"Buster" Cliffe, Blackburn's Tom Thumb
James Frederick Cliffe was born on the 17th June 1911 to parents John William Hodson Cliffe and Margaret Ellen Cliffe, nee Kellett. They lived in Randle Street, Blackburn, Lancashire.
Growing up in Blackburn attended Langho School. He helped out his father as a kennel assistant and worked on a farm at Mellor. James then went to study engineering at the Technical College, but he was not considered strong enough for motor engineering, something he had always been interested in. Unlike his siblings James was very small in stature and remained as such throughout his life.
One day he arranged to visit King Georges Hall, to attend a show, featuring John Lesters midgets. Whilst waiting outside the venue reading the bills on the noticeboards in Northgate, he was mistaken by an attendant for one of the Company, for James was only 4ft tall. He was introduced to Mr. John Lester, the man himself, who invited James to join the troupe.
Back Row; John William Hodson Cilffe, ?, George Henry Cliffe (Groom), Hannah Maria Wright Townson (Bride), Dinah Smith Townson Peel, James Joseph Smith, Thomas Peel
Front Row; James Frederick (Buster) Cliffe, ?, (Sitting) Henry Peel, Alice Peel, Margaret Ellen Kellet Cliffe
John Lester was an American travelling carnival showman. In 1923 he formed one of the first troupes of “Midget” performers in Britain. From 1925 these small people were based at Blackpool Tower, It became known as “Midget Town and attracted people from far and wide.
James became known as Buster, as well as being part of the troupe he also drove the motor coach in which the Company travelled. At the time he was the smallest licensed driver in the world.
On the 15th January 1936 John Lester’s Midget’s appeared at the Alexander palace in London. Buster would take the stage singing cowboy songs and rode a performing Pony. He made lots of friends and became romantically attracted to Norah Buttram, Norah was also 4ft tall and sang in the chorus line. She was from Chorlton cum Hardy, near Manchester.
The romance lead to marriage and on the 28th April 1936 amid scenes of great enthusiasm a crowd numbering nearly 100 people besieged East Croydon railway Station to witness the arrival of the young lady midget who was to be the bride at the wedding at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, Wellesley Road West, Croydon.
Thirty midgets, all circus friends of the bride and groom were in attendance. The two bridesmaids from Mr. Lester’s Company, were Miss Peggy Pyne and Miss Mary Patricia Finn, all Dwarfed by John Lester who was 6ft 2in and gave the bride away. The best man was Mr. Arthur Lee of Leeds, the world’s smallest ringmaster. The Rev. W.H. Mclaughlin conducted the service. So enthusiastic was the crowd that the young lady was unable to reach the coach which the bridegroom had brought to meet her in order to take himself and his new wife to the Croydon Grand Theatre where they were appearing that week with other members of Lester’s Royal Midget Circus. Instead, Norah Cliffe was compelled to walk with other members of the company to the theatre. Among them was Mr. Bell the manager of the circus.
All the way the little company was escorted by a cheering crowd of well-wishers who then proceeded to besiege the theatre. Those who were unable to see the couple that day had the whole of the following week in which to see the newly married pair.
Fred and Norah after their Wedding
at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, Wellesley Road West, Croydon.
28th April 1936
After the reception at Kennards restaurant in the North End, the couple had no time for a honeymoon, as John Lester said, “the show must go on.”
Review, from the Croyden Times, May 1936: “Big Attraction at Croydon Grand Theatre.”
“2nd May 1936 presents John Lester’s Royal Midgets Circus, the crowded audiences
have to see Buster Cliffe, singing his cowboy songs in a very attractive manner,
along with Norah, his new bride, singer and vocalist.
Alongside the star of the show, 3 feet high Mary Patricia Finn, flying trapeze,
along with the only Midget Choir in the World, staring tiny Hetty Coe,
who has a lovely voice with a power strangely out of proportion to her small frame.”
A somewhat unusual event took place on the theatres stage after the show, when a bachelor party was held. Amid a chorus of congratulations, his colleagues placed the shackles of matrimony upon Freds wrists, and he said, “goodbye to freedom.”
A couple of months later the happy couple travelled back to Blackburn.
Posters at King Georges Hall announced, “Don’t Miss meeting Fred Cliffe and his bride at Blackburn train station on Sunday 17th May at 8.15pm. A huge crowd turned out and on Monday 18th May 1936 and for the next four days, Jollity Ltd. presented John Lester’s Midget Circus, featuring Fred and Norah Cliffe, Mary Patricia Finn, trapeze artist and other amazing acts such as Hetty Coe and the Southern singers and Broadway Babes and others.
On the 2nd of June 1936 John Lester presented the Royal Midget Circus, to appear at the Keighley Hippodrome, “Buster” Cliffe was listed as one of the supporting acts, headed by Mary Patricia Finn Arthur, “Tex” Lee as he had become known, the smallest Ringmaster along with Hetty Coe and her Southern Singers.
Fred “Buster” and Norah set sail on the Queen Mary on the 15th of June 1936 America bound. Sailing from Southampton to New York. Appearing as the Royal British Midgets with the sensational Lilliputian Circus. This was their first tour of the United States
John Lester's Royal British Midgets who went to the United States.
Mary Patricia Finn—From Dublin; Age 28 The World's Tiniest Circus Star
Arther Lee—From Leeds, Yorkshire; Age 24 The World's Tiniest Ringmaster
Ramsbottom Twins—Sarah and Clara—From Wigan Lancashire; Age 22
Robert Lincoln Taylor—From Shetlands; Age 26
Mrs. Hetty Coe And Son—From Newcastle-On-Tyne
Robert Lloyd Jones—From Wales; Age 20
Nora Buttram—From Surry; Age 22
Albert Edward Cox And Wife, Liza—From Birmingham; Age 54—The Only Bearded Midget in The World
Elysee Moore—From Mayfair London; Age 17
James Ramsey MaCauslan—From Glasgow, Scotland; Age 20
Fred J. Cliffe And Wife—From Blackburn, Lancashire' Age 25—Married London April 27, 1936. England's Tiniest Motorist
Leon Niki—Midget Magician; Age 45
Pauline Greken—From Poplar London; Age 44
J.S. Dove—Of Manchester
Moira Codrington Ball—From Doe Castle, Donegal
Rena Hall—The Famous Piper of Pittenween Fifeshire
There were also Eleven Ponies and Three Dogs
After travelling around America the Royal British Midgets returned from New York to Liverpool on the 6th October 1936.
Shortly before the Prince of Wales abdicated the throne he was entertained by the Royal British Midgets, at Blackpool.
During the Twelve years touring of the British Provinces the midgets had appeared before the King of Belgium, Duke and Duchess of York, Duchess of Athol, Lady Astor Prince of Connaught and Earl Macduff.
The Variety specialists included Arthur Lee, “Tex”, The Hill Billy Chorus in which Norah and Fred Cliffe Featured.
Fred retired from the world entertainment in April 1938. In September 1939 at the outbreak of WW2 he obtained a A.R.P. post in Blackburn.
Sadly, after undergoing an operation for internal problems at Blackburn Infirmary, he passed away on the 15th December 1939.
Fred is buried in Blackburn old Cemetery along with his mother, Margaret Ellen Cliffe.
Norah is listed in 1939 register as living at 47 Randal Street, Blackburn doing unpaid domestic duties. Her name Cliffe has a line through it and replaced by Chapman.
Norah remarried at Blackpool in July 1942, her new husband being Mr. Joseph N. Chapman, a clown known as Micky Chapman.
The Grave of Fred Cliffe and his mother It reads;
"Cliffe
Margaret Ellen
Born July 14th 1873
Died June 15th 1949
Beloved Mother of
James Frederick
Born June 13th 1911 Died December 15th Decmber 1939"
Resources
Blackburn Times. 1932 to 1939, various dates
Northern Daily Telegraph, various dates.
Croydon Times, April 1936.
Ancestry
Thanks to everyone on Facebook who gave information.
Article written and researched by
Hayley Wells
