Divisional Concert Parties

[Kate Wills]

Hello Taff.

I've got two theories about The Palestine Pops:

First, that they were not a divisional party, but a brigade or unit party, probably of the Suffolk Yeomanry itself.

Second, that they were a divisional party which broke up for some reason, or changed its name. I found a reference last week to the "74th Divisional concert party, the Broken Spurs" from their time in France around the Armistice. 'Palestine Pops' would look a bit odd in windswept Flanders, so I could understand the need to re-brand themselves for the Western Front.

Thanks to your info above, my guess is that the Palestine Pops belonged to the Suffolk Yeomanry. If other units were represented, I feel sure they would have demanded their own insignia around the stage.

The only other reference I have is from 'Chauvel of the Light Horse': A Biography of General Sir Harry Chauvel, G.C.M ... - Page 114 by Alec Jeffrey Hill - "... parties such as the Palestine Pops from 74th Division or the Light Horse Pierrot Troupe. Another entertainment was the band of the NZ Mounted Rifles. ...

What is the white splodge on the backcloth?

[Chief_Chum]

Hi Kate,

Good to hear from you.

Yes, the LSH badge indicates that the Pps were most likely the battalion concert party although I can find no mention of it whatsoever in any of the material I have on 15/Suffolk. I was interested to hear about the Broken Spurs which would certainly make more sense after March 1918.

I have blown the picture up tp quite a size but can't make out the white splodge on the left hand side of the backcloth.

Thanks for your help.

With best wishes,

Taff

[Jack Johnson]

Hi Chaps, I found this thread after a quick search about concert parties...

In the process of keeping our blog up to date -

http://olivercharlespearson.blogspot.com/

We discovered this entry and thought it worthwhile posting here -

70 Squadron RFC BEF France

1 Sept 1917

Letter no 13

Dear Mother

Isn’t it rotten I haven’t been posted back yet but live in hope as other fellows are being posted to other squadrons flying the same machines but none go to 70.

I had a jolly fine time last night. I was mooning around in ----------- when I was hailed in a loud voice from a tender & there was my pal Smith Grant & lots of other 70 fellows all going to a concert so of course away I went with them. We went to see the “Crumps” concert party. They are jolly good & very famous. They have a chap who dresses as a girl who is simply fine. His (her) picture apeared in the Tatler or the Sketch for last week. Her name is Private Purkiss. (S)he is very swish & has nice ankles & a pretty face & not too muscley arms & a voice like that of many girls on the stage.

The whole show was jolly good & I met several old friends among the audience. I have also seen the Follies out here & they gave a show much much superior to any you would see at a variety theatre in London. One fellow had been on leave & heard a song in one of the latest revues & then heard a man, dressed as a girl again, sing it here & he said there was no doubt as to who was best there was no comparison at all. The latter fellow was dressed in evening dress & came onto the stage in the same way as an amature lady singer of repute would do. He also made up as some swish girl I can tell you. //

Your loving son.

Oliver Pearson.

----------

Only looked through this thread briefly, will have a proper shufti tonight to see if there are any more references to 'The Crumps'

Cheers, Jack.

[Kate Wills]

Jack,

Thankyou for alerting my attention to this. I will add it to my research notes.

The Crumps in question were the 41st Divisional party. Pte Purkiss seems to have been a very adaptable leading lady, equally happy playing teenage girls and mature ladies such as Mrs Hartley, who faints into the arms of gallant Captain Macgregor in an heroic tale of the Indian Mutiny The Drums of Oude. I was interested in Oliver's description of Purkiss's physical characteristics, such as his arms. I think this must have come into the reckoning when appointing a female impersonator to a permanent concert party, as they were usually the audience's main interest. I have a blurred image of a French show (usually very good) which shows one chap in a skimpy dress with 15 inch biceps!

At least four (and probably many more) outfits possessed a party known as The Follies. I would plump for the ones here belonging to 4th or 47th Division.

[myos]

From the War Diary of the 32nd Batallion Royal Fusiliers, City of London Regiment

02 July 1917 METEREN

Training under Company arrangements was carried out during the morning, the rest of the day being free for rest and recreation. In the evening the Divisional Concert Party –“The CRUMPS” gave a performance for the Batallion in the YMCA.

The day was bright and warm.

Andy

[Ian Johnson]

Hello I am looking for any photographs of the "Pedlars" concert party, Paul Reed has posted a photo here but the link to the photograph is broken,

Thanks Ian Johnson

[steandpaula]

Another one for you, the name sounds familiar

240th Brigade, RFA called 'The Beetles'

My brothers, wifes Grandad Captain Douglas G. Cheyne RAMC, was part of the group that gave many successful performances in Northern Italy. There is a picture with the rest of the troupes names and a write up of the 8 man troupe in the 26th March 1919 issue of Tatler. I have a picture but can't get it on the post, it's to big.

Cheers,

Ste

[Kate Wills]

Thanks for that one Ste. I bet any survivors felt smug in the 60s, having got there first with the name! Were 240th Brigade RFA in 48th Division?

Ian, I may be able to help.

[steandpaula]

This is from the Long Long Trail -CCXL Territorial Force 1st Line 48th Division from pre-war . Redesignated from I South Midland Brigade May 1916. Batteries from Clifton and Gloucester.

Yes you can imagine them discussing it over a pint.

Cheers,

Ste

[Ian Johnson]

Hello Kate thank you for the offer of a photograph of the 'Pedlars' my e mail is budatwillieswell AT hotmail if you want to send a copy direct to myself that would be most appreciated,

thank you

Ian

[Kate Wills]

It's not often one has the chance to revive a thread from way back in 2003/4

but I would like to add to this list,

the RE Concert Party from Jerusalem, 1918

[photograph borrowed, with thanks, from the LoC]

<img src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d42/thedards/REConcertParty1918JLM.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

regards

Michael

Hi Michael,

Regarding your photo in post #55, do you know the actual unit of RE?

519 (London) Fld Coy formed a concert party called The Tourists while serving in Palestine.

[Rob Bulloch]

Hello All. Nice to a thread from 2003 Attached is a photograph of a concert party "The Bing Bong Boys" As far as I know they were a POW group.

Aye Rob.

[Rob Bulloch]

And another one of some lads from the same group.

Aye Rob

[daggers]

I see that 'The Crumps'have already been noted here as the Divisional Concert Party of 41st Division. They are mentioned in 'Sapper Martin - the secret war diary of Jack Martin', edited by Richard van Emden [page 110 - no details of performance are given].

Martin's Brigade was 122nd, and he was in the Brigade Signals, RE. On page 170 he refers to 'The Dickeybirds', the Brigade's Concert Party, and says that he was to write 'a sketch of some sort' for them. He was well-read and a musician. By that time (Feb 1918) the Brigade was in Italy and he writes about the Italians' enjoyment of music from bands, and their enthusiasm at the Dickeybirds' concerts when allowed to join the audience. By the end of March this unit had moved back to France and the quartermaster had ditched all the concert party's paraphernalia, including the sketch written by Martin,. He seems to have kept no copy, despite writing a detailed diary during his service from September 1916 to demobilisation in February 1919.

D

[Kate Wills]

The Dickybirds (sometimes renedered Dickeybirds) began in France in 1917, but according to one of the battalion histories "the attacks of 1917 depleted the numbers of the Dickybirds to such an extent that they ceased functioning for a time. In Italy they were resusitated once more with a small nucleus to give delight to their appreciative audiences."

As you say,the loss of Sapper Martin's work is much to be regretted - not least by me!

[Longboat]

The Dickybirds (sometimes renedered Dickeybirds) began in France in 1917, but according to one of the battalion histories "the attacks of 1917 depleted the numbers of the Dickybirds to such an extent that they ceased functioning for a time. In Italy they were resusitated once more with a small nucleus to give delight to their appreciative audiences

Kate,

I was reading this very piece today in Capt R.O Russell's history of the 11th Royal West Kent's. I can supply further details if you do not already have them.

Stuart

[Kate Wills]

Cheers Stuart. Another pal kindly sent a scan of a page from the book which mentions Reninghelst and Scotty Williams, but one side of the page is missing due to the binding of the book. Yes please, if you can help.

[Longboat]

Kate,

The following is from the History of the 11th (Lewisham) Btn, Royal West Kent's.

Another loss, not only from the military point of view, but also from the social and entertainment side, was that of C.Q.M.S Germer. From the very early days this popular N.C.O had carried out his manifold duties with conscientiousness and unfailing ability. His popularity was increased by his skill at the piano and by his keeness in organising the concerts which the men so much appreciated.

The formation of the Brigade Concert Party, "The Dicky-birds" was largely due to his efforts; it is difficult to estimate how much pleasure the troops derived from this very virile institution.

It first took shape in Dickebusch in late 1916. Burgomaster's Farm, then Brigade H.Q, seems to have been its actual place of origin. Captain Hilditch, the very popular Padre, sponsored the scheme from the start and much of its success was in reality due to him.

Many of the early shows of this keen group of entertainers were given at the Y.M.C.A, Reninghelst, and great difficulties had to be overcome from time to time in the matter of stage and properties. They certainly never put over a "dud" programme. C.Q.M.S. Germer had much to do with the organisation and the running of the party, whilst "Len" Young, of the 18th K.R.R.C. was an efficent assistant.

Others from our own Battalion were Sergt (Wallace) Morford, Maurice Hurling and his brother (William), Lance Corp Pollard, Pte Lallow and that sweet little tenor, Tommy Mann. Clifford Ellis, of whom we have already written, was no mean member of the party. We are still able to hear Germer, Tommy Mann and the Hurling Brothers at our Re-Unions.

From the other battalions of the Brigade came "Scotty Williams," of the East Surreys (and who will forget him?), Sergts, Hyland and Kingston and Pte. Hartley, of the Hampshires, as well as a number of others whose names do not at the moment come to mind, among them the clever fellow who used to throw knives and twirl ropes with such amazing skill.

The attacks of 1917 depleted the numbers of the "Dickybirds" to such an extent that they ceased functioning for a time. In Italy, however, with a small nucleus-Scotty Williams, Len Young and Tommy Mann, they were resuscitated, once more to give delight to their respective audiences .

Tommy Mann was taken prisoner during the German offensive of March 1918 and escaped in August going on the run. There is a detailed account in the battalion history, if you're intrested I'll forward it on.

After the war C.Q.M.S Richard Germer changed his surname to Lincoln.

L-Cpl Pollard could be one of two men, if I get any further information I'll let you know.

I'm still searching for Pte Lallow. I cannot find a MIC and he is not listed on the roll of other ranks in the battalion history.

There is also some lines about "The Crumps" within the history. If you dont have it I'll write it up.

Stuart

[CentralLondonRanger]

the "Bow Belles" 56 London Div Concert Party

[Muerrisch]

Now that is a find. Thank you.

[John_Hartley]

Back in the mists of time (upthread in 2003), Grumpy mention The Cheerios, a concert party of 2/6th Liverpools. Google turns up a similarly named DLI troupe.

Whcih doesnt help me over Pte George Hilton, 6th Cheshires. He died of wounds on 30 March 1918 and his obituary in the local paper says he performed with the Cheerios. All of his service appears to have been with the battalion, and he is a local man.

I wonder if anyone has come across another troup of Cheerios that migth better fit my man?

John

[Kate Wills]

John,

Was he wounded during the war?

There were several cheerios, of variations thereof, one belonging to a convalescent camp. Otherwise this could be a battalion troupe.

[John_Hartley]

Kate

No wounding that I know of other than his mortal ones which, I am sure, were received only a day or so before death on 30/3/18. There's no service papers so I can't be sure of that.

His medal roll only mentions service with the 6th battalion although his number, 201985, is one associated with the 4th battalion. No mention of the Cheerios in anything I've read about the 6th, other than this newspaper report. As you mention that there were several troupes, perhaps this was a brigade or divisional one.

John

[Phil Eyden]

I have recently obtained these two photos of the Suffolk Yeomanry's concert party 'The Palestine Pops' and thought I would share them here. I believe the stage was at Cairo but am not absolutely certain. 

 

 

[artyali]

On 21/01/2008 at 20:25, Tyneside Chinaman said:

Hi

I have a small collection of concert parties which I will post a couple at a time

First The Royal Blues and The Bow Belles

The "Young Ladies" may have looked quite attractive after a month up the line

 

The Bow Belles are mentioned in my Gt Uncles letters home. He said it cost him 50 centimes to see them in a barn. They entertained the 56th Reg in April 1916.