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 Hardcastle
Merchant and evangelical activist. Born Leeds. Came to London in 1766. Good friend of Wilberforce and the Clapham Sect. Co-founder of the London Missionary Society in 1795 and its treasurer for...
1 memorial
1 memorial
3 memorials
1 memorial
West India Docks
A series of three docks on the Isle of Dogs. Their construction was largely the responsibility of Robert Milligan, who had managed his family's Jamaica sugar plantations. He became outraged at loss...
1 memorial