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General => The Common Room => Topic started by: RagdollFan on Monday 16 September 24 09:02 BST (UK)
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This is my first post on the forum, hope it is on the right board!
I’m looking for information on two Vaudeville artists, Peggy Adair and Bill or Will Hastings. They were both active in the 20s and 30s in the UK, and I know they also went to Australia and New Zealand. I am Australian, and I believe Peggy was related to me, and I have a photo of both Peggy and Bill with my grandparents. Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to trace a link, and I’m also unsure if Peggy Adair was a stage name or not.
If anyone has any information, I would be immensely grateful! Thank you!
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Hello RagdollFan and welcome to RootsChat.
Many mentions of the couple on trove (Australian newspapers)
https://trove.nla.gov.au/
And paperspast (New Zealand newspapers)
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/
From a review of a performance at the Palace Theatre in Bath in 1928:
"Will Hastings and Peggy Adair hail from Australia. They are a very amusing couple and combine their humour with plenty of nice singing and dancing by the charming little lady partner, whilst the male member of the act plays several instuments in a capable manner, with which there is plenty of comedy."
Saturday, Dec. 29, 1928
Publication: Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette
Interesting that Australian papers say Peggy ADAIR was English, but English papers say she was Australian. :-\
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And yet, in this newspaper Mr Will Hastings and MISS Peggy Adair were ENGLISH comedians.
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19260630.2.37?items_per_page=10&page=2&query=Peggy+adair&snippet=true
Australian newspapers were calling them an English comedy duo.
How do you think they are related to you? What were your grandparents names and where did they come from?
In the British press, they were called “Australia’s comedy duo”.
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I wonder what this means "formerly King's trumpeter" ?
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/128134678
Modified to add:
Will Hastings (Kings Trumpeter at Coronation Ceremony)
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/113380148
George V had his coronation in 1911, and Will HASTINGS played trumpet at the coronation?
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A bit about Will Hastings here
https://ozvta.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/variety-performers-in-radio-list-1112017.pdf
He seems to have been around and working as an entertainer, before teaming up with Adair in about 1925.
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Here is a site about the Gallipoli Strollers with multiple mentions of Will Hastings
https://ozvta.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Gallipoli-Strollers-1-442012.pdf
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Another article says Will HASTINGS was in the Royal Navy:
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/144336574 (3rd column, middle)
Haven't had any luck finding service records. Also looking to see if he is in the English 1911 census, but again, no luck so far.
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She may have been the same Peggy Adair with an advertisement in The Stage of 11/3/1948, look for Amateur Artists for Adair Repertory Players and giving an address of 25 Maida Avenue, W2.
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Thinking outside the box and as a long shot, did your grandparents connect with the Hyland surname at all?
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Voters lists for 25 Maida Avenue:
1947 includes Peggy Green and John F Green; also Peggie D Price and relatives Haulwen and Morlais Owen Price
https://www.ancestry.co.uk/imageviewer/collections/62284/images/62284_43021000945_0120-00215
1948 The Greens have gone but the Prices are still there
https://www.ancestry.co.uk/imageviewer/collections/62284/images/62284_43021000945_0121-00283
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There is a Morlais O PRICE birth registration Dec qtr 1918 Bedwellty, mmn JONES. Also a Haulwen PRICE Jun qtr 1922 at Bedwellty, mmn JONES. - Possibly this family at 25 Maida Avenue in 1947.
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I don't have access to the full article, however there is a mention of Will HASTINGS in Hastings in 1939:
2 September 1939
Publication: Hastings and St Leonards Observer
"Will Hastings of Hastings - Mr Will Hastings who many older residents will remember as a comedian, instrumentalist and entertainer in the town and district in pre-war days. Mr Hastings who is a native of the town, has been spending a short holiday here revisiting the place for the first time in 36 years. He has had very varied experience of stage and concert party work, and a few years ago toured America, Canada, Australia and South Africa. The old days at Hastings his services as entertainer were in great demand and he appeared with the famous Jonny Hunter, Hastings Pier, later teaming up with "J.D." and his wife Eva Bayley to tour the surrounding district. For many years Mr Hastings was a member of the Castle Hotel Grill Club which used to meet once a week for supper and a musical evening. The late Mr J Baker Guy whose fine tenor singing still re echoes pleasantly in many local ears was also a member. Mr Hastings has been connected with a great many well know seaside concert parties, toured as "Old Bill" in "The Better'Ole", appeared in the Brydon Phillips pantomimes, well known to local theatre goers and in J H Tompkinson's "Gypsy Revue", which Josh Dixon, the comedian, and Gertie Gitana served their "apprenticeship" Hippodrome Appearance When the Hippodrome, now the De Luxe Cinema, first opened Mr Hastings had a week's engagement there, and later he appeared at the Kusall Bexhall with Will Pepper. He ran his own concert parties at Plymouth Hoe, Dunoon, Colwyn Bay and Littlehampton. When he left Hastings he joined Tom Whites "Arabs", who were a hit in their day, and when quite a youngster was engaged by the old London comedian, Harry Rickards, at the Gaiety Theatre, Brisbane, Australia, afterwards fulfilling several engagements with him at the Tivoli, Sydney. I quite believe Mr hastings when he says he could write a rather interesting and novel book on his travels and adventures. He has by no means finished yet, and one of these days you may be hearing him on the air. Perhaps some you may remember his song (written himself) "The Penny Whistler". It enlivened many a prosy political meeting in these parts in the long winded days, and created quite a furore when he sang it in America and Australia.. "
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Trawling the newspapers gives a date of their 'Grand farewell appearance' in Australia as 10-Jan-1927 and their first UK appearance in in Dec-1927. Mid year they are reported to have appeared in Cape Town as 'Hastings and Adair'. They arrived in London together 29-Aug-1927 on the 'Durham Castle' from Cape Town and the passenger list gives Peggys name as Ethel Rose Ryan age 30.
Ethel (aka Peggy) seems to have a long association with 68 Larch Road, Cricklewood as she had given that address on a previous arrival at Southampton in 1923 from New Zealand and is advertising in July 1948 for work using the same address.
There is a very likely 1962 Probate record for her though she appears to have married sometime.
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Well done Sc00p.
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There is a passport application in 1921 for Ethel Rose RYAN born Norton, Mass on 3 May 1897, dancer in a vaudeville act (on Ancestry), with a photo. Her father - Henry RYAN, deceased, and Annie RYAN, mother.
Does this look like the same woman, though possibly somewhat younger?
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I wonder if this is Will HASTINGS on the 1939 register. Born 29 July 1890, "Actor Stage (disengaged) at Hampstead.
Modified to add:
Death registration - William HASTINGS MEDHURST Dec qtr 1976 Hampstead aged 87
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I've a sneaking suspicion that Will Hastings of Hastings may not be the same Will Hastings, but anyway...
An item in the Hastings and St Leonard's Observer of 16th November 1907 "Favourite Comedians at The Hipoodrome refers to "Will Hastings a real Hastinger" but goes on to suggest that, because he was billed as Wilmot Hastings, locals did not realise it was their "old friend Will Hastings." It refers to "humorous patter" and a grand piano and a concertina.
In the 1911 census, at 40 Great Queen Street, St Giles/Bloomsbury there is a boarder, Wilmot Hastings, 38, single, actor, born Islington.
In 1939 a Wilmot Hastings is at an address in Islington, with a matching profession and date of birth.
Added: looking at maddys52 most recent post, it seems that there are indeed two Will Hastings.
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I wonder if this is Will HASTINGS on the 1939 register. Born 29 July 1890, "Actor Stage (disengaged) at Hampstead.
Modified to add:
Death registration - William HASTINGS MEDHURST Dec qtr 1976 Hampstead aged 87
Probate for this William -
MEDHURST William Wheler Hastings of 45 Howitt Rd London NW3 died 2 November 1976 Administration London 27 May £7440
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There is an Irish birth registration for William Wheler Hastings MEDHURST Sep qtr 1890, Newry.
I'm confused now, which William is which. Getting myself in a muddle - almost my bedtime. ;)
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Ok, William Wheler Hastings MEDHUSRT is in Derby in 1901 with family - father Charles is a Major in Army Pay Department (born Bangalore, Madras).
RG13/3217/137 pg2
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Rosina Wilson, mentioned in the probate (reply #12) is at 68 Larch Road in 1939. Her dob 1/2/1908, possible husband Victor Wilson 30/8/1907. No theatrical connections evident.
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Rosina Wilson, mentioned in the probate (reply #12) is at 68 Larch Road in 1939. Her dob 1/2/1908, possible husband Victor Wilson 30/8/1907. No theatrical connections evident.
Rosina Dinger mmn Marshall married Victor Wilson 1932.
Ethel Rose Dinger mmn Marshall b. Q1 1896 Lambeth Vol 1d p358 appears to be her sister.
Arthur Dinger and Rose (nee Marshall) were at 68 Larch Road in 1923 when Ethel Rose Ryan returned from New Zealand.
I suggest it's very likely that Peggy Adair was born as Ethel Rose Dinger.
Edit: There is a UK marriage for an Ethel R Dinger Q2 1916 Brighton vol 2B p481 to an OLSON and in New Zealand a 1920 marriage record for an Ethel Rose Olson to Thomas Michael Ryan Reg no 1920/2082. That would explain the surname change.
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1911 census
29 Albion Square, Dalston
Arthur Dinger 42 London, Hoxton
Rose Dinger 35 London, Southwick
Ethel Dinger 15 London, Southwick
Rose Dinger 3 London, Hackney
+ 1 boarder
I found the same family in the 1921 census, Rosina is there but not Ethel.
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Wow, I'm overwhelmed with the response! Thank you all so much for your efforts with this, there's a lot to go through! The effort from each of you is very, very much appreciated!
I will have to go through some of it over the next few days, but I think the mystery has been solved with Ethel Rose Dinger. Her father, Arthur Dinger, was my grandfather's brother. I believe this makes her my first cousin, once removed. That would definitely explain why she travelled to see my grandparents, who had migrated from England in 1911, in what was then the middle of nowhere!
I've attached the photo Ethel/Peggy with my grandparents, circa 1924. From left to right is Bill Hastings, Lilian Dinger (my grandmother), Ethel/Peggy, and Alfred Dinger (my grandfather).
I just wanted to reiterate how thankful I am for everyone's help. I have a lot of reading to do! I will make sure to have a look at every link you've all provided. Thank you!
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Additional info for Will Hastings.... he petitioned his Australian wife for divorce in 1923/4 having married Rosaline Lawrence in Sydney 29-Apr-1920 https://mhnsw.au/indexes/divorce/divorce-records-index/?query=Will+hastings&page=1 (https://mhnsw.au/indexes/divorce/divorce-records-index/?query=Will+hastings&page=1). They appear to have had one child Warren F Hastings b Sutherland 1921 ref 13124/1921 and it appears that the child grew up with Rosaline and a Stepfather after Will Hastings left. In one newspaper review of Will Hastingss it states that his parents live in or near Richmond/Twickenham, Middlesex, UK. To pursue further I'd look to purchase the marriage/birth certificates for the above.
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A newspaper mention of the divorce:
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/223390884
Marriage registration on the NSW BDM Index - 5213/1920
https://familyhistory.bdm.nsw.gov.au/lifelink/familyhistory/search/result?3
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The parish register for the marriage is on Ancestry:
William HASTINGS, vaudeville artist, 28 Crown St Wooloomooloo, bachelor, born Surrey, 29. Father - Frederick HASTINGS (builder), Mother - Edith (maiden name unknown).
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Following up on the Heathmere House, Ash Vale address on the 1927 passenger list, Will's parents and siblings are there in the 1921 census:
https://www.findmypast.co.uk/transcript?id=GBC%2F1921%2FRG15%2F03224%2F0487%2F04&tab=this
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I'm not sure about this, however findagrave has Will HASTINGS death in Canada in 1961:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/39028128/william-hastings
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Following up on the Heathmere House, Ash Vale address on the 1927 passenger list, Will's parents and siblings are there in the 1921 census:
https://www.findmypast.co.uk/transcript?id=GBC%2F1921%2FRG15%2F03224%2F0487%2F04&tab=this
the same address is given for Edith HASTINGS, mother of William when he is travelling to Canada in 1931 on the Duchess of Bedford. Says he was an actor, born Farnborough, is now intending to be a builder. Intending to stay with a cousin, Jack HORNE, in Toronto.
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There is a well documented tree for the family on Ancestry including a picture of William Hastings although the family name is listed as Heskins despite all the source documents supporting the surname Hastings. The picture is captioned 'My Dad'.... https://www.ancestry.co.uk/mediaui-viewer/tree/27789767/person/130199822113/media/d669fb02-e2a5-4f35-a870-ea3515b3d6b4 (https://www.ancestry.co.uk/mediaui-viewer/tree/27789767/person/130199822113/media/d669fb02-e2a5-4f35-a870-ea3515b3d6b4)
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This would seem to be William HASTINGS in 1891 at Farnborough. Father Frederick is a plasterer.
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:47YS-Q3Z
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Likely birth reg
HASTINGS, WILLIAM mmn BEAGLEY
GRO Reference: 1889 J Quarter in HARTLEY WINTNEY Volume 02C Page 184
Edith Beagley looks likely to have married Frederick Hastings after the death of her husband George Parfitt Hence the Parfitt children with the family....
Death reg
PARFITT, GEORGE 39
GRO Reference: 1887 M Quarter in HARTLEY WINTNEY Volume 02C Page 112
Marriage Reg
PARFITT George
BEAGLEY Edith
GRO Reference: 1878 J Quarter in Farnham Volume 2a Page 171
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If the 'Will Hastings' press reported naval and musical exploits can be believed, there is a likely Royal Navy service record for William Hastings no 232290 b 13 Oct 1888 Aldershot. Engaged 13 Oct 1906 - 12 years. I'm no expert on naval records but it appears his last few postings were at HMAS ships or shore establishments and he was invalided out 16 Mar 1918. It may be relevant to his later reported musical career that his sub-rating on joining presumably as a boy in Aug 1904 was Bugler.....
Edit: His RAN service record https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=4428175 (https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=4428175) states he was lent to the RAN and forfeited a trip back to England if allowed to discharge at Sydney.
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Wow, I'm overwhelmed with the response! Thank you all so much for your efforts with this, there's a lot to go through! The effort from each of you is very, very much appreciated!
I will have to go through some of it over the next few days, but I think the mystery has been solved with Ethel Rose Dinger. Her father, Arthur Dinger, was my grandfather's brother. I believe this makes her my first cousin, once removed. That would definitely explain why she travelled to see my grandparents, who had migrated from England in 1911, in what was then the middle of nowhere!
I've attached the photo Ethel/Peggy with my grandparents, circa 1924. From left to right is Bill Hastings, Lilian Dinger (my grandmother), Ethel/Peggy, and Alfred Dinger (my grandfather).
I just wanted to reiterate how thankful I am for everyone's help. I have a lot of reading to do! I will make sure to have a look at every link you've all provided. Thank you!
That's great RagdollFan. Good to find the connection. :D
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If the 'Will Hastings' press reported naval and musical exploits can be believed, there is a likely Royal Navy service record for William Hastings no 232290 b 13 Oct 1888 Aldershot. Engaged 13 Oct 1906 - 12 years. I'm no expert on naval records but it appears his last few postings were at HMAS ships or shore establishments and he was invalided out 16 Mar 1918. It may be relevant to his later reported musical career that his sub-rating on joining presumably as a boy in Aug 1904 was Bugler.....
Edit: His RAN service record https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=4428175 (https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=4428175) states he was lent to the RAN and forfeited a trip back to England if allowed to discharge at Sydney.
Just to note that the address given on the record - 28 Crown St (crossed out) - is the same as on his marriage to Rosaline LAWRENCE.