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The Ross (Stage name Rosaire) family started into the circus business at the turn of the Century.In the 1891 Census it reads: Thomas Ross b1855 Stalybridge Lancashire, was a Cotton Operative in a mill.His wife Jane b1863 Ramsay ,Huntingdon. Children Fred b1878 Saddleworth Yorkshire (Cotton Operative), James b1880 Mossley, Thomas b1882 Lees, Lancs, Mary Ann b1883 Lees Lancs,Elizabeth b1886 Lees,Lancs, Jane b1887 Lees, Lancs, Richard b1890 Lees,Lancs. As talented Athletes Fred along with his two brothers formed an act and joined Sedgwicks Menagerie (father in law of my G Grandfather Frank Wilson). They entertained the crowds as the Lion cage was built up. Fred met Florence Berrisford nee Arnold, a widow and they went on to start Rosaires Circus.
They took the stage names of “The Count & Countess” & had the following children, Aubrey b1904, Dennis b, Zena b1909, Ivor b1911, Cicily b1912, E Vivian m b1914, Derrick b1916, Ida b1919. They were all stars in their own right.
Derricks family wife Betty nee Kays, children Pam, Kay, Linda, Derrick jnr, Ellian, are still working, along with Ida’s son David Rosaire in Sarasota Florida USA.
Ivor’s son Derrick Rosaire & family travelled in the UK.
Dennis’s son Carlos Rosaire & family are based in Ayora in Spain.
Zena’s daughter Joan Rosaire is based in Billericay, Essex, UK.
Frederick Ross’s brothers continued on their own with Ross Bros “Crown Circus”
Above : Rosaires Circus at the Isle of Man
The Original Rosaire Stars
Ross-Rosaire Circus Photos
"La Petit Vivienne" Rosaire 1914-2003
Above: Ida Rosaire's Wedding
Distinguished Family Freinds
Brigadier General “Wallscourt Hely- Huchinson Waters” was a close family friend of the Rosaire’s for many years. He would visit the show on a regular basis and was very generous with his gifts to the family members. One such gift was a button from a tunic that was gifted from Tzar Nicholas of Russia himself to Wallscourt that he in turn had made into a ring for my Mother in Law Vivian Ross.The ring was a Faberge button made from uncut cabachon Yellow Diamonds and Rubies. The ring remains in the family still.When Vivian had a fall in the ring he insisted that his personal physician tend to her and also and convalesce at his London home. Wallscourt was a very influential man. He was commander 93rd Infantry Brigade 1914-1916. The British Military Attach’e to Russia in 1893. The British Military Attach’e in Berlin 1900-1903 and was friends with Kaiser Wilhelm. Chief of the British Military Mission to the Russian Imperial Army WW1 and a personal friend to Tzar Nicholas. He was also friends with King George v and a direct decendant of the Earl of Donoughmore.
Dame Laura Knight, (née Johnson), DBE RA RWS (4 August 1877 – 7 July 1970)[1] was an English artist who worked in oils, watercolours, etching, engraving and drypoint. Dame Laura spent long periods traveling with the Rosaires capturing all aspects of their daily lives both inside and out of the ring.
Rupert Croft-Cooke (30 June 1903 – 10 June 1979)[1] was an English writer, a prolific author of fiction and non-fiction, including screenplays and biographies under his own name and detective stories under the pseudonym of Leo Bruce. Fearing continued persecution in the UK for homosexuality, he spent fifteen years in Morocco.
Rupert became of a friend of the Rosaire family and Wrote “The Circus has no Home ” published in 1941. It is the life story of the Rosaire family and went on to write other books that also included the family.
Laurel and Hardy were a comedy duo act during the early Classical Hollywood era of American cinema. The team was composed of Englishman Stan Laurel (1890–1965) and American Oliver Hardy (1892–1957).
Derrick Ross & Family worked with Laurel & Hardy on the theaters whilst on tour in the UK and remained in touch for the rest of their lives.
Newspaper Articles
Derrick Rosaire in America
Circus Bills-Posters
A Romantic Tale
This is a wonderful story of how Fred and Florence first met. It was said that whilst Fred was attending a parade in most likely the town of Newcastle-Under-Lyme in Staffordshire. Fred was walking along the High Street on his stilts, when he glanced upon an attractive lady Florence standing on a balcony waving and cheering at the procession on a buildings first floor. Fred then made his way over to the balcony where upon he reached across kissed her and said “I’m going to marry you” and the rest was history.
This story was passed down and confirmed by both of their Grandchildren Alison Wilson and Roy Shufflebottom.
Interview with Dereck Rosaire Snr 1973
