Chipperfield's Circus in United Kingdom

Subnavigation of selected Tab
Select by clicking the tabs above; 1. location info 2. present elephants 3. list of births 4. dead elephants 5. relocated elephants


Chipperfield's Circus


Typecircus
Founded1860
Closed down1990
Country United Kingdom
Related persons
Owner-1989: Dicky Chipperfield
-: Myrtle Chipperfield
-1866: James William Chipperfield Jr
1821-1841: Harriet Coan
1860-1866: James William Chipperfield Sr.
1860-1866: Mary Ann
1866-1913: James William Chipperfield III
1913-1917: James Francis Chipperfield
1913-1922: Mary Jones
1922-1948: Dick Chipperfield Sr.
1948-: Marjorie Stockley
1948-1955: Jimmy Chipperfield
1948-1978: John L. Chipperfield
1948-1990: Dick Chipperfield Jr.
Directors 1951-1968: James Stockley
1939-1955: Marjorie Stockley
Assistant Directors 1964-1967: Brian Boswell
1938-1955: Rosie Chipperfield
: Maud Chipperfield
Performers & Artists
-: Maude Fosset
-: Doris Chipperfield
-: Sophie Chipperfield
-1958: Yolan Konyot
Zoological department
Animal trainers
1933-1938: Rosie Chipperfield
-1955: Mary Chipperfield
-: Tommy Chipperfield
-: John Chipperfield
-: Charles Chipperfield
-: Jennifer Solomon
-: Mark Austen
-1979: Sally Clubb
-1979: Jim Stockley
: Peter Balder
: Terry Duggan
: Doreen Duggan
Equestrians
-: Doris Chipperfield
Elephant department
Elephant Trainer 1948-1954: Ivor Rosaire
-: Wenzel Kossmayer
-: Douglas Kossmayer
Record history
History of updates2025-04-23: text, structure
Latest document update2025-11-27 14:05:38
Description

Chipperfield's Circus, United Kingdom , was founded in 1860. Chipperfield's Circus closed down in 1990.


Comments / pictures
Records about Chipperfield's Circus from English Wikipedia

The name Chipperfield dates back at least to James Chipperfield. He introduced performing animals to England at the Frost Fair on the Thames in 1684. His show performed for two months at the fair. Part of the fair was for showing animals.

English Wikipedia


The main branch of the family running the circus was Dick Chipperfield Sr. (Richard, 1875-1959) married to Maud Seaton. The management of the circus was passed down to him in the early 1900s. He was the father of six children; Dick Chipperfield Jr. (1904-1988), Jimmy Chipperfield (James, 1912-1990), John L. Chipperfield (Johnny, -1978), Thomas Henry "Tom", Marjorie (Marjorie Stockley) and Maud (Maude Fosset) .

Chipperfields during the 30s



1933: The Chipperfields started to become well established in the traditional circus business, and even purchased an elephant. In 1933 they combined the show with that of the Purchase family, creating a large touring circus and menagerie. Captain Tom Purchase died shortly after the amalgamation having been attacked by one of his lions. The combined show was then a Chipperfield affair.

Dick Chipperfield Jr. and his brother Jimmy took over the circus from their father in 1938.

Jimmy Chipperfield (-1990) married Rosie Purchase (1912–2006) in the early 1930. Rosies family had a traveling menagerie show of wild animals. After Rosie\'s father was killed by one of his lions, Jimmy took over the Purchase\'s show and merged it with the Chipperfield Circus. Jimmy and Rosie had the children James (died at the age of six from tetanus), Mary Chipperfield, Richard Chipperfield, John Chipperfield and Margaret Chipperfield.

Chipperfields during the 40s


The acquisition of a large Group of elephants from Sri Lanka after World-War II established Circus Chipperfield among the biggest circuses in England.

1947: There were no elephants in circus in England after World War II so Dick Chipperfield Jr. went to Sri Lanka in 1947 and bought 9 elephants.
With the help of the owner of Kamala\'s Circus, Chipperfield toured outlying villages to find elephants and bargain for purchases. First elephant was purchased and named Kamala in respect. Mary and 5 year old Dahlia purchased next. Dahlia was still being trained by Mary, chained to her while working on a rubber plantation. Elephants traveled 15 miles a night for the 60 mile trek to Colombo. Each was ridden by a native boy on the neck with a bell tied, fed coconut leaves and taken to the river for a daily swim. Eight elephants (all previous working animals) transported from Colombo to Tilbury by Captain Newton of the Trevlor. Captain Newton had shipped elephants before, though never as many as for Chipperfield. (Pamela Macgregor-Morris, Chipperfield\'s Circus)

1947: 5 months later, Dick Chipperfield went back to Sri Lanka and bought another 12 elephants and that 9 + 12 made up 21 elephants. They arrived at the George V Dock in London\'s Docklands in October 1947 on SS Arbratus. (Wikipedia)

1947 imports (uncompleted):


  1. Blackie
    2. ,
  2. Dahlia
    3. ,
  3. Dinah
    4. ,
  4. Jimmy
    5. ,
  5. Kamala (Camella)
    6. ,
  6. Lelia
    7. ,
  7. Mable
    8. ,
  8. Mary
    9. ,
  9. Sally
    10. ,
    and five elephants later sold to the Government of Borneo in 1951:
  10. unknown name
    11. ,
  11. unknown name
    12. ,
  12. unknown name
    13. ,
  13. unknown name
    14. and
  14. unknown name
    15. .


1948: 21 elephants at Tom Arnold show at Harringay (London) in 1948.
1948: In the winter of 1948, Rosie Chipperfield (wife of Jimmy) went to Sri Lanka and brought back another 8 elephants (including two bulls)
Freda
1949: 29 elephants

Chipperfields during the 50s


1951: 5 of the biggest elephants were sold to the Government of Borneo in 1951: unknown name, unknown name, unknown name, unknown name and unknown name.
1952: 24 elephants:


  1. Baby
    2. ,
  2. Blackie
    3. ,
  3. Cita
    4. ,
  4. Dahlia
    5. ,
  5. Dinah
    6. ,
  6. Jennie
    7. ,
  7. Jimmy
    8. ,
  8. Kamala (Camella)
    9. ,
  9. Lelia
    10. ,
  10. Mable
    11. ,
  11. Mary
    12. ,
  12. May
    13. ,
  13. Rani
    14. ,
  14. Sally
    15. ,
  15. Suzie
    16. ,


Chipperfield's Circus in United Kingdom United+KingdomOld picture by photographer Justin Nelson of 12 Chipperfield elephants in Clonmel railway station, Tipperary, during tour in Ireland in 1952.

Chipperfield's Circus in United Kingdom United+Kingdom
Clonmel railway station, Co. Tipperary 1956 - the 12 Chipperfield elephants leave the station with Doreen Duggan leading Mary elephant. John L. Chipperfield is mid-way down the line and Dick Chipperfield bringing up the rear. The show went to Ireland with 15 elephants and sold Jimmy, Blackie and Monica (two males and a female) to Fossett\'s Circus. Later, eight of these twelve would go with Hugo Schmitt to Ringlings in America.

Between 1952 and 1953, 8 elephants left the circus: 3 elephants (2 bulls + 1 cow) went to Fossett’s in Ireland. These 3 + 2 bull elephants were sold to Russia via Chipperfields. They were the act originally known as the "Banda 5" (aka "Band of five" = males Banda, Shandra & Blackie = females May & Jane - male Jimmy later replaced Jane), which Ivor Rosaire worked on Circus Mikkeni (sp?) in Holland and other shows in Sweden, Germany and Belgium in the early 1950s.
Paulo’s Circus bought one called Baby, which went onto Robert Brothers and eventually died in Ireland . Two others died.
1953: Chipperfields Circus ousted rivals Bertram Mills and Billy Smart and boasted a big-top tent which could accommodate 6,000 people. It had a collection of 200 horses, 16 elephants and 200 other animals.
1953-1956: another 3 elephants left the circus, total numbers 13?

Jimmy branched out 1955 with his son Richard (killed during a safari in Uganda in April 1975) in the fields of showjumping, filming and later developed the first drive-through safari park Lions of Longleat and Woburn Safari Park outside Africa. He also developed Knowsley Zoo and Plymouth Zoo and Southampton Zoo.

1956: Chipperfield Circus toured Ireland with 12 elephants pictured at Clonmel railway station, Co.Tipperary. (Mabel became unaccountably lame when touring Ireland. Sent home to winterquarters in Stockbridge, reducing the Group to 12.)
Chipperfield's Circus in United Kingdom United+Kingdom
Louise Chipperfield leading elephant "Mary" in rome on the set of 'Cleopatra'

Chipperfields during the 60s


1956-1963: One elephant must have died or been sold?
1963: The elephant Mary was used in Rome, in the film Cleopatra, directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz.
1963-08-24: 8 elephants went on RBBB european tour: Cita, Rani, May, Suzie, Jennie, Dinah, Dahlia, and Mable.
1963 September: Mary, Camella, Lelia and Sally were the 4 that stayed with the circus.
1963: This makes a total of 12 elephants.
1963: A new import of 5 elephants: Jane, Carol, Marjorie, Anna and Maryann.(Maryann was re-named Dorothy)
1964-05-12: 8 elephants went on tour with Trolle Rhodins Circus Caravan in Scandinavia: Cita, Rani, May, Suzie, Jennie, Dinah, Dalia, and Mable.
Chipperfield's Circus in United Kingdom United+Kingdom
John L. Chipperfield assisted by Jim Stockley, on tour in South Africa, 1965.
1965-1967: Chipperfields Circus toured Southern Africa, and returned to the UK 1968.
5 elephants from this tour was sold to zoos in South Africa, among them Dorothy/Maryanne, who was 1984 sold back to Brian Boswell Circus, Anna and Marjorie were both sold to Vereeniging Zoo, and Carol and Jane were both sold to Springs Zoo.
Chipperfield's Circus in United Kingdom United+Kingdom

South West India Docks, 1968: Four elephants returning from a Chipperfields Circus tour of South Africa. Left to Right: Sally, Lelia, Mary and Camella in the sling. The man with stick is John L. Chipperfield. .
1967?: three older elephants sold to Kolmården Zoo in Sweden; : Dina, Dalia, and Mable.
1968 in November: 5 elephants sold to Ringlings in USA, were shipped from Hamburg with the Swedish ship “Atlantic Saga”: Cita, Rani, May, Suzie and Jennie.
1969: Old Camella (Kamala) died.

Chipperfields during the 70s


1969-1971: A new juveniel elephant bought, named Camella.
1972: A new Group of small elephant arrived from Bangalore: Mohini, Minoti and Manju.
1973: A new import, bought from Brian Williams at Tysely Pet Stores: Lechmee, Mina (Meena), Lisa, Sophie.
1975: Young Camella joined Lechmee, Meena, Sophie, Lisa as a Group of 5 that Doreen Duggan took to Elfi Altoff in Austria in 1975.
1975-1979: Was Sophie, Lisa sold or died during those years?
1979: Manju, Mohini, Minoti were sold to Ashtons in Australia April 1979 but never made it because the ship made landfall in Durban and voided the veterinary requirements. Minoti is now at Brian Boswell circus.
1979: The circus had a fire accident, and Sally and Lilia died from the result of a fire later.

Chipperfields during the 80s


1988: Dick Chipperfield Jr. died at the age of 83.

Chipperfields during the 90s


1990: Jimmy Chipperfield died.
Jimmys older brother Dick Chipperfield continued with the Circus, his son Dicky Chipperfield took over the Circus, with his sons Richard and Graham.
1994-1999: Camella, Lechmee, Mina (Meena) went to America with Graham Thomas Chipperfield.

Chipperfields after the 90s


The last elephants Camella, Lechmee and Mina (Meena) were sold to Circus Medrano (Cirque Medrano) in Spain, where Meena died in 2002, while Camella and Lechmee/Lakshmi where relocated to Skanda Vale Temple, in United Kingdom, where Lechmee died in 2024.

2006: Rosie Chipperfield (née Purchase, born 1912) died.

References for records about Chipperfield's Circus

Recommended Citation

Koehl, Dan (2025). Chipperfield's Circus, Elephant Encyclopedia. Available online at https://www.elephant.se/location2.php?location_id=626. (archived at the Wayback machine)

Sources used for this article is among others:



Search more with Google for Chipperfield's CircusThe link will automatically include Chipperfield's Circus and open a new browser window.


Search more on the Internet Web for Chipperfield's CircusThe link will automatically include Chipperfield's Circus and open a new browser window

Categories circus in United Kingdom | United Kingdom Portal | europe Portal




About this documentWebsite online since 1995. This document was created: . Latest update: 2025-11-27 14:05:38 included 20806 characters with valid HTML5 Valid CSS



Disclaimer & Privacy
Elephant Consultant Dan Koehl
Cambodia: Sok San Road, Siem Reap
Telephone: +258 88 2002 101
Email: webmaster@elephant.se
Payment: BuyMeCoffee QR-code >> BuyMeCoffee

Your ip: 18.97.14.91

Visitors to Website
For Live update, click!

Webdesign by AumPage Network Aumpage Network