Bostock and Wombwell’s circus.
When I was a kid, around 4 or 5, I used to have a sheepskin rug by my bed.
My Pa used to josh me and say it was a lion skin, and that he’d caught it when he visited Africa. He said because he was very strong he’d caught the Lion by the tail, and with some amazing sleight of hand he’d turned the critter inside out! Whereby he’d grabbed it’s skin, turned it inside out again, and sent the no doubt highly bemused animal on it’s way, unharmed, to grow another coat!
Of Course there’d be lots of laughs involved, and it was never wicked or cruel, but a show of his amazing strength and bravery, and how all the Ruffle family were so good with animals.
As I got older, I remember asking my Pa if he’d ever been to Africa, which of course he had, though only the south, and nowhere near as frequently as Australia, or Hawaii, or India, or America.
And I had to ask him if the rug really was a Lion’s skin, at which point he laughed and said no, BUT my great, great grand Father was a lion tamer, he said, although at that time he never really elaborated on the story.
After my Nan Moore(my Father’s Mother) died, in the late 70′s, aside from the Princely sum of £100, she left me all the old photos that she’d had passed to her, of Bostock and Wombwell’s Circus. This was probably the first time my Pa properly talked about the circus to me, though his recollections were still sketchy, he did say he’d seen the circus as a young lad, and was greeted at the entrance to the Maldon prom by a midget lady with a very long beard!
Unfortunately, so my Father had it, his Sister’s son Clive had got into Nan’s house prior to our clearance of the place, and had taken most of these precious snaps(and a good deal of other antiques and bric a brac, including a Queen Anne kidney shaped dressing table) and whatever else he’d fancied.
The snaps you see on this blog are the best of what remains, and these photos were restored by Ken Linge, a good friend of my family and I, and Father to 2 of my closest friends, Ian and Neil.
As it turned out George Wombwell was the owner of the Circus, and one of his Brothers Freddy, was the lion tamer. I remember feeling dreadfully dissapointed that I wasn’t a direct decendent of a Lion Tamer, however I did console myself with the fact that George was obviously the brains behind the operation.
I really don’t fully know all the pieces of the jigsaw surrounding the Wombwells and the Ruffles, though obviously Nana Moore was the connection. Her Mother was Eliza Harriet Wombwell. Eliza married Willie Layzell, called by some “The smartest man in Maldon”. Perhaps that’s where Pa and I get it from!?! But he’s another tale for the future……….
Nan was an amazing lady, she doted on me and used to make me Lemon Meringue pies, which I loved as a child. She was a renouned psychic, and her idea of a good read was a funny little paper I remember seeing many times at her house, Psychic News.
She’d sometimes go into “trances” when I visited with my Pa, she’d look seriously vacant, and mumble away in a strange voice, then suddenly snap out of it and smile. I’m pretty sure I asked her once if she was ok, and she told me she’d just been speaking with friends on the other side. But she said it so serenely, with a smile on her face, that it never disturbed me. I’d just think it was my funny old lovely Nan.
Her second husband, Jim Moore, was a game keeper for Lord and Lady Montague, as a result of reading the cards for her husband’s employers, and apparently giving amazingly accurate readings, other members of the gentry would ask Nan to read the cards for them, to read their future fortunes.
My Pa said she was well loved by many, and was given several lovely gifts of jewellry by various Lords and Ladies who’s fortunes she’d read.
I used to joke that my Nan was so psychic she could read that cat’s hairs on your sofa!(sorry Nan, just joking!) But she did indeed read palms, tea leaves, regular cards, and Tarot, and as I say she claimed she could speak to the Spirits.
For me now, I can see that Nan was probably one of the last if not famous then certainly respected Victorian mediums, who indeed could tell people amazing things about themselves, that she couldn’t possibly have figured through mere detective or guess work.
I’m thinking Madame Blavatsky and the Esoterics, which I suppose is really the philosophy my Nan followed, the roots of the Spiritual and moral attitude which she transmitted to my Family, basically the laws of Karma, do unto others as you would have done to you.
My Pa would always speak of our Algerian Romany roots, and of course the Circus and it’s people were travellers. The name Ruffle is I believe French, the name of lacemakers no doubt. I think we started our travels shortly after the Revolution kicked off,(in 1789 to 1799) not wishing to have our heads separated from our bodies! The Ruffle name was apparently first recorded in the 1300′s, and Nan did say she’s traced our name back to the 1600′s.
But I think that the Revolution made us itinerant. And my romantic bent would have us as entertainers and performers, just like my good self! A wandering minstrel, a troubadour……..
Well, at least my ancestors make this conjecture highly feasible, and of course if there’s anyone reading this who knows more, then please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Photos from top to bottom:
The Circus entrance 1910
The Snake Lady(?) year unknown
Fred Wombwell 1900
George Wombwell
Ada Eveline Layzell (My Nan) 1930
Jim Moore 1912
Anita the Living Doll year unknown
And here’s Pam Malkin’s wonderful photo of her Grandfather, Matthew Johnson:
And here’s the wonderful Pathe newsreel of Bostock and Wombwell’s last road trip to Whipsnade in 1931.
78 Responses to “Bostock and Wombwell’s circus.”
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Hey Terry, saw your message in Justin’s wall and thought I’d have a peep at your site. I love the page about your dad, nan and the circus, brilliant!
See you sometime over the summer… I hope
Love Rachel
xxx
Please can you supply a clearer image of the people in the booth part in the first photo. My great grandad, Arthur Feely worked for Bostock’s and I would be happy to send you some images.
Regards
Geoffrey Younger
They are great pictures Terence. Circus people had their own language so they could keep secrets. It’s a shame it had to close in 1932, when many animals, including Dixie lived the rest of their days in Whipsnade Park, though some others, including lions and ‘Billy’ the penquin went to Grimsby Zoo.
There is a pathe news film of animals arriving at Dunstable railway station on their way to Whipsnade and also the National Fairground web-site has a number of images.
Regards
Geoff
Thanks Geoff.
Just Googled the secret language, it’s called Parlari, a mixture of Romanie(which has it’s roots in Sanskrit) and various eastern European languages, amazing!
Yes it’s a shame the Circus closed, you and I would probably be working together!
And it’s also a shame our sad politically correct English society sees fit to ban Animal acts in Circuses, never mind people’s livelihoods, or the special relationship between Man and Animal, beneficial to both.
I’ll upload the best of your amazing collection of pictures of Bostock and Wombwell’s Circus, thanks col, kushti, hope you rokker the jib!
Terry Just gone through your blog and was surprised to see my grandfather standing behind the snake Lady. He was know as Little Frank and managed the circus until 1932. He also had a zoo in Southend but that had to close due to the second world war was looming up.
What an excellent blog Terence….My Grandfather Frederick Fulcher worked for B & W for some years at the turn of the century and I have many photos & memorabilia from those days. He was employed mainly to ‘work on the carts’ and talked to us as ‘walking from London to Glasgow and back’.What a hard life, but his one claim to fame came on the day he had to pull a lions tooth with a pair of long handled pliars!!! He became a blacksmith & coachbuilder on his ‘retirement’ to Suffolk in 1912 but was still in touch with the menagerie by telegram (E. Bostock & H.F.Birkett) in 1926 where he was often summoned to attend to a broken cart or the refurbishing of an old one. My website at http://wentworth.tribalpages.com (access password – nellie) has over a hundred articles, posters and photos of the menagerie. Thank you for a wonderful read.
you do know that my nana sayward is where the family connection comes from?
My husband’s grandfather Reuben Cockbill received a gold engraved medal for going into the Lion’s cage (with the lions) when Wombwells visited Wednesbury in the West Midlands.
Hi
I came across your blog story and wonderful photos after searching for more details about Wombwell Circus. It’s been passed down in our family that we are descended from Charlie Peace, the famous local hero and murderer from Victorian Sheffield. His father, John Peace (sometimes listed as Joseph) is said to have been (in all the books about Charlie Peace) a ‘lion tamer’ in the Wild Beast show in Wombwell Circus. His son Charlie was born in 1832 so I guess John was working for them in early-mid 1800s. Do you have any more info about the lion tamers or wild beast show from this time? I have recently discovered that I am directly descended from Daniel Peace, John Peace’s other son.
Any info would be greatly appreciated.
Jennie
Sheffield
HI,
We are trying to trace details of family members who may have been involved with Bostock and Wombells Circus. My great grandfather was part of the Marvellous Howards and my great aunt Lilian was seemingly a lion tamer.
Does any of this ring any bells. Details are sketchy but I would love to find out more.
Thanks very much
Wendy Stenberg
[...] garner work for Terence’s solo show. However, having wrote about his Great Great Grandfather George Wombwell and his circus, which attracted a number of fascinating comments (and still does!), he decided to attempt to write [...]
I was speaking to my dear friend Margaret Hillman at Barrow marsh caravan park yesterday, about the funeral of Chubby Smith, a friend and the contractor for the site. Margaret said she hoped his last wishes were carried out. And it reminded me of something my Pa told me about my Nan’s last wishes. I’m not sure whether she actually put it in her will, but my Nan asked my Pa to prick her eyes with a needle after she died, to make sure she wasn’t just in a trance! Not certain whether Alfie actually did this!
And it brought back memories of stories that I’ve read about the Victorian’s attitudes to death, and certainly pricking the eyes of the recently deceased was common then. Not to mention elaborate mechanisms designed to ensure one wasn’t buried alive!
dear terence
i find this oh so fascinating as i come from the wombwell and layzell part of the family. i am the granddaughter of kathleen layzell whose mother was eliza harriet wombwell,eliza s father was george wombwell who married sarah nichols.eliza married willy layzell. my mother was illigitimate and her father was i believe alfred charles ruffles or ruffle i think he went on to marry my nan kathleens sister .please can you get back to me if you have anymore imfo and if you need any imfo from me, as i have always wanted to know more about my grandad ruffle
thankyou
penny
Hi Terence.. Was Charles Wombwell, George Wombwell’s Son? As George started the menagery I was wondering if Charles took over after he died?
George Wombwell was my great great great grand fathers Uncle. My GGG Grandgather Charles (born 1811) being one of the 2 siblings that came to Australia.
I love the photo’s and the history of the Wombwell’s any chance you might have some more photo’s to share.
Thanks you
Hellen
Terence, you have probably already seen this, but for everyone else, here is George Wombwell’s grave with his fave lion Nero on top..
http://www.lougs.org.uk/images/highgate/07150018.jpg
Hello there! I’m named after my Great Grandpa, Charles Roger Birch, Travelling Showman. He was born in Coventry, 11 Aug 1860. Better known as Charlie Birch to his friends, his famous Midget Show first appeared in the 1900s and regularly opened in the company of the other leading Showmen of the age. I have a photograph of him and Anita ‘The Living Doll’, the very same woman dwarf-statured woman pictured in your photograph, who occupied his ‘Living’ carriage. Anita was probably of Hungarian descent (Her brother was of normal height, his name being ‘Ignacz’).
I am currently researching my family’s history and stumbled across your website. Would love to hear from anyone who might know where, when or how Charlie Birch died. If I can be of any help please feel free to contact me at chasb67@hotmail.co.uk
Hi Terence,
seems we must be releated,I have all the photographs you have and more.My great great grandfather was George Henry Wombwell the founder,
Regards Adrian.
Terence replied:
Sorry Adrian, I have to correct you, George Henry Wombwell was not the founder of the menagerie, his Uncle George Wombwell was. George Henry was my Grandmother’s Uncle, and ran the King’s Head hotel in Tollesbury.
hi terry great site. i recently had a disaster and my bostock and wombwell book.a zoo on wheels got badly damaged s good to know you have photos still, even if i can only claim the family through marge being dads stepmum. its very interesting
Hi there,
Just picked this site up at work in my lunchbreak.
My grandfather was a trombone player with the Circus and I believe my grandmother may have been a fortune teller. There names were Harold (I think)and Margaret Turner (Nee Mann). Do you have any information about the members of the circus?
My grandfather was a Wombwell born at sea coming to Australia in 1851, son of Charles and Susanah Reed .
Hi,
My godmother’s grandfather and grandmother, Willam Nesbitt Evans and Lucy (nee Lucas)were travelling artistes with Bostock & Wombwell Circus, between 1880 & 1907, possibly longer (before and/or after). The birth of their nine children shows which towns they were performing in at various dates. The children were then left with diferent family members or friends as they continued with the circus.
Loved the photographs – they give such an idea of the life they might have lived,
I recieved this from Susan Tebby today(17-12-09)
Hi Terence
Thanks for email
Sorry to say no photographs held by my godmother, aged 89, but possibly with one of two great-great nieces of William John Nesbitt Evans and his wife, Lucy. His ‘stage’ name was ‘Dashwood’. We will ask. Do you have any records of the people who were there?
My Godmother told me a splendid story yesterday. One day, her mother, Dorothy, aged about thirteen, was taken by her father (William) to the circus and the time came for the Lion Act. The lions were suitably roaring, the whip was cracking and everyone was trembling. The ringmaster called out to ask who was brave enough to go into the lions’ cage and put their head into the mouth of one of the lions. Great gasps of horror from the crowd. But Dorothy jumped up and to the consternation of the crowd advanced hestitantly in to the cage and up to the biggest lion. There was an almighty hush and Dorothy slowly put her head into the lion’s mouth. You could hear a pin drop. Then she slowly drew her head out again and backed out of the cage and sat down to tumultuous applause.
What the audience didn’t know, but Dorothy did, was that the biggest lion was also the oldest and he didn’t have any teeth!
Best wishes Susan
Bonsoir, je recherche des infos et photos du cirque Bostock, qui est passé à Muzillac au début des années 1950 !! et aussi du cirque Transatlantique… je crois, j’avais 5 à 10 ans.
Nous réalisons un agenda avec la commission du patrimoine de Muzillac sur différents sujets… fêtes, foires, spectacles… du passé… 1900 à 1960 !!
Merci
Good night, I search information and photographs of the circus Bostock, which is crossed to Muzillac at the beginning of 1950s!! and also from the Transatlantic circus I believe, j ‘avais 5 – 10 years.
We accomplish an agenda with the commission of the heritage of Muzillac on different subjects holidays, fairs, shows an past… 1900 in 1960!!
Thank you
An appraisal of “A Zoo on wheels”.
I finally managed to obtain a copy and hoped I could answer all your questions about various family members.
With all due respect to the Middlemiss family I think the good Doctors book should have been called “My steam engine fetish” because sadly that’s what makes up over 10 pages (plus many photos)of a 56 page book.
George Wombwell, the founder of the menagerie is deemed worthy of less than 2 pages, the bulk of the rest of the book pertains to the period from 1884 to 1930. The Wombwell envolvement was some 79 years prior to the Bostocks integrating with them, yet there’s little mention of that period. And just for the record George was born in Duddenhoe end(according to parish records)not Dudnor end JL.
I’ll be frank, I was thoroughly disappointed with “Zoo”, it feels as tho’ it’s been put together in haste, it has typos and there’s been no attempt to clean up the photos, plus where’s the real meat of the tale? i.e. 1804 to 1850.
Most of the time JL quotes EH Bostock, but sadly doesn’t always credit him.
I regret telling good folk that it’s the definitive tome relating to the circus, again I’ll be frank, AVOID!
There are 3 other books which apparently go into much more detail about the menagerie, 70 years a Showman by George Sanger, English fairs and Circuses by Gerrard Tyrwhitt Drake, and Menageries, Circuses and Theatres by EH Bostock.
I’ll be tracking copies of these books down over the coming months, and reviewing them appropriately.
Sorry but the books a bit moulti, I’m off for a kushti bevvy and manjari, sorry to be a pug! Gotta jal!
I sent this to Kevin Lagan:
That’s certainly true in your case mate, but my Grandma Moore nee Ruffle is our connection.
Her Ma was Eliza Wombwell(one of George’s daughters), who married Willie Layzell. Gudday mate!
Hi..my Grandfather Matthew Reid Johnston was an elephant trainer with Bostocks and in 1906 was in San Francisco with the mernagerie when the earth quake happened. When he came back to the UK he married Ivy Haviland in Sheffield where the show was at the time. I believe my grandmother was a secretary to Mr Bostock at the time. Matthew went on to manage the concession at Blackpool on the prom and in 1911 he became manager and curator of Blackpool Zoo in the Tower and stayed until 1947 when he retired in his 80′s.He kept a record of press cuttings all that time. He died in 1955 in his 90′s. I have a photo of him which appeared in a book standing with his elephant. I am trying to find more information of his time with Bostocks. Hope you can help Best wishes Pam
Hi Pam,
thanks for your comment. How about you mail me a scan of Matthew with his Elephant? I’d be very happy to post it.
Unfortunately I’ve not heard of your Grandfather. I do know that Elephant trainers were expected to sleep with their charge!
In 1928 E H Bostocks Elephant trainer was George Braham. And that’s about all I know! However my research is ongoing, although I’m concentrating on the period between 1805 to 1850, I will email you should I come across more information, and would ask you to kindly do the same.
Many thanks, Terence.
Hi Terry, how’s it going?
And how’s this for spooky. My great, great, grandfather )I think that’s right number of greats) was Stephano Polito, who ran a famed menagerie at about the same time as your forebear. Is there no end to co-incidence?
Cheers, H.
here is a few links to some Bostock items l have
http://www.flickr.com/photos/robertpool/3896189717/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/robertpool/3881986708/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/robertpool/3909461690/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/robertpool/4013302313/
hope these may be of some interest
Robert Pool
Hi
Bostock/W circus traveled to australia and new zealand during the early 1900s. I am currently working on a 1900s display for the Museum of Wellington.NZ. Part of the story is about King Dick a Bostosk lion that was gifted to wellington zoo and was the first animal at the zoo.
Do you have any objects form the circus that could be used in the display.
david waller – programmes manager
Dear terrence
I too am looking into my families past. My grandmother was Hilda Louise Wombwell known as Queenie to everyone. Her father was Albert Wombwell and her Grandfather was David Wombwell.
All three generations provided winter lodgings on their Cuffley (Hertfordshire)farms for animals and performers during the late 1800′s through to the 1950′s.
My mum recalls a visit to the farm in the 1930′s when a band of midgits came to tea. mum being a small girl played with them in the yard.
George Wombwell jr. was the link but which George was he? I cannot find out who he was, or what he did exactley. Nor what relation he was to either her father or grandfather.
I would love to find out more can anyone help?
Hello,
I am related to a liontamer from Bostocks whose name was Mary Ann Blower. I have some pics of her with her medals and also of her young daughter with the lion cubs. There is also a pic of Anita the living doll which we have. I was wondering if you have any info about the Blowers? Her husband and manager was called Charles. Would be very grateful for any info. Much appreciated xx
Hello
Looking for someone who has information about the musical Clowns “Gungi and Dolwi”. Hope someone can help.
Philip
I have just found your interesting website – it is quite fascinating, especially the Pathe News article which I didn’t know existed. E H Bostock disbanded the zoo before I was born. I am the youngest of EHB’s grandchildren. My mother, Elisabeth Frances Bostock was his youngest child – she was also known as “Baby Bostock”. Her uncle, always referred to as “Little Uncle Frank” is in the photo of the lady with the snake! It is such an amazing family to be connected to. Her other uncle Frank was Frank Charles “Big Uncle Frank” Bostock who went to America. He was connected to the film industry – he supplied wild animals for films in Hollywood. I think he is buried with George Wombwell in Highgate also. My great grandmother was Emma Wombwell who married James Bostock, so I am doubly connected. Did you know that John Bostock of Wheathampstead was Abbot of St Albans on two occasions (1452). Also, the Earl of Chester married a Bostock girl, and also Lord Canaervon married a Bostock. I am interested in any information on either the Bostock or Wombwell families. George Wombwell is buried in Highgate Cemetry with the most magnificent tomb topped with his beloved Nero sleeping on top. Prince Albert asked George Wombwell how he could repay him for his kindness (maybe for showing the animals at Windsor Castle to the Royal Family on several occasions). George replied “What can you give a man who has everything”. The story goes, that Prince Albert presented him with a coffin! I often wonder if George was buried in that coffin at Highgate! Thank you for a great website.
Terence
I was lucky to bump into Heather – May 9 2010 above – through Homes and Antiques and she very kindly introduced me to your fantastic work. As you know your Nan was my Aunt Ada my fathers eldest sister and like you she and uncle Jim were extremely kind to me for many wonderful school holidays spent with them at various estates managed by Uncle Jim
Your Nan and My Mother were very close and it is through your Nan that my mother – I think they were working together at the time – came to Maldon and met my father
Have you thought of working through the life and times of William Layzell – I understand he was a yachtsman and skipper of some note with connections to as they say “the well to do”
Have enjoyed reading all your material
Keep researching for the benefit of those of us who get lost too quickly
The Santus circus, not the Rock’n'Roll circus, came to Heybridge last week.
But there were no animals, except one dog tethered on a chain.
I felt great compassion and sympathy for them, it didn’t seem like the punters came in their droves, sadly. And the weather was dreadfully cold.
I wanted to speak to one of them, just to get a picture of how things are. One of the trucks had a picture of a Tiger on it’s side, a remnant no doubt of the 1970′s.
God bless you Santus, I hope you survive the modern age……………
My family history has the story that my grandfather George Ward drove Mrs Bostock’s wagon and that my grandmother Mary Lazenby was a circus dancer with the circus this would be in the 1860′s when they married in March 1873 in Leeds area at that time he described himself as a railway carrier. She would have been about 17 or 18 Has anyone any info about the circus as early as that.
My great great grandfather was William Wombwell Charters, born in Hackney between Apr and June 1855. He emergrated out to New Zeland around 1874. The family story is that he was related to a Wombwell that had a managerie in Britain, but I am not sure of the connection. Again the family ledgend is that his grandmother was Elizabeth Wombwell whos died 15 Jan 1875. Can anyone help with tracing my WW Charters and the Wombwell family.
My relation Alfred Holmes Showman is on the 1891 Census in the caravan next to Charlie Birch who had the Midget Act at Poplar Tower Hamlets. I am related to Alfred Holmes via my Gt Gt Grandfathers sister Sophia Morris=Edward James Holmes. Does anyone know anything about the Holmes Family?
Hi Terence,
This might be too late but I see that there are some Bostock Wombwell “In memorium” cards coming up on e-bay tomorrow. Not mine. You might like to note the information they contain.
Regards
Barry Anthony
Dear Terence and all who read this site,
I have discovered since my previous post on June 28th regarding Charlie Birch; Re;-Anita The Living Doll and Midget Show and my relation-Alfred Holmes-Showman who where touring together in 1891. That a Harriet Holmes (1818-1877) married James Bostock (1805-1872)(Ref; December quarter-1838-St. Georges Hanover square-1-24). (I will order this certificate for more details) who was a brother of James Bostock (1814-1878)=6/10/1852-Tollesbury, Essex-Emma Wombwell (1839-1909).
It also appears that Frank Charles Bostock (1866-1912)=21/1/1887-Susannah Ethel Bailey (B.1868) of Barnum and Bailey Circus.
Best wishes,
James
Or could this James Bostock be a cousin of the one who married Emma Wombwell?
Dear Terence Ruffle,
Thank you for your email with Wombwell Family Tree attached. I have now found a marital link between the Bostocks and Holmes families namely;
Harriet Holmes (1818-1877)-Daughter of Benjamin Holmes of St. Georges, Hanover Square=December quarter-1838-St. Georges Hanover square-1-24-James Bostock (1806-1872). Harriett Bostock (nee Holmes) also has a will which I will get a copy of for more details. These people were the Aunt and Uncle of James Bostock (1814-1878)=Emma Wombwell (1834-1904)-6-10-1852-Tollesbury, Essex. It would appear that James Bostocks family were quite well to do farmers in Leek, and that he was a bit of a black sheep, as he left home when his father re-married and he joined the menagerie. Also is it correct that Frank Charles Bostock-The Animal King (1866-1912)=1887-Susannah Ethel Bailey of Barnum and Bailey Circus? I also found a reference to the Bostocks of Leek, Staffordshire in the memoirs of Franks father-Edward Henry Bostock (1858-1940)=September quarter-1881-Leek-6b-341-Elizabeth Bostock (A cousin), he mentions this connection in his book.
All very interesting, also my Uncle is connected via his Grandmother of the Hearn family to the Billy Smarts too!
Once again many thanks and best wishes.
James Gundersen-McLaughlin
Dear Terence, Charles et al,
I now have the parents of my kinsman Alfred Holmes who was a travelling showman and was in the caravan next to Charlie Birch-Anita-The Living Doll at Poplar on 1891 Census. He is the son of Robert Holmes and Ann Cook and i have found his father Robert Holmes-General Dealer in a caravan at Lollards Pit, near Norwich on the 1881 census. I beleieve he is a cousin of my Gt Gt Gt Uncle Edward Holmes. I have found his parents marriage so this should yield some more information and help tie up a few losse ends. I have also found four more marriages between the Bostocks and Holmes families as follows;
A.Vina. G. Holmes=Burchall Bostock-June qtr-1917-Nottingham-7b-561.
B. Mary A Bostock=John M Bostock-March qtr-1937-Stafford-6b-3.
C. Mary K. Holmes=James Bostock-March qtr-1940-Cheadle-6b-1041.
D. Freda Holmes=Clarence W. Bostock-December qtr-1943-Basford-7b-377.
Not sure if these are of the same family of Bostocks, although the marriage at staffordshire does link up with the Leek branch of the Bostocks. It would appear that-Frank Charles Bostock (1866-1912)-The Animal Kings father; Edward Henry Bostock (1858-1940)=1881-Elizabeth Bostock his cousin from Leek, Staffordshire. He mentions this link in his biography too.(Ref;September qtr-1881-Leek-6b-341).
Bye for now and best wishes,
James Gundersen-McLaughlin.
P.S Correction. Sorry. B. marriage above should read; Mary A Bostock=John M Holmes (Not Bostock).
Anita Morris.
Your father Albert wombwell was brother to my gt grandfather David Wombwell. I was very close to Queenie in the times she housed the summer camp of bertram mills circus in her park at goffs oak. Herts. My mum was Coral Wombwell her father was Frank youngest brother of Albert.
Have lots more info’ if you can get in touch.
Jill Perry.
By the by everyone George Wombwell the menagerist never married but lived with his niece and her daughter.His brother John is my4th gt grandfather. if that is any help?
Dear Terence et al,
I have been looking at my Great Aunt Agnes Alice Morris who married a Mr. Hazel-June qtr-1922-Cambridge-3b-1237. Her sister-Harriet Morris is my Great Grandmother and her mothers sister married into the family of Alfred Holmes-Showman who was in a caravan next to Charlie Birch on 1891 census, and they Holmes family appear to be connected to Benjamin Tapsell=1854-Romford-Alice Hoadley of the Showmen Hoadleys, which includes Aquilla Hoadley and Walker Hoadley etc…
I also noticed when looking through Free BMD, that a Thomas Hazel=Wombwell-December qtr-1934-Newcasttle T-10b-226. Does anyone have this information? If not I will order certificate.
Best wishes,
James Gundersen-McLaughlin
Hello
My Nan Ethel Maude Caroline Hughes was a stage / chorus performer, stage name “Hetty Denvers”, 1912- 1920, and during the early years worked with a travelling circus. I remember a photo of a thick snake wound aroung her and she was in oriental dress with a turban on her head. She loved tigers and had all sorts of tiger figurines and pottery.
Later in life she never spoke of her early working life, (later she married and became more respectable in society’s eyes), except once to remark when I found a photo in her sideboard of a very large man in a top hat and frockcoat that he was Fatty Arbuckle and that she had met him and he was not at all like the scandals portrayed, that he was a gentleman.
Does anyone know where my Nan who was from Shropshire, England might have met with Fatty Arbuckle? Did he visit England, or would my Nan have had to have been in a travelling show which went to America from England?
Any help with this much appreciated. Thanks. June
Dear Terence, can you or anybody help me discover any information on my late Grandfather HARRY (Henry Whalen Fitzgerald) WESTON? My late Mother his daughter, Vera Weston, was born in 1918, with both an older sister and a younger one.
She passed away in 1996, but always enthralled me with her stories of her Father who managed both Bostocks and Bertram Mills Circus when she was a child. She spent summer seasons in the Isle of Man, where her Mum and Dad used to rent a house. She spoke of the Living Doll and also about Wild Bill Hickock – although I am unsure which circus that act appeared in. She also told me about the lady with the snake. Mum herself around 1936 – she was just 18 – married a Lion Tamer with the surname of JACKSON. They drifted apart during the war, and later divorced. My Grandma was Maude Weston and she was a dancer. Grandad also at some time managed the Hay Market Theatre in London. He passed away around 1950, but was well-known in the Circus/Theatre clique. Any information, however small, would be so very welcome. Thank you.
Hello, what an incredibly interesting webpage. I’m researching the career of my Grandfather, Dufton Scott, 1880-1944 an entertainer, from Aberdeenshire. I have a memoir of his in which he writes about seeing Bostock and Wombwell’s Menagerie – it was the Lion Tamer he admired most, and this set him off with a desire to be in the entertainment business. He wrote and performed humorous sketches in ‘Doric’. He talks about the show coming to his town of Huntly when he was a boy…. I just wondered, might anyone have any information about this particular show? With all good wishes, Katie Scott
Hi My G Grandfather Frank Wilson “Lorenzo” a lion trainer was mentioned with Bostock’s do you have any info?
Hi Terence,
What a great find. The internet works it’s quiet magic once again. One of my relations was the music master. He was born in Yorkshire and joined Bostock’s ‘to put an ocean between him and his father’.
All we really know is that his surname was Lockwood and that his caravan was used, along with the ringmasters, to create the main entrance to the show.
We think this was around 1850. Does anyone have any more information? Is his caravan the one featured in the photo at the top of the page? Or can anyone identify him in any of the photos?
Any help would be much appreciated.
Best wishes,
Alastair
If anyone wants me to send them any Bostock and Wombwell images please e-mail me
gemyounger7@ntlworld.com
hello just been looking up arthur feeley i live in sheltered housing and a lady who lives here is his grandaughter and she has some of the orignal photos
ps think his real name was alexander feeley
yours john
merry xmas
Thank you John,
is the ladies name Valerie? Alexander was Arthur brothers name and he lived in Birmingham
Hi
Came across this website by chance – it’s great to see photos of those my grandfather might have known. He was Arthur Wigg known better by his circus name of Captain Luck. He was an animal trainer, lion tamer with Bostocks until the circus came to a close. I have a few photos of him with my dad and aunt when they were children. The photos were taken around the lion wagons and the big traction engine. I would be really interested to find out if anyone else knows of any stories involving my grampa?
Jacqueline
Hi Jacqueline,
I have a photo of Jack I can e-mail you
gemyounger7@ntlworld.com
George wombwell of menagerie fame was my 3xgreat grand uncle
I have been researching the family history for a number of
years. If anyone has any info on a Richard Wombwell born
1660 to 1723 in Clavering and married Mary Botterell June
1681 in Widford Essex I would be very grateful.
Hi, i really enjoyed this site. I owned circuses in canada for 19 years and when i retired i started writing books on the American fairground. My third one was just published at ECW PRESS.
i have the recent Bostock ( agree with reviewer on it) book and it does explain the menagerie set-up for me but there is so much left out on the construction of the cages , etc. The short video really helped me to see how the shutters on the cage bar side were held in place and removed.
i would be very interested if you could write me more about the physical set-up of the show and the wagons.I’d like to try and build a model of the show.
I’m in Blackpool during SHOWZAM Feb. 6-28 exhibiting side show banner paintings from my collection on behalf of the British fairground Archives.
Thanks,
Al Stencell
Interesting site. I’ve just made an animation featuring Bostock. Thought you might like to take a sneak peak: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xh411kDpGWU
Best regards
Tony
Hi,
Im looking for information on Herbert Hinds who was a Lion Tamer with Sangers Circus the 1800′s
Pam
Hi
What a great site about George Wombell which I have stumbled on while researching my fathers family.
My father’s name is George William Newsome(1901-1957) and his Grandfather was George Wombwell Newsome – his grandmother was Leonora/Leah Norah?
My father’s father was Timothy Newsom who married Lauretta Newsome. I understand that the Newsome married Newsome’s but I don’t know if they were directly related nor do I know if George Wombwell never married – how has the Wombwell name carried on through the generations?
I would love to hear if you can shed any light on all of this………….Thanks
Margaret McDonald (formally) Newsome
Hi Terence, I’m tracing part of my wife’s family tree as she mentioned her nan came from circus family. Her nan Gladys Eva Layzell was the daughter of Willie Layzell.
I would love to see your tree and maybe it updated with a few more branches.
By the way, you don’t happen to be the Terry Ruffle who played with the band ‘Surf Rats’ do you?
Steve.
Thanks to Jill Perry for the reply. Sorry it took so long. I would be most interested in your memories of the family. How can I contact you?
My g.great uncle was Francis Bernard Vaughan AKA James Henry Pearson AKA Frank James Pearson who was the Australian Tour Manager for Bostock and Wombwells Circus around the early 1900′s. Frank had gained lion training expereince in South Africa in the late 1800′s. Apparently he was was not impressed with his employment nor the touring conditions and by the time the circus had reached Melbourne, Frank had had enough. Though Frank never revealed the complete tale to his family in the UK, it is our belief that he stole several animlas for the circus (monkeys I am told) with the intent of returning to London and selling them. It is our belief that the owner of the circus (and the police) were waiting for thr ships arrival,but Frank fled….and was never caught.
Frank actually returned to Australia, chnaged his name and married. He went on to become a well known radio personality in Victoria and Canberra …..
Just thought you might be interested in his story …..
Dear Terence.
My Grandfather is the son of Isabella Holmes and Thomas Rostron, it is stated on his birth certificate(1899),that his mother at the time was married to Robert Holmes who was a travelling Showman, but she had not seen him in 5 years, do you know if this could be the same Robert Holmes that is mentioned in the comments above.
Hi
If you are looking for information on Herbert Hinds lion tamer I can help.
Hi Jacqueline Wigg Evans
i have tried emailing you my dads grandad is Arthur Wigg and he is my great grandad i would like to know more and i did have some paper cut outs and photos my dad would like to talk with you
Liam Connolly.
Hi Terence, Please can you help me.
My3xgreat aunt (Do not know first name, maiden name Day) Married someone from bostock and wombwell.
One of her brothers John Day who married Jane hartley is my 2x great granddad.
Any information would be appreciated.
Thank you.
I have a distant relation name of George Wombwell Quittenbourne, son of Kitty Wombwell and Thomas Henry Quittenbourne. Do you have any photos or information about him to help my genealogy? Thank you.
Hi,Terence ,very interesting site, I am the Grandaughter of James( wild beast) Day, stories passed through the family say that Grandad won the menagerie from B&W’s family a result of a wager ,we have photos of Grandad’s menagerie also coincidently with a penguin on the front. My gggrandfather was John Day who had a brother Thomas Day who changed his name to “Martini Bartlett” he became a well known lion tamer and was recently featured in a programme called “who do you think you are” on the life of Larry Lamb good site Terry thank you
Dear Mr. Ruffle,
I hope you will forgive this unsolicited approach but I wondered if you may be able to point me in the right direction to solicit some information I am seeking.
I am a member of St. Peter’s Church, Cockett, Swansea, South Wales and our extensive 6 acre graveyard houses some 10,000 graves with excess of 30,000 souls buried therein.
In gathering historical facts about our church which was built in the mid 1860’s we have for some time been trying to discover the whereabouts of a grave of a ‘ lion tamer’, to further enhance the church trail for local schoolchildren.
We have strong anecdotal evidence from the elderly daughter of a former sexton that her father would tell her of the lion tamer who was buried in the churchyard. Allegedly, he was killed by the lion, but this may have been a father embellishing the story to thrill and captivate his young daughter. Indeed, he may have died of natural causes whilst passing through Swansea.
I did contact the Showman’s Guild and researched local newspaper archives for circus data to no avail but following a recent TV programme it occurred to me that he may not have been a member of a circus but may well have been a member of a fairground menagerie family.
I contacted the archives at Sheffield University who featured on the programme and the only reference they can find is to James Bostock (key Menagerie operator) being in
Swansea in 1891 – he is advertising the sale of some lions.
I wondered therefore if you or any other contributor to your website had any knowledge of a family member or employee (with a lion connection) who died whilst in Swansea.
Thank you for any help you may be able to offer.
Yours sincerely,
Colin Hammacott.
Hi Terence,
What wonderful photographs! I love your blog, I’m resident writer at a circus at the moment http://residentwritergiffordscircus.wordpress.com/ and am researching more about the history of circus for poetry ect so if you have any advice or more information I’d love to hear from you,
All the best,
Beth Timmins
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Terence: I have some papers regarding the Bostock family I would like to share: Newspaper article, Marriage of Sub-Lieutenant Edward W.A. Bostock, R.N.V.R., son of Mr. & Mrs. Douglas Bostock of Katong Ipswich and South Lopham Hall, Norfolk and Miss Jean Nicoll, the well-known lawn tennis player, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Alexander Cambell Nicoll of Harrow. (January, no year).
Next Item: Memorial Card: In Loving Memory of Emmie
Sophie Susie Bostock, who died at Cardigan, Wales, June 22, 1888, age 4 months and 2 weeks. Interred in Abney Park Cemetery, June 25th
A paper program from 80th birthday party for Edward Henry Bostock, autographed: E H Bostock
Inside the program are the words to the “The Bostock Walk”
I also have a few post cards addressed to a Miss Vera Bostock living in New York City, New Jersey and Washington D,C.
I have a postcard from Vera, dated Aug.1947, to Elsie. (I think Elsie Youngquist is Vera’s sister.) Elsie was living in Toledo, Ohio at the time.
Can anyone help me with family tree regarding Vera and Elsie?
Hope my information is useful.
Nancy
Just stumbled upon this website / blog and found it fascinating. My name is wombwell, wonder if there is any connection?
I just received this email from Heather Payne:
Hi Terence
Thank you for forwarding the email from Nancy – sorry for the delay in getting back to you.
I will try to give you any information that I have with regard to its contents:
Edward W A Bostock was my cousin Teddy whom I was very fond of. He was the eldest of E H B’s grandchildren (I am the youngest!). He died about 5 years ago. Teddy was 6 foot 5 in tall, so was probably the tallest member of the family. His brother Douglas (Winkie) died a couple of years ago and left his wife Judy and 4 children (2 boys and 2 girls) so the Bostock name continues. Cousin Teddy had 2 sons, Roy and Dougal but neither are married or have children.
They live in Suffolk. I remember visiting my Uncle Douglas at Katong in Ipswich and also at Bustall Cottage where I saw Jean Nicoll and also Roy and Dougal as small boys (wearing their Davy Crockett hats!)
Next Item: Memorial card
I don’t know the name Sophie Susie Bostock. Several Bostocks were buried in Abney Park Cemetry. Perhaps she was a daughter of my grandfather, Edward Henry Bostock’s brother Frank Charles Bostock (The Lion King) who went to America. He is buried in the UK but without looking things up I don’t remember if it was at Abney or Highgate (with George Wombwell).
The programme from grandpa E H Bostock’s 80th birthday held at the Grosvenor in Glasgow. I remember my mother Elisabeth Frances Bostock (his youngest) wrote the words for this celebrationt to be sung to “The Lambeth Walk” tune.
Regarding Vera and Elsie – I imagine they were connected to Frank Charles (Big Uncle Frank) Bostock. He went to America where he lived for many years before returning to Kensington, London where he died. He married Susannah Bailey of Barnum and Bailey fame.
If you have any duplicates or can take copies of any of the photos or papers, I’d be very grateful.
Many thanks Terence
Best Wishes
Heather
if anyone is interested my late Great-uncle Mr Edward Henry Scott was veterinary surgeon to both Carl Hagenbach’s and Bostocks Menageries,he was noted for fitting a glass eye to a lion at Bostocks Menagery in Earls Courtin London probably in the early 1900′s
Edwina Jordan ( Scott )