Tag Archives: 1925

Kitty de Smilo – at Mitcham Fair in 1925

Presented by Joe Bate of Tipton, Kitty de Smilo made her first appearance in Mitcham at the annual fair in August 1925. From the Mitcham Advertiser of 6th August:-

Text of this ad:

Of all the shows that are so smart, there’s none like Kitty de Smilo’s to make you laugh, to cheer your heart, so don’t forget to See

Kitty de Smilo

A Jolly Girl with a Jolly Show.

First visit to Mitcham. Not a catch. Not vulgar. Everybody likes it!

The same newspaper the following week said she was “One of the greatest attractions…the jolly girl with the jolly smile and no vulgarity.”

Her real name was Kate Flanagan, and she came to England from Ireland in 1907 when she was 13. She got a job with Joe Bates, who had a travelling fair. Her friendship with him flourished and she travelled with him as a variety artist under the name Kitty de Smilo. She became known as the Mary Pickford of the fairgrounds.

In 1929, aged 35, she was running a sweet stall in Great Bridge, near Tipton. She had fallen on hard times, and worked in a number of different factories, while living in a caravan at Hill Top, West Bromwich. In 1949 she was working as an attendant with West Bromwich Corporation. In the last six weeks of her life she lodged in an attic bedroom at 26 Bullock Street. In July 1949, aged 55, a month after a heart attack, she was found dead on her bed. Her landlord said that her two pet terriers stood guard over her. They growled and barked and initially would not let him, his wife nor the police get near her.

Source : Pages 1 and 5 of the Birmingham Daily Gazette – Monday 27 June 1949

Burn Bullock wedding

Mitcham Advertiser – Thursday 11 March 1926

BURN BULLOCK MARRIED

Mitcham Cricketer’s Quiet Wedding at Croydon.

Beginning a New Career in Norfolk.

Owing to the recent serious illness of the bride’s mother the wedding of Mr. Burn. W. Bullock, the well known Mitcham and Surrey professional, and only son of Mr. Burnett Bullock, of Arundel, London-road, to Miss Lilian Card, elder daughter of Mr. and Mrs. E.G. Card, of 4, Langdale-avenue, Mitcham, was a very quiet celebration.

It took place at the Croydon Registry Office at eleven o’clock on Monday morning. The witnesses were Mr. Burnett Bullock, honorary secretary of Mitcham Cricket Club, Mr. E. G. Card and Miss Bullock. The bride was married in her going away dress — a marocain frock (wine colour), fur coat and hat to match.

Burn Bullock could not have won a more popular Mitcham bride. On the Cricket Green she has been the “personality” at the tea tent for several seasons and at the annual meeting of the Mitcham Cricket Club a few weeks ago she was specially thanked for her services.

Mr. and Mrs. Card were in business as caterers and confectioners opposite the Green for about four years, and their shop was the rendezvous of many cricketers. Three weeks ago Mrs. Card underwent a serious operation and is still far from recovered, consequently the wedding was celebrated as quietly as possible. There was no reception.

The same afternoon the bride and bridegroom left Mitcham for Norwich, where the honeymoon is being spent. Afterwards they will go to their pretty home near Old Buckenham Hall, Attleborough, Norfolk, where the bridegroom begins a new career in April as professional to a first class club closely associated with the Norfolk County Club,

The happy and widely popular couple were the recipients of a large number of presents, including gifts from prominent sportsmen in Mitcham, at the Oval and elsewhere.

There is no need to recapitulate Burn Bullock’s cricketing record, which is well known to all local sportsmen and was recently given in full in the “Advertiser.” The regret expressed by London newspapers that Surrey has allowed so promising a young cricketer to be captured by another club is the best testimonial to his cricketing ability. Last season was one of his best, it is interesting to recall that one of his highest scores was against the County he will probably play for later. At the Oval he hit 95 against Norfolk in terrific style. One ball went into the Press box and another into a “pub” ! His highest score is 153 against Cambridgeshire. Bullock spent four seasons altogether at the Oval, first as amateur then as professional. He skippered the Second XI on many occasions.

Just before leaving for Nortfolk Burn told the “Advertiser” that he hopes to play for Mitcham in August.

The Mitcham Cricket Club’s present was a fine pair of entree dishes.

Notes:

The 1925 street directory shows Mr Edwin George CARD at 4 Langdale Avenue.

‘Arundel’, London Road was between where Armfield Crescent is today and the Baptist Church, according to the 1925 street directory, although Burnett Bullock (senior) has moved next door to Milburn House (or was his address reported incorrectly?).

Acme Printing Works (A.H. Ellis, proprietor)
(Arundel), Reverend William K. ROBERTS
(Milburn house), Burnett BULLOCK
(Elm cottage), William CORNISH, nursery-man
Mitcham Baptist Church