Bella was married to boxer (and bank robber, see OldTimeMusicHall) Dick Burge. They took on the lease of the Surrey Chapel, an ex-chapel which had become a boxing ring in 1910. Renamed "The Ring" it became one of the first indoor venues for working class boxing. Bella and her female friends attended the boxing bouts, which was very unusual at that date. Dick died in 1919 and Bella carried on the Ring, expanding into all-in wrestling in 1932. Bombs in 1940 and 1941 destroyed the building and the site was redeveloped, most recently into the Palastra Building. This information all comes from the wonderful Nickel in the Machine, where you will find some fascinating pictures.
This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
Bella Burge
Commemorated ati
Other Subjects
Joseph da Costa Andrade
This person's grave was destroyed by a WW2 bomb. The name is on the south-west face of the pedestal. Joseph da Costa Andrade was born circa 1836 in London. He was the fifth of the eleven children ...
1 memorial
Bank of England
Londonist have an interesting post about animals at the Bank of England. The Guardian, 16 April 2022, reporting on an exhibition at the Bank of England, informed that the Bank once owned 599 slave...
1 memorial
Laing Homes
A building group which was a division of John Laing plc (a company which was founded in the 1840s). It was eventually purchased by the Wimpey group.
1 memorial
Jamrach's Emporium
Exotic shop dealing in wild animals. It was run by Charles Jamrach, who inherited the business from his father. Known to seafarers throughout the world, they would bring animals from distant lands ...
2 memorials
Francis Chappell & Sons
Funeral directors in South London and Kent. Formerly a family firm, now owned by Dignity.
2 memorials
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