GLADYS RIMMER {1931 - 1996}
Circus Dwarf saves Birkdale Trapeze Artist Circus dwarf, Alvin Schwartz, threw himself forward in an attempt to save his friend, Gladys Rimmer from Birkdale, as she fell more than 50ft from the high trapeze. Alvin suffered broken ribs due to the fall, but was otherwise okay. Gladys suffered a broken collar bone and a slight head injury. The date was December 1954.
Gladys, born to Edward and Ethel Rimmer (nee Simpson, of Leeds, Yorkshire), and sister to five sisters and one brother; Ernest, Piorah, Edna, Maureen, Hazel and Beryl, left home to join the circus when she was just 18 years old. She described her mother as "forward thinking". She left Britain in 1950 from Southampton, on the RMS Queen Elizabeth sailing on March 22nd, and arriving in Flew York on March 28th.
Her first circus was Mills Bro's Circus from Circleville, Ohio, where she joined famous trapeze artistes. The Abbot Sisters on a highly established routine, and a proven tour. Later the Abbot Sisters were poached after Gladys' outstanding performances by Ringling Bro's Barnham & Bailey Circus. Highly acclaimed by B&B, the Abbot Sisters toured successfully the length and breadth of the United States visiting most of the 48 states and most major cities.
B&B spokesman said Gladys was "a real trouper and would rally through." A spokesperson for the hospital where Gladys was being treated said that "Gladys was responding well to treatment and would be allowed home before Christmas".
The circus has its wintering grounds in Sarasota, Florida in sub-tropical temperatures. Gladys would spend the winter in sunshine/ recovering from her injuries.
Later, Gladys left the circus after she discovered she had epilepsy from the fall. She ended her illustrious career in the circus after one final performance in December 1955, in Sarasota, Florida. Bamham and Bailey Circus bought Gladys a mobile home so that they could be near her in the winter and she could be close to her friends.
Sarasota Mobile Home Park was Gladys' home until her death in 1996, on January 8th. She died from cancer. Gladys was a regular church goer and attended The Tabernacle, in Dessota Avenue serving three times a Sunday and about three times in the week. In her later years Gladys was employed by a television station, doing research into how many homes watched which program. Due to her injuries (epilepsy from the fall), she was unable to drive, so walked or took the bus everywhere.
Gladys is remembered at The Tabernacle's Garden of Remembrance where a rose tree was planted in her memory. She was a popular member of the congregation, who miss her. Her family miss her most.
Tony Rimmer