Elizabeth Rocks of Thornaby, on the right, would regularly appear at Thornaby Hippodrome in the late 40’s playing the trumpet whilst riding a uni-cycle! Betty travelled to America with the troupe where she later joined the Billy Smart Circus and she now resides at Rhode Island in the USA.
The second image shows the Agreement drawn up between Betty and Herbert Smith when she originally joined his troupe as an apprentice. The full wording (along with spelling mistakes…) reads;
’Made this 20th day of July in the year Nineteen hundrend and forty eight, Between Herbert Smith of 49 Motspur Park, New Malden, Surrey, Variety Artist and owner of the Victoria Troupe of Trick Cyclists, on the one part, and Elizabeth Rocks and her Mother Gertrude Rocks of 10 The Crescent, Thornaby on Tees, on the other part
The Said Herbert Smith engages and contracts with the consent of her mother as an apprentice to learn the art of Trick Cycling, Music ect and Variety Theatre Profesion Generaly,Herbert Smith takes Elizabeth Rocks for a term of 4 years as an apprentice commencing July 20 1948
and the said Elizabeth Rocks accepts such apprentiship, and to work for Herbert Smith in his troupe on and off the stage, and make her self generaly usefull, and to travel with the troupe in England Great Britain, or abroad (Europe, America or Africa) and to obey his lawfull commands at all times,
In return for services rendered durring the full four years, Herbert Smith shall find Elizabeth Rocks with her full board and Lodgings at all times, and shall pay her as wages when the troupe is working 35 shillings durring the first year, 40 shillings durring the second year, 50 shillings durring the third year, and 60 shillings durring the fourth year and travelling expences, at termination of this agreement Herbert Smith will pay traveling expences for Elizabeth Rocks back to Thornabywhen the troupe is not working Herbert Smith will find Elizabeth Rocks with her board lodgings and pocket money, at all times
and for the true performance of all and every the said parties bindeth their selves unto the other in these Presents in witness wherof the parties above named in these identures interchangeable Have put their hand the 20th July 1948
Signed and delivered by the above named.’
Courtesy of Carole Cross.
