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
Woolwich Market
Its first charter was granted to Sir William Barne, Lord Mayor of London and Hugh Lyddiard, Clerk of the Cheque at Woolwich dockyard. It has been in several locations in the area, and our picture s...
1 memorial
Theodore H. Bryant
Co-owner and director of the Bryant and May match factory.
1 memorial
1 memorial
Great Exhibition
From the V&A website: "The Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of all Nations was held in the Crystal Palace in Hyde Park, London. It was the first international exhibition of manufacture...
13 memorials
LEO Computers Society
From the Picture source: "This is the site of the LEO Computers Society celebrating the World's first business computer. Membership of the Society is open to: all ex-employees of LEO Computers and ...
1 memorial
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