This is a tribute to my Great grandfather, Frederick Clayton and his twin, Alfred
Born in St Pancras in 1860, Fred and Alf were destined to be music Hall comedians
Because their act was a comedy act, they were always on the move
Ever new material allows you to settle in one place, but performing night after night
Ever new material allows you to settle in one place, but performing night after night
allows little time to create new material so they would develop new story lines on the road
Eventually they did settle in Leicester and became as well known there as they were in London
Fred married Annie Windley, an already established actress in Leicester and daughter of Leicester's own, Harry Windley, a well known music hall comedian
Also, Annie's uncle, John Windley was appointed the manager of Leicester's theatre Royal in 1870
In this post I have included Frederick's birth certificate and his death certificate
In this post I have included Frederick's birth certificate and his death certificate
An original cartoon from a London variety magazine, A write up in the Leicester mercury celebrating their 70th birthday, and Letters of proud family nostalgia by myself
I have also included my grandfathers birth certificate where the occupation of father is comedian
not something you see every day ... and a lovely water colour painting by Fred
I've also included a photo of Fred in a straight role in a play ... i believe it to be the merchant of Venice
If anybody has any information regarding the twins that they would like to share please contact me at myod3d@live.co.uk
Hope this serves to be of interest
Paul Frederick Clayton
