Chipperfield's Circus - Johnny Chipperfield

Johnny Chipperfield

Rider, clown and animal trainer. John L., son of Richard Chipperfield (b.1875) and Maud née Seaton. Younger brother of Dick, Maud, Jimmy and Marjorie.

Trained a Welsh pony to do tricks, as a boy, then a monkey jockey for it, performing in the arena. At age twelve bought his first ring horse and became a rider and clown with the family show. Spent the 1937 season, with the Chipperfield's animals, on Sweden's Circus Scott, when his riding was encouraged by Rudi Blumenfeld. Married Doris Morche, a member of a German springboard troupe.

Father of John, Tommy, Doris, Charles (married Keren, in 1988) and Sophie. During the war served with the RAF, demobilised on the very day that the family circus was due to open, at Southampton, for the 1946 season.

He presented the dogs, performed a comedy ride as 'Madame Spangaletti' and clowned with his brother Jimmy. Noted, with his dog act, as 'Kelly', with Chipperfield's Circus, 1938-39. Appeared at Tom Arnold's Mammoth Circus, Harringay, 1949–50 and 1950-51 seasons, and with Chipperfield's circus, in 1950, exhibiting 'Paul's Peerless Poodles' (four poodles and two terriers).

In 1951 exhibited high school riding, noted at the Southend-on-Sea Kursaal circus, 1951-52. In 1952 presented Golden Palaminos, at Chipperfield's circus. Son John jnr born on 20 July 1953. Horse trainer for Chipperfield's circus, from the 1950s onwards, noted at the start of the 1953 season high school riding with Doreen Duggan. Noted with Chipperfield's, in Plymouth and the south west, in 1954. During the mid-1950s began presenting the Chipperfield elephants. With Chipperfield's circus, at the Bingley Hall, Birmingham, 1957–58, exhibiting horses, ponies, elephants and chimpanzees. Accompanied brother Dick and sister Marjorie to South Africa for the Chipperfield tour of Southern Africa 1965 - 1967, returned to the UK 1968. 1970 onwards travelled with Chipperfields Circus in the UK training and presenting Asian & African elephants, horses, lions, tigers and dogs. Died 13 November 1978, of leukaemia. (Source: John Turner 20th Century Circus People)