John Tilbury
Amateur rider John Christian Tilbury, aged 26, fell from All Fours at the inaugural meeting of South Essex races on April 14, 1864. He was rolled on by his mount and died of his injuries the following day, April 15, 1864.
Amateur rider John Christian Tilbury, aged 26, fell from All Fours at the inaugural meeting of South Essex races on April 14, 1864. He was rolled on by his mount and died of his injuries the following day, April 15, 1864.
The South Essex National Hunt meetings took place annually at Childerditch and lasted from 1864 until the final fixture on April 29, 1875, hence it was active during the formation of the National Hunt Committee in 1866, set up to govern racing over jumps.
The South Essex National Hunt meetings took place annually at Childerditch and lasted from 1864 until the final fixture on April 29, 1875, hence it was active during the formation of the National Hunt Committee in 1866, set up to govern racing over jumps.
John Tilbury was born in Marleybone, London, on August 27, 1837. In 1863 he married the celebrated actress, dancer and theatrical producer Lydia Thompson (1838-1908). Lydia had danced and performed in pantomimes in the UK and in Europe and became a leading dancer on the London stage.
John Tilbury was born in Marleybone, London, on August 27, 1837. In 1863 he married the celebrated actress, dancer and theatrical producer Lydia Thompson (1838-1908). Lydia had danced and performed in pantomimes in the UK and in Europe and became a leading dancer on the London stage.
John and Lydia had one child, Zeffie Agnes Lydia Tilbury (1863-1950). She followed her mother into the theatre and became a well-known actress. She appeared in over 70 films and is today best known for playing wise or evil older characters, such as the distinguished lady gambler at dinner with Garbo in ‘The Single Standard’, as Grandma Joad in ‘The Grapes of Wrath’, and as Grandma Lester in ‘Tobacco Road’.
John and Lydia had one child, Zeffie Agnes Lydia Tilbury (1863-1950). She followed her mother into the theatre and became a well-known actress. She appeared in over 70 films and is today best known for playing wise or evil older characters, such as the distinguished lady gambler at dinner with Garbo in ‘The Single Standard’, as Grandma Joad in ‘The Grapes of Wrath’, and as Grandma Lester in ‘Tobacco Road’.
She is also remembered as the old woman in the 1936 Hal Roach comedy ‘Second Childhood’. In the same year she also portrayed the Gypsy Queen in the Laurel and Hardy film ‘The Bohemian Girl’.
She is also remembered as the old woman in the 1936 Hal Roach comedy ‘Second Childhood’. In the same year she also portrayed the Gypsy Queen in the Laurel and Hardy film ‘The Bohemian Girl’.
Sadly, John Tilbury did not live to see the success of his daughter, who was less than five months old when her father lost his life in that fall at South Essex’s first meeting.
Sadly, John Tilbury did not live to see the success of his daughter, who was less than five months old when her father lost his life in that fall at South Essex’s first meeting.
He left over £1,400.
He left over £1,400.