Marshall, Renee, 1916 - 2000
Biography
Renee Marshall, nee Scott, was born on 26 August 1916 to John Henry Scott and Emma Scott (nee Baker). John and Emma had four other children, William John (1924-1987), George, Priscilla and Emily Rebecca.
Renee’s early life was spent travelling on the circus in England and Ireland with her brothers, sisters and cousins; the Kayes family. Renee performed in the circus from the age of six and by 1932, age sixteen, she featured in five acts in the family show: the vaultage (which opened the show), the perch, the trapeze, the breakaway ladder (with her brother Johnnie) and the double act on horseback with her father. The double act on horseback had originally been performed by Renee’s mother, before being passed on to Renee herself.
Renee’s early talent soon became a focus of attention and by 1932 she was featured by The World's Fair correspondent in Ireland.
According to her younger brother, George, Renee was the make-up girl, looked after the children, opened the show, found food when they were hungry and was a tremendous artiste.
Eventually the family left Ireland and returned to England where they appeared on fairs throughout Yorkshire and Lancashire. Renee recalls how the circus that appeared on the fairground operated in very different conditions to what they were used to, with twenty to thirty shows a day.
Renee was continuing a family tradition; the Scott family had been performers since the 1850s, and their royal circus appeared not only before Queen Victoria but also before King Edward. Scott's Royal Circus incorporated both family acts and star performers into the show (which had forty horses, clowns, trapeze and high wire acts), with members of the family appearing at the top of the bill.
Renee continued performing in the circus with her family until her marriage to Walter Marshall (1916-1970) in 1938. Renee and Walter met at Bolton New Year Fair in 1935-1936.
Renee married Walter Marshall a Yorkshire fairground showman and joined the Marshall family business travelling the Yorkshire fairgrounds.
Renee and Walter had a daughter, Sandra, born in 1940.
Renee died in 2000
Found in 43 Collections and/or Records:
Address Book, c1930 - 1940
Ring bound volume, with hard leather covers and alphabetised ruled pages, containing lists of names, addresses and payments, kept by Walter Marshall, manager of Marshall's Modern Amusements Ltd.
Arthur William Price Memorial Service Programme, 10 July 1986
Order of service programme in memory of Arthur William Price, who died on 1 July 1986 held at St John’s Church, Walton, Warrington on 10 July 1986. Card cover, 8pp.
Brayshaw Living Van Cheque, 25 February 1939
Cheque for £250, signed by Walter Marshall for the payment of a Brayshaw Living Van, 1p.
Business Card, c1960 - 1970
Blue business card with golden, embossed type, for Mr W. Wright, who worked for Marshall's Modern Amusements Ltd, Amusement Caterers and members of the Showmen's Guild. This card is thought to have belonged to William Wright, son-in-law of Walter Marshall and Renee Marshall (nee Scott), 1p.
Business Records, c1921 - 1970
Business and legal records relating to the management of Marshall's Modern Amusements Ltd.
Circus Vargas Programme and Magazine, 1977
Illustrated with colour photographs and images. Handbill enclosed (Missing), 24pp.
Circus Vargas Programme and Magazine, 1977
Illustrated with colour photographs and images, 12pp.
Correspondence, c1935 - 1950
Correspondence sent to Renee Marshall (nee Scott), primarily from her husband, Walter Marshall whilst he was serving with the Royal Air Force during the Second World War.
Correspondence from Walter Marshall to Renee Marshall, c1935 - 1950
Deed of Covenant, 25 August 1921
Copy of Deed of Covenant relating to the transfer of tenancies of Mr William Henry Marshall Senior to his son, William Henry Marshall Junior, 4pp.
Emily Scott Death Certificate, 23 May 1961
Copy of the death certificate of Emily Scott, who died at a caravan site on Atlas Mill Road, Brighouse on 20 May 1961. Certificate issued on 23 May 1961, 1p.
Fairground and Steam Engine Memories, c1950 - 1970
Brief typescript account, written by Alf E. Lamb. The account covers his time working on fairgrounds during the first half of the twentieth century, and includes comments on the changes on the fairground after the First World War, 1p.
Fairground and Traction Engine Memories, c1950 - 1970
Brief typescript account, written by Alf E. Lamb. The account covers his time working on fairgrounds during the first half of the twentieth century, and includes comments on the changes on the fairground after the First World War, 1p.
Hire and Purchase Agreement, 24 August 1921
Copy of agreement concerning the hire and purchase of goods and chattels made between William Henry Marshall Senior and William Henry Marshall Junior, 4pp.
John Henry Scott Birth Certificate, 8 February 1938
Copy of the birth certificate of John Henry Scott, born in Willesden, Middlesex on 14 March 1885. Certificate issued 8 February 1938, 1p.
John Henry Scott Religious Service Card, 21 November 1986
Religious service card for John Henry Scott held at St. Mary de Lode Church, Gloucester on 21 November 1986. Includes hymns to be sang on the occasion inside. Black type on white card, with cross on the front page, 2pp.
John Scott and Emily Baker Marriage Certificate, 27 September 1914
Copy of the marriage certificate of John Scott and Emily Baker, who married at St. James’ Church, in the Parish of West Bromwich, Stafford on 27 September 1914, 1p.
Lease Agreement, 3 May 1961
Legal report referring to the lease and use of land belonging to Walter Marshall, 2pp.
Marshall and Scott Family Collection
Marshall and Scott Family Newspaper Cuttings, c1930 - 1990
Small bundle of newspaper cuttings relating to Marshall's Modern Amusements Ltd and the death of Walter Marshall.