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Bertram Wagstaff Mills (11 August 1873 - 16 April 1938) was a circus owner and local politician in London.[1][2]

Born in Paddington, he was the son of a coach builder.[2] By the age of 16 he was driving a daily London - Oxford horse coach service.[2]

During World War I he served as a captain in the Royal Army Medical Corps.[2] In 1920 he staged his first circus, initially as an annual event held at the Olympia Showground in west London.[2] In 1929 the Mills Circus took to the road, touring Britain from April to October each year.[2]

Mills was also interested in politics: he was elected as a Municipal Reform Party member of the London County Council in 1928 to represent Fulham East, but lost his seat in 1931.[3] He returned to the council at a by-election on 22 October 1934 at Clapham, and held the seat until his death.[1][2] He was very active on the council, serving as chairman of the Entertainments Licensing Committee, Inspection of Films Sub-Committee and the Sunday Entertainment Sub-Committee.[1]

He died, aged 64, from bronchial pneumonia.[2]

Wikipedia page [1] refers.

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Circopedia Biography
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 Obituary: Mr. Bertram Mills Circus Proprietor, The Times, 18 April 1938, p.12
  3. L.C.C. Election. Full Results of Polling, The Times, 10 March 1928, p. 17
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