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. The Narative here is extracted from his Autobiography. See bibliography: Pink Coat, Spangles and sawdust: Reminiscences of Circus Life with Sanger’s Bertrum Mills… [Read More]

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’. The Narative here is extracted from his Autobiography: Coco the Clown by himself. J.M. Dent & Sons…. [Read More]

REUBEN CASTANG 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 max & Moritz was was famous and he was onto his second generation of chimps. The Narrative here is extracted from his biography Wild Animal Man, by R. W…. [Read More]

FRED BRADNA: 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, (he originaly from Germany and She from Hungary) with strong links to Europe. Ella as an equestrienne and star of the centre ring. The Narrative here is… [Read More]

EDWARD H. BOSTOCK & FAMILY: There are a number of  inter-related Bostock families involved in Circus. E.H. Bostock was the head of a large family business with his four sons, while Frank Bostock was in charge of another. E.H.’s interests included a Bostock & Wombwell’s Menagerie, which travelled mainly in Britain, but he also exhibited in… [Read More]

The Blumenfelds are a very large and long established jewish circus family based mainly in Germany. They owned circus buildings and travelling shows. Their story has been researched by an Academic, Marline Otte. The Narrative here is extracted from her book: Jewish Identities in German Popular Entertainment, 1890-1933. Cambridge 2006   c. AUG 1914    As… [Read More]

The Kayes family’s War Circus story is transposed from contemporary newspapers, retaining the language of the time.   Ref: inc. newspapers found in the British Libraries’ online archive, British Newspaper Archives and The World’s Fair, the Showland newspaper held on microfiles at the National Fairground and Circus Archive, University of Sheffield.   OCT 1916 A… [Read More]

These ( 350+) 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 newspapers, in order to retain the language of the time. Other information has been drawn from people realted to the artistes. Ref: including various… [Read More]