Saturday, December 5, 2009
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A Blog designed for discussion of topics related to, but not limited to, Circus, Zoos, Animal Training, and Animal Welfare/Husbandry. Sometimes opening up the dialog is the best starting point of all. And if for nothing else when people who agree and don't agree, get together and start discussing it, it will open up a lot of peoples minds. Debate and discussion even amongst themselves opens a window where there wasn't one before.
7 comments:
from Jim Stockley:
Great picture Wade. I've never seen this one before....Capt Tom Purchase was my cousin Mary Chipperfield's grandfather (her mother Rosie's father).
"On Thursday, March 24th, 1932, the day before Good Friday, I went to the opening of the Queen's Road (Manchester) Easter Fair. Spotting a new show, I quickly made my way over to it to find the proprietor, Mr. Tom Purchase, in earnest conversation with J. Collins' ground manager, the gist of it being that he was short of meat for the lions, so I chipped in and informed Mr. Purchase that I had an uncle in the meat trade. Within an hour I had my uncle on the job with all the required meat. For this I was given freedom of the show. Alas, it was short lived. Captain Tom Purchase, a most courageous lion tamer, had already lost one leg previously and had a wooden one. During his act his nineteen-years-old daughter Rosie performed a dance in the cage whilst father kept the lions at bay. On Good Friday, poor Tom was severely mauled by one of the lions during Rosie's dance. She got out safely, but Tom, after lingering for about a fortnight in hospital, succumbed to his injuries. That, I trust is the saddest story I shall ever have to related about a fairground. Rosie Purchase, however, being a good trouper, as most of the showmen's sons and daughters are, was soon in action again, and I saw her performing in a Manchester store during a subsequent Christmas season, whilst the late Richard Chipperfield, Sen. put his lions through their paces. Today, I'm pleased to say that Rosie who is now Mrs. James Chipperfield, can usually be found in the box office of the famous Chipperfield Circus." (by Cedric Hugh Conway: The Glow in the Sky: Vol. XIV, No. 1, Birthday Edition: 1940-1960)
from Jim Stockley:
PURCHASE, Thomas. Animal trainer.
Born in 1877, one of the sons of Andrew Purchase the menagerist, brother of James, Andrew, John, William and Jeanie.
The family had connections with Puddletown, in the West Country, and with Deptford, London. A trainer all his life. Lost a leg as a boy, but always carried on the work of the show as if nothing untoward had happened to him.. Ran a snake show, at fairgrounds, in the 1920s, then a lion show.
The only lion tamer exhibiting and training wild animals minus the use of a leg. Noted with Chipperfield's circus, at Barnstaple Great Fair, in September 1931. Killed when attacked by one of his lions on 25th March 1932, while performing with his daughter Rosie (born 1912), in the ring at Manchester.
The younger of two lions 'Nero' was rubbing against the Captain's artificial leg and Tom leaned down to stroke him. The lion tore off the artificial leg with the result that Tom overbalanced and fell. The lion bit his neck, back and leg. Thinking to help him, others rushed to drive off the lion, but thus frightened, the fate of the tamer was sealed. Richard Chipperfield, 26 yr old son of the circus proprietor, at the Easter Fair in Queen's Rd., rescued him from the ring and he was rushed to the Manchester Royal Infirmary. He died there on 13th April 1932, living less than three weeks following the attack. Buried at Hanworth Rd Cemetery, Hounslow. Father of Rose, Grace and Tommy. Rosie Purchase decided to continue the lion act after the death of her father, trying to protect her. Noted for his good company, practical help, civility and clean living. A good friend of Tom Norman. [John Turner "Twentieth Century Circus People", Lingdales Press, Formby, 2003]
Jim,
Great stuff, thank you. There is very little in English circus that the Chipperfield name is somehow not connected to.
Wade
Thank you for sharing this picture Wade, one I've never seen before. I will endeavor to post a picture of Captain Tom Purchase and his wife Rosie (née Giles) when he was running a Wild West show on his own account. Tom's father Andrew Purchase was my Great Great Grandfather and I am descended from Andrew's son Andrew (Tom's brother) who was also an animal trainer.
Best Regards, Nick Brady
that's my wife Gretchen atterbury daughter of the late bob atterbury
Nick Brady was your nans name ivy?
Captain Thomas purchase would have been my great grandad. My grandad was son of Captain Purchase also named Tommy Purchase, brother of Grace and Rose. Sadly my Grandad passed away on the 3rd July 2013 aged 96 therefore if anyone has any pictures or further information about his life in the circus it would be most appreciated.
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