Kate Carney

Kate Carney (1869 – 1950) was an English singer and comedienne who played the music halls in London.

Catherine M. -Kate- (Carney?) was born in Southwark, London in 1869. She first appeared as Kate Carney at the Albert Music Hall in Canning Town, singing Irish songs. She was, however, more famous for her Cockney songs, and became known as the Coster Comedienne. She appeared in the Royal Variety Performance in 1935, and, following the death of her husband, became the lessee of the Grand Theatre, Clapham Junction in her own right. Carney continued to perform until just before she died in 1950, at the age of 80.

She married George Barclay (b.1868 Lambeth), a commission agent, in 1886, and had at least 5 children all born in Newington, including:

• George (b.1887)
• Richard (b.1889)
• William (b.1891)
• Harry (b.1893)
• Kate (b.1899)

She is buried with her husband and a son, in Putney Vale Cemetery (Plot D5 no 47). She was also the mother-in-law of the Canadian dancer, Gladys Mavius.