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Sylvia Parker Northcott

Penicuik, Midlothian, Scotland

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1.

Sylvia Parker Northcott

Penicuik, Midlothian, Scotland

Thank you to Sylvia Parker Northcott for sending me this photograph of a receipt sent to her father. Roy Don (also known as Henry Thomas Parker, when he was Manager of The Palladium Theatre, Edinburgh, in 1942.

Sylvia wrote:

My Family

"I'm Sylvia Rose Parker, one of Happy Tom Parkers' grand-daughters.  My father Henry Thomas Parker, was Happy Toms' eldest son, born in Sheffield on December 10th 1899.

I am the youngest of five children, two boys, Raymond and Derek Leslie and three girls, June, Malita May and myself. born to Henry Thomas and his wife, Jane also a theatrical performer.

Henry Thomas Parker
my father

Performer

"My dad, Henry Thomas Parker, left home as a 13-year-old to 'tread the boards' in theatre. He played the juvenile lead in the play 'The Speckled Band' when he was 14 yrs old.  An old press cutting describes him as a talented youngster with a promising future.

He further performed in Music Hall and in 'On The Bounce' under the name Jolly Tom Parker.  He was thereafter known as 'Uncle Jolly' by his extended family.

During the 2nd World War, he entertained the troops abroad in the guise of comedian, musician and dancer. In 1943 he took over the post of manager director at the Palladium Theatre Edinburgh under his new professional name of Roy Don.

Sylvia Parker Northcott, Penicuik, Midlothian, Scotland:  May 8, 2013

Edinburgh Professional Photographers

Edinburgh  Recollections