lady of the lions ?? Born Alveley

[alveleyhistorian]

Hi there,
This is a bit of a long shot, but any help would be much appreciated
Bertha Richards was born Alveley abt 1904 daughter of Herbert Richards
By the 1930's / 1940's she had changed her name to -
Sonya Allen " Lady of the Lions" at Chipperfields Circus.
She may have been married to someone named Tommy ? and had a daughter named Elizabeth.
Ring any bells with any one ?
Any help much appreciated

[s.g.d.]

have you seen this?

http://www.nfa.dept.shef.ac.uk/history/shows/giles.html

pictures 2 and 7 should be of some interest.

s.g.d.

[JStockley]

Here is a picture of her standing in front of my Grandfather's show.
He (Richard Chipperfield 1875/1959) is stood behind her

[JStockley]

There is a good article here . . . .
https://www.hungerfordvirtualmuseum.co.uk/index.php/14-people/628-lady-of-lions

[alveleyhistorian]

Continuing the story…yes it’s been a while ..
Sonya and Tommy Allen settle in Bath Road, Hungerford ..they never married but had a daughter Betty who also performed in the act.
In the early 1960s Tommy is injured when he falls off a circus truck ??
Tommy died 14 February 1962
Sonya Bertha Allen died in 1986
I have so far been unable to find where they are buried, so if anyone lives in the area or has a database for Hungerford, I would be most grateful.