Chipperfield's Circus - Richard Chipperfield Sr.

Richard Chipperfield Sr.

Son of James Frances and Mary Ann Chipperfield. Born in 1875, at Sileby, Leicestershire. Fourth generation of the Chipperfield showmen.

First performed in public at the age of five. Succeeded to the management of the circus in the early 1900s. In 1902 added a Bioscope to the attractions of the show at Birmingham, Manchester and London.

Six films were shown at each presentation in just about as many minutes. These included films of Marie Correlli riding in the Shakespeare Birthday procession and the disaster that befell the "Albion" on the River Thames.

Married Maud, daughter of George Seaton. One of his hobbies was painting, particularly of animals. Examples of his work were to be seen on the walk-ups of his circus pavilion.

The circus gradually enlarged, and in 1933 combined with that of the Purchase family. In 1933 he was described as a hard bitten man of the world and the roads and known from one end of Britain to the other.

Father of five children, including Dick and Jimmy (who took over from their father in 1937), John, Marjorie and Maud.

Richard Chipperfield died in 1959. (Source: John Turner, Victorian Arena)