Will Van Allen- The Musical Tramp

 This is Will Van Allen- The Musical Tramp in 1908

Will was born William Augustus Dodd in 1875 in England. 

Around the turn of the 20th Century, Will began appearing in English theatres as 'The Musical Tramp', He apparently played over 100 instruments in his turn.

In 1900 he got married in England ( perhaps to the lady below) and 4 years later he came to Australia.

He was engaged to the Tivoli circuit. During his act he punctuated humorous patter with playing a banjo, a 1 string violin and some unlikely looking articles.

He also toured New Zealand, where he was billed as a High Class Musical Act direct from London. 

He returned to England in 1905, and continued working in the music halls and theatres. In 1914 he toured the front lines of the war with Ellaline Terris, Seymour Hicks and Gladys Cooper. It was one of the first touring companies ever allowed to perform on the battlefield.

Will graduated to the radio in the 1920s. In the late 1920s he bought an antique store in London and you can see him in a picture here. In the 1930s he appeared in a movie.

 

Will entertained people all his life and  died in London in 1970.