Ella Shields was born On This Day 27th September 1879. Married to William Hargreaves 1906-23 and lived Christchurch Road
American born music hall performer, Shields was invited to London in 1904 to be principal girl in the pantomime Dick Whittington at the Pavilion Theatre, Mile End. She made her debut as a male impersonator in 1910, and her signature number, dressed in top hat and ragged tails, was Burlington Bertie From Bow, written by her husband William Hargreaves in 1914 as a parody of Vesta Tilley's Burlington Bertie. She is also remembered for her interpretation of Oh! It's A Lovely War, the now notorious satirical song that became a popular hit in the trenches. (National Portrait Gallery)
Image NPG D42839 © National Portrait Gallery, London
Active
