This is a continuous Work in Progress
The information on this page is taken from a variety of sources including passenger lists, censuses, newspaper clippings and information from contributors.
It should be noted that many of the cast used the surname Pender at various times.
|
Name (Life Dates) |
Troupe |
Dates |
Notes |
|
Ayling, Herbert Henry (Bert) (26 Jan 1896 – 1988) |
Pender |
1914*
|
Born in Lambeth, London [1896 JFM Lambeth 01D 374] Son of James Richard Ayling and Margaret Keating He was baptised at St. Peter’s Church, Vauxhall on 19th Feb 1896 |
He died in Q2 of 1988 in Lancashire aged 92
Many thanks to Leslie Ayling, Bert’s grandson for clarifying his date of birth, which in turn allowed me to clarify his parentage.
*1914 is the earliest known date with the troupe but Leslie believes that it may be as early as 1912.
Baker, Joseph (c. 1884 – 1947)
aka Joe Pender
Pender
Barnes, John (c. 1881 – ????)
Pender
Lomas
1926
1927
Also known as ‘Wee Johnny Barnes’
Nationality: Irish
Born: Belfast
Played ‘Half Pint’ in “From the Bottom to the Top”
See The Richmond Item, 1925-12-13
1926 Passenger list gives age as 43, and address as 5 Merryfull, Portobello, Edinburgh
Wife is Mrs J Barnes, 5 Maryfield, Portobello, Edinburgh
Bithell, Fred
Lomas (I)
1897 – 1901
Apparently Fred had a bird act.
However, in 1901 he is looking for a position.
The Era - 26 Oct 1901
Bobbie Name comes from caricature in Doris’s autograph book
Brooks, Leslie (c. 1904 – ????)
Pender
Dewbery, Albert William/Crispin (c. 1894 – ????)
Pender
1914
Dixon, Rowland
Pender
Edna
Pender
Name comes from caricature in Doris’s autograph book
Ernie
Pender
Props-man.
Surname unknown.
We know about him from newspaper cutting showing him, aged 76, with Doris Pender. Unfortunately we don’t have a date for the cutting, but my guess would be sometime in the 1960s
Grant, Cary
Pender
See Leach, Archibald Alec
Harper, Patrick Frederick (c. 1898 – ????)
Pender
Harry
Pender
Name comes from caricature in Doris’s autograph book
Hart(man), Henry John – Jack Hart (1901 – ????)
Pender
Lomas
1927
Real name Henry John Hart/Hartman
Believed to have married to Doris sometime before 1936.
Married Olive Watts in 1937
Hunt, Reginald Leonard (Q2 1896 – ????)
Pender
1914
Jimmy
Pender
Name comes from caricature in Doris’s autograph book
Jones, Edward
Lomas
1928
Brother of Helena Jones who married Thomas Lomas
Address in 1927 was 115 Hope St., Salford. Travelling to NY with Tom & Helena Lomas.
Jubb, Charles William (c. 1901 – ????)
Lomas
1927
1927 Passenger list.
Home address: 21 Clarendon Road, Leeds.
Leach, Archibald Alec (1904 – 1986)
Pender
Became Cary Grant
Leigh, Alfred
Pender
1921
Is in the 1921 Census living with Maria Ratcliffe who is Bob Pender (Lomas)’s mother. He describes himself as an assistant to Maria but lists Bob Pender as his previous employer but is out of work.
He is aged 15 and born in Chapel en le Frith.
Listakova, Mlle
Pender
Lomas, Doris – Doris Pender (1897 – 1975)
Pender
Lomas
1914
1927
Real name Doris Wilhelmina Lomas
Daughter of Bob and Maggie
Doris married twice.
The first, to Henry (Jack) Hart (or Hartman) has yet to be found.
The second was to William Southam
When she married William Southam she gave her name as Doris W Hart
In 1927 the troupe arrive back in Southampton from New York.
Everyone is travelling under their own names (i.e. not Pender as they did sometimes)
Doris is listed as Doris Hart, Housewife, next to Henry John Hart and both give the same address.
The same is true in 1928
In 1921 she arrived in New York as Doris Wilhelmina Lomas.
This would imply that any marriage took place between 1921 and 1927
In 1939 her and her husband have a hotel in Worcestershire, so presumably she has also given up the troupe.
Lomas, Margaret – Maggie Pender (1877 – 1943)
Pender
Margaret was born Margaret Louise Bowman in Holborn, London on 3rd May 1877
In the 1891 census she is living with her parents.
She gives her age as 13 and occupation as Actress.
Five years later she marries Robert Lomas. How they met is anyone’s guess
It was suggested by one reader that she appeared in the Folies Bergere as a ballet mistress. This is corroborated by an Autobiography of Cary Grant.
The Folies Bergere started (as a cabaret) in 1872 so it is technically possible that she performed there, but I feel that it is unlikely that she would have been a ballet mistress given her age. I can find no family connection to the theatre, and as far as I can tell, she was an only child. Her mother, Wilhelmina, had been widowed 5 years after her first marriage. Wilhelmina and Thomas Bowman were living in the same house in 1871 and they married a year later.
Lomas, Richard
Richard seems to have branched out from his brothers at some point.
He appears for many years as ‘Jacko the Man Monkey’ and appears to have been touring independently.
In 1905 his wife Margaret, is on the same bill as a Ballad Vocalist, using her maiden name as Madge Allwood’.
Link to personal profile
Lomas, Robert Jr – Bob Pender (1871 – 1939)
Lomas (I)
Pender
In 1939 he is a toyshop owner. He and his wife are living in a hotel owned/run by his son-in-law and daughter.
Lomas, Robert Sr
Lomas (I)
Lomas, Thomas – Thomas Pender (1877 – ????)
Pender
Younger brother of Bob
Lomas, William Barratt – William Pender (1879 – 1935)
Pender
Notman, John Charles (Q3 1896 – ????)
Pender
Lomas
1914
1926
1927
Son of John George Notman and Alice Rose Hurt
Wife was called Charlotte Jane. Can’t find a suitable marriage.
Both born in London
Her father: Frederick Bonney, 4 Hirchell Rd, Peckham, London
He and his wife travelled on SS Majestic from Southampton to New York in 1927 (27 July).He was 31 and she was 30.
Home address was 38 Ellisto? Row, St Georges Road, London
Both intended to reside permanently in the USA
Actor & Actress
1926 Passenger list gives ages as 29 and address as 4 Buchell Road, Queens Road, Peckham, London
Pender, Joe
Pender
See Joseph Baker above
Power, Will – Will Compo / Will Pender
Pender
Real name Will Power
Grandfather of Rosie
Married in 1889 in Newton Heath
Purser, Robert George
Pender
In the troupe in the early 1920s
[https://www.genesreunited.com.au/boards/board/general_chat/thread/1213791]
Probably born Q1 1908
Ratcliffe, Daniel Percy (1886 – 1918)
Pender
Married to Winifred Williams
With the troupe prior to WW1
Known as Percy.
Was believed to have been a tightrope walker.
Died during WW1 – 7th June 1918 aged 32
Reed, Nellie
Robert Lomas Troupe
1900
Standing in for Maggie Lomas during her pregnancy
The Era - 3 Jun 1899
Riscoe, Johnnie
Pender
Smith, Charles Wilfred (Q2 1887 – 1917)
Pender
He was born in Oldham in Q2 1887, the son of Charles Smith and Angelina, nee Pearce.
The Late Sapper Smith
The sad news has been received of the death ion action on July 31st of Sapper Charles Wilfred Smith, Royal Engineers, oldest son of Mr Smith, florist, of Victoria Market, Oldham. He was 30 years of age and leaves a widow and three children who live at Oldham Road, Rochdale. He enlisted fourteenth months ago, before which he carried on the business of fruiterer and florist, and for some years he toured with the Lomas Troupe. His widow is the daughter of Captain Payne, a well-known showman.
The World’s Fair 18 August 1917
Wife: Martha Payne. Married: Q3 1907 Oldham 8d 1551
In 1911 he lists himself as Theatrical Stage Assistant. They have one child at this point, Thomas William Smith, born 1908.
Smith, Henry (c. 1897 – ????)
Pender
1914
Smith, William Minchin (Q2 1891 – ????)
Pender
Was missing his middle finger on his right hand.
In 1911 census he is listed as being ‘Assistant at Theatre’. Living in Holborn, London with his parents.Son of William James Smith and Kate Elizabeth Minchin
Turner, George – George Pender
Pender
Watts, Olive (1896 – ????)
Pender
Married Jack Hart in 1937
Williams, Winifred (1882 – ????)
Pender
Married to Daniel Percy Ratcliffe
Grandmother of Diane Hatwell
With the troupe prior to WW1
Believed to have been a dancer.
