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Craston, Joe (Joseph), 1868 - 1948

 Person

Dates

  • Existence: 1868 - 1948

Biography

Joe Craston was an equestrian, clown, animal trainer and circus proprietor. He was singled out by Lord George Sanger at the age of 9, to be made the central figure and youngest solo clown in his circus. Although Joe also performed as an acrobatic rider for some time he eventually devoted himself to clowning after a series of accidents. Joe Craston married Martha Cashmore and they had three children; Louise aka Lulu, Victoria and Josep aka Joe, all of who followed the family tradition into circus performance.

Found in 11 Collections and/or Records:

Circus Friends Association Collection

 Fonds
Reference code: NFA0122
Scope and Contents

This collection consists of a large library of books and journals, as well as archival material including posters, programmes, photographs, films, handbills, research material, scrapbooks, original artwork and many other items of ephemera relating to British, Irish and European circuses

Dates: 1795 - 2020
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive

Craston Family Group, c1930 - 1940

 Item — Box Lulu Adams Box 3: Series 178C83
Reference code: 178C83.300
Scope and Contents

Family group, three women and a man in a garden setting. 'The Vicarage Garden Party' written on reverse. Left to right: Louise Craston (Lulu Adams), Joe Craston, Victoria Craston and Martha Craston.

Dates: c1930 - 1940
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Lulu Adams Collection / Photographs

Family Group, c1937

 Item — Box Lulu Adams Box 1: Series 178C83
Reference code: 178C83.81
Scope and Contents

Large family group standing outside a building with sign for County Borough of Wolverhampton Social Welfare Department. Possibly a wedding group. Front row, believed to be, left to right: Joe Craston Senior, Joe Craston Junior, Joe's wife?, Victoria Craston; Lulu Adams,

Dates: c1937
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Lulu Adams Collection / Photographs

Family Group, c1937

 Item — Box Lulu Adams Box 1: Series 178C83
Reference code: 178C83.90
Scope and Contents

Large family group standing outside a building with sign for County Borough of Wolverhampton Social Welfare Department. Possibly a wedding group. Front row, believed to be, left to right: Joe Craston Senior, Joe Craston Junior, Joe's wife?, Victoria Craston; Lulu Adams, Joe Craston Junior and Victoria Adams.

Dates: c1937
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Lulu Adams Collection / Photographs

Joe and Martha Craston, c1900 - 1920

 Item — Box Lulu Adams Box 1: Series 178C83
Reference code: 178C83.18
Scope and Contents

Martha Cashmore and Joe Craston standing together in a park.

Dates: c1900 - 1920
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Lulu Adams Collection / Photographs

Joe and Martha Craston, c1920 - 1940

 Item — Box Lulu Adams Box 1: Series 178C83
Reference code: 178C83.114
Scope and Contents

Martha (nee Cashmore) and Joe Craston in a garden under a rose Arbor with dog sitting at the front.

Dates: c1920 - 1940
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Lulu Adams Collection / Photographs

Joe and Martha Craston, c1900 - 1920

 Item — Box Lulu Adams Box 2: Series 178C83
Reference code: 178C83.182
Scope and Contents

Joe and Martha Craston(nee Cashmore) with dog. 'Russia Sept 1909' written on reverse.

Dates: c1900 - 1920
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Lulu Adams Collection / Photographs

Joe Craston, 11 December 1917

 Item — Box Lulu Adams Box 3: Series 178C83
Reference code: 178C83.346
Scope and Contents

Postcard photographic image of a Joe Craston Senior. 'Dec 11 1917 To my daughter kind wishes many happy returns of the day from Papa, God Bless You' written on reverse.

Dates: 11 December 1917
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Lulu Adams Collection / Photographs

John F. C. Heather Collection

 Fonds
Reference code: NFA0056
Scope and Contents

Black and white photographs related to Joseph Charles Heather, the Sanger Circus and the Bostock Jungle.

Dates: c1897 - 1953
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive

Lulu Adams Collection

 Fonds
Reference code: NFA0042
Scope and Contents

This collection contains business records, newspaper cuttings, programmes, notebooks and handbills, as well as a collection of black and white photographs, some original artwork and other items relating to Lulu Adam’s personal life and career

Dates: c1880 - 1959
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive

Photographs, c1897 - 1898

 Series — Box John Heather Box 1: Series 178C82/1-49; Series 178F32; Series 178Q7
Reference code: 178C82/1-49
Scope and Contents Black and white photographs, showing performers and animals (elephants, lions, chimpanzees, horses, dogs and kittens) at Lord George Sanger's Circus, collected by Joseph Charles Heather, during his time as veterinary surgeon for Sanger Circus. Includes studio portrait photographs and photographs taken backstage at the circus of Joseph Charles Heather, Lord George Sanger and his wife and lion tamer, Ellen Sanger (nee Chapman), their daughters, Sarah Harriet Sanger and Laurina Sanger, and...
Dates: c1897 - 1898
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / John F. C. Heather Collection

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