Fair, 15/12/17

GINNETT, Adelaide Born: 17 Dec 1877 Related to: Daughter of Funny Dickey Ginnett and Ellen nee Jones.

1914-1918 Notes: Ran William Ginnett’s Circus up until 1914.

Ref: D. p119 GINNETT, Charles 1914-1918 Notes: Toured with his bother in Law, Harry Lucas "Ginnet and Luko's Empire Circus" at Yardley 1915, Still tenting in 1917 difficult without men, soon closed.

Ref: D. p119 GINNETT, Fred 1914-1918 Notes: Presenting an act with children performing as soldiers, Inventing potential useful things for the army. Bought Straberry Vale Farm East Finchley, early 1915. Present various shows, inc ‘Wild Australia’.

March 1916 gave the Army tents to house horses.

Ref: N. The World’s Fair, 26/12/14, 6/3/15, 18/9/15 and 11/3/16 GINNETT, Gene Married: Florence Joyce 1915 1914-1918 Notes: Married 1915 Ref: D. p120 GODFREY, Goff Job: Circus Artist 1914-1918 Notes: Rounded up at Broncho Bill’s show ground 14 Aug 1917, In court & handed over to Millitary.

Ref: N. Reading Mercury, 25/8/17 GREY, Edward Walter Aka: Smith, Edward Walter Nationality: Canadian Born: 1899 Deal, Kent Job: Leader of The Manitos Act: Western 1914-1918 Notes: Returned to England as a soldier in Canadian Army, wounded 3 times, discharged 1919 Ref: D. p182 GREY, ?

Aka: La Belle Herculine Married: Joe Related to: daughter of Frederick Grey Job: Hirsute athlete, boxing, wrestling & weightlifting 1914-1918 Notes: with Thomas Fossett’s in 1914, with John Duffy & Sons 1915, exhibited by James

GREY, Fred Baxter Related to: Son of ‘Herculine’ 1914-1918 Notes: Served in 97th (C.P.) Field Ambulance, France Regiment: Royal Army Medical Corps, Ref: D. p133; N. The World’s Fair, 11/1/19 (photo) GRIDNEFF FAMILY Aka: Amazing Gridneffs Nationality: Russian Act: Ladder Act 1914-1918 Notes: The Amazing Gridneffs Flee Russian revolution 1918 and travel world wide inc.

China, Ref: F. Yuri Gridneff GRIFFITHS, John Albert Aka: September Died: June 1915 age 38.

Related to: Son of Le Quip, Clown Job: Clown 1914-1918 Note: Performer at Tower Circus until March 1915.

GRIMMER, Daniel Job: Equestrian with Sanger’s 1914-1918 Notes: Joined up 1915, Royal Veterinary Corps, in Turkey at the time of the landing at the Dardanelles, April 1915, Also served Salonica, Turkey, Egypt and other countries.and was invalided home with malaria in July 1916, receiving his discharge in March, 1919.

Military No.: SE 15107 Regiment: Royal Veterinary Corps Ref: N. Nottingham Evening Post, 1/3/1935 GROCK See: Wettach, Charles Adrian.

GROVES, Frank Job: Circus Artist 1914-1918 Notes: Rounded up at Broncho Bill’s show ground 14 Aug 1917, In court & handed over to Millitary.

Ref: N. Reading Mercury, 25/8/17 HACKENSHMIDT Nationality: Russian Job: Wrestler 1914-1918 Notes: 1914 in Germany, Interned in Rulheben Camp, but allowed out on parole.

Ref: N. The World’s Fair, 26/2/16 HAGENBECK, Henrich

Nationality: German Related to: Elder son Carl Hagenbeck Job: Menagerist 1914-1918 Notes: Enlisted German Army Survived. Mistakenly reported in American Press as killed Ref: B. (H L) HAGENBECK, John Nationality: German Born: 1866 Died: 1940 Related to: Half brother to Carl Hagenbeck Job: Animal exporter & Ethngraphic act agent, based in Ceylon 1914-1918 Notes: Briefly detained by British in Celyon - escaped via Java, returned to Germany Ref: B. (H L) HAGENBECK, Lorenz Nationality: German Related to: Son of Carl Hagenbeck 1914-1918 Notes: Worked in Circus for duration of war, performing in Sweden, showing in Poland, Germany & Netherlands. Falsely reported in America as killed at the front.

Ref: B. (H L) HALL, Thomas A 1914-1918 Notes: Charged with absence from the reserves, age 26, handed over to Army Ref: N. Liverpool Daily Post, 17/6/16 HALL, Tommy Relation: Son-in-law to proprietor of Bilddal’s Circus, son of Thomas Hall Died 1916 1914-1918 Notes: Killed in action Ref: N. The World’s Fair, 28/10/16 HALL, W.P. Aka: The Sage of Lancashire Job: Circus Proprietor 1914-1918 Notes: 1915 closed circus. started shipping horses to warring powers.

HANNAH, Robert Aka: “Bob Swift” also “Griffiths” of, Griffiths & Bigleton Married: Emma Lawrence Died: 1918 1914-1918 Notes: Served, Killed 1918 Ref: N. The World’s Fair HANNEFORD, Edwin Aka: Poodles Born: 1891 Barnsley?

Died: 1967 Related to: Parents Elizabeth & Ned Hanneford Job: Trick rider

CIRCUS A-Z, 1914-18 Act: Family equestrian comedy & acrobatic act 1914-1918 Notes: 1914 toured Britain & Ireland, 1915 Spain. Sailed to America with family 13 November 1915 to join Ringling also performed in Cuban seasons 1916 & 1917, Famous family act by 1918 Ref: B, (P N); D. p129; N. The World’s Fair, HANNEFORD, Elizabeth Born: 10 March 1870 Married: Edwin “Ned” Hanneford Job: Equestrienne, Proprietor 1914-1918 Notes: Matriarch of the Hanneford’s Royal Canadian Circus.

1914 toured Britain & Ireland, 1915 Spain. Sailed to America with family 13 November 1915 to join Ringling also performed in Cuban seasons 1916 & 1917, Became very famous by 1918 Ref: D p129; N. Multiple The World’s Fair; O. PRONI HANNEFORD, George Married: Kathleen Breen Related to: Son of Elizabeth Hanneford 1914-1918 Notes: Performed with family throughout war. see above.

Ref: D. p129 HANNEFORD, Lizzie Related to: Daughter of Elizabeth Hanneford.

Job: Rope spinner, wire walker, tumbler, & singer.

1914-1918 Notes: Performed with family throughout war. see above. By 1915 she was fêted and recieved 10 proposals of marriage.

Ref: N. The World’s Fair, 1/5/15 HARMSTON, Jennie 1914-1918 Notes: Performing early 1915, Calcutta with Harmston’s Circus.

Ref: N. The World’s Fair, 6/2/15 HARMSTON, Willie 1914-1918 Notes: Performing early 1915, Calcutta with Harmston’s Circus.

Ref: N. The World’s Fair, 6/2/15 HATTON, R.J. Pte. Job: With Biddal’s Circus 1914-1918 Notes: Served, still in Army in May 1919 awaiting release.

Ref: N. The World’s Fair, 5/4/19 HAZENBURG, Henry See: CHADWICK, Henry

HAYEM, Job: Grock’s Partner 1914-1918 Notes: Called up 15/16 Ref: B. (G) HEDLEY, Jack Jnr. Job: Life Exhibitor 1914-1918 Notes: 1915 set off to tour France and Italy exhibiting Frederick the Great, with Otto Heinman.

Ref: N. The World’s Fair, 20/3/15 HEINEMAN Job: Life Exhibitor 1914-1918 Notes: 1914 working with Frederick the Great. In Germany at outbreak of war, they were detained and then returned to Britiain. 1915 they set off to tour France and Italy.

Ref: N. The World’s Fair, 20/3/15 HENGLER, Albert, Job: Circus Director, Hengler’s Circus 1914-1918 Notes: Hengler’s Circus Glasgow continued to present large, scale entertainments with Water features.

Ref: B. (F F); N. The World’s Fair, 11/12/15, HENGLEUR, Madame Born: 17 August 1862 Married: George Steadman Related to: daughter of John Griffiths, Clown Job: Animal trainer 1914-1918 Notes: Performed with dogs 1915 at Wednesbury Hippodrome Ref: D. p132 HEPSTON, MAURICE “Paddy” Aka: Captain Epstein Nationality: Irish Born: 1877 Job: Managed indentured “ethnographic” performer, Franz Taibosh, aka “Cliko, The Wild Dancing Bushman” 1914-1918 Notes: Presented Franz Taibish for duration of War. 1914 in England, Ireland, possibly Spain and Jamaica, 1917 in Cuba, and USA, 1918. Lost act in 1918.

Ref: B. (P N) HICKS, Tom See ETHARDO, Tom “HERCULINE” See: GREY, ?

HODGINI, Joe Born: 1895 Married: Etta Davis 1915 Job: Trick rider, juggler 1914-1918 Notes: Performed in USA with Ringling until 1916,

115 Ref: D. p135 HODGINS, Edward Job: circus performer 1914-1918 Notes: in court for assault Ref: N, The World’s Fair, 3/8/18 HOLLOWAY, George Relation: Son of George Holloway ob: Acrobatic wire walkers, originated perpendicular ladder act 1885 Act: The Four Holloways 1914-1918 Notes: Performed at Nottingham Empire 1915.

Ref: N. The World’s Fair, 18/12/15 HOLLOWAY, William Relation: Son of George Holloway ob: Acrobatic wire walkers, originated perpendicular ladder act 1885 Act: The Four Holloways 1914-1918 Notes: Performed at Nottingham Empire 1915.

Ref: N. The World’s Fair, 18/12/15 HOLLOWAY, Frederick Pte Relation to: Son of Empire Theatre owners 1914-1918 Notes: Killed in Action Ref: N. The World’s Fair, 12/10/18 HOLLOWAY, William Pte Relation to: Brother of Frederick Holloway 1914-1918 Notes: Served, Prisoner of War. Regiment: Royal Warwickshire Ref: N. The World’s Fair, 12/10/18 HOLMES, Harry Job: Bandmaster Bostock & Wombwell’s 1914-1918 Notes: Accident at Leeds Station.

Ref: N. The World’s Fair, 17/2/17 HUDSON, William Turner Died: 13 Sept 1917 Job: Circus Proprietor 1914-1918 Notes: Toured with his circus, Turners in Ireland until his death, leaving his family to carry on.

Ref: D. p138 HUMMEL, James 1914-1918 Notes: Performed throughout war.

Ref: D. p139 HUMMEL, Florrie Job: Equestrienne 1914-1918 Notes: Performed, at Tower Blackpool in 1915, Hengler's Circus Glasgow 1917-18 season Ref: D. p139 HUNTER, James Died. Sept 1915, Age 30

CIRCUS A-Z, 1914-18

116 Cause O.D.: Fire in Caravan Job: Circus labourer at Tiffield.

Ref: N. Northampton Mercury HUNTER, Richard H. Dr Born: 1886 British Guiana Job: Became Circus Doctor after war.

1914-1918 Notes: Served as orderly in French hospital Ref: D. p139 JACKSON, Alf Act: Grecian Maids 1914-1918 Notes: 1914 in Germany, Interned in Rulheben Camp.

Ref: N. The World’s Fair, 26/2/16 JAMESON, F. M. Corporal Aka: Known as “Gilbert the Strong Man Job: Strongman and Cowboy Performer 1914-1918 Notes: Killed in action Military No.: 12760, Machine Gun Corps Ref: N. The World’s Fair, 19/8/16 (photo) JAMRACH, Albert Died: Jan 1917 Job: Animal trader 1914-1918 Notes: Business hard hit.

Ref: N. Daily Mail 24/1/17 JAY, Eddie Job: Character Comedian 1914-1918 Notes: Met up with friend of Frank Foster, at Cayaeux-sur-Mer, convalescent camp 1917.

Ref: B. (F F) JENNINGS, Albert E Job: Circus Groom to Fossett’s at Tiffield 1914-1918 Notes: Age 33 In breach of reserve Forces Act. Military escort from court to barracks, Northampton Ref: N. The World’s Fair, 22/4/16 JESERICH, Albert Nationality: German Born: Magdeburg Job: Jocky, Joined Circus after War 1914-1918 Notes: Served in German Army Regiment: Death's Head Hussars, German light infantry unit Ref: D. p145 “JINGO” Nationality: Belgian 1914-1918 Notes: He and his wife were caught up in the German invasion at outbreak and escaped to Britain from Belgium in April 1915.

Appointed resident manager The Palace Nairn.

Ref: N. The World’s Fair, 21/11/14

JOEL, Arthur Job: Acrobat 1914-1918 Notes: Worked in Circus until 1915. Became an agent, producing and running pantomimes.

Ref: D. p145 JOYCE, Jack 1914-1918 Notes: Closed Wild West show in Denmark at outbreak of war, Opened up a show in Sweden Dec 1914.

Ref: N. The World’s Fair, 2/1/15 KAYES, Elizabeth “Lizzie”, Ne Baker Born: 1878 Penzance Married: William Kayes, 1899 Hamilton Died: 23 Nov 1933 Related to: daughter of Thomas Baker Job: Circus Proprietor 1914-1918 Notes: Due to all her Lion Tamer sons going to War, She had to take on the act and entered the Lion's Cage. Had her last son, James born 14 June 1918, in a travelling waggon under a cherry tree at Lidbrook, Monmouthshire.

Ref: D. p152 and p155; N. (various) Yorkshire Eve Post 20/10/16, 21/10/16; O. NFCA KAYES, Richard Married: 24 Jan1916 Married Rose Sedgewick "Lion Queen" at Sheffield Cathedral, Died: 1960 Related to: son of William Kayes and Harriet Job: Equestrian 1914-1918 Notes: Wounded in active Service British Army.

Ref: D. p152 KAYES, TIMOTHY Pte Married: Nancy Buckley Job: Lion Tamer 1914-1918 Notes: 1916 arrested twice on showground, to Leeds court.

Served with distinction, injured in May 1918 & lost left leg. Treated in 2 Napier Ward, East Leeds War Hospital, Harchills Road, Leeds. ( He returned to the cage with a crutch.

Military No.: 3779 15th West Yorks.

He may also be linked to these numbers found in LFW: 76284 Royal Defense Corps or 3779; West Yorkshire Regiment.

Ref: D. p153; N. The World’s Fair, 20/10/16 and 18/5/18 and Leeds Mercury 3/10/16; O. NFCA KAYES, Tommy Aka: Captain Tommy Kayes Born: 27 July 1901 Related to: Son of William Kayes and Elizabeth

Job: Lion Tamer 1914-1918 Notes: Lion Tamer - and Served in Army.

Ref: D. p153 KAYES, William Aka: Buff Bill Born: 1856 Peebles Married: (1) Harriet Reader, (2) Elizabeth Baker Died: 23 Nov 1933 Related to: Brother Richard Kayes Job: Sharp Shooter, Proprietor Buff Bills A Wild West Show. Most of the animals & men and 3 sons to the Army.

1914-1918 Notes: Old Man during war, relied heavily on wife Elizabeth to manage business.

Ref: D. p152 ; N. Leeds Mercury, 3/10/16; O. NFCA KAYES, William Jnr. “Billy” Aka: Young Maccomo Born: 1891 Died: 1960 Related to: Son of William Kayes and Harriet Job: Lion Tamer 1914-1918 Notes: Worked with lions until 1916 when arrested with brother Tommy for failing to register for Army.

1917 Active service.

Ref: D. 153; N. The World’s Fair, 20/10/16 KELLY, Emmett 1914-1918 Notes: Lived in America during war. He has an autobiography 'Clown' which may be of interest.

Ref: D. p154 KEMPSTER, Frederick John Aka: The English Giant Born: 13 April 1889 Died: 15 April 1918 Blackburn Cause O.D.: Influenza/Pneumonia Job: Giant 7feet 9.3 inches 1914-1918 Notes: In Germany at outbreak of war - Under house arrest for 1 month, returned to U.K Ref: O. D. The World’s Fair, 20/4/18 KIDSON, J.H. Lce-Cpl 1914-1918 Notes: Died of pneumonia at A.V.C. No. 11, Veterinary Hospital, Salonica Forces.

Ref: N. The World’s Fair, 2/11/18 KIRK, George Aka: Spud Born: 14 Oct 1884 Married: Rosie Silbon Job: Clown 1914-1918 Notes: 1914 with Bostock's Royal Italian Circus for tour S Africa - Far East for duration Ref: D. p275

CIRCUS A-Z, 1914-18 KLEINSCHMIDT, Otto Paul Aka: Paul Otto Nationality: German Married: Mary Fossett Died: 1942 Job: Mixed skills with Fossett’s 1914-1918 Notes: Interned P.O.W, Douglas, Isle of Man. Wife witness to tragic death by fore of co-worker Ref: D. p208 N. Northampton Mercury 17/9/15

KLUDSKY, CIRZUS Nationality: Czech 1914-1918 Notes: The war stopped Kludsky’s one of the biggest circuses in Europe. People were dispersed, animals requistioned or starved.

Ref: O. CP KLUIKOYSKE, August Nationality: German 1914-1918 Notes: Age 52, Working with Bostock & Wombwell’s, In court for failing to check in with a local police station as a registered alien citizen. Allowed to continue working and returned to Menagerie and care of it’s manager.

Ref: N. The World’s Fair, 12/2/14 KNIGHT, George Born: 1894 Job: Equestrian & female impersonator 1914-1918 Notes: 1914-15 at Worlds Fair Islington, Went to Ireland with Edward Fossett in 1917 dressed as a woman. He had no taste for soldiering.

Ref: D. p158 KNIGHT, Albert Edward, Pte 1914-1918 Notes: Served Military Service #: 38094 Regiment: Royal Berkshire Regiment KŌNYÖT (Alexander) & FAMILY Nationality: Hungarian Related to: Alexander, Son of Leopold Konyot and Henrietta Blumenfeld Act: Various 1914-1918 Notes: Family were scouted by Fred & Edna Bradna in Budapest in 1913 and brought to America, performing throughout war.

Ref: B. (B F); D. p160 “KOKO” See: SLAVONA “LA BELLE ZOE” 1914-1918 Notes: Adorned her body with tattoos depicting the Great War and by Dec 1916, was exhibiting them with narratives. Managed by Mr. Staley.

Ref: N. The World’s Fair, 23/16/1916

117

LEATHERHEAD, Frank William Job: Manager R Fossett Farm Tiffield 1914-1918 Notes: 1916 aged 26, Fossett applies for his continued exemption from Enlistment.

Ref: N. Northampton Mercury, 23/3/16

LLOYD, Cyril Aka: Brothers Lloyd Born: c. 1894 Died: 1918 age 24 Job: Tight Rope walker 1914-1918 Notes: Served, Ref: N. The World’s Fair, 23/2/18

LEITZEL, Lillian Nationality: Hungarian/Czech Born: 2 Jan 1892, Breslau, Germany Married: x 3 Died: 1931 Job: Aerialist 1914-1918 Notes: 1915 Starred as "Queen of the Circus" with Barnum & Bailey

LOCKHART, George Born: 1883 Deptford, London Died: 8 Oct 1978 Job: Ringmaster 1914-1918 Notes: British Army Ref: D. p172

LEMY, Carl Nationality: American Act: Lemy Troupe Aerialists 1914-1918 Notes: 1914 In Australia Ref: N. (New York Clipper) 21/11/14 LESTER, John Nationality: American Born: New York, USA Job: Aerialist in Family Act Act: Four Lesters - with his wife and 2 children.

1914-1918 Notes: Arrived England 1915 with Four Lesters Ref: D. p168 LEWIS, Jack Cpl. Job: with Bostock’s Circus 1914-1918 Notes: Enlisted June 1915, Letter to World’s Fair Military No.: 8447 Regiment: 10th Warwicks, 19th Division Ref: D. O. N. The World’s Fair, 12/1/18 LINSLEY, Jack Born: 1896 Durham Job: Musical Director later with Barnum 1914-1918 Notes: Served as signaller.

Regiment: Irish Guards Ref: N. A F LISTER, Carl Lisando 1914-1918 Notes: Age 33, In court for failing to enlist, handed over to Army.

Ref: N. The World’s Fair, 5/10/18 “LITTLE LADY”, Madamoiselle Nationality: French Job: 25” tall side show performer 1914-1918 Notes: Sold ( not yet adult?) by French Parents to Sam Gumpertz, Dream Land Coney Island, for $4,000 arrived New York Sept 1916, for L Harvre.

Ref: B. (P N)

LOLÉ Nationality: French?

Relation: Brother-in-law to Grock Act: Clown 1914-1918 Notes: Left act with Grock 1914 to serve in the Army.

Ref: B. (G) LORCH, Family Nationality: German 1914-1918 Notes: In Britain at outbreak of War, arrested as hostile foreigners Ref: B. (O M) LORENZO, Fred 1914-1918 Notes: Changed his name during the war Ref: D. p174 LOYAL, Alfred & Leris 1914-1918 Notes: Performed through war.

Ref: D. p175 LUALE, Jack?

Aka: Jack Luck, Chief Luale Nationality: South African Born: 1899 Died: 30 April 1935 Louth Cause O.D.: Pneumonia: Job: Performer in ethnographic act in with African Village Exhibit.

1914-1918 Notes: African, soldier served in war, was gassed and badly wounded, returned to show business Regiment: Middlesex Regiment Ref: D. p176 LUCAS, Harry Aka: Little Luko Died: 4 August 1923 Job: Clown 1914-1918 Notes: 1915 with Ginnett and Luco's Empire Circus. Miniature Circus.

Ref: D. p176 MACCOMA, Albert See: WILLIAMS, Albert MANDERS, Albert Aka: Captain Lamberetti Married: c. 1905 Annie

CIRCUS A-Z, 1914-18

118 Died: 1940 Solihull Job: Animal Trainer 1914-1918 Notes: Worked during war, eldest daughter, Edna died in 1916 aged 10, youngest daughter Dolly born 1917 Ref: D. p181 MANDERS, George 1914-1918 Notes: Married during war.

Ref: D. p181 MANDERS, William Job: With Mander’s Menagerie 1914-1918 Notes: Served in No. 6 Veterinary Hospital, Pitt Camp Corner, Winchester Regiment: Royal Army Veterinary Corps Ref: N. The World’s Fair, 21/7/17, 29/7/16 (photo) “MANITOS” See: GREY, E.S. MARCELLA, Mrs Married: Captain Clark Act: Welsh Giantess 1914-1918 Notes: Widow, performed during war. In Derby 1915, Ref: D. p184 MARCHARDE de MARCH, Yvonne Born c. 1905 Job: run into lions cage to help father in show.

1914-1918 Notes: June 1915 Subject of court case in Clerkenwell, father being prosecuted for putting child in dangerous act. Act banned.

MARINICOVIKE, Stevean Nationality: Serbian Job: Showwoman 1914-1918 Notes: Age 37 she was in court for causing obstruction in a street, while performing with a bear, girl and monkey.

Ref: N. The World’s Fair, 6/1/17 MARTELLONI SISTERS Job: Acrobats 1914-1918 Notes: 1915-16 at Waverley Market, Edinburgh, Ref: D. p185 MATTHIES, Rudolf Nationality: German Job: Assistant to Richard Sawade Ref: D. p186, McALLISTER, William Lauder Aka: Doodles/Espana Born: 1977 Glasgow Job: Clown 1914-1918 Notes: Raised money for the Cigarettes for Soldiers Fund during war by selling postcards of

himself. Performed with Bobby "August" Elliot from 1915 Ref: D. p85 McCormick, James Married: Susan Hudson, c. Nov 1914 Job: Both worked for Turner Hudson’s Circus.

Ref: N. The World’s Fair, 2/12/14 McDONALD, Walter Nationality: Canadian/British Born: c. 1897 Related to: Mother was a Canadian Native American, Job: Wild West Performer 1914-1918 Notes: Age 17, with a circus in Paris when war broke out, travelled to Scotland, beaten up at Armadale, enroute to join Fossett’s.

People thought he was a German spy, wearing full american Indian costume.

Ref: N. Linlithgow Gazette, 4/9/14 MERK, Clemens Nationality: German Born: 29 August 1900 Died: 21 April 1994 Job: Lion Tamer after war 1914-1918 Notes: German Armed Forces.

Ref: D. p190 “MEXICANS, THREE” Act: Wild West Act 1914-1918 Notes: Performed during war, inc. at Agricultural Hall, Islington 1915-16 Ref: D. p191 MIER, Carlos 1914-1918 Notes: Trained horses for the War. Ref: D. p192 MILLS, Bertram Wagstaff Born: 1872 Died: 16 April 1938 Job: Harness maker & carriage builder, formed Circus immediately after the war.

1914-1918 Notes: Commissioned as a Captain, R.A.S.C, Forage Department other notes suggest Royal Army Medical Corps.

Regiment: R.A.S.C Ref: Multiple MIZUNO ( lead by Shiro Wattabikki) Aka: Mizuno Troupe Nationality: Japanese Job: Acrobats 1914-1918 Notes: Came to England 1913 - on continent at outbreak of war, returned to England during War, 1916-17 season at Hengler;s Circus Glasgow.

Ref: D. p194

MONGADORS 1914-1918 Notes: Performed during the war.

Ref: D. p195 MONTANA BILL Nationality: Okalala American Indian/ French Canadian Job: Sharp Shooter 1914-1918 Notes: Performed during war, became known as William Montana Bailey in 1917 Ref: D. p195 MONTANA, Frank Nationality: Canadian Job: rope spinner, whip cracking, genuine cowboy 1914-1918 Notes: Served Canadian Army severely wounded.

Regiment: 93rd Canadian Infantry Ref: D. p195 MOONEY, Mat, Pte 1914-1918 Notes: Served Military No.: 51310, Regiment: 86th Labour Co, 3rd Plat BEF Ref: N. The World’s Fair, 26/10/18, Letter MORAS 1914-1918 Notes: Performed war Ref: D. p195 MORIARTY, John Aka: Irish Hercules Job: Strongman & Musician 1914-1918 Notes: Performed with Duffy and Son's Big Circus 1917-18 Ref: D. p196 MORRIS, Bros.

1914-1918 Notes: 1914 in Germany, Interned in Rulheben Camp.

Ref: N. The World’s Fair, 26/2/16 NEWSOME, R., Pte 1914-1918 Notes: wounded, hit in the back with shrapnel Military No.: 175073, Regiment: Advance Siege Park, 5th Army Service Corps, B.E.F., France Ref: N. The World’s Fair, 18/11/16 (photo) NIKITIN, Nickolai Akimevich Nationality: Russian Born: 1887 Died: 1963 Related to: Son of Akin Nikitin Job: Juggler on horseback 1914-1918 Notes: on death of father in 1917 became manager of Nikitin Circus. 1917 Bolshevick revolution, circuses nationalised, Nikitin Circus became Moscow’s 2nd State Circus.

CIRCUS A-Z, 1914-18 1919 in Italy to be a juggler on horseback, Ref: O. CP NOVELLO, Armando Aka: Toto Nationality: Italian/German Married: Hannah Frick Job: Mixed Skills/Clown 1914-1918 Notes: Moved from London to USA to perform.

Ref: D. p292 OHMY (SMITH), Joseph Aka: King Ohmy, real name Smith Related to: Father of Claude and Ada Ohmy Job: Circus Proprietor 1914-1918 Notes: With Carré’s Circus when war broke out. Property seized

by Germans and interned in Doeberitz, Berlin for short time with family. Secured release, returned to Britain with 2 adult daughters oct 1914. Continued to work.

Ref: D. p204; N. Multiple inc Hull Daily Mail 28/10/14 Note: Ohmy/Smith Family archive at National Fairground Archive, not yet available to researchers.

OHMY (SMITH), Ada Born: 1881 Died: 1918 Cause O.D.: Post Traumatic Stress, Internment Related to: daughter of King Ohmy, John Smith Job: Equestrienne, Sharp Shooter 1914-1918 Notes: Interned with Family in Doeberitz, Berlin, for about 1 month. Returned,to Britain.

Performed Feb 1916, bridesmaid to sister Lilly, March 1916. Never recovered from experience in Berlin.

Death was put down to this trauma.

Ref: D. p204; N. multiple inc. The World’s Fair, The Era, Derby Daily Telg., 26/2/1916 OHMY (SMITH), Claude Born: 1897 Southport Married: No Cause O.D.: Related to: Son of King Ohmy, John Smith Job: Equestrian 1914-1918 Notes: Interned with Family in Doeberitz, Berlin. Family were relased. Moved to Ruhleben Internment Camp November 1914.

Released 1918 after war, returned to Blackpool. Reported story to World’s Fair of experiences including ‘mental decontamination’ process on return.

Ref: D. p204; N. The World’s Fair, 2/12/18

OHMY (SMITH), Lilly Married: John Sanger, March 1916 Related to: daughter of King Ohmy, John Smith 1914-1918 Notes: Interned with Family in Doeberitz, Berlin. returned to Britain Oct 1914.

Ref: D. p204; N. The World’s Fair, 11/3/16 and 2/12/18 OHMY (SMITH), Minnie Married: Herbert Sanger Died: 1941 Related to: daughter of King Ohmy, John Smith Ref: D. p204 OMA, Madame Nationality: Russian Job: Trapeze artist 1914-1918 Notes: World tour 1914/.

Performed with Ginnett’s Royal Circus, June 1915 at Perth Ref: N. Perthshire Advertiser, 12/6/15 “OMI” See: RIDDLER OLSON, Hugo Olaf 1914-1918 Notes: 1917 started the Partree Acrobatic Act Ref: D. p206 OSBORNE, J, “Ginger” Pte. 1914-1918 Notes: 1918 wounded after 3 yrs 7 mths in France.

Ref: N. The World’s Fair, 27/4/18 PABLO, Edward Charles, Pte Aka: Edward “Ted” Fanque Married: Alexandra Howard, Oct 1915 Related to: Father William Darby aka Pablo Fanque 1914-1918 Notes: Lobbied Kitchener so fit over 45 year olds could enlist, until early on in 1915 tried to join up as part of the “45 and over” Battalion organised by E. S. Day, Esq., of Rowlands Castle, Hants. Succeeded to enlist in July 1915. Lightning marriage, in October in 3 day leave, based at Aldershot. with Mechanical Transport. Badly injured in France, to 3rd Canadian Hospital Bologne - to hospital in Chatham. Discharged.

Military No.: 124391, Regiment: 32nd Co, 2nd ”1” Section A.S.C Ref: N. The World’s Fair, 15/5/15, 16/10/15, 1/2/16, 1/4/16 PANDILLA, Rafael Aka: Chocolat Nationality: Cuban ( initially a Slave, sold to Spain) Born: 1865/68 Died: 4 November 1917 Job: Clown

119 Act: Foottit et Chocolat 1914-1918 Notes: Died Bordeaux, with out any means, paupers grave.

Ref: O. CP PALLENBERG, Emil Nationality: German Job: Bear Trainer 1914-1918 Notes: Working In America. Mentioned by Fred Bradna in feud with English clown Ernie Anderson Ref: B. (B F) PAULO (BUTCHER), Frank Aka: Frisco Frank Married: Clara (b. 6 March 1885) Died: 1927 Job: Small Circus Owner 1914-1918 Notes: Struggled through Ireland during troubles, returned to Britain, Enlisted. Family struggled at home.

Ref: B. (C-C R); D. p215 PAULHAN Nationality: French Job: Circus Performer 1914-1918 Notes: Pilot in French Air Force. one of the first famous flying men.

Ref: N. The World’s Fair, PEARSON, Archie Job: Horse rider 1914-1918 Notes: 1914 in Germany, Interned in Rulheben Camp.

Ref: N. Sheffield Independent 19/12/19 (in relates to c. October 1916 event) PEARSON, Alf Job: Horse rider 1914-1918 Notes: 1914 in Germany, Interned in Rulheben Camp.

Ref: N. The World’s Fair, 26/2/16 PEDERSON, Anders Nationality: Danish Born: Copenhagen Job: Sea lion trainer 1914-1918 Notes: Performed with sea lions at Worlds Fair, islington in 1915-16 season, Ref: D. p218 PERMAINE, William Vincent Job: Animal Trainer 1914-1918 Notes: in court for feeding bears bread.

Ref: N. The World’s Fair, 16/2/18 PESTER, John Nationality: American 1914-1918 Notes: American performed during war Ref: D. p168

120 PESTERSON, Anderson 1914-1918 Notes: Performed during war Ref: D. p217 PETERS, Willy Nationality: German Died: 1959 Job: Animal Trainer 1914-1918 Notes: Worked big cats with Hagenbeck, filling the gap with polar bears when circus in Sweden.

Ref: B. (H L); p218 PEREZOFF Aka:Seven Pezeroffs Nationality: French Job: Comedy Jugglers 1914-1918 Notes: N Pezeroff at Tower Circus in 1915. June 1918 a Perezoff in court for alleged infringement of Grock’s music hall sketch, with a sketch known as “Noni & Partner.”

Ref: D. p217; N. The World’s Fair 15/6/18 PHILLIPS, Charlie Sergeant Born: 3 October 1889 Related to: Brother of Jack 1914-1918 Notes: Dardanelles Regiment: Australian Corps, promoted for bravery to Sergeant in Dardanelles on 26th Birthday.

Ref: N. The World’s Fair, 16/10/15 PHILLIPS, Jack Related to: Brother of Charlie Job: Ring King 1914-1918 Notes: Performed with Headley’s Franco-British Ref: N. The World’s Fair, 16/10/15 PICKERING, J. Russell, Captain Aka: Pick Pickering Died: 1947 Job: Later General Manager Bertram Mills 1914-1918 Notes: Served Regiment: Royal Army Signal Corps Ref: D. p219 PILATES, Joseph Hubertus Nationality: German Job: Circus Trainer, Boxer, gymnast 1914-1918 Notes: 1914 circus was caught out travelling in Blackpool.

Arrested in Sept 1914 as an enemy alien. Registered index number 1400.

He was interned at jersey , Lancaster in derelict waggons and then finally in Knockaloe, Isle of Man. He occupied himself and others with physical exercise to combat ill health.

Ref: O. knockaloe.im “PIMPLE” See: EVANS, Frederick William

CIRCUS A-Z, 1914-18 “PIMPO” See: FREEMAN, Jimmy PINDER, Susan Born: 13 July 1877 Married: remarried Spud Kirk 1914-1918 Notes: Toured with Bostock's Royal Italian Circus 1914-1923 with Husband and Children inc. Leslie and George Ord Pinder.

Ref: D. p224 PINDER, Thomas Ord Born: 30 July 1989 Died: 5 July 1988 Job: Aerialist 1914-1918 Notes: War put a stop to circus He toured many halls and theatres with his act.

Ref: D. p224 PINDER, William Born: 1828 Died: 1916 Ref: N. The World’s Fair, 22/1/16 POLIAKOFF, Nikolai Aka: Coco the Clown Nationality: Born: 1900 Dvinsk, Russia Married: 1918 Job: Clown, acrobat 1914-1918 Notes: Enlisted, child soldier - was in 5 different Armies including Ukranian, Russian, Red & White, between 1915 and 1920, some voluntarily because he was hungary.

Ref: B. (Coco) Also BBC Desert Island Disks Archive POTTERS FAMILY Aka: Six Peerless Potters 1914-1918 Notes: 1914-15 and 1915-16 seasons with Fossett's at Agricultural Hall, Islington.

Ref: D. p227 POWELL, Claude Born: 1880 Rochdale Job: Circus Proprietor Married: Dora Letsche ( German) 1914-1918 Notes: Exemption denied in court Birmingham mid 1917, In British Armed Services Ref: D. p227; N. Birmingham Mail 20/1/17 PRENTICE, ALbert, Cpl Aka: Tiddles Job: Clown Act: Les Zeimars 1914-1918 Notes: Joined up April 1915, Winchester Military No.: 32594 Regiment: 19th Welsh Pioneer Regiment Ref: N. The World’s Fair, 18/9/15

PRINCE-COX, Albert James Born: 8 Aug 1880 Southsea Job: Circus & variety promotor 1914-1918 Notes: 1913 - 1918 Royal Navy Ref: D. p228 PROCTOR, George James Born: 1857 Died: 1926 Act: Gymnast and Rope walker 1914-1918 Notes: 1914/15 season at Stadium Barrow in Furness, Ref: D. p229 PROSKE, Roman Nationality: Austrian Born: 1898 Job: Lion Tamer 1914-1918 Notes: 1914 in Africa working as a lion tamer, age 16, smuggled himself back to Austria, joined Austrian Infantry in September 1916, fought Russians in Poland.

Wounded in 1918, discharged.

Returned to Circus. Account in his biography.

Ref: B. (P R) PUGH, Wally Aka: “Digger” Nationality: Australian?

Born: Northampton Job: Acrobat aerialist 1914-1918 Notes: 1916 selling newspapers then sailed to Australia, joined Australian Services, served in France.

Ref: D. p231 PURCHASE, John Born: 1892 Cranbrook, Kent Job: Menagerist Manager 1914-1918 Notes: 1914 went to South Africa with Bostock's Royal Italian Circus for 3 1/2 years. In India 1917, At Singapore joined HM Forces, invalided out with malaria.

Ref: D. p231; N. The World’s Fair, 19/5/17 PURCHASE, William Aka: Captain Purchase Born: 1883 Died: 1951 Job: Animal Trainer 1914-1918 Notes: 1916 went to America, to join Barnum Bailey Show Ref: D. p232 QUINN, D, Pte 1914-1918 Notes: Served & injured in 1915 stationed to Soldier’s Home Caterham Surrey. See letter to World’s Fair about his experiences, 1/1/16.

Military No.: 15230

CIRCUS A-Z, 1914-18 Regiment: No 4 Co, 3rd Battalion Coldstream Guards. B.E.F. Ref: N. The World’s Fair, 29/5/15, 1/1/16, QUINN, Johnny, Drummer Born: 1873 Died: 1951 Job: singing clown & impromptu artist 1914-1918 Notes: Enlisted 8 Aug 1914, Landed and served 18 months in Dardenelles & injured before Feb 1916. No 28 General Hospital ( probably in Salonika). Returned to Tipperary, Dec16/Jan17. Performed with daughter Annie, March 1917 at Hospital.

Regiment: Muster Fusiliers.

Ref: D. p233; N. The World’s Fair, 3/1/17 and 10/3/17 RABBITT, Drummer May also be: SCHOLES, Jack 1914-1918 Notes: Served Regiment: 2/4th Northants Ref: N. The World’s Fair, 28/8/15 RASTELLE, Enrico Born: Samara, Russia Married: Stella Price 1917 Job: Juggler 1914-1918 Notes: 1915 joined Circus Truzzi for first job as solo juggler, Married 1917, Fled to Italy result of War and Russian Revolution Ref: D. p236 RAYNOR, James Aka: Royal Raynor Troupe 1914-1918 Notes: Joined up 1914 training at Scarborough, discharged in 1919.

Regiment: 18th Royal Hussars Ref: N. The World’s Fair, 28/8/15 RENYOLDS, Butch See: BURRAGE RIDDLER, Horace Leonard Aka: Omi the Great 1914-1918 Notes: Acting Major British Army Regiment: Machine Gun Squadron Ref: D. p206 RITCHER, Rosa M. Aka: Zazel the Human Canonball, ( Mrs George Star) 1914-1918 Notes: Arrived USA July 1916 from Europe on the Liner Philidelphia Ref: B. (P N) ROSSAIRE (ROSS), Fred Aka: Count Rossaire, Ross Combination Born: 1877 Married: Florence Arnold Died: 1949

1914-1918 Notes: In Ireland with tent-less circus, packed up, returning through burnt out Dublin, Easter Rising. Became a miner.

Ref: B. (B N); D. p250 ROSSAIRE, Florence Aka: Countess Rossaire Born: 5 June 1877 Married: Fred Ross Died: 1972 1914-1918 Notes: As above Ref: B. (B,N); D. p250 ROSSI, Alfred, Signor 1914-1918 Notes: Performed during war. RSPCA took him to court due to death of elephant.

Ref: The World’s Fair, 15/12/17 ROLAND, Florence 1914-1918 Notes: Performed during war Ref: D. p252 ROXBROUGH, Tom 1914-1918 Notes: 4 November 1914 Interned at Ruhleben. He had been touring with Frederick the Great at the start of the War. Ref: N. The World’s Fair, 3/7/15 SACCOMANI, Dennis Peters, Pte Related to: Brother to John and Walter (below) 1914-1918 Notes: 1916 in Redhill Camp., Colchester, Severely Gassed, Hospital in France Military No.: 37688 Regiment: 2nd 10th Manchester’s BEF Ref: D. p254; N. The World’s Fair, 3/6/16 (photo) SACCOMANI, John Peters, Pte 1914-1918 Notes: 1916 in Cavalry Depot, Canterbury Military No.: 2163, Regiment: 6th Dragoon Guards, “D” Squadron Ref: D. p254; N. The World’s Fair, 3/6/16 (photo) SACCOMANI, Walter Peters, Pte 1914-1918 Notes: 1916 serving Military Service #: 2810 Regiment: His Majesty’s Transport, Ref: D. p254; N. The World’s Fair, 3/6/16 (photo) SADLER, G.T. Job: Bear man with Tyrwitt-Drake.

1914-1918 Notes: served in same unit as Tyrwitt-Drake Regiment: Royal Veterinary Corps Ref: N. The World’s Fair, 21/7/17

121 SALDECK Troupe Act: Cyclists 1914-1918 Notes: Performing early 1915, Calcutta with Harmston’s Circus.

Ref: N. The World’s Fair, 6/2/15 SANCHEZ, Foster Job: Circus Artist & Musician 1914-1918 Notes: age 31 in court, for abusing/neglecting family.

Ref: N. The World’s Fair, SANDOW, Eugen Nationality: Naturalised British Died: 1925 Job: Strongman and Physical Fitness trainer Business man 1914-1918 Notes: Business suffered as a result of German heritage.

Series of court cases. Wrongly reported in Jan 1916 as German Spy executed at the The Tower of London.

Ref: B. (W D) SANDOW, The Young See: BRATBY, Richard SANGER, Edward Related to: Son of James Sanger 1914-1918 Notes: Lieut. Edward Sanger, won MC at Delville Wood, returned to circus 1919 Ref: D. p259 SANGER, John Aka: Lord John Born: 1854 Married: Rebecca Pinder Died: 1927 Job: Circus Proprietor 1914-1918 Notes: Sanger’s Circus was one of the largest in Britain it stopped touring in Jan/feb1917, having lost 170 horses, 47 luggage wagons to the Army and the war reducing staff from 150 to 5. In Dec 1918 he restarted circus without the wagon. The waggon’s gold was stripped off and were left to rot. This was the end of the great circus parades in Britain.

Ref: D. p258; N. The World’s Fair, 17/2/17 SANGER, John Married: Lilly Ohmy, March 1916 Relation: Son of Lord John Sanger Ref: N. The World’s Fair, 11/316 SANGER, George, Mr. 1914-1918 Notes: At outbreak of war returned to Farm at Horley, toured for much of the war.

Ref: Multiple B. (F F) SANGER, Victoria Florence”Vicki” Born: 28 Sept 1895

122 Married: 1917 James Freeman, Clown Died: 1991 Related to: Daughter of George Sanger Job: Bareback rider 1914-1918 Notes: Performed and eloped.

Ref: D. p259 SANGER, George Jnr. Married: Poppet Ginnett 18 Jan 1928 Related to: Son of George Sanger Job: All rounder 1914-1918 Notes: School boy at Forrest Hill House until 1916, joined Suffolk Regiment, served France, demobed 1919 Ref: D. p258 SANGER, Herbert 1914-1918 Notes: With George Sanger 1914 Ref: B. (F F) SARARSANI, Hans Stosch Nationality: German Job: Circus Propretor 1914-1918 Notes: Sarrasani Circus stopped enroute to Holland Performers from foreign countries were forced to leave if not deported.

Circus stranded in Essen, returned to Dresden. Produced shows, toured to Denmark in 1915, animals used in films 1915-17. Made patriotic pantomimes.

Ref: O. CP SARGENT, Frederick, Cpt Nationality: American 1914-1918 Notes: Proposed to set up a contingent of more than 1000 Big Top Showmen, in US Army, France Aug 1917. He recruited most of the men in Chicago at the outdoor show conventions, mainly from 3 circuses.

He then managed the contingent.

Ref: N. NY Clipper, 12/9/17 SARONG, Madame 1914-1918 Notes: Performed during War Ref: D. p259 “SARRAQUA” Blackfoot Job: Weightlifting feats with teeth 1914-1918 Notes: Wrongly Arrested as spy at Inverkeithing Theatre - released.

Ref: N. The World’s Fair, SAWADE, Richard Nationality: German Born: 1867 Drossen Job: Wild Animal Trainer 1914-1918 Notes: At outbreak of war left South America for Berlin and safety of Hagenbeck’s. Worked for

CIRCUS A-Z, 1914-18 duration of war, including in Sweden with Tigers, retired in 1919 Ref: B. (H L) SCHERRA, Emil Nationality: German 1914-1918 Notes: Served in German Army.

Ref: B. (O M) SCHNEIDER, Captain 1914-1918 Notes: Performed during war Ref: D. p261 SCHOENE, Paul Nationality: American 1914-1918 Notes: Joined American Navy 1917 Ref: N. NY Clipper, 16/6/17 SCHOLES, Jack Aka: Rabbitt, Clown Cause O.D.: Related to: Job: Rider 1914-1918 Notes: Aged 17 joined up, wounded at Ypres. Injury prevented him from riding, became clown Regiment: Royal Welsh Fusiliers, Ref: D. p234; N. The World’s Fair, 28/7/1917 SCHUMANN, Herr 1914-1918 Notes: Used P.O.Ws in his show in Berlin to enact battle scene.

Ref: N. The World’s Fair 12/11/1915 SCOTT, George Job: Comic Juggler 1914-1918 Notes: 1914 in Germany, Interned in Ruhleben Camp.

Ref: N. The World’s Fair, 26/2/16 SCRIBER, Baptista 1914-1918 Notes: Performed during war Ref: D. p261 SEDGEWICK, Arthur Born: 1880 Married: Harriet Clark Died: 1961 Job: Menagerie Keeper 1914-1918 Notes: He retired his beasts to Belle Vue Zoo, Manchester Ref: D. p265 SEDGEWICK, Rose Married: Richard Kayes 24 Jan 1916 Job: Equestrienne 1914-1918 Notes: Performed during war. Two Children Norah, 1916 and Billy 1918.

Ref: D. p152 SELBINI, Tom 1914-1918 Notes: Performed war.

Ref: D. p265

SERANO & JUNE 1914-1918 Notes: Performed during war.

Ref: D. p265 SHOVELTON Aka: "Pimple” Died: 1918 SHUFFLEBOTTOM, John Potter Aka: Texas Jack Born: c.1899 Married: Polly Sheldon Relation: Son of Wm. Shufflebottom Job: Rider ‘Rifle Bill’s Wild West’ 1914-1918 Notes: Performer with father’s Wild West show. Took on show in 1916. Frequently reported to military boards as evading service, but was released as he was responsible for large family of young siblings, as well as the family business. Later c.1917 with the show ponies/horses doing war work in the Hampshire forest, taking wood to the mill, for pit heads and coffins.

Ref: D. p288; F. Margaret Wilby (Niece) SHUFFLEBOTTOM, Margaret Born: c.1898 Married: 1 - John Willie Waddington, 2 - Arthur Baird Relation: Daughter of Wm. Shufflebottom Job: “ Red Indian” in ‘Rifle Bill’s Wild West’ show.

1914-1918 Notes: child performer being shot at by sibling “cowgirl” performers in father’s Wild West show. At age 17, in western hat, with horse and cart (Margaret says there is a film in IWM of this scene) taking hot meal to her elder brother John, c.

1918, who was working in the Hampshire forrest. She was told the wood was for sea plane floats. Later realised wood also was for coffins.

Said very hard work for the families circus ponies as they were “stars” not suited to the war work.

Ref: F. Margaret Wilby (Daughter) SHUFFLEBOTTOM, Rosina Married: Bill Shufflebottom Died: 1937 1914-1918 Notes: Upon William’s death Rosina stopped performing and turned her endeavours to managing the family business with her eldest son, John aka 'Texas Jack'. They continued travelling the 'Shufflebottom's Wild West Show', with 5 sons and 5 daughters, in Surrey and Sussex, until the great snowfall of 1917 wrecked their tent.

Ref: D. ? O. NFCA SHUFFLEBOTTOM, William “Bill” Aka: "Texas Bill"

CIRCUS A-Z, 1914-18 Born: 1850s Married: Rosina Jane Bishop Died: 1915 Cause O.D.: Cerebral hemorrhage Buried: Milford Cemetery, Job: Rider, Proprietor ‘Rifle Bill’s Wild West’ 1914-1918 Notes: Performer until died shortly after falling from horse in the ring, Milford, Surrey. Coroner’s verdict “open” as to cause of hemorrhage (natural or accidental) Ref: D. p288; N. The World’s Fair, & Surrey Advertiser 30/10/15; O. NFCA SLAVONA, Harry Born: 1904 Alloa 1914-1918 Notes: Debut in 1915 in Kirkcaldy Links. With Robert Fossett in 1916 at Agricultural Hall, Islington.

Ref: D. p159 SLAVONA, William 1914-1918 Notes: Performed during war Ref: D. p254 SLOAN, Harry Aka: Harry Yelding Job: Stilt-walking clowns 1914-1918 Notes: Performed during war.

Ref: D. p270 SMART, Billy Born: 25 April 1894 Married: Dolly Related to: Son of Charles Smart 1914-1918 Notes:Set up as a fairground Proprietor Ref: D. p270 SMITH, Charles Wilfred, Sapper Married: Daughter of Captain Payne Died: 31 July 1917 Act: Ex of Lomas Troupe 1914-1918 Notes: Killed in action age 30.

Regiment: Royal Engineers Ref: N. The World’s Fair, 18/8/17 SMITH Jackie 1914-1918 Notes: Performed during war Ref: D. p273 SMITH, S Cpl. Job: Pier Diver 1914-1918 Notes: Head of Bombing party at Hooge.

Ref: N. 3/7/15 SOSMAN, Jean Nationality: Belgian 1914-1918 Notes: Refugee Circus family, fled to Britain. In court Dec 1915 for abuse of his horse.

Performing at Hengler’s 1916.

Ref: N. Coventry Eve. Telg. 6/12/15

SOWLER, Arthur, Major Born: c. 1876 Died: 1952 Job: Became Equestrian & horse trainer, Bertram Mills after war.

1914-1918 Notes: In British Armed Services then joined Mills circus after the war Ref: D. p274 SPADONI, Paul 1914-1918 Notes: Performed during war Ref: D. p274 “SPUD” See: KIRK, George STAFFORD, Bros.

1914-1918 Notes: 1914 in Germany, Interned in Ruhleben Camp.

Ref: N. The World’s Fair, 26/2/16 STANEY, Leo Job: Lion Tamer 1914-1918 Notes: Jan 1917 age 19, arrested in full military uniform, charged as absentee, fined £2, handed over to military.

Ref: N. The World’s Fair, 13/1/17 STEBBING, Edwin Born: 1882 Died: 1932 Act: Stebbing Brothers 1914-1918 Notes: Possibly Warrant Officer Class 1 Edwin A Stebbing Military No.: 1908 Regiment: Royal Warwickshire Ref: D. p278; O. LFW STEBBING, George Born: 1880 Died: 1945 Related to: Son of Francis John Job: Acrobat Act: Stebbing Brothers 1914-1918 Notes: No Information Ref: D. p278 STEBBING, James Edward Aka: Master Jackie Stebbing Born: 1882 Died: 1932 Related to: Son of Edwin Francis Job: Rider Ref: D. p278 STEBBING, Percy W Born: 25 Oct 1885 Married: Twice Died: 11 May 1948 Job: Acrobat Act: Stebbing Brothers 1914-1918 Notes: Joined 1915, British Armed Services, injured in France and unable to take up his old profession.

Ref: D p278

123

STECKLES, John Nationality: Danish Born: c.1875 Ref: D. p279 STECKLES, Frederick Nationality: Danish Born: 1900 Job: Acrobat Act: Steckles Brothers 1914-1918 Notes: Started with Circus Schmidt in 1917 Ref: D. p279 STEPHENSON, Frank Job: Clown - Continental August, Rider & acrobat 1914-1918 Notes: 19 April 1915 on the way to Margate with tents etc, a lighted fire lamp set fire to hay and burned the whole lot.

Ref: N. The World’s Fair, 24/4/15 STOREY, Alice 1914-1918 Notes: Performed during war.

Ref: D. p282 STRASBURGER, Family Nationality: German 1914-1918 Notes: In Sweden at outbreak of war, lost staff who all joined various armies, returned to Magdeburg.

Ref: B. (O M) STYLO & Amelia SWALLOW Act: Duo 1914-1918 Notes: Performed during war.

Ref: D. p283 SUTCLIFFE, Alf 1914-1918 Notes: Sutcliffe Family, doing their bit encouraging others to join up. Not sure when they will return to America.

Ref: N. The World’s Fair, 9/1/15 Ref: D. p282 SWALLOW, Johnny Aka: Broncho Bill Born: 1873 Died: 1945 Job: Equestrian, Proprietor 1914-1918 Notes: Wanted to hire out 50 coloured ponies for light work 1914. Trained military riders.

Exempted from service as doing work of national importance - entertaining the public. Reduced size of circus during the war, then became a government horse buyer.

Ref: B. M-S R and T-W 3; D. p284

124

CIRCUS A-Z, 1914-18

SWEENY, James 1914-1918 Notes: In Army. Cent chatty letters to World’s Fair listing all the people he would like to hear from.

Ref: N. The World’s Fair, 8/9/17, 27/10/17

1914-1918 Notes: Killed, Letter to parents from C.O. published in World’s Fair.

Regiment: Shrops RHA Ref: N. The World’s Fair, 18/8/17

SWIFT, William Job: Elephant man at Tiffield (Fossett’s Farm) 1914-1918 Notes: Age 40 In breach of reserve Forces Act. Military escort from court to barracks, Northampton Ref: N. The World’s Fair, 22/4/16 SYDENHAM, Capt Job: Acrobat 1914-1918 Notes: age 38 request for renewal of exemption.

Ref: N. The World’s Fair, 6/7/18 SYLVESTER, Otto Aka: “Texas Harry” Died: 28 Nov 1918 1914-1918 Notes: Enlisted 1914, Fought at Armentieres, badly wounded at La Bassée Returned to shows driving a tractor. Died at home, Military funeral.

Ref: N. The World’s Fair, 14/12/18 TAIBOSH, Franz Aka: “CLIKO” Nationality: South African British, Korana Job: Ethnographic Act: Wild Dancing Bushman 1914-1918 Notes: Sideshow performer and indentured worker, Manager Hepston. Worked in Britain, Ireland Cuba and America, Possibly also Spain and Jamaica, was rescued/stolen/released in 1918 to work with RBBB. Ref: B. (P N) TAYLOR, ?

Aka: Zeedah, the Mysterious Indian Talking Head 1914-1918 Notes: In British Armed Services Ref: B. (V T) TAYLOR, Captain 1914-1918 Notes: presented Lockhart’s Elephants at Blackpool Tower Circus April 1916.

Ref: N. The World’s Fair, 29/4/16 TAYLOR, David Act: David Taylor's Mexican Circus 1914-1918 Notes: His Circus closed down due to the war 1914.

Ref: N. The World’s Fair, TAYLOR, D. J. Bombardier Died: 1 Aug 1917 Related to: Son of David Taylor.

TAYLOR, Victor Edward White Aka: Vic Taylor Born: 1900 Related to: Son of Zeedah Job: Showman 1914-1918 Notes: In British Armed Services Military No.: Royal Navy F48654, RAF 248654 Ref: B. (V T) TESTO, Henry 1914-1918 Notes: Underage when he joined the Army in 1915. Fought & returned to Britain 1918 shell shocked & suffering the effects of poison gas.

Ref: O. NFCA TESTO, William Related to: Son of Kate & Billy Testo 1914-1918 Notes: Injured in France.

Ref: N. The World’s Fair, 1/9/17 (photo) “TEXAS BILL” See: Shufflebottom, William “TEXAS JACK” See: Shufflebottom, John THORA, Mr Job: Ladder Act 1914-1918 Notes: 1914 was working with Julius Seeth, and with Circus Schumann when war broke out.

Interned in Ruhleben. Released after 13 months as over military age.

Ref: N. The World’s Fair, 26/2/16 TRAYLEN, Mary Married: 1902 Frederick Wombwell Died: 27 February 1952 1914-1918 Notes: Toured with Bostock & Wombell’s Ref: D. p293 TREHERNE, WIlliam 1914-1918 Notes: Toured with EH Bostock's Royal Italian Circus Overseas for duration of war, S. Africa and Far East.

Ref: D. p293 TRUFELLI, Francesco “Frank” Nationality: Italian?

Married: Evelyn Chipperfrield 1914-1918 Notes: Toured with EH Bostock's Royal Italian Circus Overseas for duration of war, S. Africa and Far East.

Ref: D. p294

TRUFELLI, Guiseppe Nationality: Italian?

Died: 1937 1914-1918 Notes: Toured with EH Bostock's Royal Italian Circus Overseas for duration of war, S. Africa and Far East.

Ref: D. p294 TRUZZI Family 1914-1918 Notes: Fled Russian Revolution to Constantinople Ref: O. J TYRWITT-DRAKE, Garrard Born: 22 May 1881 Married: Edna Vine Died: 24 October 1964 Job: Private zoo owner, Business man, Showman, Mayor Maidstone 12 times, JP, Knighted 1936 1914-1918 Notes: Started and closed Zoos, Took animals to USA 1915.

Showed animals at showed at Worlds Fair Islington 1915. Joined Army in 1916. 21 March 1917 was a temporary captain. Given the French ‘War Lion’, Poliu, in 1918 by 17th Division. Was de-mobed after Armistice, became ill over night, spent next 3 months in hospital with the flu.

Took out his 1st circus in March 1919.

Regiment: Labour Corps & Royal Veterinary Corps Ref: B. (T-D G), N. The World’s Fair, TUDOR, Harry 1914-1918 Notes: In British Armed Forces.

Regiment: British Flying Corps Ref: N. The World’s Fair, 21/10/16 URE, William 1914-1918 Notes: In British Armed Forces Ref: D. p297 URMA SISTERS 1914-1918 Notes: Performing, 1915-16 Robert Fossett's Circus Islington Ref: D. p297 VALANCE, Fred Job: Ventriloquist & conjurer 1914-1918 Notes: Entertaining troops in Malta 1916 Ref: ? 28/10/16 VALDO (CHADWICK), Harry Related to: Son of Little Valdo - Clown Job: Founded Heckenberg’s Circus in 1913 Act: Valdo Brothers 1914-1918 Notes: Hackenberg’s Circus in Waterford to start their tour on Easter Monday 1913. But at the outbreak of war they changed their name to ‘Chadwick’s circus’. Closed

CIRCUS A-Z, 1914-18 at the end of 1916 season in Ireland.

Started tented variety show Chadwick’s Hippodrome in 1917 until 1921.

Ref: D. p57 VALDO, James Related to: Son of Little Valdo - Clown Job: Musical Clowns Act: Valdo Brothers 1914-1918 Notes: See Valdo, Harry Ref: D. p297-p278 VINCENT, Sam Aka: Vincent the Great Job: Balancer & gymnast 1914-1918 Notes: Performed during war, was with Chadwicks in 1916 in Ireland Ref: D. p301 WALLACE, Albert George Job: Circus Staff 1914-1918 Notes: Rounded up at Broncho Bill’s show ground 14 Aug 1917. In court for failing to produce National Registration Cards as between 17 and 18 years.

Ref: N. Reading Mercury, 25/8/17 WALLSER Related to: Son of Wallser family owners of Wonderland.

Died: April 1915 1914-1918 Notes: Served France, Died at Neuve Chapelle. Was reported by World’s Fair as the first Showman Soldier to be killed.

Ref: N. The World’s Fair, 17/4/15 WALTER, Matthias Nationality: German Act: Animal Keeper 1914-1918 Notes: At outbreak of war on Red Sea shipping 11 elephants for Hagenbeck. Got them back to Berlin.

A reservist, was called up in 1914, spent 5 months in Navy. 1915-1918 worked with Jenny the Hagenbeck’s War Elephant in German Army, Invalided out, in 1918. to return to look after sick elephants, Survived.

So did Jenny.

Ref: B. (H L) WARD, Joe, Pte Job: Boxer 1914-1918 Notes: Awarded, D.C.M., Croix de Guerre, Russian military Cross.

Regiment: Manchester Ref: B. (F F) WATSON, Johnny 1914-1918 Notes: In British Armed Forces Ref: B. (F F)

WETTACH, Charles Adrien Aka: Grock Nationality: Swiss Born: 10 Jan 1880, Bern Married: Louise (1), Ines (2) 1912 Died: 14 July 1959 Job: Clown, composer & musician 1914-1918 Notes: In Russia performing with Lolé his brother in law at outbreak of war, 1914 medically unfit to serve with Swiss Army, some trouble crossing continent. Was in Paris at the time of first aerial bomb.

Performed in Britain and elsewhere.

Successful, with a succession of partners. In 1918 took Perezoff to court for infringement of his act.

Ref: B (G); N. The World’s Fair, 15/6/18 WHITELEY, Ben Born: 1901 Related to: Son of Henry A A Whiteley 1914-1918 Notes: 1914-18 Notes: Child living in Boscombe, while parents touring Britain. As soon as old enough, joined family act c.1916. For a while was presented as girl acrobat with younger brother Harold when he joined act in 1917. Performed to end of war.

Ref: B. (W HAA) WHITELEY, Benjamin Albert Aka: Five Whiteleys Born: 2 Dec 1902 Died: 26 April 1976 Related to: 2nd son of James Whiteley 1914-1918 Notes: Debut at George Gilbert’s Hippodrome 25 Jan 1915, 1st date in London 1917 Ref: B. (W HAA) D. p308 (some confusion as this is a big family D. says son of AA Whiteley) WHITELEY, Harold Alexander Born: 1903 Related to: Son of Henry Whiteley 1914-1918 Notes:Child living in Boscombe, while parents touring Britain. Joined family act c.1917 replacing brother who went to the Army. For a while was presented as girl acrobat with younger brother Ben. Performed to end of war.

Ref: B. (W HAA) WHITELEY, Henry Allen Alexander Born: 1872, Italy Related to: Son of John Allen Whiteley Job: Acrobat with various family troupes Act: the Whiteley Five, Henry Whiteley Trio, Census: 1911 41 Norton St Liverpool:

125 Leonora C (Wife), Paul age 4 and Harold age 7, Leonora Flor., age 2.

1914-1918 Notes: Playing at the Pavilion Ashington, as the Henry Whiteley Trio, when war broke out. In 1916 performed as the Henry Whiteley Four with wife and 2 sons, Harry and Ben (b. 1901) now old enough to perform without a licence.

In 1917 replaced son, ‘Harry’, who joined up in 1917, with a younger son, Harold (b. 1903). In the new act, Ben & Harold were both dressed as girls and had to have their own long hair curled each night, eventually rebelled and then performed as boys. In early 1918 aged 46, was passed fit for military service. Did some labour in a foundry London, applied for deferment, appeal heard in Aug 1918, given 3 months exemption to 10 Nov. Ref: B. (W HAA), Note: There was a Henry and a Harry.

WHITELEY, Henry Emilio “Harry” Born: 16 Aug 1899, Died: 1971 Colchester Related to: Son of Henry Whiteley Job: Acrobat Act: Henry Whiteley Trio, 1914-1918 Notes: Performed with family, left the troupe at Grimsby to join up in 1917. Survived war ? Military Service #: S/45873 ? Regiment: Rifle Brigade, Rifleman Ref: B. (W HAA), #? LFW WHITELEY, J Pte 1914-1918 Notes: served ( a J Whiteley was killed France 1 July, age 17.)

Military Service #: 10958 Regiment: 15th Batt., D.C., Lancs. F. Ref: N. The World’s Fair, 28/8/15 WHITELEY, Leonora Catalina nee Gregory.

Born: 1875, Argentina Married: Henry A A Whiteley Related to: Daughter of Lorina Matthews and Arthur Gregory Job: Acrobat, Act: Henry Whiteley Trio 1914-1918 Notes: August 1914, returned to family act following operation. 13 August 1915 gave birth to Raymond (last son) at 8 Wynne Road, during a Zeppelin raid, with a bomb landing in nearby Brixton Road.

Rejoined the act as soon as possible, performing until the end of the war.

1918, while husband working as labourer, performed with 2 sons.

Ref: B. (W HAA) WHITELEY, T. Pte 1914-1918 Notes: Served Military Service #: 13174 Regiment: 1st Salford Battalion of the

126 Lancashire Fusiliers Ref: N. The World’s Fair, 1/5/15 (photo) WHITELEY, W., Pte 1914-1918 Notes: Killed in action age 17.

Regiment: 15th Batt., D.C., Lancs. F. Ref: N. The World’s Fair, 29/7/16 (photo) “WILLIAMS” Job: Clown 1914-1918 Notes: French soldier, awarded cross of the Legion of Honour for bravery. c. 1914 Ref: N. Standard and The World’s Fair 28/11/14 WILLIAMS, Albert Born Antonio, Jamaica Aka: Albert Maccoma Realtion: Grandson of William Maccomo Job: With Buff Bill’s Circus.

1914-1918 Notes: In court in Macroom, N. Ireland, charged with disorderly behaviour in 1916 working Mrs Collin’s lion show.

Ref: D. 179; N. The World’s Fair, 1916 WILSON, Arthur Born: 1879 Married: 1901 Phyllis Duffy Job: Animal Trainer, Proprietor 1914-1918 Notes: Performed during war with John Duffy and Son's Circus in Ireland, 1917 started circus with wife.

Ref: D. p312 WILSON, F, Pte Job: Various Circuses.

1914-1918 Notes: At front to fight then to Home Defense 1915 Ref: N. The World’s Fair, 6/11/15 WILSON, William 1914-1918 Notes: Performed during War Ref: D. p313 WIRTH, May Nationality: Australian Married: Frank White, 1919 Job: Equestrienne 1914-1918 Notes: Performed during war in Australia ‘Royal Worth Family’ , with Worth Bros. 1915-16. 1917 in America, with John Ringling Bros. as a star act.

Ref: B. (B F); D. p312 WOMBWELL, Frederick Captain Born: 29 August 1877 Died: 4 May 1942 Job: Animal Trainer

CIRCUS A-Z, 1914-18 1914-1918 Notes: Worked with Bostock & Wombell’s Menagerie for duration of war Ref: B. (B EH) WOOD, George, Pte Job: T. Essam 1914-1918 Notes: Friend of “Rabbitt” Served. Killed.

Ref: N. The World’s Fair, 28/7/17 WOOD, John, Pte Related to: Brother to George Wood Job: with T. Essam 1914-1918 Notes: Served.

Military No.: 7768, Regiment: B.C., 27 Tent, 927 Reserves Ref: N. The World’s Fair, 26/5/17 (photo) WOODWARD, Fred & Joseph, Both Captains Job: Sea Lion Trainer 1914-1918 Notes: Dec 1916 - May 1917 trained sea lions for the Admiralty to aid submarine detection.

Animals were: Barker age 3, Jumbo age 9, Toby (blind), Queenie from London Zoological Soc. and Hengler’s sea lions, Billikan, Joffrey and Derando. Otherwise presented animals throughout war.

Ref: O. (IWM, 13417) and BBC WRIGLEY, H.C. Pte. Aka: Algar 1914-1918 Notes: Killed in Action Ref: N. The World’s Fair, 9/11/18 YELDING, Elizabeth Married: Tom Fossett, 1915 1914-1918 Notes: Married Ref: D. p318 YELDING, Harry Nationality: Born: 1868 Married: Kate Hanneford Died: 1918 Related to: Son of Thomas Job: Equestrian, Ex Gymnast 1914-1918 Notes: Committed suicide immediately after receiving his call up papers in 1918 age 50.

Ref: Multiple D. p318 YELDING, John Aka: Speedy 1914-1918 Notes: Hanneford’s circus touring West Country in 1914. With Sylvester’s Circus in the Black Country 1919.

Ref: D. p318 YELDING, Thomas 1914-1918 Notes: Child Performer with Fossett’s Ref: N. The World’s Fair,

YELDING, W 1914-1918 Notes: In British Army, Salonica?

Ref: N. The World’s Fair, 2/11/18 YETTA, Mlle 1914-1918 Notes: Performed during the war.

Ref: D. p320 YOUNG, Leslie Job: Lion Tamer 1914-1918 Notes: Chased by police, exciting trying to avoid call up.

Ref: N. The World’s Fair, 9/9/1916 ZAMBA, Madame Job: Gymnast 1914-1918 Notes: 1914/15 Performed at World’s Fair.

Ref: D. p321 ZASS, Alexander Aka: Amazing Sampson Nationality: Polish Born: Vida, Poland Job: Strongman 1914-1918 Notes: Served in Russian Cavalry. Taken prisoner in one campaign but escaped. Joined Schmidt's Circus in Budapest, under an assumed name.

Ref: D. p255 ZAZEL See: RITCHER ZOLA, Babs Born: 13 August 1888 Job: Acrobat Act: Zola Brothers 1914-1918 Notes: Joined Army Veterinary Corps, was a shoeing smith, released in 1919 Regiment: Army Veterinary Corps Ref: D. p322 and p323 ZOLA, Claude Job: Acrobat Act: Zola Brothers 1914-1918 Notes: No Information Ref: D. p322 and p323 ZOLA, Jim Born: (Eldest Brother) Job: Acrobat Act: Zola Brothers 1914-1918 Notes: Quickly joined up with Dick Bratby, went to France, injured. Jaw broken, requiring several operations. Was also gassed returned to England in 1918 Regiment: Kings Own Lancashire Regiment, Ref: D. p322,323; F. Tom Sandow son of D Bratby.

SERVING SHOWMEN 1914-18

127

SERVING SHOWMEN 1914-1918 SHOWMEN SOLDIERS & SAILORS NOT IDENTIFIED AS CIRCUS TYPE WORKERS OR PERFORMERS.

Those known to be brothers are shown between these symbols:

!

! !

KEY FAMILY NAME, Given Names, Rank (underlined if they died) Fairground Info: Job or employer WF: The World’s Fair Newspaper ! reference: Photo/Letter date.

Military Info: as complete as possible, many include treatment locations.

Served, Wounded, Killed, Prisoner of War (POW). !

A full list of WW1 military abbreviations can be found online: www.nationalarchives.gov.uk

ACKROYD, Fred, Driver WF: Photo 12/10/18 Military info: 245733, 1203 Battery, E Sub, Royal Field Artillery, Warren Heath Camp Served AGNEW, C., Gunner Fairground info: Employer by Mr. P. Collins WF: Photo 18/5/18 Military info: 43396, Royal Field Artillery, Ward 305, N. W. Hospital Gosforth Severely wounded ALEXANDER, F., Pte WF: 28/8/15 Military info: No. 31025, R.A.M.C. Served ANDERSON, Eugene WF: Photo 4/9/15 Military info: H.M.S. Grafton Served ANDERTON, Gilbert, Pte Fairground info: West of England Caterer WF: Photo 20/1/17 Military info: 14th Devon Regiment Served ANDERTON, Rowland, Mr. WF: Photo 22/12/17 Military info: 221, “A” Division, Constable Served

Special Thanks to Giuseppe Marino for developing this list.

H. Spencer and V. White c. 1915 National Fairground Archive Collection, University of Sheffield Library, National Fairground and Circus Archive (NFCA)

ANDREWS, Arthur Pte WF: Photo 22/4/16 Military info: 4/8 Middlesex Regiment Served ANDREWS, Walter Pte WF: Photo 22/4/16 Military info: 4/8 Middlesex Regiment Served

ANDREWS, Thos., Pte WF: Photo 9/10/15 Military info: Royal Field Artillery Served

ANGUS, John, Driver WF: Photo 18/8/17 Military info: Royal Garrison Artillery Served

APPLETON, R., Lc.-Cpl. Fairground info: Known as “Bobby” Appleton WF: Photo 29/1/16 (see letter 28/10/16) Military info: No. 23643, 13th Royal Scots Ward Hi Served, Wounded in the head ASHINGTON, H., Pte Fairground info: Show Proprietor WF: Photo 29/7/16 Military info: No. 25649, “D” Co., 13th Batt. Yorkshire Regt., 121 Brigade 40th Division, B.E.F. France Served AVEYARD, F., Pte WF: 28/8/15 Military info: 10th Service Batt. Line Regiment Served

ANGUS, Joseph, Pte WF: Photo 18/8/17 Military info: 2/6 West York Killed in action

AVEYARD, Fred, Tully (Possibly the same person as above) WF: Photo 30/1/15 Military info: 10th Service Battalion Lincolnshire, Brocklesby Served

ANSON, C., E., Driver WF: Letter 5/2/16 Military info: No. 110436, 26th Brigade, Amm, Column, 1st Division, No. 1 Casualty Clearing Station, B.E.F., France Wounded

BACON, John, C., H., Pte WF: Son of Prof. Levitia, novelty showman WF: Photo 1/9/17 Military info: 716295, 26th Canadians, B.E.F., France Gassed Twice

SERVING SHOWMEN 1914-18

128

BAIGENT, T., Pte WF: 28/8/15 Military info: No. 19306, “A” Co. 4th Beds Regt.

Served BAILEY, A., Pte WF: 28/8/15 Military info: No. 20782, Army Service Corps F.A. Served BAILEY, Charles, Pte WF: 21/10/16 Military info: Northumberland Fusiliers Killed in action BAILEY, Geo., H. WF: Photo 9/1/15 Military info: 117th Battery R.F.A. Wounded in the head at the battle of Mons, back to service !

BAILEY, T., Pte WF: 28/8/15 Military info: Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry Served BAINES, Frank, Pte WF: 28/8/15 Military info: 3rd West Yorks Served BALLEY, George, Pte WF: Photo 6/1/17 Military info: 6646, “B” Co., 2/9 Royal Scots, Barking Served BALMER, E., Corporal WF: Photo 27/11/15 Military info: No. 117903, Section 1, “D” Co., 6th Battery, R.E.L.B. Served BARKER, Freddy, Pte WF: Photo 27/10/17 Military info: 30966, “F” Co., 11Hut, 32nd Training Reserve Battalion, Clipstone Camp, Mansfield Served BARKER, Geo., Rifleman WF: 28/8/15 Military info: No. 9560, “A” Co., King’s Royal Rifles Served BARKER, Johnny, Pte WF: Photo 2/9/16 Military info: No. 34387, “M” Co., 3rd Suffolk Regt.

Served BARKER, Thomas, Pte Fairground info: Yorkshire stallholder WF: Photo 7/7/17 (see Letter 10/11/17) Military info: 201949, Caterpillar Section, 86th Section, R.A.M.T., 108

Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery, B.E.F., France Served, Killed in action BARRON, Jack, Gunner WF: Photo 5/8/16 Military info: No. 96996, No. 10 Co., Royal Garrison Artillery, Co., Cork Served , Died of wounds BATEMAN, Ted, Pte Fairground info: Shooting Saloon proprietor WF: Photo 3/2/17 Military info: 6718, 3/7/ Middlesex Regt., Old Park Camp, Canterbury Served BATTY, Joe WF: Photo 30/1/15 Military info: Sergeant-Instructor in the Durham Light Infantry, South Shields Served BEACH, Geo, Driver WF: 28/8/15 Military info: Mechanical Transport, A.S.C. Served BEAZER, W., F., Pte WF: 22/4/16 Training at Kinmel Camp BECKETT, Joe, Pte Fairground info: Stallholder and Shooting Saloon Proprietor WF: Photo 5/8/16 (see Letter 11/8/17 and 19/10/18) Military info: No. 2956, 4th Manchester Batt., “A” Co., No. 4, Hut, Riby Camp, Grimsby Served, Killed in action BEDFORD, W., Driver WF: Photo 15/4/6 (see Letter 11/8/17 and 23/2/18) Military info: R.F.A., A.A.S., B.E.F. Served BEDGMORE, Henry, Pte WF: Photo 21/8/15 Military info: 5th Welsh Regiment Served BENNET, Samuel, Seaman WF: Photo 4/12/15 Military info: No. 2197 Royal Naval Reserve, Traveller Section 839, H.M.S. Victory Served BENSON, William Pte Military info: D Co Essex Regiment Killed BENTLEY, Thomas, Pte Fairground info: Member of the Lancashire Showmen’s football team WF: 6/2/15 (see photo WF 13/3/15) Military info: No. 2713, 18th Mobile

1

Section Royal Army Veterinary Corps Served/Promoted Sergeant T. Bentley, A.V.C., 56th Brigade, R.F.A., 13th Division Mediterranean Expeditionary Force

BERNARD, Bert, Seaman Fairground info: Staff of Murphy and Campbell WF: Photo 3/5/19 Military info: His Majesty’s Minesweepers Served BERNARD, T., H., Gunner Fairground info: Son-in-law of Mr. George C. Campbell WF: Photo 3/5/19 Military info:

BERRY, Randall, Pte Fairground info: Roundabout proprietor WF: Photo 23/11/18 Military info: East Lancs., 55th Division Wounded BETTANEY, Thomas, Driver WF: Photo 30/9/16 Military info: No. 4449, R.F.A., 33 Battery, 11th Brigade, B.E.F., France Served BETTANEY, William, Pte WF: 2/11/18 (see Photo 9/11/18) Military info: 9th Manchester Regiment Killed in action BIDDALL, Joseph WF: Photo 17/7/15 Military info: National Service League Served BIRCH, D., Pte WF: Photo 6/2/15 Military info: No. 2708, Royal Army Veterinary Corps, 9th section, Woolwich Wounded BIRD, Willie, Pte WF: Photo 19/1/18 Military info: B.E.F., France Died of illness BISHTON, Alfred, Pte Fairground info: Yorkshire Roundabout proprietor WF: Photo 22/12/17 Military info: 209800, M.T., A.S.C., 895 Compound, Tractor Company, W.E.F. Egypt Served

SERVING SHOWMEN 1914-18

BLACK, Henry, Pte WF: Photo 28/7/17 Military info: 17866, 15th Hut, “B” Co., 98th Training Reserve Battalion Served BLACK, Morris, Pte WF: Photo 28/7/17 Military info: Army Veterinary Corps, No. 8 Yeomanry, B.E.F., France Served

BLACK, J., Rifleman (W. Howorth’s Brother-in-law) WF: Photo 18/1/19 Military info: 87854, 1/3 Rifles, “D” Co., 14th Platoon, K.L.R., B.E.F., France Missing

BLISS, Charles, Pte WF: Photo 10/3/17 Military info: Northumberland Fusiliers, Salonica Served BLISS, John, Henry, Pte WF: Photo 10/3/17 Military info: Northumberland Fusiliers, Salonica Wounded then Missing BLISS, William Pte, WF: Photo 10/3/17 Military info: Northumberland Fusiliers, Salonica Served

BLOWER, Charles, North Pte WF: Photo 26/12/14 Military info: South Wales Borderers Served BOLESWORTH, H., Pte Fairground info: Mile Road Fair Ground, London WF: Photo 3/3/17 Military info: 23516, “B” Squadron, 3rd Troop, 9th Lancers, B.E.F., France Served

BOMBADIER, Nichols WF: Photo 30/1/15 Military info: Royal Field Artillery Served BOND, George, Pte WF: Photo 8/6/18 Died of wounds BOND, Henry, Pte WF: Photo 25/12/15 Military info: No. 1957, Middlesex Regiment Served BOND, Jim, Sapper Fairground info: Surrey Roundabout proprietor

WF: Photo 30/6/17 Military info: 466802, 38th AntiAircraft Section, A., B.E.F., France Served BOWERS, Joseph, Henry, Corporal Fairground info: Marionette and ghost show WF: Photo 18/12/15 Served BRADY, James Sapper WF: Photo 22/5/15 Military info: No. 76681 Royal Engineers Served BREEZE, W., M., 2nd Airman Fairground info: Known as “Chinkey” WF: Photo 17/2/17 (see Letter 6/10/17) Military info: 24689, 13th Section, 17th Company, A.B. Wing, Royal Flying Corps, B.E.F., France Served BRENNAN, Johnny, Pte WF: Photo 9/9/16 Military info: No. 4450, “D” Company, Royal Garrison Artillery Served

129 Military info: 9th Batt., Manchester Regiment Died from Wounds BROWN, John, Pte Fairground info: Switchback proprietor WF: Photo 24/2/17 Military info: Mechanical Transport Section, Army Service Corps Served BUCKLEY, Chas., Driver WF: Photo 18/9/15 Military info: “B” Sab., 1st Battery, 2/3 S.M.B. Served

BUNN, Alfred, Rifleman WF: Photo 11/8/17 Military info:15747, 3rd Battalion Rifle Brigade, “D” Co., No. 15 Platoon, B.E.F. Missing BUNN, Richard, Gunner WF: Photo 11/8/17 Military info: 57411, No. 4, Section 177, Co. Machine Gun Corps, B.E.F., France Served

BRIDGFORD, Tom WF: 29/5/15 Military info: 1st Batt. Northampton Regt.

Wounded

BUNN, Thomas, Rifleman WF: Photo 11/8/17 Military info: Post Office Rifles Killed in action

BRIDGMAN, TOM Fairground info: Boxer WF: 29/5/15 Killed

BURDON, Alfred, Sapper WF: Photo 29/12/17 Military info: No.5, Shipyard Co., Royal Engineers Served

BROOK, Fred, Pte Fairground info: Stallholder WF: Photo 21/4/17 Military info: 38441, 3rd West Yorks, 33rd I.B.D.A.P.O. S/17, B.E.F., France Served BROOZE, W., G., WF: Letter 23/2/18 Military info: 24689, 1st A.M. Winch Depot, M.T., Workshops, No. 1 A/D/, R.F.C., B.E.F., France Served BROSE, Harvey Fairground info: Novelty Showman WF 27/2/15 (Letter 14/8/15) Military info: Royal West Surreys (Queen’s Own) Served BROUGHTON, Nelson Pte WF: Photo 22/5/15 Military info: No. 229 Company, 41st Divisional Train of the Army Service Corps Served BROWN, James, Henry, Pte WF: Photo 25/9/15

BURKE, P., Pte WF: 28/8/15 Military info: No. 3514, “C” Co., 2/5th East Lancs.

Served BURKES, Thomas, Pte WF: 28/8/15 Military info: Canadian Expeditionary Force Served BURTON, A., Pte WF: 28/8/15 Military info: No. 2359, 4th K.O.Y.L.I. Served BURTON, Alf., Pte Fairground info: Scottish roundabout proprietor WF: Photo 22/9/17 Military info: 334340, M.T., A.S.C. Served BUTLIN, George, Pte WF: Photo 4/11/16 Military info: No. 5950, 5th Welsh Reserve Batt., “G” Company Served

SERVING SHOWMEN 1914-18

130 BUTTERWORTH, H., Driver WF: Letter 15/2/19 Military info: 265040, Transport Section, 1/12 Loyal North Lancs.

Pioneers, B.E.F., France Served

CHARLES, Henry, Driver WF: Photo 19/5/17 Military info: Mechanical Transport, No. 3 Section, “C” Co., Army Service Corps, B.E.F. Served

CADDICK, William, Pte WF: Photo 24/2/17 Military info: 43028, 23rd Works Company, King’s Liverpool Regiment Served

CLARK, R., W., Lance-Corporal WF: Photo 18/11/16 Military info: No. 18980, No. 1 Co., 14th “L” Battery, Scottish Rifle, B.E.F., France Served

CASE, E., Sergeant WF: 5/2/16 Served

CASE, William, Pte WF: Photo 30/11/18 Military info: Army Service Corps Served CASE, Thomas, 2nd Air Mechanic WF: Photo 30/11/18 Served

CHADWICK, Alfred, Driver Fairground info: Stallholder WF: Photo 17/6/16 (see 12/10/18) Military info: Transport Section, K.O.R.L. Served, Killed in action CHADWICK, Richard, Pte Fairground info: Son of Dick Chadwick, The “ Lancashire Cokernut King” WF: Photo 3/7/15 Military info: South Lancashire Territorials Served CHAPLAIN, Henry, Gunner Fairground info: Midlands Stallholder WF: Photo 13/10/17 Military info: 108434, Royal Garrison Artyllery, 394 Siege Battery, B3 Group, Zona di Guerra, Italy Served CHAPMAN, J., H., Pte Fairground info: Bird Show WF: Photo 21/4/17 Military info: 16578, “G” Co., Hut 20, 3rd Highlanders Served CHAPMAN, T., G., Driver Fairground info: Stallholder WF: Photo 24/3/17 Military info: 276466, 532 Co., H.T. Army Service Corps Served CHARLES, Gilbert WF: Letter 30/1/15 Military info: One of 150 show engine drivers in one regiment Served

CLARKE, George, Pte Fairground info: Kie Show Fame WF: Photo 12/5/17 Military info: Transport Section, Royal Welsh Fusiliers Served CLARKE, S. WF: Photo 26/8/16 Military info: No. 17583, 318 Co., M.T, A.S.C. Served CLARKE, W., G., Pte WF: Photo 27/2/15 Military info: No. 17330, King’s Own, Scottish Borderers, “A” Company, 7th Batt.

Served CLOUGH, Sammy, Driver WF: Photo 11/3/16 (see Letter 5/1/18) Military info: 4451, “D” Battery, R/F/ A/, 175 Brigade, B.E.F., Italy Served CLOUGH, W., Pte Fairground info: Stallholder WF: Photo 26/8/16 Military info: No. 2145, “A” Squadron, 3rd Cheshire Yeomanry Served

COATES, William, Pte WF: Photo 23/6/17 Military info: 105 Section, Caterpillar Corps, B.E.F., France Served COATES, T., Pte WF: 12/5/17 Military info: Manchesters Killed in action

CODONA, Frank, Corporal WF: Photo 11/11/16 (see Photo 7/9/18) Military info: 50574, 12 Batt., Royal Scots, Gef Lager, Germany Served, P.O.W. COGGER, Frank, Corporal WF: Photo 30/10/15 Military info: No. 17071, “B” Co., 11th Batt., Cheshire Regt.

Wounded in the right hand

COLEMAN, Joe, Pte Fairground info: Known as Joe “Palliser” WF: Letter 2/6/17 (Letter 23/2/18, Photo 9/11/18) Military info: Section 3, M.T., A.S.C., 8th Aux. Steam Coy. Served COLLINS, Ernest, Pte Fairground info: Known as “Jack”, Roundabout proprietor WF: Photo 18/11/16 Military info: No. 35343, Commandant’s Office, Rifle Range, Hornsea Served COLLISON, S., Lance-Corporal WF: Letter 21/9/18 Military info: 21525, “B” Co., 8th Lincolnshire Regt., France Served COLQUHOUN, A., Pte Fairground info: Known as “Slippery” WF: Photo 30/1/15 Military info: Royal Field Artillery Served CONNELLEY, Nicholas, Driver Fairground info: Connelly Bros.

Roundabout proprietor WF: Photo 25/8/17 Military info: 229522, M.T., A.S.C., Hounslow Barracks, Middlesex Served CONNER, Fred, Pte WF: Photo 16/11/18 Military info: 51895, “K” Co., 18th Platoon, 51st Notts and Derby Regiment, No. 4 Hut Served COOK, John, Pte Fairground info: Ballooning WF: Photo 31/3/17 (see Photo 28/12/18) Military info: “A” Co., 1/8 Highlanders, 19th I.D.B.S. 17, B.E.F., France. Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders Served, Balloon ascent to the height of 3,500 feet COOPER, Frank, Pte WF: Photo 17/7/15 Military info: Royal Horses Artillery Served COOPER, J., H., Sapper WF: Photo 19/1/18 Military info: 292830, T.W.T., Royal Engineers, A.P.Q.S. 36, B.A., France Served CORDWELL, Leonard, Driver WF: Photo 19/8/16 (see Letter 30/3/18) Military info: No. 038076, A.S.C., North Camp Served

SERVING SHOWMEN 1914-18 CORDWELL, James, Driver WF: Photo 1/12/17 Military info: 118731, treated at County of London War Hospital, Epsom, Downs.

Wounded CORDWELL, William, Pte Fairground info: Stall holder WF: Photo 1/4/16 Military info: No. 26735, “C” Co., 22nd Batt., Lancashire Fusiliers, No. 20 Hut, 11 Camp.

Served, died of wounds CORRIGAN, John, Corporal WF: Photo 15/6/18 (see Letter 15/6/18) Military info: 162689, 695 Mechanical Transport Company, Mesopotamia Expeditionary Force Served

COTTAM, C., GEO. Fairground info: Lancashire Showmen’s Football Team WF: Photo 10/4/15 Military info: 5th batt. Lancashire Fusiliers, Egypt Killed COTTAM, Robert WF: Photo 10/4/15 Military info: 1st batt. L.N.I. Regt.

Served

COWIE, John, Pte WF: Photo 21/7/17 Military info: 44946, No. 1 Platoon, “A” Co., 2nd 6th Manchester Regt., B.E.F., France Served COWIE, R., Pte WF: Photo 9/2/18 Military info: 19891, “E” Co., 52nd Leicester Regiment, No. 28 Hut, No. 4 Lines, Clipstone Camp Served

CROLE, J., Driver WF: Photo 28/10/16 Military info: No. 174044, Pontoon Shop, T.D.R.F. Served

CROLE, James, Pte WF: Photo 4/1/19 (see Letter 4/1/19) Died of wounds CROLE, John, Pte WF: Photo 4/1/19 Military info: 90430, 4th Reserve Devous, “A” Co., 4 Hut, 2 Camp Been home on short leave

CROMBIE, Peter WF: 28/8/15 Military info: H.M.S. Swiftsure Served CROW, A., Pte WF: Photo 10/11/17 Military info: M/280673, Army Service Corps, D2 Canton, S71, A.P.G., B.E.F., France Served CROW, C., H., Lance-Corporal WF: Letter 30/6/17 (see Letter 21/9/18) Military info: 46569, 10th Platoon, “C” Co., 10th Batt., N. Fus., B.E.F. France Served CUMMINS, Alexander WF: 28/8/15 Military info: Mine Sweeper Served CUMMINS, John, Pte WF: 28/8/15 Military info: 1st Gordon Highlanders Served DAILEY, Robert, Sgt. WF: 28/8/15 Military info: No. 8153, K.O. Scottish Borderers D.C.M. Served DAILEY, Robert Fairground Info: Sec. Yorkshire Stall Holder Assn.

WF: Letter 29/8/14 Served, awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his gallant services 8/5/15 DAILEY, Robert Corporal WF: Letter 30/1/15 Served DALY, D., P., Sapper WF: Photo 6/10/17 Military info: 169393, 300th E. and M. Co., Royal Engineers, M.E.F., Mesopotamia Served DANIELS, Richard, Gunner Fairground info: Known as “Dick Daniels”, stallholder WF: Photo 30/12/16 Military info: Royal Garrison Artillery Served DARLOW, T., F., Pte WF: 30/1/15 (see photo WF 27/2/15) Military info: No. 2 Company, 7th Batt., K.O.R.L. Regiment, Andover Served DAVIDSON, Adam, Driver Fairground info: Cockernut shie proprietor WF: Photo 8/9/17 Military info: 204042, 7th D.L.I., Transport Section, B.E.F., France Wounded twice

131

DAVIES, E., J., Pte WF: 28/8/15 Military info: Swansea Battalion Served DAVIES, Gordon, Sergeant WF: 28/8/15 Military info: 2nd Batt. Grenadier Guards Served DAVIES, T., G., Pte WF: 28/8/25 Military info: 138 Batt., B.E.F. Served DAVIES, W., J., Corporal WF: 28/8/15 Military info: Welsh Horses Served DAVIES, Stanley, Pte WF: 28/8/15 Military info: Welsh Horses Served

DAVIES, C., Pte WF: 19/2/16 Military info: 20th Welsh Pioneers Training DAVIES, Charlie, Driver WF: Photo 12/1/18 Military info: British Troops, Italy Served DAVIES, Harry, Driver WF: Photo 12/1/18 Military info: 257376, 9th Auxiliary Steam Company, P.O.W. Co. A.P.Q.S.2, B.E.F., France Served DAVIES, Lewis, Pte WF: 28/8/15 Military info: 1st Warwicks Garrison Artillery Served

DAVIES, Charles, Driver WF: Photo 19/10/18 Military info: 42416, 276 M.G.C., Mesopotamia Expeditionary Force, Served DAY, William, Pte WF: Photo 2/11/18 Killed in action DAY, Thomas, Sapper Fairground info: Roundabout proprietor WF: Photo 10/2/17 Military info: 223773, P8, Company Royal Engineers, St. Mary Barracks, Chatham Served

SERVING SHOWMEN 1914-18

132

DEAKIN, J., Pte WF: 28/8/15 (see Photo 4/3/16) Military info: No. 16640, 10th Batt.

Border Regt.

Killed in Action DEARDEN, Joseph, Pte WF: 28/8/15 Military info: No. 5991, 2nd East Lancashires Served DEARDEN, Norman, Gunner Fairground info: Nephew of Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell, Lancashire Roundabout proprietor WF: Photo 5/10/18 Military info: 145 Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery, East Cheshire Regiment, B.E.F., France Served DEEKS, Chas., Driver WF: Photo 22/5/15 Military info: 2nd Army Troops Train, A.S.C. Served DEEKS, Charles, Pte WF: Photo 29/3/19 Military info: Essex Regiment, Back Home DEWHIRST, E., Pte WF: 28/8/15 Military info: No. 20, 315, 3rd East Lancashires Served DEWHURST, R., Pte WF: Letter 22/1/16 Military info: Treated at B4 Ward, Cof 8, Whitworth Street, Military Hospital, Manchester Injured DEWHURST, R., Pte WF: Photo 25/8/17 (see Photo 3/5/19) Military info: 27895, No6 Section, 931 Co., M.T., A.S.C., B.E.F., France Served, Missing DIXON, Gilbert, Driver WF: Photo 21/7/17 Military info: 380276, 26 K.L.R, Transport Section Served DIXON, James, Pte. Military info: 259, 3rd Royal Fusiliers, No 11, London General Hospital Wounded DIXON, James, Corp.

WF: Photo 28/11/14 (letter 30/10/15) Military info: 6th Royal Fusiliers Served, Wounded, Prisoner

DIXON, W., Pte WF 28/8/15 Military info: No. 12169, 4th Sec., 15 Labour Co. Served DOBLE, E., J., Driver Fairground info: Winter Gardens, Stapleton Road, Bristol WF: Photo 13/1/17 Military info: 57823, R.E., 9th Battalion Cheshire Regiment, No. 4, I.B.D., B.E.F., France Served DOLAN, Mike, Sergeant WF: 28/8/15 Military info: 1st Batt. Irish Guards Served DON, John, Driver Fairground info: Manager for Madame Bounds, “The Bear Lady” WF: Photo 27/11/15 Military info: No. 2428, 3/1st East Lancashire Royal Field Artillery Served DONLON, Mike, Sergt.

Fairground info: Heavyweight Champion of the North WF: 7/8/15 Military info: 1st Batt. Irish Guards DOUBTFIRE, A., Corporal WF: 10/4/15 Military info: R.M.L.I., Malta Wounded DOUBTFIRE, W., H. !

WF: Photo 26/12/14 Served DOWLE, A., G. Major Fairground info: Blanchard lamps seller WF: Photo 14/7/15 Military info: Commander-in-Chief of the Welsh Civilian Army, A.U.T.M. Served DUCK, James, Pte WF: Photo 14/7/17 (see Photo 20/6/18) Military info: 316736, M.T., Army Service Corps Garage Served DUWHURST, E. Pte WF: Photo 10/7/15 Served DYER, Herbert, Pte Fairground info: Ghost Show WF: Photo 17/8/10 Served, Missing EAST, Frank, Pte Fairground info: Manager of the popular novelty “Miss Rose Foster” WF: Photo 17/7/15 Served, with his five brothers

ECKERSLEY, Pte WF: 9/11/18 Died of cholera at Bagdad EDMONDS, G., Pte WF: 28/8/15 Military info: No. 101456, Mechanical Transport, A.S.C. Served EDMUNDS, G., Pte WF: Photo 10/7/15 Military info: Mechanical Transport A.S.C. Served

EDWARDS, James, Pte WF: Photo 16/12/16 Military info: 23517, 9th Lancers, No. 5 General Base, Cavalry Details, Rouen, France Served EDWARDS, Monty, Pte Fairground info: Roundabout WF: Photo 28/11/14 Military info: 13th batt. “B” Company of the Imperial Fusiliers Served EDWARDS, Robert, Pte WF: Photo 16/12/16 Military info: 5194, 3rd-5th Gloucesters, Windmill Camp, Andover Served

ELLIS, H., G., Sergeant WF: Photo 2/11/18 Served, awarded the Military medal and the Croix the Guerre EMERSON, John, Gunner WF: Photo 23/6/17 Military info: 18764, “B” Co., “D” Section, 6 Hut, Royal Garrison Artillery Served EVANS, R., W., Pte Fairground info: Has ambitions to be a poet WF: Letter/poem 5/2/16 Military info: No. 17895, 2nd Batt., Border Regiment, “A” Co., 4th Section, British Expeditionary Force, France Served FANNING, Harry, Pte Fairground info: Original Royal Court Marionette proprietor WF: Photo 28/7/17 Military info: 1st Cameronians, S.R., “D” Co. 14th Platoon, B.E.F., France Served, awarded the Military Medal FARREL, Joe, Pte WF: Letter 11/5/18 Military info: 18070, 14th Platoon, 4th Co., 2nd Batt., Coldstream Guards, B.E.F., France Served

SERVING SHOWMEN 1914-18 FARRELL, W., Lc. Corp.

WF: Photo 3/7/15 Military info: South Midland Royal Engineers Served FELTON, B., Bombardier WF: Photo 21/10/16 Military info: No. 116842, R.F.A., No. 4 Section, 11th D.A.C., 11th Div., B.E.F., France Served FERRIS, T., Pte WF: Photo 2/2/18 Military info: 101555, 1928 Co., Mechanical Transport, A.S.C., Mesopotamian B.E.F. Served FLANAGAN, Steve, Sergeant WF: 28/8/15 (see Photo 10/8/18) Military info: 6th Northamptonshire Regiment Served, twice wounded, awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal and the Military Medal FLETCHER, E., Pte WF: Photo 19/2/16 (see Photo 20/10/17) Military info: 44343, “A” Sub Section No. 1 A.S.C., A.M.T.D., France Served, wounded FLOWERS, Jack, Corporal WF: 7/8/15 Military info: Royal Engineers Served FOX, Johnny Fairground info: Murphy & Campbell’s WF: Photo (Pre-war) 2/2/18 Served FRAMPTON, William, Mr. Fairground info: Roundabout proprietor WF: Photo 22/12/17 Military info: 222, “A” Division, Constable Served FRANCIS, H., Driver WF: 28/8/15 Military info: 3rd Div. Ammunition Col. R.F.A. Served FRANCIS, H., Driver WF: 28/8/15 Military info: No. 1 Section R.F.A. Served FRANKLIN, Driver Fairground info: Shooting Saloon Proprietor WF: 27/5/16 Military info: No. 116555, Royal Field Artillery, 8th Reserve Battery, “D” SubSection, Fulwood Barracks, Preston Served

FREEMAN, G., B., Pte Fairground info: Known as “G. Biddall” WF: Photo 6/4/18 Discharged having been wounded FREEMAN, Horatio, Pte WF: Photo 23/6/17 Military info: 87183, 93 Co., No. 2 Section, Machine Gun Corpe, B.E.F., France Served FREEMAN, W., Pte WF: Photo 26/10/18 Military info: 38703, 11th Platoon, “C” Co., 1/5th East Lancashire Regiment, B.E.F., France Served

FURNEY, Robert, Pte WF: Photo 26/2/16 (17/6/16) Military info: 45790, M.M, “D” Co., 19th Batt., Royal Welsh Fusiliers, 14th Platoon, B.E.F., France Served, awarded the Military Medal for gallant conduct GAGE, Joe, Driver WF: 28/8/15 Military info: No. 43137, Royal Field Artillery Served GAMBLE, James, Driver WF: Photo 8/3/19 Military info: 271163, M.T. Army Service Corps, 58 Siege Battery, Caterpillar Section, C. Siege Park, B.E.F., France Served GARDNER, Thomas Pte. Fairground info: “Tommy, the Goldfish King” WF: Photo 24/3/17 (see Letter 30/3/18) Military info: No. 16259 A.V.C. No 5 Sec. B.E.F., France Served GARNER, L., B., Pte WF: Letter 30/10/15 Military info: No. 55992, No. 24 General Hospital, R.A.M.C., A.P.O., S11, British Expeditionary Force, France Served GARNON, Tom Fairground info: Murphy & Campbells WF: Photo (pre-war) 2/2/18 Served GAYE, Joe, Driver WF: Photo 24/7/15 Served GAYS, Percy, Pte WF: 2/10/15 (Letter 30/10/15) Served, Missing

133 GESS, Frank, Pte Fairground info: Athlete WF: Photo 3/5/19 Served, won the Army and Navy Championship two years in succession, Demobilised GILBEY, Fred, Driver WF: Photo 18/12/15 Military info: Royal Garrison Artillery Served GILLEY, Horace, Lance-Corporal Fairground info: Manager on the Leon Vint Circuit WF: Photo 8/1/16 Military info: Army Ordnance Corps Served GRAHAM, John, James, Driver Fairground info: Roundabout proprietor WF: Photo 3/3/17 (see Photo 23/11/18) Military info: No. 3 Section, “A” Echlon, 7th D.A.C., R.F.A., B.E.F., France Served, awarded the Military Medal, Killed in action GRANT, Farrier, Richard, Sergeant Fairground info: Lancashire Stallholder WF: Photo 13/2/15 Military info: No. 4096, 160 Company of the A.S.C. Served GRAY, Claude, Pte WF: 30/9/16 Military info: Suffolks Killed in action GRAY, Joe, Pte WF: Photo 29/1/16 Military info: Black Watch Regiment Served GARY, Kenneth, Pte WF: Photo 13/4/18 Served GREASLEY, F., S., Walton WF: Photo 9/1/15 Military info: A.S.C. Motor Transport Wounded GREALY, Jack, Pte WF: 28/8/15 ( Letter 18/9/15) Military info: No. 9595, 1st Worcesters Served

GREIG, Harry, Pte Fairground info: Horse Dealer WF: Photo 2/12/16 Military info: No. 19 Room, 3rd Gordon Highlanders, Barracks, King Street Served GREIG, Johnny, Pte Fairground info: Horse Dealer

SERVING SHOWMEN 1914-18

134 WF: Photo 2/12/16 Military info: No. 26195, No. 11 Hut, Scottish Rifles Nigg, Ross shire, Scotland Served

HANCOCK, Arthur, D., Gunner WF: Photo 8/12/17 Military info: 75860, “D” Batt., 11th Co., Tanks Corps, B.E.F., France Served

HARRINGTON, J., Pte WF: Photo 27/2/15 Military info: 7th Batt. No. 2 Company of the K.O.R.L. Served

GREIG, Mechech, Pte Fairground info: Horse Dealer WF: Photo 2/12/16 Military info: No. 14897, No. 19 Room, 3rd Gordon Highlanders, Barracks, King Street Served

HANCOCK, Arthur, James WF: 5/2/16 Military info: No. 3 Group, Lord Derby’s Scheme, No. 1 Hut, “B” Co., Catterick Served

HARRIS, William, Pte WF: Photo 17/6/16 Military info: No. 16714, “F” Co., 3rd Batt, R.W.R., Parkhurst, Isle of Wight Served

GRIFFITHS, L., Seaman WF: 28/8/15 Military info: Royal Navy Served GRISENTHWAITE, Pte WF: 28/8/15 Military info: 3/9 Batt. King’s Liverpool Regt.

Served GRUNDY, J., Pte WF: 28/8/15 Military info: No. 7623, Royal Welsh Fusiliers Served GURLING, M., A., Pte WF: Photo 9/10/15 Military info: No. 1795, 5th Lancashire Territorials Wounded HAIGH, Walter, Pte Fairground info: Shooting Saloon proprietor WF: Photo 27/1/17 Military info: 6709, “N” Co., 3rd Platoon, 1/6 Duke of Wellington, B.E.F., France Served, Killed in action HALL, Rowland, Pte WF: 28/8/15 Military info: 1st Batt. Leicester Regt.

Served

HAMLIN, A., Pte WF: 21/9/18 Military info: 4th Platoon, Gun Section, 18th Gloucester Regiment Killed in action HAMLIN, W., Pte WF: Photo 30/6/17 (see 21/9/18) Military info: 31136, 12th Gloucester Regt., No. 4 Camp, Sutton Coldfield Wounded twice

HAMPTON, George, Pte WF: Photo 29/12/17 Military info: “D” Company, 3rd Lincoln Wounded

HARE, C., Driver WF: 28/8/15 Military info: No. 53081, Royal Engineers Served HARLEY, R., B., Gunner Fairground info: Scottish Tattooist WF: Photo 16/2/18 Military info: 190438, Hut 11, 1st Siege Artillery, 4th Battery Reserve Brigade, R.G.A. Served HARNIESS, Frank, Pte Fairground info: Member of Harniess Bros., Roundabout proprietor WF: Photo 26/1/18 Military info: Barclay Place, Bridgewater Served

HARRINGTON, Arthur, Pte Fairground info: Cheshire Stallholder WF: Photo 24/8/18 Military info: 12th King’s Own Royal Lancaster, “B” Company Invalided, Discharged HARRINGTON, Ben, Pte Fairground info: Cheshire Stallholder WF: Photo 24/8/18 Military info: 29576, Army Veterinary Corps, “B” Sub, 24th Veterinary Hospital, B.E.F., France Served HARRINGTON, George, Pte Fairground info: Cheshire Stallholder WF: Photo 24/8/18 Military info: 3rd A.M., No. 6 Apron, No. 2 Squadron, Royal Air Force, London Served HARRINGTON, James, Pte Fairground info: Cheshire Stallholder WF: Photo 24/8/18 Military info: 47891, 2nd Manchester Regiment, 10th Platoon, “C” Co., B.E.F., France Missing HARRINGTON, Robert, Pte Fairground info: Cheshire Stallholder WF: Photo 24/8/18 Military info: 37th Welsh Cycle Corps Died

HARRIS, T., G., Pte WF: Photo 10/11/17 Military info: 182060, No. 7, Transway Co., Royal Engineers, B.E.F., France Served HARRISON, David, Pte WF: Photo 12/5/17 Military info: 11th Yeomanry Cyclist Section Served HARRISON, Isaac, Pte Fairground info: Lancashire Stallholder WF: Photo 13/2/15 Military info: No. 7887, “A” Company 13th Manchester Regiment Training HART, Charles, Pte WF: Photo 15/9/17 Military info: 42083, No. 9 Platoon, “C” Co., 18th Manchester Regt.

Killed in action HARVEY, Brose, Pte WF: Photo 11/8/15 Military info: Queen’s Royal West Surreys Wounded HARVEY, Henry, Lance-Corporal WF: Photo 16/12/16 Military info: 23515, No. 5, General Base, Cavalry Details, Rouen, France Served HAWLEY, Geo., Pte WF: 28/8/15 Military info: No. 9774, Warwickshire Regt.

Served HAYES, C., Saddler Fairground info: Stallholder WF: Photo 17/3/17 Military info: 56629, 6/110th Brigade, 25 Division, Royal Field Artillery, B.E.F., France Served HEADLEY, Harold, Milner, Pte Fairground info: Franco-British Exhibition, Birkenhead WF: Photo 23/12/16 Military info: 46347, “B” Co., 23rd Batt., King’s Liverpool Regiment Served, Killed in action

SERVING SHOWMEN 1914-18 HEATH, Leo., Prof.

WF: 28/8/15 Military info: Defense Corps Served HEMMING, Oliver, Pte WF: 28/8/15 Military info: No. 113707, Mechanical Transport A.S.C. Served

HEMMINGS, Alfred Fairground info: Derby man WF: 13/3/15 Served HEMMINGS, John Fairground info: Derby man WF: 13/3/15 Military info: Seaforth Highlanders, New Army Served HEMMINGS, Samuel, George Fairground info: Derby man WF: 13/3/15 Military info: R.A.M.C., France Served HEMMINGS, Thomas Fairground info: Derby man WF: 13/3/15 Military info: Joined the New Army Wounded in the knee during the Boxer Rising in China HEMMINGS, Sidney Fairground info: Derby man WF: 13/3/15 Military info: Canadian Expeditionary Force Served

HENDERSON, Charles, LanceCorporal WF: 27/4/18 (see Photo 11/5/18) Military info: 1/5th Cornwalls, France Killed in action HENDERSON, W., Pte WF: Photo 4/11/16 Military info: No. 5640, 2/6th Glousters, B.E.F., 55th Infantry Base Depot, France Served HENSHAW, William, Pte WF: Photo 21/9/18 Military info: “A” Co., King’s Liverpool Regiment Killed in action HERBERT, Johnny, Driver WF: Photo 27/5/16 Military info: Caterpillar Section, Mechanical Transport, A.C.S. Serve HERCHER, P., Sapper WF: Photo 7/9/18 Military info: 408277, Royal Engineers

135

Served, awarded the Military Medal for gallantry and great devotion to duty HEYWOOD, J., Pte WF: 28/8/15 Military info: H.M.S. Ribble Served

HOLLOWAY, Fred, Pte WF: Photo 21/9/18 (see 12/10/18) Wounded and missing, Killed in action

HIGGINS, Harry WF: Photo 9/1/15 Served

HOLLOWAY, W., Pte WF: Photo 3/2/17 Military info: Royal Warwickshire Regiment Served, P.O.W.

HILL, Albert, Pte WF: Photo 20/10/17 Military info: T/278148, A.S.C. late R.G.A. Served

HOLMES, Albion, Pte Killed

HILL, Harry, Pte WF: Photo 4/5/18 Military info: Royal Scottish Fusiliers Killed in action

HOLMES, G., Pte WF: Photo 14/9/18 Military info: 35085, 3rd Garrison Bedford Regiment, “B” Co., 6th Platoon, India Served

HILL, James, Driver Fairground info: Roundabout proprietor WF: Photo 8/4/16 Military info: Mechanical Transport, Army Service Corps Training at Osterly Camp, Isleworth, London

HOLMES, G., Pte WF: Photo 16/9/16 Military info: “A” Co., 27th Regt., Royal Fusiliers Chocolate Factory, Edinburgh Served

HILL, Jas, Lc-Copl.

WF: Letter 21/7/17 Military info: A.S.C., M.T., 146 Siege Battery, Am. Column Served HILL, Wm., Driver WF: Letter 7/8/15 (Letter 1/4/16, 21/10/16, 21/7/17, 23/3/18 and 9/11/18) Military info: No. 72773, E. E. Cable Section, Army Signals, Royal Engineers, Egypt Served

HOBBS, George, Pte Fairground info: Manager for Mr. P. Collins WF: 26/10/18 Died in an Italian Hospital HOBSON, George, H., Pte Fairground info: Liverpool Caterer WF: Photo 5/1/18 Military info: Machine Gun Corps Wounded, awarded the Ribbon of the Military Medal HODGSON, H. WF: Photo 10/7/15 Military info: Mechanical Transport A.S.C. Served HOLDSWORTH, Arthur, Gunner WF: Photo 17/2/17 (see Letter 21/7/17) Military info: 117677, NO. A! Hut, “H” Co., 4th Depot, Royal Garrison Artillery Served

HOLMES, Richard, Pte Fairground info: Stallholder WF: 5/8/16 Military info: 3rd Dragoon Guard, “C” Squadron, No. 1 Troop Served HOLT, Francis, Joseph, Pte WF: 12/10/18 Military info: S/40609, 6th Batt., Queen’s Own Cameronian Highlanders Killed in action HOLT, H., J., Pte WF: 7/8/15 Military info: No. 302 Company, Mechanical Motor Transport A.S.C. Served HOPKINS, Thomas, Driver Fairground info: Roundabout proprietor WF: Photo 26/5/17 Military info: 300000, M.T. Army Service Corps, No. 7 Served HOUGH, Albert WF: 7/8/15 Military info: 2nd Batt. Manchester Regiment Served HOWDEN, Jack, Pte WF: Photo 2/9/16 Military info:No. 21373, 3rd Lincoln, B.E.F., France Served HOWORTH, W., Pte WF: Photo 18/1/19 Military info: 60509, South

SERVING SHOWMEN 1914-18

136 Lancashire Regiment, Working Battalion Served HOYLE, Edgar Pte Fairground info: Musician at the Grand Walsall Theatre WF: Photo 5/12/14 Military info: Belle Vue Barracks, Bradford Served HUGES, W, Corporal WF: Letter 10/11/17 (see Letter 23/2/18) Military info: 19832, 4th Platoon, 34th Labour Co., B.E.F., France Served HUGHES, Freddy, Driver Fairground info: Boxer WF: Photo 1/1/16 Military info: Royal Field Artillery Served HURTS, Norman, Pte WF: 28/8/15 Military info: “A” Co., 13th Manchester Served

INGHAM, R., N., Seaman Fairground info: Stallholder WF: Photo 27/1/17 (see Letter 6/10/17) Military info: M.Z., 2383, 1st Sub Port Main Top, R.N. Depot Crystal Palace Served INGHAM, S., N., Lance-Corporal Fairground info: Lancashire Stallholder WF: Photo 8/12/17 Military info: 39146, 3rd East Lancashire Regiment, G.P.O., India Served INGHAM, W., A., Gunner Fairground info: Stallholder WF: Photo 24/6/16 Killed

IRVIN, E., T., Pte WF: Photo 5/1/18 Military info: 33916, No. 11, Scottish Rifles, Base Depot Forces, Salonika Served

JENNINGS, Cyril WF: Photo 30/1/15 Military info: A.S.C., Aldershot Served JEPSON, Fred, Pte Fairground info: Stallholder WF: Photo 7/4/17 Military info: 271000, 163rd Section, H.A.M.T., 258th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery, Caterpillar Section, B.E.F., France Served JERVIS, George, Pte Fairground info: Steam Swing proprietor WF: Photo 16/2/18 Military info: 162850, 1005 Company, Mechanical Transport, Army Service Corps, Egyptian Expeditionary Force Served JOHNSON, C., J., Prof WF: Photo 5/12/14 Military info: Red Cross Served JOHNSON, D., Pte WF: 2/10/15 Military info: No. 20864, “D” Co., 14 Platoon, 22 S. Batt., Hants Regt.

Served

HURST, Norman Sapper Fairground info: Roundabout proprietor WF: Photo 15/5/15 Military info: Royal Engineers Served

IRVIN, James, H., Pte Fairground info: Scottish Roundabout proprietor WF: Photo 7/4/17 (see photo 29/3/19, 3/5/19) Military info: 281683, No. 6 Section, 931 Co., M.T., A.S.C., B.E.F., France Served, Missing

HURST, W., N., Pte WF: 28/8/15 Military info: No. 186202, Mechanical Transport, A.S.C. Served

ISTED, E. WF: Photo 26/8/16 Military info: No. 08066, 318 Co., M.T, A.S.C. Served

HUTCHESON, Sergeant WF: Photo 7/7/17 Military info: 19617, 20th Middlesex Regt., “A” Co., B.E.F., France Served

JACKSON, Joe, Pte WF: Photo 12/5/17 Military info: 8939, 54th T.R. Battalion, “A” Co., Transport Section Served

HYATT, James, Pte Fairground info: known as “Jimmy Brown” WF: Photo 3/2/17 Military info: “B” Co., 1st Middlesex Regt., 7th Platoon B.E.F. Served

JACKSON, J., H. Fairground info: Roundabout proprietor WF: Photo 7/8/15 Military info: “c.” Co., 10th Platoon, Nelson Batt. Royal Naval Division Served, Wounded, Served

ILLINGWORTH, Sam, Pte Fairground info: Stallholder and traveler WF: Photo 25/12/15 Military info: Bomb Thrower, 8th Border Regiment Served

JAMES, Alfred, Pte. WF: Photo 17/3/17 Military info: 8 Hut, C Lines, 8th Depot, No. 1 Batt., M.G.C., Transport Served

JOHNSTONE, W., Pte WF: Photo 10/7/15 Military info: Mechanical Transport A.S.C. Served

JAMES, William, Pte WF: 28/8/15 Military info: No. 11513, “D” Co., 2nd Batt., S. Staffs Served

JONES, J., Sapper WF: Photo 4/11/16 Military info: No. 145972, 2nd R.B., R.F., 3rd Co. Served

INGHAM, J., H., Gunner WF: Photo 2/3/18 Military info: 125030/282, 8th Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery, B.E.F., France Served

JOHNSON, Elijah Driver WF: Photo 5/6/15 Military info: Royal Field Artillery Served JOHNSON, J. Pte WF: Photo 28/11/14 Military info: Royal West Kents, Claim to have fired the first shot for the British Army in France Served JOHNSON, J., W., Pte WF: Photo 20/5/16 Military info: No. 4507, 7th N.F. Reserve Force, Redcar Camp, Redcar Served JOHNSON, Professor WF: 28/8/15 Military info: British Red Cross Society Served

SERVING SHOWMEN 1914-18

JONES, M., Gunner Fairground info: Employ by Wm. Thurston WF: Photo 14/4/17 Military info: 70354, Royal Garrison Artillery, 373 Siege Battery, No. 2 Camp, Hut 13 Served JONES, Charlie, Pte Fairground info: Employ by Wm. Thurston WF: Photo 14/4/17 Military info: 33435, 9th Platoon, “C” Company, 11th Batt., Middlesex Regiment, B.E.F., France Served, wounded twice

JONES, W., H., Trooper WF: 28/8/15 Military info: Overseas Squadron, A.S.C. Served JONES, Thomas, Pte WF: Photo 8/1/16 Military info: No. 9222, Worcestershire Regiment Wounded: trigger finger blown off, frozen feet KITTERIDGE, J., S., Seaman WF: Photo 15/2/19 Served KERRINSON, R., J., Driver WF: Photo 5/6/15 Military info: 4th Regt. Army Service Corps Served LANGDON, W., Pte Fairground info: Manager for Lucy Moore WF: Photo 19/6/15 Served LAWRENCE, A., Pte WF: Photo 22/7/16 Military info: Royal Scots Fusiliers Killed in action LEACH, F., Sergeant Fairground info: Shoemaker WF: 28/8/15 Military info: Canadian Regiment Served LENNARD, Jimmy, Petty Officer WF: Photo 19/2/16 Military info: Royal Naval Division Training LEONARDS, Alf, Pte Fairground info: Employer of Mr. P. Collins WF: Photo 1/6/18 Military info: 127727, Royal Army Medical Corps, 24th General Hospital, B.E.F., France Served

LEVER, J., T., Pte WF: Photo 18/5/18 Military info: 90959, 8th Durham Light Infantry, 13th Platoon, “D” Co., B.E.F., France Served LEVY, A., Pte WF: 16/9/16 Died of wounds LEWIS, E., B., Pte WF: Photo 27/1/17 Military info: 35419, S.W.B., B.E.F., France Served LEWIS, Jack WF: see Letter to WF 21/8/15 (Photo 12/6/15) Military info: No. 8447 “C” Co., 10th Warwicks Served LEYLAND, Samuel, Pte Fairground info: Marionette and Cinematograph show proprietor, owner of the Picture Palace, Milnsbridge WF: Photo 22/3/19 Military info: Mechanical Transport Section Served LITTLEWOOD, H. Pte WF: Photo 17/10/14 Military Info: 9314, Rifleman, 1st Riflebrigade, Served, P.O.W Gafangenin Langa Doberitz, Germany, LING, Joe WF: Photo 26/12/14 Served LOCK, Frank, Corporal Fairground info: Employed by Alderman G.T. Tuby and Sons, Doncaster WF: Photo 24/11/17 Military info: West Yorks Regiment Killed in action LOWE, Henry Pte WF: Photo 20/10/17 Military info: 1/7th Royal Warwickshire Regiment Died of wounds

LYNCH, George, Lance-Corporal WF: Photo 23/12/16 Military info: 5th King’s Liverpool Regt., “D” Squad, Stanhope Liner Served LYNCH, Robert, Gunner WF: Photo 23/12/16 Military info: 150596, 9th Reserve Battery, R.F.A., Fulwood Barracks, Preston Served, then became P.O.W.

137

LYONS, Harry, Sgt. WF: 28/8/15 Military info: Inniskilling Fusiliers Killed LYONS, Percey WF: 28/8/15 Military info: Inniskilling Fusiliers Wounded LYONS, Robert WF: 28/8/15 Military info: Mechanical Transport Served

MACINTOSH, S., Gunner Fairground info: Member of the “Glasgow Celtic Showmen’s F.C.” WF: 30/1/15 (see photo WF 27/2/15) Military info: 33rd Reserve, “L” Division of the Royal Field Artillery Served MACINTOSH, S., Pte WF: Photo 5/1/18 Military info:297328, Road Construction Company, R.E., B.E.F., France Served MACINTOSH, J., Pte Fairground info: Player of the Carnival Celtic F.C. WF: Photo 6/1/17 Military info: 7027, “A” Co., 2/6 Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders, Norwich Served MACINTOSH, T., Pte WF: Photo 16/11/18 Military info: 7076, Group 2, Hut 84, R.M.E., Bedenham Camp Served

MADDEN, M., Pte WF: 28/8/15 Military info: No. 24115, 1st Cheshire Served MADDOCKS, R., Pte Fairground info: Known as “Doctor”, employee of Mr. P. Collins WF: 18/9/15 Military info: No. 15881, “D” Co., 14th Platoon, 6th Section, Indian Expeditionary Force Wounded MALLEY, John, Gunner Fairground info: Stallholder (Mr. James Dearden) WF: Photo 14/10/16 Military info: No. 85192, “S” Section, Royal Naval Air Service, G.P.O. Served

SERVING SHOWMEN 1914-18

138

MAPPLEBECK, Joseph, Henry, Drummer WF: Photo 9/1/15 (see Photo 16/6/17) Military info: No. 2356, 11th Batt., Gunner in the 2nd Royal Scots, B.E.F., France Wounded, invalided home MAPPLEBECK, Thomas, Pte WF: Photo 16/6/17 Military info: 50614, 1st Northumberland Fusiliers, 3rd Platoon, “W” Co., B.E.F., France Served

MARCHANT, Billy, Pte WF: 7/8/15 Military info: Duke of Leicestershire Yeomenary Served MARSHALL, Bob Pte. Fairground info: Writer and scenic artist for Jack M. Headley’s FrancoBritish Exhibitions WF: 28/8/15 (Letter 16/10/15 and 8/4/16) Military info: No. 365 M.T. Co., A.S.C., Advanced M.T. Depot, B.E.F., France Served MARSHALL, Willie, Pioneer Fairground info: Roundabout proprietor WF: Photo 1/7/16 Military info: No. 129627, “A” Co., 4th Section Special Brigade, No. 1 Batt Royal Engineers, British Expeditionary Force, France Served

MARTIN, A., T., Pte WF: Photo 7/10/16 Military info: No. 166604, Caterpillar Driver, 86th Seige Battalion, Ammunition Column 13th Corps, B.E.F. Served MARTIN, G., H., Sapper WF: Photo 7/10/16 Military info: No. 159795, Royal Engineers, St. Francis Barracks, Malta Served

MARTIN, Edward, Pte Fairground info: Preston Stallholder WF: Photo 19/5/17 Military info: 24720, No. 11 Hut, “D” Co., 3rd K.O.L.R. Served MARTIS, John, Pte WF: 28/8/15 Military info: No. 48768, 2nd Worcestershire Served

MATHIESON, Johnnie Fairground info: “the Fighting Scot” WF: 7/8/15 Military info: 1st Batt. Seaforth Highlanders Served MATTHEWS, William, Pte WF: Photo 24/3/17 Military info: 3792, “B” Co., 2/5 Hants. Batt., Fort St. George, Madras, India Served MATTHEWMAN, Hector WF: Photo 9/1/15 Military info: A.S.C.T. Served MAYNE, S., Pte WF: Photo 28/6/18 Military info: 192268, 1007 Company, Mechanical Transport Army Service Corps, Egyptian Expeditionary Force, Egypt Served McARDELL, Fred WF: 17/6/16 Military info: A.B., H.M.S. Invincible Killed in action McCABE, Joseph, Pte WF: Photo 24/7/15 Military info: No. 3421, 4th Black Watch Served McDONALD, James, Pte WF: 28/8/15 Military info: 1st Cameronians Served McEVOY, Pte WF: 27/4/18 Military info: 178th Manchesters, King’s Ward, 2nd Eastern General Hospital, Brighton Wounded McGOWAN, Gilbert, Driver Fairground info: known as “Gibbie” WF: Letter 17/4/15 Military info: 166 Driver, A.S.C. 21st Field Ambulance, B. Sec., 7th Div. Train, British Expeditionary Force Served

McGUINESS Briney Fairground info: Boxer WF: Photo 9/10/15 Military info: Army Veterinary Corps, Alexandria, Egypt Served McGUINESS Teddy, Corporal Fairground info: Boxer WF: Photo 9/10/15 Military info: Army Veterinary Corps, Alexandria, Egypt Served

McINTOSH, Wm. WF: 28/8/15 Military info: Mine Sweeper Served McINTYRE, J. WF: Letter 24/7/15 Military info: No. 3232, 4th Seaforth Highlanders, British Expeditionary Force, France Served McKENZIE D., Sergeant WF: Photo 30/10/15 Military info: Drill Instructor, No. 1743, 1st Gordon Highlanders Wounded McKENZIE, James, Pte WF: 28/8/15 Military info: 4th Batt. Gordon Highlanders Served MELLOR, Frank, A.C.2 Fairground info: Staff of the “World’s Fair” WF: Photo 25/5/18 Military info: Royal Air Service, Benchfield Promenade, Penzance Served MELLOR, Walter, Pte WF: Photo 25/5/18 Military info: 43277, “C” Section, 21st Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps, B.E.F., Italy Served, awarded the Military Medal

MERRICK, Billy, Pte WF: Photo 28/9/18 Military info: Construction Co., Holloway Served MERRICK, Bobby, Driver WF: Photo 28/9/18 Military info: 183599, 152 Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery, B.E.F., France Served MERRICK, Harry, Driver WF: Photo 28/9/18 Military info: 54th Section, 61st Auxiliary Mechanical Transport Company, B.E.F., France Served MERRICK, Peter, Driver WF: Photo 5/5/17 Military info: 295577, 1st Army, Service Corps, Mechanical Transport Base, B.E.F., Romen, France Served MESSHAM, James, Driver WF: 18/9/15 Military info: No. 1472, Royal Field Artillery Served

SERVING SHOWMEN 1914-18

MILLER, John, Signaller WF: 12/10/18 Died of wounds MILLER, Richard WF: Photo 21/11/14 Military info: Royal Marine Band Killed on board H.M.S. Monmouth MILNER, John, Pte WF:9/1/15 Military info: 8th Batt. Leeds Pals Served MITCHELL, Percy, Pte. WF: Photo 15/7/16 Military info: No. 4843, “C” Company, 2/7 Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, Bedford Served MOORE, Albert, Pte Fairground info: Boxer WF: Photo 7/12/18 Served MORRIS, Jack Pte WF: 6/5/16 Military info: No. 06760, Mechanical Transport, Army Service Corps, No. 6 Armoured Car Battalion, Salonika Served

MURRAY, A., J., Pte WF: 1/1/16 (see Photo 6/6/18) Military info: No. 3347, K.O.Y.L.I., 28th Division, Alexandria, Egypt Served, Gassed in France, wounded twice MURRAY, T., J. Fairground info: “Goudie”, Jewells family business.

WF: 9/1/15 Military info: King’s Own Yorkshire L.I. Served NEAL, James, Stoker Fairground info: Stallholder WF: Photo 17/3/17 Military info: H.M.S. Africa Served NEALS, J., Driver WF: Photo 23/2/18 Military info: 145765, “A” Battery, 95th Brigade, R.F.A., B.E.F., France Served

139

NOBLE, Henry, Driver WF: Photo 29/9/17 Military info: M/335186, 2 Section, M.T., A.S.C., B.E.F., France Served NOBLE. John, Pte WF: 28/8/15 Military info: 4th Welsh Served NOBLE, Tom, Corporal WF: Photo 29/9/17 Military info: 168634, 6th Durham Light Infantry Served

OAKLEY, A., E., Driver Fairground info: Yorkshire Comedian WF: Photo 23/2/18 Military info: 204873, “A” Battery, 95th Brigade, R.F.A., B.E.F., France Served

NEWBY, C., Pte WF: Photo 22/9/17 Military info: 2855, No. 1 Co., Royal Fusiliers Served

ODLEY, H., Driver WF: Photo 14/10/16 Military info: No. 35666, M.G.S., B.E.F., France Served

MORRISON, David, Stewart, Pte WF: Photo 4/8/17 Military info: Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders Served

NICHOLS, Bombardier WF: 28/8/15 Military info: Royal Field Artillery Served

ODLEY, W., Pte WF: Photo 11/3/16 Military info: South Wales Borderers Wounded 3 times, Egypt and Dardanelles, Discharged

MORRISON, Duncan, Driver WF: Photo 16/6/17 (see Photo 26/10/18) Military info: M/305643, No. 3 Co., 10th Room, M.T., Depot, A.S.C. Served

NIND, A., Pte WF: 28/8/15 Military info: No. 7712, 2nd Worcesters Served

MORRISON, William, Driver WF: Photo 30/12/16 Military info: 222991, A.S.C., Royal Oak Hotel, Tattershall Bridge, Linconshire Served MOTT, W. Pte. WF: 28/8/15 ( see Letter to WF 1/5/15, 3/7/15 and 13/2/15) Military info: No. 3756, Engine Driver, Foden Wagon, No. 3 First Army Troop Supply Column Served MULLET, W., Sapper WF: Photo 10/8/18 Military info: 293750, 350 R.M. Company, Royal Engineers, B.E.F., France Served MURPHY, T., P., Pte WF: Letter 8/12/17 Military info: S.E. Driver, 13th Corps Troop Sup Col., A.S.C., B.E.F. France

NIND, B., Pte WF: 28/8/15 Military info: No. 6550, 27th Div., K.S.L.I. Served NIND, C., Sergeant WF: 28/8/15 Military info: No. 14497, “C” Co., 11th Welsh Served NIND, James, Pte WF: 28/8/15 Military info: No. 21870, 8th Batt.

Canadians Served

NORTH, E., Pte WF: 28/8/15 Military info: No. 105270, Mechanical Transport A.S.C. Served NORTH, Walter, Pte WF: Photo 22/2/19 Died of wounds

OSBORN, Harold, Pte WF: 28/8/15 Military info: No. 18518, 1st Batt.

Suffolk Regt.

Served OSBORN, Theodore, Pte WF: 28/8/15 Military info: No. 59376, Royal Horse Artillery, B.R.B. Served OWEN, Alf, Pte Fairground info: Stallholder WF: Photo 7/4/17 Military info: 3918, “C” Co., 8th South Wales Borderers, B.E.F., France Served O’ SHEA, Con., Corporal WF: 28/8/15 Military info: “C” Squad., 4th Dragoon Guards Served PAINE, George, J., Driver Fairground info: Cinematograph show proprietor WF: Photo 7/7/17 Military info: 300868, A.S.C., M.T. Served

SERVING SHOWMEN 1914-18

140 PLAFREYMAN, J., J. WF: Letter 9/11/18 Military info: S/S/, 44052, No. 1 Section, 65 D.A.C. Rookery Park Served PALLISER, John, W. Pte Fairground info: Lancashire travelers WF: Photo 7/11/14 (Photo 9/9/16) Military info: 4th Batt. East Lancashire Territorials Wounded PANNELL, John, Pte WF: Photo 2/6/17 Military info: 1632, No. 2 Royal Marines, 11th Entrenching Battalion, B.E.F. France Served

PAYNE, F., Sergeant Fairground info: Shooting Saloon proprietor WF: Photo 22/4/16 Training at Kinmel Camp PAYNE, J., W., Lance-Corporal Fairground info: Shooting saloon proprietor WF: Photo 6/10/17 Military info: 29036, 2nd Batt. West Yorks, “A” Co., No. 4 Platoon, B.E.F., France Served, awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal PAYNE, Robert, Driver Fairground Info: Shooting Saloon Proprietors, Beverley WF: Photo 18/9/15 Military info: No. 056, 779, 226 Co., Army Service Corps, Perham Downs, Hants Served

PENCELLY, H., C., Pte WF: 28/8/15 Military info: Royal Field Artillery Served PENFOLD, William, Driver WF: Photo 10/2/17 Military info: 506 Co., Army Service Corps, G.P.O., London Served PLINSTON, D., Driver WF: 28/8/15 Military info: No. 36317, 1st Canadians Served POWELL, Jack, Driver Military info: No. 281442 A.S.C., M.T. Served PRENTICE, C., J., Corporal WF: 28/8/15 Military info: No. 12323, Army Service Corps Served

PRESCOTT, G., Pte WF: 22/4/16 Training at Kinmel Camp PRICE, Fred, Pte WF: Photo 2/9/16 Military info: No. 22860, 8th Lincoln, 9th Infantry Barracks, A.P.O., Section 4, B.E.F. Served PROTCHARD, William, Pte WF: Photo 30/11/18 Served

PROCTOR, Fred, Pte WF: Photo 26/1/18 Military info: 65716, D.L.I., Transport Section, No.1 Camp Served PROCTOR, Robert, Pte WF: Photo 27/10/17 Military info: 102825, No. 97, Machine Gun Company, Section 2, B.E.F., France Served PROCTOR, Thomas, Driver WF: Photo 21/7/17 Military info: 315183, No. 67 Section, M.T. Co., A.S.C., B.E.F., France Served

PURCHASE, J., B., Gunner WF: Photo 26/8/16 Military info: No. 93160, Hut, No. 5, R.G.A. Served PURVEY, Alfred, Pte WF: Photo 18/8/17 Military info: G33310, 21st Middlesex Regiment, “B” Co., 8th Platoon, B.E.F. France Killed in action QUICK, Gunner WF: 28/8/15 Military info: No. 7 Co., Royal Garrison Artillery Served RAY, C., Sergeant Fairground info: Known as “Young Gotch”, Wrestling Champion WF: Photo 3/11/17 (see Letter 22/6/18 and 19/10/18, Photo 22/3/19) Military info: 85229, “B” Batt., 64 Brigade, R.G.A., B.E.F., France Served

RAVENHILL, C. Fairground info: Fairground painters and decorators of Gloucester WF: Photo 22/1/15 Served RAVENHILL, J. Fairground info: Fairground Painters

and decorators of Gloucester WF: Photo 22/1/15 Served

REYNOLDS, E., Pte Fairground info: Known as “Long Harney” WF: Photo 5/4/19 Military info: K.S.L.I. Wounded REYNOLDS, George, Pte WF: Photo 24/6/16 (15/7/16, Photo 22/7/16) Military info: No. 11779, R.W.K. Regt., 8th Battery, 24th Infantry, Base Depot, B.E.F. France Served, Killed in action RICH, Harold, Driver WF: Photo 15/12/17 Military info: M.T., A.S.C., 60th Auxiliary Steam Co., No. 6 Section, B.E.F., France Served

RIGHINI, H., A., Pte WF: Letter 9/2/18 Military info: 237807, 16th Lancashire Fusiliers, “D” Co., B.E.F., France Served RIGHINI, Harry, Lce-Cpl. WF: Letter 14/12/18 Military info: No. 37879, 16th Lancs.

Fusillers ‘D’ Co, BEF Served RIGHINI, John, W., Trooper WF: Photo 7/8/15 Military info: No. 4179, 3rd Co., Duke of Lancaster’s Own Yeomanry Served

ROBINSON, Raymond Fairground info: Boxing showman WF: Photo 9/1/15 Military info: Army Service Corps Served

ROFFEY, Thomas, George, Pte Fairground info: Croydon Fun City WF: Photo 10/2/17 Military info: 50749, 4th Middlesex Regiment, S17 I.B.D., B.E.F., France Served ROFFEY, Walter, James, Pte Fairground info: Travelled with John Searle and Sons, Roundabout proprietor WF: Photo 1/4/16 Military info: No. 17392, No. 2 Co., 3rd Batt., East Surrey Regt., Granchell Barracks, Dover Served

SERVING SHOWMEN 1914-18 ROLLASON, F., E., Pte WF: Photo 22/6/18 Military info: Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry Served, the first time in the South African War ROWE, Daniel, Pte WF: 11/9/15 Military info: France Killed

ROWLAND, A., Driver WF: Photo 2/6/17 Military info: 187672, No. 1 Section, “F” Sub., D.A.C., B.E.F., France Served ROWLAND, J., Pte WF: Photo 2/6/17 Military info: 53310, 2nd Infantry Labour Co., 4th Platoon, Devon Regiment, B.E.F., France Served

ROWLAND, C., Pte WF: 28/8/15 Military info: No. 12264, 1st Royal Fusiliers Served ROWLAND, Hall Fairground info: Middleweight Champion WF: 7/8/15 Military info: 1st Batt. Leicestershire Regiment Served ROWLAND, John, Pte WF: Photo 14/8/15 Military info: No. 16079, 7th Batt.

Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry Served ROWNEY, J., Pte WF: 28/8/15 Military info: No. 3788, 2nd Lancs.

Fusiliers Served RYDER, B., Pte WF: 28/8/15 Military info: No. 17829, 3rd Norfolks Served SANDERS, J., E., Corporal WF: 28/8/15 Military info: Royal Army Medical Corps Served SANDERS, R., Driver WF: Photo 17/11/17 Military info: 210527, “G” Lines, 84 Ward, British Military Hospital, France Wounded SANDERSON, Fred, Pte, WF: 11/9/15 Military info: 6th Batt., K.O.R.L., Died of Wounds age 31

SAUNDERS, E., J. WF: Photo 9/1/15 Military info: R.A.M. Corps, Le Havre, France Served SAVAGE, A., E., Sergeant Fairground info: Grandson of Frederick Savage, inventor and manufacturer of Riding Machines WF: Photo 21/8/15 Military info: 1st East Anglians, R.F.A. Served SCOTT, Ernest, Pte Served, Prisoner of War

SCARROTT, Shadrach, Pte WF: Photo 1/12/17 Military info: “A” Co., Royal Welsh Fusiliers Served SCARROTT, Tom, Pte WF: Photo 1/12/17 Military info: South Wales Borderers, Headquarters Co., 1st Transport, B.E.F., France Served

SEARLE, Sidney, Driver Fairground info: Switchback proprietor WF: 28/8/15 Military info: No. 2 Section, 23rd Reserve No. 37018, later No. 121 Co., 28th Divisional Train, British Salonika Force, Greece Served SEARLE, Sidney, George, Pte Fairground info: Switchback proprietor WF: Photo 24/2/17 Military info: 16647, “A” Co., D.L.I., Served

SEARSON, E., Pte WF: Photo 8/3/19 Military info: No. 2 Corps, Mechanical Transport Co., B.E.F., France Served SEDGMORE, Hy., Pte WF: 28/8/15 Military info: 5th Welsh Regiment Served SEDGMORE, Wm Pte. WF: 28/8/15 Military info: No. 1973, Royal Field Artillery Served SHARP, W., H. WF: Photo 26/8/16 Military info: No. 102758, 318 Co., M.T, A.S.C. Served

141 SHAW, A., Pte WF: 28/8/15 Military info: No. 17829, 3rd Norfolks Served SHAW, Charles, Air Mechanic Fairground info: Steam swing proprietor WF: 1/4/16 Military info: No. 12029, Mess 14, No. 1 Wing, R.N.A.S. Served SHAW, C., H., Driver WF: 28/8/15 Military info: No. 63591, Royal Field Artillery Served, Wounded (improving rapidly, won a Boxing competition)

SHAW, Albert, Pte WF: Photo 23/10/15 Military info: Bedfordshire Yeomanry Served SHAW, Elias, Pte WF: Photo 23/10/15 Military info: Scots Guards Served

SHAW, Charles, Air Mechanic Fairground info: Steam Swing and Stall proprietor WF: Photo 30/3/18 (see photo 26/4/19) Military info: 12027, Headquarters, Royal Naval Air Service Served SHAW, E., Pte WF: 28/8/15 Military info: No. 5495, 3rd Service Corps Served SHAW, Herbert, Gunner WF: Photo 12/1/18 Military info: 230737, 18 Hut, “B” Battery, No. 2 Reserve Brigade, Artillery Served SHEPPARD, Brothers WF: Photo 9/9/16 Served SHERROCKS, Thomas, Pte Fairground info: Stallholder WF: Photo 29/4/16 Military info: 22nd Lancashire Fusiliers Served SHERWOOD, F., T., Driver Fairground info: known as “Dublin” WF: Photo 6/1/17 Military info: 34898, Dartmouth Soldiers Club, 36, Dartmouth Row, Blackbest, London, S.E. Served

SERVING SHOWMEN 1914-18

142

SHIPLEY, P., W., Pte Fairground info: Roundabout proprietor WF: Photo 20/1/17 Military info: 21894, 92nd Trench Mortar Battery, B.E.F., France Served SIBLEY, J., Pte WF: 28/8/15 Military info: No. 2742, King’s Shropshire L.I. Served

SIMONS, Andrew, Pte WF: Photo 14/12/18 Died of wounds SIMONS, E., Pte (Ernest/Edward?)

WF: Photo 27/10/17 (Photo 14/12/18) Military info: Auxiliary Company, Mechanical Transport, Army Service Corps, B.E.F. Served SIMONS, E., Driver (Ernest/Edward?)

WF: Photo 14/12/18 Served SIMONS, Fred, Driver WF: Photo 23/2/18 Military info: 192984, 67th Auxiliary Steam Co., No. 3 Section, B.E.F. Served SIMONS, George, Driver WF: Photo 14/12/18 Served

SIMMONS, E., T., Gunner WF: Photo 12/4/19 Military info: Royal Field Artillery Served SIMPSON, M., Pte WF: 28/8/15 Military info: No. 678996, 356 Co., M.T., A.S.C. Served

SKETCHLEY William WF: Photo 15/4/16 Served

SLATER, Joseph, Rifleman Fairground info: Bacup and Preston, Roundabout proprietor WF: Photo 20/5/16 Military info: King’s Royal Rifles Killed in action

SMITH, H., Pte WF: 25/9/15 Military info: Codford Camp, Salisbury Plain Served SMITH, H., Pte WF: 25/9/15 Military info: No. 35539, C.A.S.C., First Reserve Served

SMITH, J., Pte, WF: 28/8/15 Military info: No. 11351, “D” Co., 1st Leicesters Served SMITH, R., L., Gunner WF: Letter 2/10/15 Military info: No. 74570, 88th Battery, 14th Brigade, R.F.A., 4th Division Served, mentioned in dispatches for repairing telephone wires under fire, during the big gas attack on May 24th 1915 SMITH, Charles, Pte WF: Photo 1/7/16 Military info: No. 23044, “B” Co., 3rd Battery R.S.F. Served SMITH, T., Corporal WF: Photo 25/1/19 P.O.W. Repatriated

SMITH, Noah, Pte WF: 25/9/15 Military info: 2nd Queen’s West Surreys Wounded

SMITH, Thomas, Pte WF: Photo 1/7/16 Military info: No. 33022, Hut FJ, “G” Company, 3rd Battery, R.S.F. Served

SMITH, S., Pte WF: 25/9/15 Military info: No. 8128, 4th Queen’s Hussars “A” Squadron, British Expeditionary Force Served

SOLOMON, J., Driver Fairground info: Known as “Bert Carr”, Caterer WF: Photo 16/9/16 Military info: No. 171715, “X” Co., A.S.C. Available Centre, Lee, S.E. Served

SMITH, T., Pte WF: 25/9/15 Military info: No. 5171, 3rd Queen’s East Surreys, “B” Draft, “T” Co., Dridgewood Camp, Rochester Served SMITH, Wm., Pte Fairgound info: Known as “Boxer Smith” WF: 25/9/15 Military info: No. 3514, Army Service Corps, B.E.F. Served

SIMPSON, James, Pte Fairground info: Known as “Pimm” WF: Photo 12/8/16 Military info: No. 2069, 1/6th Royal Sussex, 40th J.B., D.A.P.O., S17, B.E.F. Served

SMITH, Charles, Pte WF: Photo 19/5/17 Military info: 22944, 1st Ward, R.S.F. Wounded and Shell shocked

SIMPSON, W. Fairground info: Known as “London” WF: Photo 26/8/16 Military info: No. 078906 Served

SMITH, G., A., Machine Gunner WF: Photo 20/10/17 Military info: 44346, “B” Section, 23rd Welsh Regiment, Salonica Field Force, British Mediterranean Expeditionary Forces Served

SKETCHLEY, Charles, Sergeant WF: Photo 15/4/16 Military info: Bayonet instructor, 3rd Northumberland Fusiliers Served, Killed in action

SMITH, Isaac, Pte WF: Photo 1/2/19 Military info: South Lancashire Regiment Killed on the way home

SOUTHWARD, William, Henry, Pte Fairground Info: Lancashire Stall holder WF: Photo 29/12/17 Military info: 303617, “S” Co., No.5, Con Camp, S23 Army Post Office, B.E.F. France Wounded SPARROW, Fred, Pte WF: Photo 7/10/16 Military info: No. 23209, 7th Lincolnshire Regt., A4 Company, B.E.F., France Served SPENCER, C., Driver WF: Photo 7/8/15 Military info: Royal Field Artillery Served

SPENCER, C., Drummer WF: Photo 21/11/14 SPENCER, H. Photo: 1916 Military info: N.F.C.A. SPICK, T., F. Pte WF: 1/5/15 Military info: No. 13408, 3rd Sherwood Fusiliers Wounded

SERVING SHOWMEN 1914-18

SQUIRES, B., Pte WF: Photo 25/8/17 (see Photo 3/5/19) Military info: No. 6 Section, 931 Co., M.T., A.S.C., B.E.F., France Served, Missing STANLEY, Bill Fairground info: Murphy & Campbell’s WF: Photo (Pre-war) 2/2/18 Served STEVENS, W., Pte WF: Photo 5/5/17 Military info: 2nd Worcesters Served STEVENSON, Robert, Pte WF: Photo 25/1/19 Military info: 67882, 4th Highland Light Infantry Served STEVENSON, Robert, Sergeant WF: Photo 11/1/19 Military info: Army Service Corps Served STOCK, Charles, Pte WF: Photo 21/9/18 Military info: 5th Suffolk Regiment Killed in action STOKES, Albert, Lance-Corporal Fairground info: Sports Arcade WF: Photo 7/12/18 Military info: King’s Royal Rifles Died of wounds STOKES, Henry, Lance-Corporal WF: Photo 3/3/17 Military info: 30958, 15th Platoon, 4th Coy., 17th Battery, Yorks and Lance, A.P.U. 86, B.E.F. France Served

STORES, Wm., Driver WF: Photo 9/12/16 Military info: Mechanical Transport, Section, Army Service Corps Served STORES, Robbie, Driver WF: Photo 9/12/16 Military info: Mechanical Transport Section, Army Service Corps Served

STOTT, Ernest, Allister, Marksman WF: Photo 14/10/16 (Photo 22/6/18, Letter 17/8/18) Military info: 3rd Royal Scots, Salonica Served, P.O.W. Limburgh STRAND, Henry, Pte Died, Traumatic Stress Served, RF

STRAND, Charles, 3rd Air Mechanic Fairground info: English and Scottish Shooting Saloon proprietor WF: Photo 27/6/18 Military info: 120504, 3/ A.M. 2 A.D. Stores Section, R.A.F., B.E.F., France Wounded 3 times, served STRAND, James, Pte Fairground info: English and Scottish Shooting Saloon proprietor WF: Photo 27/6/18 Military info: 241455, 13th Platoon, “D” Co., 14th Northumberland Fusiliers, B.E.F., France Wounded and missing STRAND, J., W., Corporal Fairground info: English and Scottish Shooting Saloon proprietor WF: Photo 27/6/18 Military info: 34201, 3rd Border Regiment, H.I.B.D., A.P.O., S17, B.E.F., France Wounded twice, Served, Killed in action

STRUDWICK, W., Pte WF: 27/2/15 ( Photo 12/6/15) Military info: No. 9089, “B” Company, 2nd Batt. Of the Northamptonshire Regiment, British Expeditionary Force, France Served SUMMERS, Charles, G. WF: Photo 25/8/14 Military Info: Sailor, H.M.S. Boyne, Served SUMMERS, Percy Pte WF: Photo 9/1/15 Military info: 5th Res. Suffolk Regt.

Served at Barnack SUNDERLAND, Charles, LanceCorporal Fairground info: “Small T”, John Collins Circuit WF: Letter 9/2/18 Military info: 107836, 386 A.T. Co., R.F., Salonika Forces Served SUNTER, R., John, Sergeant WF: Photo 25/9/15 Military info: 8th Battalion Duke of Wellington’s West Riding Regiment Killed in action, Dardanelles SWALLOW, G., Corporal WF: 28/8/15 Military info: King’s Own Scottish Borderers Served

143

SYMONDS, E., M., Pte WF: Photo 15/12/17 Military info: 561129, 18 Middlesex Regiment, Machine Gun Section, 11th Platoon, B.E.F. France Served SYMONDS, W., Pte WF: Photo 15/12/17 Military info: M.T., 18th Middlesex Regiment Served

TALBOT, F. Pte Fairground info: Employ of Mr. Hugh Garside roundabout WF: Photo 9/1/15 Military info: Guard at the Knockaloe Camp, Isle of Man Killed TANN, Horace, Air Mechanic WF: Photo 21/4/17 Military info: 55681, M.T., G.R.S.R.F.C., Norwich Served TARRY, Brothers WF: 30/1/15 Military info: H.M.S. Dido Served TAYLOR, Charles, Staff-Sergeant WF: 31/7/15 Military info: Mechanical Transport branch of the A.S.C. Killed TAYLOR, John, James, Trooper Fairground info: Cinematograph Doorsman WF: Photo 26/12/14 (letter 10/7/15) Military info: No. 1681, 1st Essex Royal Yeomanry, Machine Gun Section Served, Wounded, Missing

TAYLOR, Albert Pte WF: 1/5/15 Military info: No. 16011, “E” Co., Royal Fusiliers, Salonica Wounded TAYLOR, Elias Pte WF: 1/5/15 Military info: No. 172, 8th Fusiliers, France Served TAYLOR, Frank, Pte WF: 29/1/16 Military info: No. 1044, British Expeditionary Force Served TAYLOR, Henry Pte WF: 1/5/15 Military info: No. 135, 8th Dragoon Guards Served, Died from Pneumonia (?)

SERVING SHOWMEN 1914-18

144 TAYLOR, Nathan Pte WF: 1/5/15 Military info: No. 21529, Northamptonshire Regiment, British Expeditionary Force Served

THOMPSON, J., “Scottie”, LanceCorporal WF: 27/3/15 Military info: 6th Service Balt., K.O.S.B. Served

TAYLOR, William Pte WF: 1/5/15 Military info: No. 14597, 8th Co., 6th Batt. Royal Fusiliers Served

THWAITES, James, Pte WF: Photo 25/3/16 Military info: 9th Manchester Territorials/Transport Section Training at Codford, Wilts

TAYLOR, B., Pte WF: Photo 25/8/17 (see Photo 3/5/19) Military info: 280149, No.6 Section, 931 Co., M.T., A.S.C., B.E.F., France Served, Missing TAYLOR, Harry, Pte WF: Photo 6/10/17 Military info: 242614, “C” Co., 1/4th Hunts, Mesopotamian Expeditionary Force, Bagdad Served TAYLOR, L., Pte Fairground info: Lancashire Stallholder WF: Photo 17/8/18 Military info: 44178, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment Served TAYLOR, W., Driver WF: Photo 8/9/17 Military info: 38353, Draft No. 177A, Royal Engineers, Signaling Section, B.E.F., East Africa Served THICKPENNY, H., J., Pte WF: Letter 17/6/16 Military info: M.T., A.S.C. 6th Column, 106 S.B., B.E.F. Served

THOMAS, H., A., Pte WF: Photo 19/6/15 Military info: No. 16954, 3rd Royal Berks.

Served THOMAS, W., Pte WF: Photo 16/3/18 Military info: 35829, “A” Co., 2nd Platoon, 8th Yorks and Lancaster Regt., B.E.F., Italy Served THOMAS, W., Sergeant WF: Photo 16/3/18 Military info: A.S.C., Upper Housell, Mavern Link Served

THOMPSON, C. WF: Photo 26/8/16 Military info: No. 103208, 318 Co., M.T, A.S.C. Served

TILFORD, Gunner, H., WF: 28/8/15 Military info: 29 Siege Battery, R.C.A. Served TILLER, A., Pte WF: Photo 26/1/18 Military info: 36963, 1st Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers Wounded in action, Convalescent home TIMMINS, John, Pte WF: 28/8/15 Military info: No. 11993, “B” Co., South Staffs TODKILL, Sapper WF: Photo 13/3/15 Military info: No. 6540, 108th Field Co., Royal Engineer Served TORRY, Bros., WF: 28/8/15 Military info: H.M.S. Dido Served TOOGOOD, George, Pte WF: Photo 19/6/15 (30/6/17) Military info: 37815, 3rd Northumberland Fusiliers, Served, Missing TOWLER, Chris, ASC Served TRIGGER, James, Pte Fairground info: West England Stallholder known as “Yeovil Jim” WF: Photo 8/9/17 Military info: Army Veterinary Corps, B.E.F., France Served

TUBY, Arthur, Driver Fairground info: Roundabout proprietor WF: Photo 17/2/17 Military info: M2/268076, 817 Co., M.T.A.S.C., Pulteney Street, Bath Served TUBY, H., Gunner Fairground info: Doncaster Roundabout proprietor WF: Photo 1/3/19 Military info: 189077, 179 Siege Battery, R.G.A., B.E.F., France Served

TURTILL, Frank, Pte WF: Photo 1/9/17 Military info: No. 18 Ward, 6th Dragoon Guards Wounded twice TWIGDON, G., Pte Fairground info: Roundabout proprietor WF: Photo 13/10/17 Military info: A.S.C., 431 Siege Hut, Ammunition Column, B.E.F., France Served TYAS, W., Harry Fairground info: Stallholder WF: Photo 28/10/16 Military info: Royal Navy Served VANNER, Tom, Pte WF: Letter 25/8/17 Military info: 24610, 12th Platoon, “C” Co., 9th West Yorks, B.E.F., France Served VARETTO, Albert, Pte WF: Photo 11/9/15 Military info: “A” Co. Lancashire Fusiliers Served VERDI, Gray, Pte Military info: 3rd Norfolks WF: Photo 3/7/15 Served, Wounded twice, Killed in action VERNON, Brothers WF: 28/8/15 Military info: Durham Light Infantry Served VETI, James, L., Pte WF: 21/10/16 Military info: Gloucester Regiment Killed in action WADDINGTON, J., W., Pte Fairground info: Yorkshire roundabout and cinematograph proprietor WF: Photo 29/9/17 Military info: 321650, “A” Lines, Hut B3, “L” Co., Depot Battalion Served WALKER, A., Pte WF: 28/8/15 Military info: 1st Midland Division, R.A.M.C. Served WALKER, J., W., Pte WF: 28/8/15 Military info: No. 1962, 4th Yorks Served, Leg taken off for illness WALLIS, Charles, Pte Fairground info: Roundabout proprietor WF: Photo 25/11/16 Military info: M.T., Army Service Corps, Malta Served

SERVING SHOWMEN 1914-18

WALLSER, Henry Pte WF: Photo 17/4/15 Reported as the first showman killed in action WALSH, Frankie Fairground Info: Irish featherweight boxer WF: 17/10/14 Military Info: Royal Irish Rifles, France Trench foot, A Ward, Royal Infirmary, Glasgow WALTON, F., S., Pte WF: 28/8/15 Military info: Motor Transport, A.S.C. Served WALTON, Sam, Driver WF: Photo 16/10/15 Military info: No. 3768, Army Service Corps Served WARD, Joe Fairground info: Boxer WF: 7/8/15 Military info: D.C.M., 2nd Batt.

Lancashire Fusiliers Served WARREN, Charles, Pte Fairground info: Roundabout proprietor WF: Photo 11/11/16 Died of Wounds WATSER, J., Pte Fairground info: Employ by Wm. Thurston WF: Photo 10/1/18 Served WATSON, T., Pte WF: 28/8/15 Military info: No. 665185, Overseas Battalion Served WATSON, James, Corporal Fairground info: Employ of Mr. Thomas Day, Scottish Roundabout proprietor WF: 18/9/15 (photo 25/9/15) Invalided Home WEAVER, G., Corporal WF: Photo 12/4/19 Wounded three times

WHALL, Tommy, Pte Fairground info: Jack M. Headley’s Enterprises WF: 28/8/15 Twice Wounded in France WHALL, W., H., WF: 28/8/15 Military info: H.M.S. Fortune Served

WHARTONE, Johnny, Rifleman WF: Letter 16/6/17 Military info: 8185, 6th Batt., R.I.Rif., 4th Camp, Malta Served, Awarded the Military Medal WHATMORE, Thomas, Pte Fairground info: Cokernut WF: Photo 29/4/16 Military info: No. 4630, “C” Co., 3/9th Manchester Regiment Served WHEATLEY, Jack, Corporal WF: 28/8/15 (see Photo 1/1/16) Military Info: No. 2454, 244 Batt., R.F.A. / No. 4 Co., 37 Division, British Expeditionary Force, France Served WHITE, Fred, Pte WF: Photo 30/3/18 Military info: 408430, 878 A.E., Garrison Guard Company, S39 Army Post Office, B.E.F., France Served, wounded WHITE, J., H., Pte WF: 28/8/15 Military info: No. 27224, 3rd D.L.I. Served WHITE, Tippler WF: Photo 26/12/14 Served WHITE, V. Photo: 1916 Military info: N.F.C.A. WHITELEGG, T., Trooper WF: Photo 20/1/17 Military info: Royal Wilts Yeomanry Served

WHITEMAN, S., Pte WF: 28/8/15 Military info: “H” Co., 3rd Batt. K.S.L.I. Served WHITEMAN, S., Pte WF: 28/8/15 Military info: No. 17593, 3rd Batt., K.O.L.I. Served WHITTLE, G., A., Second Air Mechanic Fairground info: Roundabout proprietor WF: Photo 25/3/16 Military info: Royal Flying Corps Served WHITTLE, W., Lewis Fairground info: Roundabout proprietor WF: Photo 9/12/16 Military info: LZ5750, O.S., R.N.V.R., Main Top, H.M.S., Crystal Palace, London, S.E. Served

145

WHYATT, Jack, Sapper Fairground info: Midlands and Lancashire Roundabout proprietor WF: Photo 31/3/17 (see Photo 6/6/18, Corporal) Military info: 153829, Royal Engineers, 65th Anti-Aircraft Searchlight Section, A.P.O. S2, No. 4 Co., B.E.F., France Served WIGG, G, Pte Served WILDERS, Dave, Rifleman Fairground info: Pugilist known as “Toby Wilders” WF: Photo 16/9/16 Military info: No. 5306, 2nd Batt., Royal Irish Rifle, 3rd Division Served

WILDING, Arthur, Pte Fairground info: Royal Court Marionette WF: 15/6/18 Military info: South Staffordshire Regiment Served, Missing WILDING, Harry, Pte Fairground info: Royal Court Marionette WF: 28/6/18 Military info: 7930, 68th Prov. Batt., “C” Co. Served WILDING, Herbert, Pioneer Fairground info: Champion Marionettist WF: Photo 15/9/17 Military info: 130231, Pioneer, R.E., Depot, B.E.F., France Served WILDING, Jack, Fairground info: Royal Court Marionette WF: 28/6/18 Military info: 5th KRR Wounded in 19 places at The Somme battle

WILDING, Walter, Fairground info: Royal Court Marionette WF: 28/6/18 Military info: 8 years in the Royal Navy Served

WILLIAMS, Arthur G, Pte Fairground info: Son-in-law of Mr. Henry Fanning, Royal Court Marionette WF: 28/6/18 Military info: 13th Cheshire Regt.

Wounded twice

SERVING SHOWMEN 1914-18

146

WILLIAMS, Albert, Edward Fairground info: Born at the World’s Fair, Islington WF: 30/1/15 Military info: 1st West Yorks Wounded

WILSON, Ewart, Bombardier Fairground info: Yorkshire China Auctioneers WF: 28/8/15 (see Letter 1/1/16) Military info: No. 45375, Royal Field Artillery Served

WILLIAMS, George WF: 30/1/15 Military info: H.M.S. Queen Mary Served

WILSON, J., Pte WF: 28/8/15 Military info: 8th, Welsh Bantams Served

WILLIAMS, Randall WF:30/1/15 Military info: R.G.A., Malta Served

WILSON, L., Pte WF: 28/8/15 Military info: Army Service Corps Served

WILLIAMS, Tom WF: 30/1/15 Military info: R.G.A., Roona, India, 2nd Dorset Regiment Served

WILSON, William, Lance-Corporal Fairground info: Roundabout proprietor WF: Photo 2/2/18 Military info: 193180, 1928 Co., Mechanical Transport, A.S.C., Mesopotamian B.E.F. Served

WILLIAMS, P., Seaman WF: Photo 1/2/19 Served WILSON, Alf, Pte Fairground info: Donkey proprietors WF: Photo 10/7/15 Military info: Army Service Corpse Served

WOODS, Percy WF:9/1/15 Served WRIGHT, Chas. E. Sgt WF: Photo 24/10/14 Military info: 3rd West Yorkshire Regiment Served WRIGHT, H., F., Pte WF: Letter 10/11/17 Military info: 512, H.S. Employment Coy., Attd. No. 1 Co., Royal Engineers Served WRIGHT, R., Pte WF: Photo 25/8/17 Military info: 298381, No. 6 Section, 931 Co., M.T., A.S.C., B.E.F., France Served

WINTER, Robert, Pte Fairground info: Glasgow Horse Dealer WF: Photo 8/12/17 Military info: R.A.M.C. Served

Troops from the Royal Flying Corps Kite and Balloon Section rehearsing the pantomime "Cinderella"at Bapaume, 2 January 1918. © IWM Q 8382 None of the individuals are identified in this amusing photograph. There were however balloonists from the fairgrounds working with Balloons during the War including Pte. J. Cooke. who went to 3,600ft.

147

Showmen laying a wreath at the Cenotaph in London in memory of the Showmen who fell in the War, 1921.

From one of Arthur Fenwick’s Cuttings books. p22 944/657 Š Tyne and Wear Archives

148

Post Script.

By Helen Averley

!

This war is personal for many people have lost family members in it. Whilst type setting the book I have been looking for a place to set this manuscript, one of 100,000s which were issued. I like the crest and the calligraphy. My family has treasured it a long time. It has sparked much of my interest in family history and a curiosity about this war. !

It was sent to Georgina Averley my Great Grandmother, and commemorates her husband,

Henry Averley. I think the words of self-sacrifice probably do ring true for him. He was a career sailor for whom the Navy was a godsend. He lived in Hoxton, the worst area of East London, in a street marked out as full of vagabonds, the worst of society. It is just round the corner from what is now The National Centre for Circus Arts, I think of him when I visit. Both his parents were at one time in H.M.P. Pentonville. He was rescued, put in a children’s home then the Navy scooped

149

him out of poverty, educated him and gave him, as well as his younger brothers a future living.

He married and had a son, George. By 1914 he was 30 years old and a musician in the Royal Marines Band. Then at dawn on 26 November 1914, his ship H.M.S. Bulwark exploded, and he went down into the waters of the Medway at Sheerness with his ship and over 750 men.

There are now two buoys which mark the war grave. This was a family disaster yes, but at least he was in someways prepared, a professional. There is also some comfort to think that Henry was saved from the horror of a long war. !

But what of the vast majority of men?

Does this manuscript hold true of their entry into the forces, of potential self-sacrifice and a real understanding of where the war might take them? ! !

And I thought about the huge ‘willingness’ to step into the war arena. Why? How? !

And I thought about all the shadows of Showland soldiers I have encountered in the pages of the newspapers in my research. Faint traces, photos showing boys and men, people turned into numbers, names now unknown, maybe a word or two of their lives, a snippet. I keep saying ‘bless them’ when I looked at them, ensnared in the monumental events of the Great War. As I write this the Aleppo disaster is unfolding in Syria the War there as long now as WW1. I wonder how can I make a difference, or indeed how do I contribute to these things happening? I try to do the best I can to make the world a better place. For me circus is a medium for this intention and my action. !

Today, in circus education and arts, we as a community, think of ourselves as do gooders. We talk a lot about the positive social impact and love involved in participating in circus arts and its performance as well as the positive effects circus has on its audiences, bringing joy to them is our intention. We even travel to find them. This year my husband and I with our circus, Let’s Circus (the circus that runs away to join you) rocked up uninvited onto Barra Island. We had with us our little circus tent,

brimming with talented international artists and good intents. We were the first circus to land on the island. We brought a community together in our tent, we created a community with the locals. So we are surely a force for good! We left stars behind us. This is evangelical in its nature, we believe in the power of circus. !

In circus I explain often that we take calculated risks with our lives for the entertainment of the public. While they remain safe, albeit on the edge their seats, rewarding us with applause and more when we ratchet up the stakes to unimaginable heights. I probably sound smug when I say it. There is no harm in this surely, especially not for the public. !

Now I have come the end of the War Circus research and it has occurred to me that there is a particular jeopardy that the audience and the circus is placed in through performance and will not have been intended. I had not wanted to interpret the War Circus research but to leave it to the reader to draw the threads together, but now I feel that if circus might be said to have been a contributory factor, however minor, assisting in the rush into all the different armies in 1914. Then I think this is worth reflecting on possibility and be cautious not to romanticise circus as an innocent victim of this war. So how can circus be seen to have culpability? !

Circus for more than a century prior to 1914, had been in the business of battle reenactments including very large elaborate spectacle. Other entertainments had been doing likewise. Circus however was very effective at presenting the physicality of the daring do of war. This is not as surprising as there was a significant crossover between military and circus personnel. After all Philip Astley, the founder of circus, was a soldier and many other artistes were reservists. !

These ex-soldiers and other circus artistes (including women) presented heroic horseback feats in the ring, surviving to play it again in the next show. There were many genres, and one of which the wild west theme was a very popular. It had its clear definition of ‘goodie’ and ‘baddie’ or ‘us’ and ‘them’. With the

150

audience (mainly) and the heroic artistes sharing the goodie axis. All this action seemed to go hand in hand with some sort of immunity of the artistes from consequences and death (mostly). All this was very popular not only with the general public, but also with the powerful, the Generals, the Kings the political classes.

Circus being temperate was also a place for families, you can take your young impressional children, future cannon fodder. !

At the heart of these entertainments was a fantasy. The re-enactment was the impossible made possible: you can go to war, dodge the bullet, throw a knife next to an ear, fall from a horse, even play dead. You can go off on this circus adventure again and again. As for the war, well you might as well join in the adventure and believe them when they say it will all be over by Christmas. Rewind, lets do it again. But it wasn’t like that, as child soldier Nickolai Poliakoff soon discovered. Instead the circus soldiers, and their public, were displaced into the arena of war. The war was a real ‘circus,’ in the derogatory sense of the word. A place of chaotic spectacle of actors in real jeopardy with the world looking on.

This was a shocking situation as Reuben Castang summed it up, !

"Men all over Europe, goaded by women, were treating men in a way that would cause a savage outcry if applied to dogs." (Ref: T R) !

Today we too have powerful mass entertainment. Film, television and the gaming industries are now in the position of representing the excitement of war as entertainment. Much of this is embodied by audiences as actors, the gamers on their handsets or immersed in 4-D cinemas or behind virtual reality goggles merging with this new embodied reality. Even the depiction of war news reporting is in real time with fly throughs in camera drones, which give you a gamer’s view of a real, but “virtual feeling”, Aleppo’s destroyed streets. This industry is in a similar feedback loop with its audience, we like it we want more, so they develop the media to produce ever more dynamic, realistic/hyper-real enactions of war, and now with yourself as an avatar in the action.

Meanwhile the circus is just ‘lovely’ spangly escapism, or is it, or should it be?

!

Perhaps the lesson for us now as we make work, is to be really conscious of the impact it can have. To really ensure that we are more aware of the explicit and implicit messages we send out in performance and that this message can be embodied in the audience, and perhaps then emboldened taken into actions outside of our performance spaces. For good or ill our work can have an impact. !

Here is a contemporary example of circus activism. !

Joe May, a clown, a fool and buffoon, has solo shows that play to audiences and festivals across Europe and Australia. One in particular is intended to galvanise the audience into action: The character is Jeremy Farquar, a twisted butler, dark clown and fool with an anti arms trade message. In his act a bell rings once every minute as Farquar laughs at it hysterically again and again. At the end of the act it becomes clear that it represents the real life death of a person through small arms every minute. Then he explicitly asks the audience to be active against the arms trade. !

Curating the message in such a way does not take away an audience’s enjoyment of performance, but it does show that it can be effective as a prompt to action. Then we have the concern about who is the puppet master in the performance and to whom they speak and which agendas they hold. I like Joe’s shows, I agree with his message. I think he is doing good.

But we do not all agree in a political or cultural world, and therein is the fundamental problem, how do we disagree without resorting to war?

My way, is positive action through a dynamic artistic medium. Circus is not just a distracting appeasement a la the Roman Empire’s ‘Give them bread and circuses’. Today the fool matches brain for the acrobat’s brawn, the Stronglady’s message levels the cockiness of the showman so circus can be communication and connection, a platform for provocation and pleasure. !

Thus, even if it is naive to think that through my circus I have a fundamental impact on people’s lives, I shall hold onto the belief that I do. Circus won’t stop the horrors of wars, but it can be a panacea for many ills of our times. !

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Bibliography

WAR CIRCUS REFERENCE SOURCES & LISTING The main resources researchers have used are: Print material in public, private and in our own collections, circus or war related websites; conversations and correspondences with individuals. We have coded these references in order to not overweigh each entry, see lists and codes on pages 159 and 160. We realise that this is an unconventional method.

BOOKS: Many of the books which we have used in the research of War Circus are out of print. Most can be accessed in the National Fairground and Circus Archives (NFCA) Sheffield and British Library (BL) London. Others we have referred to via private collections (P) and some we have on our office shelves (LaB) having purchased them recently on-line. We have noted the location of the books we have read in the lists.

NEWSPAPERS: The World’s Fair (WF), the industry’s most important newspaper was accessed on microfiles at the NFCA. We transcribed these adhering to original spelling and grammer. This proved challenging due to the resolution of scans and the state of the original newspapers, we took photos of viewing screen to collect information and from these we made the small thumbnail portraits.

The main other source for British newspaper articles is the British Library’s Newspaper Archive (BNA) which can be accessed by subscription online. We transcribed these from screen shots and in the references we note the name of the newspaper and date of publication. Other newspaper articles were found in Arthur Fenwick’s cuttings books which can be seen at the Tyne & Wear Archives, Newcastle. The American transcriptions from Billboard and The New York Clipper were found on the Circus History website (CH).

A few were sourced from private collections, some of which have incomplete references.

ONLINE: Many of the websites that we have found useful have resulted from searching individual’s names or events. We have listed the main ones used.

PRIVATE RECORDS & ORAL HISTORY: Some or our sources were family members of people in our research. They have shared photos and stories with us. Their names are given as references.

PHOTOS: References note subject, source, accession numbers where appropriate copyright, following formats requested by copyright holders. Others we understand to be in the public domain.

Note on incomplete references: Unfortunately there are some references which have become detached from the notes or scans we have made in the year of our research.

We have made a decision to include these with as complete a reference as is possible.

WAR CIRCUS PRINTED REFERENCE

152 CODE

AUTHOR

BOOK TITLE or OTHER SOURCE

PUBLISHER

DATE

WHERE

AK

Adams, Katherine H

Women of the American Circus, 1880 to 1940

McFarland

2012

NFCA

AU

www.artistsunited.com

Tom Sandow

B

www.bostock.net

Roland Bostock

BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-34666242

British Broadcasting Corporation

B EH

Bostock, Edward. H.

Menageries, Circuses and Theatres

Benjamin Blom Inc

1927 (1972)

LaB

BF

Bradna, Fred

The Big Top: My Forty Years with the greatest show on earth.

H Hamilton

1952

LaB

B FC

Bostock, Frank. C.

The Training of Wild Animals

D. Appleton-Centenary C. Inc

1937

NFCA

B Fk

Burce, Frank

Showfolk: An oral history of a Fairground Dynasty

NMS Enterprises

2010

LaB

www.bl.uk

British Library

My life in showbusiness, as told to Geoff Stevens

Aardvark Publishing

1994

NFCA

www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk

National Archives

BL BN

Barrett, Norman

BNA B WG

Bosworth, William. G.

Wagon Wheels

Heath Cranton Ltd.

1935

NFCA

CC

Chaplain, Charles

My life in pictures

Peerage Books

1985

LaB

C-C R

Croft-Cook, Rupert (Editor),

The Circus Book

Sampson Low, Marston & Co, Ltd.

1941

LaB

www.circushistory.org

Circus Historical Society

CH CJ

Clarke, John s.

Circus Parade

B.T. Batsford Ltd

1936

LaB

Coco

Poliakoff, Nikolai

Coco the Clown- By Himself

J.M. Dent & Sons.

1941

LaB

www.circopedia.org

Creative Commons

CP D. or Dict

Turner, John M

Twentieth Century Circus People: The Dictionary of British Circus Biography

Lingdale Press

2003

NFCA

DC

Dale, Colin

The Last Edwardian Jester: Mr Harry Dale and his Musical Family

Colin Dale

2010

LaB

Fenwick

Arthur Fenwick Collection, Tyne & Wear Archives, Newcastle

FF

Foster, Frank

Pink Coat, Spangles and Sawdust: Reminiscences of Circus Life with Sanger’s, Bertrum Mills & Other Circuses

Stanley Paul and Co.

1948

LaB

FF

Foster, Frank

Clowning Through

Heath Cranton

1937

NFCA

FC

Fox, Charles P.

A pictoral history of performing horses

Superior Publishing co. Seattle

1960

NFCA

www.forces-war-records.co.uk

Forces War Records

FWR G

Grock, & Ernest Konstantin

Grock, King of Clowns

Methuen and Co

1957

LaB

HL

Hagenbeck, Lorenz

Animals are my life

Bodley Head

1956

LaB

IWM

www.iwm.org.uk

Imperial War Museum

J

www.juggling.org

Juggling Information Service

Chipperfield Circus: An illustrated history

Aardvark Publishing

1997

NFCA

LFW

www.livesofthefirstworldwar.org

Imperial War Museum

LOC

www.loc.gov

Library of Congress

NA

www.nationalarchives.gov.uk

National Archives ( British)

NFCA

www.shefield.ac.uk

National Fairground & Circus Archives, University of Sheffield

JD

Jameson, David

M-S R

Maning-Sanders, Ruth

The English Circus

Werner Laurie

1952

LaB

OM

Otte, Marline

Jewish Identities in German Popular Entertainment, 1890-1933

Cambridge

2006

LaB

WAR CIRCUS ONLINE REFERENCE

153

P

White, Henry ( Editor)

Pageant of the Centruy

Odahams Press Ltd, London

c. 1934

LaB

PN

Parsons, Neil

Cliko, The Wild Dancing Bushman

University of Chicago Press

2009

LaB

PR

Proske, Roman, Captain

My Turn Next

Museums Press, London

1957

LaB

http://flashbak.com/23-extraordinary-photos-of-circusperformers-in-strabane-1910-11-32760/

Public Records Office Northern Ireland

PRONI

RC

Ricketts, Charles

The Boswells, the story of South African circus

Charles Ricketts

2003

NFCA

SB

Schoultz, Basil

Sawdust and spangles upon the veld. A history of circus in South Africa.

?

2005

NFCA

SE

Smith, Eleanor

British Circus Life

George G. Harrap & Co.

1948

LaB

T-D G (1)

Tyrwhitt-Drake, H Gerrard

My life with animals and Other Reminiscences

Blackie & Son Ltd.

1939

LaB

T-D G (2)

Tyrwhitt-Drake, H Gerrard

Reminiscences of Show Life: Beasts & Circuses

Arrowsmith

1936

LaB

T-D G (3)

Tyrwhitt-Drake, H Gerrard

The English Circus & Fairground

Methuen & Co Ltd

1946

LaB

TV

Taylor, Victor

Reminiscences of a Showman

W & J Mackay & co. Ltd.

1971

NFCA

TR

Thompson R.W

Wild Animal Man

Duckworth

1934

LaB

VT

Toulmin, Vanessa

A fair fight: An illustrated review of Boxing on British fairgrounds

Worlds Fair Ltd

1999

NFCA

WD

Waller, David

The Perfect Man. Muscular Life and times of Eugen Sandow, Victorian Strongman

Victorian Secrets

2011

LaB

W&S

Weybright, Victor & Sell, Henry

Buffalo Bill and the Wild West

Hamish Hamilton

1956

NFCA

W HAA

Whiteley, Henry AA

Memoires of a Circus Variety etc, as I knew it.

The Society for Theatre Research

1944

BL

WF

The World’s Fair, (Newspaper)

The World’s Fair Ltd

1914-1919

NFCA

WS

www.westsussexpast.org.uk

West Sussex County Council

WEBSITES

SUBJECT

AU

www.artistsunited.com

Bratby/Sandow/Fossett family

B

www.bostock.net

Bostock Family

BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-34666242

Captain Woodward

BL

British Library: www.bl.uk

Online catalogue books

BNA

www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk

British Newspapers: local and National titles, including: The Era and The Stage

CH

www.circushistory.org

Billboard and Clipper Newspaper transcriptions

CP

www.circopedia.org

Many international circus artists are listed.

FWR

www.forces-war-records.co.uk

Possible to search regiments

IWM

www.iwm.org.uk

Online catalogue of records. Also can go to reading room

LFW

w www.livesofthefirstworldwar.org

Access to British records, including war, birth, deaths, marriages and census

LOC

Library of Congress: www.loc.gov

Photographs. Searched by subject and dates

NA

www.nationalarchives.gov.uk

Mixed collection

NFCA

www.shefield.ac.uk

National Fairground & Circus Archive

PNI

http://flashbak.com/23-extraordinary-photos-of-circus-performers-instrabane-1910-11-32760/

Photos of Duffy’s Circus and Hanneford’s Canadian Circus

WS

www.westsussexpast.org.uk

Arthur Bale

154

Thanks: Helen Averley would like to thank the following people for their support during the development of War Circus: Ron Beadle, John Wolstenholme, Richard Van Emden, Geoff Younger, Tom Sandow, Frank Foster, Colin Dale, Juliet Powell, Roland Bostock, Rebecca Scott, George Pinder, David Konyot, Margaret Wilby, Kerrin Tatman, Lynne Whatmore, Harry Averley, Rosie Bristow, Giuseppe Marino, Leanne Staugaard, Robyn Hambrook, Steve Cousins & Freya Averley.

Circus Central would like to thanks the following organisations for making their collections accessible and available: National Fairground & Circus Archive Tyne and Wear Archives British Library Imperial War Museum The World’s Fair Library of Congress Tate.

Special thanks to: North East of England Heritage Lottery Fund

WAR CIRCUS & NORTH EAST ENGLAND CIRCUS RESOURCES ONLINE War Circus articles: www.labonche.net Facebook page: War Circus Pinterest: https://uk.pinterest.com/helenaverley/war-circus-1914-1918/ Twitter: @labonche

Merry-Go-Round, by Mark Gertler, 1916, Oil on canvas.

T03846 © Tate (2017) Available under a CC-BY-NC-ND 3.0 (Unported) licence

Army post card sent to Oxford from France 1/4/1915 by D.M.Rose, Great Grandfather of Helen Averley

Coloured postcard, German Soldier Circus, 1916

“The Potsdam Variety Troupe” by Bernard Partridge, 1917 © Punch

WAR CIRCUS DEATHS 1914-1919 WAR - INFLUENZA - WAR TRAUMA

BALE, Arthur percy BLUMENFELD, ALEX BOSTOCK, ALEXANDER Gordon CLOWES, GEORGE CINQUeVALLI, PAUL COOK, J.A. DSCN3728_2 COOKE, HUBERT CRAGG, (Several BROTHERS) DOLMAN, WILLIAM FOSSETT, John HALL, TOMMY HANNA, ROBERT HOLLOWAY, Frederick JAMESON, F.M. KEMPSTER, FREDERICK KIDSON, J.H. LLOYD, CYRIL LUALE, CHIEF OHMY (SMITH), Ada SYLVESTER, OTTO TAYLOR, DJ WOOD, GEORGE WHITELEY, J WHITELEY, W WRIGLEY, H.C. YELDING, HARRY & THE MANY MORE WHO ARE NOT KNOWN TO US. You can upload WW1 soldier’s information to the Imperial War Museum’s site: www. livesofthefirstworldwar.org

War Circus is one of the more extraordinary stories of the Great War. It is an exceptionally well-researched book and is full of fascinating detail.

To say I learnt something new about this unusual war story would be an understatement.

Richard van Emden, January 2017