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) 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. | Pender | 1914* | Born in Lambeth, London [1896 JFM Lambeth 01D 374]Son of James Richard Ayling and Margaret KeatingHe was baptised at St. Peter’s Church, Vauxhall on 19th Feb 1896 |
| Baker, Joseph (c. 1884 – 1947) aka Joe Pender Link to Personal Profile | 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 | 1914 | |
| Dewbery, Albert William/Crispin (c. 1894 – ????) Link to personal profile | Pender | 1914 | |
| Dixon, Rowland Link to personal profile | 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 – ????) | PenderLomas | 1927 | Real name Henry John Hart/HartmanBelieved 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 LomasAddress 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) Link to personal profile | 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) Link to personal profile | PenderLomas | 19141927 | Real name Doris Wilhelmina LomasDaughter of Bob and MaggieDoris married twice.The first, to Henry (Jack) Hart (or Hartman) has yet to be found.The second was to William SouthamWhen she married William Southam she gave her name as Doris W HartIn 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 1928In 1921 she arrived in New York as Doris Wilhelmina Lomas.This would imply that any marriage took place between 1921 and 1927In 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) Link to personal profile | Pender | Margaret was born Margaret Louise Bowman in Holborn, London on 3rd May 1877In 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 guessIt 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 Link to personal profile | 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’. | ||
| Lomas, Robert Jr – Bob Pender (1871 – 1939) Link to personal profile | 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 – ????) | PenderLomas | 19141926/7 | Son of John George Notman and Alice Rose HurtWife was called Charlotte Jane. Can’t find a suitable marriage.Both born in LondonHer father: Frederick Bonney, 4 Hirchell Rd, Peckham, LondonHe 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, LondonBoth intended to reside permanently in the USAActor & Actress1926 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 Link to personal profile | 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/1213791Probably 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 1917Wife: 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. |
