YOUR WAR CIRCUS STORY YOUR WAR CIRCUS STORY Name : Nationality: Name: Nationality: FRED BRADNA Alsatian/German/ ROMAN PROSKE Austrian American Date of birth: Born: Date of Birth: Born: 21/9/1898 Vienna 28/5/1871 Strasbourg Alsace, France In the ring: At the age of 14 run away from home to work with animals Married: BRADNA, ELLA in Africa. You become a Lion Tamer in East Africa. In the Ring: Show director & agent for Ringling Brothers Circus, USA 1914: Aged 16, set off to Europe to join the Army 1913: Seeing the war on the horizon, went to Europe to scout for acts 1915: there is no news of you - you are making your way to fight. to bring over to America, inc. the Konyot family from Hungary 1916: Arrived in Austria joined the Austrian Infantry in September. 1915: Many of the best acts have gone to Europe, called to fight. Fought Russians in Poland. 1916: It’s a difficult task keeping peace among the 18 nationalities that 1917 ish: Found Russian’s under your bed whils slacking off on a works in the Circus, rivalry & discontent. march to battle. Later in an abandoned farm house you found a dead 1917: American Army spurned you, as had been a German soldier. woman in a wooden chest, then the Cossacks arrived on horsebox and 1918: Ringling’s folded their Big Top a month before the end of the you hid in a dung heap. season and sent everything to Bridgeport, home of Barnum and Bailey. 1918: Wounded and discharged, returned to Circus. Then Merged.

YOUR WAR CIRCUS STORY YOUR WAR CIRCUS STORY Name : Nationality: Name : Nationality: EDWARD HENRY British ARTHUR DOUGLAS British BOSTOCK BOSTOCK Date of Birth: Born: Date of Birth: Born: 19/10/1858 Stony Stradford 13/8/1887 Edinburgh

Married: ELIZABETH BOSTOCK Married: VIOLET SELINA In the Ring: Circus & Menagerie proprietor, Zoo in Glasgow. 1913: Put in charge of your father’s Bostock’s Royal Italian Circus. 1914: Bostock's Zoo building requisitioned for mobilization and storage 1914: Took the Circus to tour in South Africa in November, place of aeroplanes in crates. Send a circus on a World tour with a son. 1915: Found it difficult to get transport for circus to go to Australia as 1915: 2 of your 4 sons are now in the Army: Alexander, who has been there were no ships, and animals would have to go back via England. in charge of the Ipswich Hippodrome, and Augustus, your assistant and Found a ship to take circus to Calcutta, Bombay. right-hand man 1916 - 18: The Circus travelled on to Burma, Singapore, Japan and in 1916: After an hour closing time, The Paisley Hippodrome caught fire Java. and you did not have it adequately insured, artists lost props 1922: Finally was able to return with The Circus return to UK. 1917: The youngest of your sons joined the Army, you have been left with all your business to manage. 1918: Re open half of Zoo building as a Roller Skating Rink. Muitionettes

YOUR WAR CIRCUS STORY YOUR WAR CIRCUS STORY Name: Nationality: Name: Nationality: ALEXANDER British REUBEN CASTANG British GORDON BOSTOCK Date of birth: Born: Date of birth: Born: 1870 London 22/2/1885 “In a van in Glasgow” In the ring: Animal trainer, his Chimpanzee Max & Moritz act was Married: Elvyn Margaret, 1918 really famous. You were presented to Arch Duke Ferdinand a week In the ring: Manager of Ipswich Hippodrome before assassination. 1914: Managed your father EH Bosotck’s business in Ipswich 1914: In Europe at beginning of hostilities. Got back to Hengenbeck 1915: Enlisted as gunner Circus in Berlin, didn’t keep quiet. Imprissoned at Ruhleben race 1916: Commissioned to Essex & Suffolk Regiment R.G.A. course now prison camp for Aliens, live in stables with other 5000 men 1917: Promoted Lieutenant 1915: Ruhleben is run like a socialist town. Laws were set by prisoners 1919: Died of pneumonia in the Military Hospital, 3 days before to make sure that no one was more advantaged than the next. You run demobilisation. as a suffragist and have been elected Prime Minister of the camp. 1917: Food is short even with Red Cross parcels. Hagenbeck your gives you ferrets to catch rats. You get piano full of whisky into the camp 1918: Finally you’re released. You were put to work in charge of Hagenbeck’s five scraggy elephants, caring for them before they died. 1919: You are ready for a trip to West Africa, looking for chimpanzee.

YOUR WAR CIRCUS STORY YOUR WAR CIRCUS STORY Name: Nationality: Name: Nationality: LORENZ HANGENBECK German ADRIEN WETTACH Swiss Date of birth: Born: Date of birth: Born: 10/1/1880 Bern

: Animal Importer, was in charge of family business in In the ring Married: twice, Louise and Ines Northern Europe and America. In the ring: Also know as “GROCK, King of Clowns”, Composer and : While your brother signed up, you were in charge of business 1914 Musician. and worked in Circus. 1914: In Russia at out break of war, in Paris for 1st aerial bombing, : Jenny, one of your elephant taken by Army put in service for the 1915 performing with Lolé his brother-in-law. Attested by medically unfit to German war effort, is doing her job well, felling trees. serve with Swiss Army. 1916: You opened a Circus in Oslo. Riding in the outskirts of the city, a 1915: London Coliseum show made you feel on top of the world as you loud burst of machine-gun fire leaves you prostate on the soft moss and and your partner left the theatre. your black horse bolted thought the trees. It was trained in a Wild West 1916: Hayem, your partner, has been called to join the Army. You find act and was to bolt out of the ring at the sound of gun shot. a new partner named Max van Emden. 1917: Circus is now mostly Danes & Swedes. The rest joined up. 1917: The new number you are doing with Max in Paris, brought the Women of Amsterdam complained to Queen “Circus eating all food”. house down. A Grock epidemic has broken out. VERY FAMOUS. 1918: Jenny war elephant returned home unwounded, ready to work. 1918: Took Perezoff to court for copyright infringement of your act. YOUR WAR CIRCUS STORY YOUR WAR CIRCUS STORY Name: Nationality: Name: Nationality: PEREZOFF French FRANK FOSTER British Date of birth: Born: Date of birth: Born: 1892

In the ring: Comedy Juggler, also known as Seven Pezeroffs In the ring: Equestrian, Juggler, Animal man (later Ring Master) with 1915: Worked at Tower Circus, Blackpool George Sanger’s Circus 1918: Called in court for alleged infringement of Grock’s music hall 1914: You, Jimmy Freeman and Tom Ethardo had to bring the whole sketch, with a sketch known as “Noni & Partner”. George Sanger’s Circus to the other side of a tidal river mouth, ended up swimming with the horses and wagons. For the winter season, you travelled to Glasgow to Hengler’s Circus. Elephants don’t like trains. 1915: Went to Preston to enlist the 5Th Dragoon Guards. Having taken the King’s shilling, you were sent to Aldershot. 1916: Transferred to the Royal Scots, you are now dressed in a Kilt. 1917: you were blown up on the battlefield in France. After a few weeks in Hospital for frost bite, head wounds and twisted leg, you have been transferred to a convalescent camp. 1918:You started a concert party called “The Electric Sparks” with George Doonan. Then when war ends return to George Sangars Circus.

YOUR WAR CIRCUS STORY Name: Nationality: HANNEFORD ELIZABETH Date of birth: Born: 10/3/1870

In the ring: Hanneford’s Royal Canadian Circus proprietor, Equestrienne. 1914: Toured Britain and Ireland. In charge of the family circus following the death of your husband. You have a large talented family. 1915: The Hanneford’s tour Spain. Sailed to America in November to join Ringling’s. 1916-1917: Performed in Cuban seasons. Dodge the Cuban Revolution, return to USA to work. Your son is challenged for not signing up. 1918: The Circus became very famous, especially your son Poodles. YOUR WAR CIRCUS STORY YOUR WAR CIRCUS STORY Name: Nationality: Name: Nationality: ELIZABETH KAYES British TIMOTHY KAYES British Date of birth: Born: Date of birth: Born: 1878 Penzance

Married: William Kayes Married: Nancy Buckley Related to: Thomas Baker, Father Related to: Kayes Elizabeth, Mother In the ring: Circus proprietor. Have to manage the circus more and In the ring: Lion Tamer. more as husband is elderly. 1916: Arrested twice on circus show ground for avoiding mobilisation, 1914: Various sons get summonsed to court, saying that they are was in to Leeds court, then taken to join up. needed by the circus they delay their mobilization. 1917: Served with distinction. 1916: Finally all of your lion tamer sons are called up 1918: Injured in May & lost left leg. you had to enter the Lion’s Cage, wearing your son’s clothes. There is a 1919: Returned to the lion’s cage with a crutch. lot of press interest. 1918: Gave birth to your last son, James, 14/6/1918, in a travelling wagon under a cherry tree at Lidbrook, Monmouthshire.

YOUR WAR CIRCUS STORY YOUR WAR CIRCUS STORY Name: Nationality: Name: Nationality: WALTER McDONALD Canadian/British CLAUDE OHMY ( SMITH) British Date of birth: Born: Date of birth: Born: 1897 1897 Southport

Related to: Mother was Canadian Native American, father from the Related to: John Smith (King Ohmy) Father. Fossett circus family. In the ring: Equestrian. In the ring: American Indian Wild West Performer. 1914: Performing in Spandau in Germany with your Family, when war 1914: Age 17, was in Paris with a Circus at the outbreak of the war. broke out lost your 6 performing horses and everything you possessed 1915: Travelled alone to Scotland, was beaten up at Armadale, enroute The family were all captured as enemy aliens. 1st Imprisoned at to join Fossett’s. People thinking you were a German spy, because you Doeberitz. Rest of family were released after a month, you were one of looked strange wearing full American Indian costume! Finally after the first prisoners sent to Ruhleben, P.O.W. Camp, Berlin. being thrown over a hedge you were taken to the police station, given 1915: You are receiving a payment of 4 Marks per week, which you plain clothes and sent on your way. have to return to the British Government at the end of the war. 1916: Organisation of many activities (sorts, concerts...) in order to fight the monotony & keep spirits up. Many other circus people there. 1918: After more than 4 years as a civilian prisoner at end of war you’re released. Return to England & "mentally decontaminated”. YOUR WAR CIRCUS STORY YOUR WAR CIRCUS STORY Name: Nationality: Name: Nationality: ADA OHMY ( SMITH) British EDWARD British Date of birth: Born: CHARLES PABLO 1881 Date of birth: Born: 1869 Related to: John Smith (King Ohmy), Father. In the ring: Known as Ada Ohmy Equestrienne, Sharpshooter. Married: Alexandra Howard 1914: Performing in Spandau in Germany with your Family, together In the ring: Know as Edward “Ted” Fanque ( son of Pablo Fanque) you lost your 6 performing horses and everything you possessed. You 1914: When war broke out at 45, you were considered to old to join the were all captured as an enemy aliens. Imprisoned at Doeberitz. After Army. You petitioned to join the army, writing about how fit you and one month you and your Father and sister Lilly were released. You left other acrobats in the circus were. your bother in the camp. 1915: Joined the “45 and over” Battalion, organised by E. S. Day. 1916: Performed, your act and were Bridesmaid to Lilly. Lightning marriage in October, during a short furlough. 1918: You never fully recovered from your experience in the camp, 1916: Badly injured in France, moved to hospital in Chatham. your death was put down to this stress. Discharged.

YOUR WAR CIRCUS STORY YOUR WAR CIRCUS STORY Name: Nationality: Name: Nationality: RICHARD BRATBY British JOHN REGINALD British Date of birth: Born: BOSTOCK Date of birth: Born: 22/2/1889 Married: Carrie Fossett Related to: E. H. Bostock, Father. In the ring: Known as Dick Sandow, The Young. Strongman, Acrobat, In the ring: Known as Jack, Menagerist & manager Bostock & Equestrian. Wombwell's Menagerie, Cyclist and Rollerskater Champion. 1914: Joined in British Armed Services. 1914: Nominated by Father as responsible for Family menagerie age 1915: Gassed at Somme, return to Britain. 15/16 1917: Married Carrie Fossett, you were a Regimental Seargent Major 1917: Applied for exemption from Army service in February, denied. and PT instructor at Catterick Garrison. Joined the Army on March. Leaving Father to take on the work again your wife joined you. of managing the Menagerie 1918: Toured with wife with Duffy's Circus in Ireland. 1919: Demobbed from Motor Transport having reached rank of Lieutenant, 1920: Died in a car accident. YOUR WAR CIRCUS STORY YOUR WAR CIRCUS STORY Name: Nationality: Name: Nationality: MERCIA VICTORIA CAROLINE FOSSETT British DOROTHY DALE British Date of birth: Born: Date of birth: Born: 1896 10/11/1889 Related to: Harry Fossett (Funny Harry) Father. Related to: Known as Mercia Wamba Dale and daughter of Albert Married: Richard Bratby 26/9/1917. Wamba Dale. In the Ring: Equestrienne. In the Ring: Acrobat and Musical Artiste in the act “Les Wambas” with 1914-1917: There are just rumours about you. Probably you your father performed with your Father for much of the War. Family oral history 1914-1918: You performed all over Britain and Ireland with your suggests you were in German P.O.W. Father, except for a 3 months period when your Father was in the 1918: Touring Ireland with your husband and Duffy’s Circus. Army. He was released because he was quite old, he didn’t have to World’s Fair notice of wedding and performance singing war songs. fight. 1919: After the end of the War stopped performing.

YOUR WAR CIRCUS STORY YOUR WAR CIRCUS STORY Name: Nationality: Name: Nationality: BENJAMIN British HAROLD British ALBERT WHITELEY ALEXANDER WHITELEY Date of birth: Born: Date of birth: Born: 2/12/1902 1903

Related to: A. A. H. Whiteley, Father Related to: A. A. H. Whiteley, Father In the ring: Known as “Five Whiteley”, performed with brothers. In the ring: Known as “Five Whiteley”, perform with brothers. 1915: Debut at George Gilbert’s Hippodrome, on 25th of January. 1914: Spent childhood in Boscombe, while your parents are touring 1917: First performance in London. For a while were presented as girl Britain. acrobat with your brother Harold, until you both rebelled. Performed to 1917: joined the Family Act replacing brother who went to the Army. the end of War. For a while were presented as girl acrobat with your brother Ben. Performed to the end of War.

YOUR WAR CIRCUS STORY YOUR WAR CIRCUS STORY Name: Nationality: Name: Nationality: HENRY ALLEN Italy MARGARET British ALEXANDER WHITELEY SHUFFLEBOTTOM Date of birth: Born: Date of birth: Born: 1872 1898

Related to: Whiteley Benjamin Albert, Harold Alexander, Sons. Related to: William Shufflebottom, Father, John Potter Shufflebottom, Married: Leonora C. Brother. In the ring: Acrobat with various Family Troupes: “the Whiteley Five”, Married: John Willie Waddington, first, then Arthur Baird. “Henry Whiteley Trio”. In the ring: “Red Indian” in “Rifle Bill’s Wild West Show”. 1914: Performing at the Pavilion Ashington, as the “Henry Whiteley 1914: Child performer you were always being shot at by your Trio”, when the war broke out. “cowgirl” twin sisters when performers in father’s Wild West’ show. 1916: Performed as the “Henry Whiteley Four” with wife and 2 sons, 1915: Your Father died in the ring and had a post mortem in a stable Harry and Ben. Until wife gave birth again behind a pub. Your brother had to take on the business. 1917: Had to change the act when Harry joined the Army, replacing 1917: Snow destroyed the tent so had to close the show. Aged 17, in him with Harold. Ben and Harold were both dressed like girls. western hat with horse and cart your job was to take a hot meal to 1918: Aged 46, were passed fit for military service. Did some labour in elder brother John who was working in the Hampshire forest. Families a foundry in London. Which you found really hard. circus ponies were not suited to the war work of taking wood to the mill, for pit heads and coffins.

YOUR WAR CIRCUS STORY YOUR WAR CIRCUS STORY Name: Nationality: Name: Nationality: JOHN POTTER British WILLIAM British SHUFFLEBOTTOM SHUFFLEBOTTOM Date of birth: Born: 1899 Date of birth: Born: 1850 Related to: William Shufflebottom, Father, Shufflebottom Margaret, Sister. Related to: Shufflebottom John Potter, son; Shufflebottom Margaret, Married: Polly Sheldon. daughter. In the ring: Rider “Rifle Bill’s Wild West Show”. Married: Rosna Jane Bishop 1914: Young performer with Father’s “Rifle Bill’s Wild West Show”. In the Ring: Known as “Texas Bill”, Rider, Proprietor “Rifle Bill’s Wild 1915: After Father’s death in ring, became responsible for show. West Show”. 1916: Frequently reported to military boards as evading service, but 1914: Performing alongside many of your children in your family were released as you were responsible for large family, had lots of “”Wild West Show”. small brothers and sisters. 1915: Died of a cerebral hemorrhage after falling from horse in the 1917: Snow destroyed the tent so had to close the show. Worked with ring. The post mortem undertaken in a stable behind a pub, was the show ponies/horses doing war work in the Hampshire forest, taking inconclusive about if the cause of the hemorrhage was a result of the wood to the mill, for pit heads and coffins. fall or the cause of the fall. YOUR WAR CIRCUS STORY YOUR WAR CIRCUS STORY Name: Nationality: Name: Nationality: FRED ROSSAIRE British EUGEN SANDOW Naturalised British Date of birth: Born: Date of birth: Born: 1877

Married: Florence Arnold In the Ring: Strongman and physical Fitness trainer, Business man. In the Ring: Known as Count Rossaire, of the Ross Combination. 1914: Business suffered as a result of his German heritage. 1914: Performing in Ireland with your tent-less circus, 1915: Was involved in a series of court cases. 1916: returning through Dublin, Easter Rising. 1916: Wrongly reported as a German Spy who was executed at the 1918: Became a miner, prepared his family for the road. tower of London. Had to make statements in the press that this was fake news.

YOUR WAR CIRCUS STORY YOUR WAR CIRCUS STORY Name: Nationality: Name: Nationality: JOHN SANGER British HANS German Date of birth: Born: STOSCH SARRASANI 1854 Date of birth: Born:

Married: Rebecca Pinder. In the Ring: Circus proprietor. In the Ring: Known as Lord John, Circus proprietor. 1914: Sarrasani Circus stopped by war while enroute to Holland. 1914: Sanger’s Circus was one of the largest circus. Performers from foreign countries were forced to leave, if not deported. 1915-1917: Army took 170 horses, 47 luggage wagons and great part The circus stranded in Essen, returned to Dresden. Produced shows, of the staff. 1915: toured to Denmark in 1917: February you took your Circus off road. All your wagons were 1917-1918: Animals used in films and you produced patriotic parked up at your farm and began to rot with the gold being stripped pantomimes. off. ( They did not go out again. It was the end of the great parades) 1918: Restarted Circus with 5 people in the staff. YOUR WAR CIRCUS STORY YOUR WAR CIRCUS STORY Name: Nationality: Name: Nationality: FREDERICK GERRARD SARGENT American TYRWITT-DRAKE British

Date of birth: Born: Date of birth: Born: 22/5/1881

1914: Worked in USA Married: Edna Vine 1917: Proposed a Big Top Showmen’s battalion. You then recruited In the Ring: Private zoo owner, Business man, Showman, Mayor 100s of men most of them in Chicago at the outdoor show conventions, Maidstone 12 times, JP, Knighted 1936. mainly from 3 circuses. You then managed a contingent of more than 1914: Started and closed your private Zoo in Maidstone 1000 Big Top Showmen, in US Army, France, August 1917. 1915: Took animals to USA and showed them at World’s Fair 1915. 1916: Joined the British Army serving in the Veterinary Corps. 1917: 21 March, nominated Captain temporary. Worked in Wales in a War Circus Veterinary Hospital. 1918: The 17th Division gave to you a War Lion, named Poliu, which had been in the tenches. It came across the sea in a storm. On Armistice day caught influenza, 3 months in hospital, de-mobbed. 1919: Took out your first Circus.

YOUR WAR CIRCUS STORY YOUR WAR CIRCUS STORY Name: Nationality: Name: Nationality: MATTHIAS WALTER German FRANZ TAAIBOSH South African/ British Date of birth: Born: Date of birth: Born:

In the Ring: Animal keeper with hagenbeck’s in Berlin In the Ring: Human exhibit, “Wild Dancing Bushman” 1914: At out break of war, you were shipping 11 elephants for 1914: Sideshow performer and indentured worker. Worked in Britain, Hagenbeck across the Red Sea. Managed to get them back to Berlin at the out break of war your manager Paddy Hepston had you working across land and sea. As a Naval reservist you were called up, Spent 5 in Ireland. He was trying to keep one step ahead of the Anthropological months in Navy. people who thought you were being exploited. 1915: When the German Army recruited Jenny, the Hagenbeck’s War 1915 – 1917: You and Paddy went back and forth across the Atlantic. Elephant, you were called to away to work with her, this was just You danced in Cuba and America. Possibly also Spain and Jamaica. You before yow re about to set off into the North Sea. worked with Sam Gumbertz at Coney Island and joined the Freak show 1916: You and Jenny worked felling trees and pushing things about in with Ringling. Northern France. Jenny did not mind the sounds of bomb shells but 1918: Mr Cook Rescued/stole/released you form an apartment in New hated aeroplanes, she would swish her trunk about at them and York while Paddy was out. This was a good thing. trumpet. 1918: Invalided out with Jenny you returned to Hagenbeck’s to look after sick elephants. You and Jenny both survived. YOUR WAR CIRCUS STORY YOUR WAR CIRCUS STORY Name: Nationality: Name: Nationality: LEONORA British WOODWARD FRED British CATALINA WHITELEY Date of birth: Born: Date of birth: Born: 1875 Argentina In the Ring: Sea Lion trainer. Married: Henry A. A. H. Whiteley. 1914: Performed with brother and sea lions Related to: Lorina Matthews & Arthur Gregory, Parents. Dec 1916- May 1917: trained Sea Lions for the Admiralty to aid In the Ring: Acrobat. submarine detection. Your animals were: Barker age 3, Jumbo age 9, 1914: Returned to family act with husband and sons following Toby (blind), Queenie from London Zoological Soc. As well as Hengler’s operation. Sea Lions Billikan, Joffrey and Derange. 1915: Gave birth to Raymond (last son) at 8 Wynne Road, during a The Sea lions were trained first in swimingpools and then lakes, they Zeppelin raid, with a bomb landing in nearby Brixton Road. Rejoined were rewarded by fish. In the sea trials things did not go so well as they the act as soon as possible. Leaving her baby with relatives. The act were easily distracted by other things, especially fish. The other changed again when oldest sons joined up – they were replaced by problem was finding the sea lions the idea of making them luminous did younger ones. not work. 1918: Husband was declared fit for service. While he was called to do 1917: Returned to circus presenting now famous sea lions throughout war work as labourer, you performed with 2 sons and continued War. performing until the end of the War.

YOUR WAR CIRCUS STORY YOUR WAR CIRCUS STORY Name: Nationality: Name: Nationality: AUGUST KLUIKOYSKE German JACK LUALE South African Date of birth: Born: Date of birth: Born: 1899

1914-1918: Age 52, Working with Rostock and Wombwell’s. He had to In the Ring: Known as Jack Luck or Chief Luale. Ethnographic Act. report regularly at police stations s the circus moved across the 1914-1918: African, soldier served in War, were gassed and badly country. He was in court for failing to check in with a local police wounded, returned to show business e.g. with African Village. station as a registered alien citizen. He was released into the care of the circus and allowed to continue working. YOUR WAR CIRCUS STORY YOUR WAR CIRCUS STORY Name: Nationality: Name: Nationality: BASIL ALFANA Russian ARTHUR PERCY BALE British Date of birth: Born: Date of birth: Born: 18/7/1891 17/10/1895 Paddington

In the Ring: Acrobat in the act “Alfana Brothers”. Related to: Frank Bale, Father. !914?: Joined the White Russian Army, 1913: Joined the 2/9th Battalion. 1917: You were injured and discharged in Shanghai. Joined the 1915: Aged 19 years and 10 months you volunteered in Southampton. Rostock Circus (Royal Italian Circus) and toured with them in Far East. 1916: 1 July you were at Beaumont Hamel; your regiment at St. John’s Road in reserve and then in Mary Redan Trench. 27 July you were sent from Candas to the Ypres sector; 7 Oct you were brought back on to the Somme; By 11 Oct you were in the teaches south of Gueudecourt; 12 Oct you were in support during the attack on the Hilt Trench; Died on 17 Oct.

YOUR WAR CIRCUS STORY YOUR WAR CIRCUS STORY Name: Nationality: Name: Nationality: ELLA BRADNA Hungarian/Naturalised CLOWES GEORGE British American Date of birth: Born: Date of birth: Born:

Married: Bradna Fred. In the Ring: Known as Lord George Clowes, Circus proprietor. 1914: You travelled with your husband to Europe to scout the Balkans 1916: You exemption from the service is denied, you have to join the for new circus talent. Your dexterity with the Balkan tongues to do the Army. job is very useful. 1917: August you are wounded in back and chest in Belgium. 1915: The fun has gone from trouping. All the bareback riders ( equestrian stars) are required to work a jockey act in addition to their features. You had teamed with Derrick, Bill Wallet and Rose Wentworth in a pony riding turn. 1917: The secret Service is following us, constantly finger printing and harassing you as foreign-born as though they might turn disloyal. You will not play at Washington D. C. at all. 1918: Ringling’s folded their tents a month early and sent everything to Bridgeport, home of Barnum and Bailey. YOUR WAR CIRCUS STORY YOUR WAR CIRCUS STORY Name: Nationality: Name: Nationality: CHARLIE COLEMAN British NICOLAI POLIAKOFF Russian Date of birth: Born: Date of birth: Born: 2/10/1900

1914: You are with Frank Rostock’s Circus in France and caught up at In the Ring: also known as “Coco the Clown” outbreak of War. You make it back to Britian. Married: Valentina Novikova. 1914 – 1918: 2 trips to Canada with Harry Clark collecting horses for 1915: aged 15, you have been accepted in the 11th Siberian Infantry. Army. While in France contracted paralysis right arm and leg. Army seems to be the most exciting game for you! 1916: You are lying in a hospital in Riga after a bombing raid. You’ll be sent back to the front as soon as possible. Fear is consuming you. 1917: After 2 months of service you are back in hospital, wounded in the feet and face. The fear of having Germans soldiers closer every day makes you lie awake every night. In December you joined the White Ukraine Army. 1918: After a fight the Red Army took you in their ranks. 1919: It is hard to find food in Riga. Marriage with Valentina. 1920: War is over! you have joined the Circus Salamonski!