Percy Ford

The 1911 census return shows Percy Ford, aged 33 and born in Carshalton, Surrey, a theatrical manager, living at 81 Bavent Street, Camberwell, with his wife Emily Olive and children Percy Frederick, Dorothy and Victor Gerald. The Kinematograph Weekly, 11 February 1937, published his obituary: ‘Death Of Percy Ford. Well-Known Stratford Showman. His many friends, as well as hundreds of patrons of the old Borough Theatre and of the Rex, Stratford, will learn with sincere regret of the death of Percy Ford, who for about 25 years was manager of the theatre, and at the time of his death was manager of the kinema. Mr. Ford, who was 59, was taken ill last week, and died on Wednesday following an operation in Queen Mary’s Hospital. During the war Mr. Ford met with a serious accident in which his legs were crushed, as a result of which he suffered from thrombosis, and this condition resulted in complications ensuing after the operation. Mr. Ford, from the time he was a young man until his death, had spent all his years in the “show” business. As a young man he was a member of the famous Moore and Burgess Minstrels, and later was manager and secretary of the Empire, Camberwell. He was a writer of songs, sketches and pantomimes, and during his managership of the Borough Theatre was associated with Fred Fredericks in the writing and production of the pantomimes there. After the theatre was converted into a picture house he remained as house manager, and later was appointed as manager. The funeral took place on Monday morning at the City of London Cemetery’. The National Probate Calendar shows that Percy Ford of 121 Earlham Grove, Forest Gate, Essex died on 3 February 1937 at Queen Mary’s Hospital, Stratford, Essex, and that administration of his estate (effects £842 0s 2d) was granted at London on 18 March 1937 to Percy Frederick Ford, a solicitor’s managing clerk [perhaps Percy's son].