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
Edward Montague Nelson
Businessman and local politician. Born Warwick but spent most of his working life in London. His businesses tended to have colonial, especially Australian, connections. Lived at Hanger Hill House,...
1 memorial
1 memorial
Thomas James Clements
1883, Trustee of Lopping Hall, Loughton. According to G. Sludge, ".. a tea broker".
1 memorial
Roman warehouse
The picture source says "Near the Courage Brewery Site archaeologists found the complete wooden floor of a riverside warehouse. Nothing like this has been found anywhere else. The basement would ha...
1 memorial
St Saviour’s Dock
Our picture source, HSomerville provides a thorough history of this area and says "St Saviour's Dock was created in the 13th century by the Cluniac monks of Bermondsey Abbey."
1 memorial