War time must be a heightened time of emotion: all the loves, losses, patriotism, hopes and fears. Here are a few poems and songs transposed from newspapers found in Tyne and Wear Archives, Fenwick Collection; The World’s Fair, the Showland newspaper held on microfiles at the National Fairground and Circus Archive, University of Sheffield. And from… [Read More]

These War Circus Stories are transposed from newspapers found in the British Libraries’ online archive, British Newspaper Archives; Tyne and Wear Archives, Fenwick Collection; The World’s Fair, the Showland newspaper held on microfiles at the National Fairground and Circus Archive, University of Sheffield. The American titles were found transposed online via the Circus Historical Society… [Read More]

These War Circus articles are set in a chronological based on the action they report between 1914 and 1919, starting in August 1914. They have been transposed from contemporary newspaper The World’s Fair. This was the Showland newspaper. It is held on microfiles at the National Fairground and Circus Archive, University of Sheffield. Other information… [Read More]

Henry A.A. was a member of the Whiteley family of acrobats, and head of his won troupe. The Narrative here is extracted from his memoire: Memories of circus & variety etc. as I knew it. The Society for Theatre Research. 1944 Ref: (W HAA)   c. AUG 1914 HENRY A.A. WHITELEY. While my wife Leonora… [Read More]

Sir Gerrard was an ‘amateur’ menagerie owner, circus hobbyist and friend (especially the Hoffmanns) as well as a politician. At the outbreak of the war he had a large collection of animals in his private zoo at his home in Maidstone. The Narrative here is extracted from his books and memoires. Including: Ref: T-D G… [Read More]

Eugen Sandow was a naturalized British subject and strongman. He was famous for developing fitness regimes and at the outset of war he had various enterprises. The narrative here is extracted from his biography: The Perfect man. Muscular life and times of Eugen Sandow, Victorian strongman. by David Waller. Victorian Sectrets, 2011. ( ref W D)  … [Read More]

At the outbreak of war King Ohmy ( John Smith) and his adult children, were working with a circus in Germany. Here are articles about the families war experience and Claude Ohmy’s story with a narrative extracted from them, have been set into a rough chronology. References include: Various Newspapers found in the British Libraries, British… [Read More]

CHILD ARTISTE. At the outbreak of war Mercia, was fifteen. Her mother had died in 1912 and she worked with her father in an acrobatic act, they were British. Her story has been researched by a family member, Colin Dale. The Narrative here is extracted from his book: The Last Edwardian Jester: Mr Harry Dale… [Read More]

By 1914 Grock, Adrien Wettach, was an established musical clown working across Europe. He was from Switzerland. The Narrative here is extracted from his Autobiography: Grock, King of Clowns. Methuen and Co. 1957. Ref: (G) Other articles realting to Grock have been transposed retaining the language of the time. From various newspapers fround in the… [Read More]

Franz Taibosh, known mostly as ‘Clicko’ was a Bushman and British South African, While Maurice Hepston was an Irishman known as ‘Paddy’ and ‘Capt Epstein’. 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… [Read More]