Bertram Mills
Bertram Wagstaff Mills (August 1873 – 16 April 1938) was a British
Early life
Born in August 1873, Bertram was the son of Halford Mills of
He left school aged 15 and started washing down the coaches for the family business, which was started by his grandfather (who used to be an
Career
He continued working for the family firm until the outbreak of World War I, when he joined and served with the Royal Army Medical Corps, rising to the rank of captain.
On leaving the army, he became interested in the "Wilkins and Young Circus". He made a wager with a friend that he could form a circus company and within a year be as good as they were. He did just that, thus the "Bertram Mills International Circus" was formed.
The circus very quickly became a household name, and the annual Christmas event became especially well-known. He made a point of inviting orphans to see the shows free. By 1930 (its heyday would last for the next 30 years, when it was the best and most famous live show), he had inaugurated a touring circus, which became unique amongst British circuses, always appearing at
The guest lists indicate the show's renown; the
Personal life and family
Bertram Mills married his wife, Ethel (d. 1960), in 1901. They were parents of a daughter and two sons, Bernard Notley and Cyril Bertram Mills. After their father's death on 16 April 1938 aged 64, both Bernard and Cyril took over running the Bertram Mills Circus, sustaining its success until the early 1960s, when it was finally disbanded due to widespread television viewing. Cyril Mills served with
Bertram Mills was
References
- ^ Ference, Ian (20 July 2019). "Bertram Mills Circus I: Getting Ready for the Ballyhoo Under the Big Top". Brooklyn Stereography. Retrieved 16 August 2019.
External links
- Full Biography of Bertram Mills
- Edward Bell's review of Bertram Mills Circus in April 1939 in Aldershot
- Bertram Mills at Find a Grave
- The Great International Circus at Olympia(archived), PeoplePlay UK
- Halford Mills in the Encyclopedia of Cremation
- Halford Mills & The History of Smarden
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