Gem From The Archive
Arantza Barrutia Ezenarro explains how Lily Smith’s emergency passport sheds light on a dramatic escape from wartime Germany
A circus performer’s emergency passport, 1914
The first modern circus was opened by Philip Astley in London in 1768. By the early 20th century the art form was at its peak, with companies travelling across the world and staging elaborate productions. Performers from the Ohmy Family Circus were among the estimated 15,000 British and French citizens in Germany when the First World War broke out, and were detained by the authorities. An American passport that was issued to Lily Smith, which is held at the National Fairground and Circus Archive (NFCA), tells the family’s story, as Arantza Barrutia Ezenarro, the collections manager at the archive, explains.
Who was Lily Smith?
Lily was born in Dudley, the youngest child of Joseph Smith (c1852–1931) and Diana Morris (c1853–1920). Joseph, also known as ‘King Ohmy’ (as his deeds were met by cries of “Oh my!”), was an equestrian, acrobat and circus proprietor, and Diana was a talented equestrienne. They had five children: Lizzie (1876–1838), Claude (1879– 1942), Ada (1880–1918), Minnie (b1881) and finally Lily (1891–1941).
The Ohmy children followed the family tradition, learning acrobatics and horse-riding from a young age. Lily, Ada and Claude formed their own troupe as the ‘Ohmy Sisters’, a daring equestrian act in which Claude performed dressed as a woman.
At the start of the 20th century, the Ohmy Family Circus was touring its shows all over Britain and Europe. The Ohmy Sisters were performing in Wismar in northern Germany when the First World War broke out. Overnight they became foreign enemies, and were interned in the infamous Ruhleben prisoner camp.
What was the camp like?
Ruhleben was a racecourse about six miles to the west of Berlin, hastily converted into a civilian detention camp. Most of the prisoners were British, so the camp was known as ‘Little Britain’ or the Ruhleben Gefangenen Lager für Engländer, which means ‘Ruhleben Prisoners’ Camp for the English’.
The prisoners endured miserable conditions in cramped, pest-infested accommodation. Many had to sleep in the hayloft due to the lack of beds, and there was no heating and very little lighting. Personal hygiene facilities consisted of military latrines and stand-pipes surrounded by a quagmire.
America’s ambassador to Germany, James W Gerard, visited the camp in 1915, two years before the country entered the war. Gerard was horrified by the squalor he witnessed at Ruhleben, and provided funds to improve buildings and facilities through the embassy. English charities also sent food and medical supplies when they heard about the camp’s appalling conditions.
In addition, the American embassy issued a number of emergency passports that allowed some of the prisoners to return home, including Lily. She was released with Ada after four months of imprisonment.
Unfortunately their brother Claude, who would
‘The Ohmy Sisters were performing in Germany when the First World War broke out’
have been fit for military service, remained interned throughout the war.
Why is this document your Gem from the Archive?
I wanted to commemorate the centenary of the end of the First World War last November, and talk about the contribution of the popular entertainment sector to the conflict. I started researching our collections and found a lot of amazing stories that are little known by the wider community. The Ohmy family’s story is a clear example of the wider repercussions of war, and how it affects all aspects of life. Lily’s experiences really moved me, and brought home the power of original historic documents.
I feel that this passport is an incredibly powerful item capable of humanising events that happened over 100 years ago.
How does the passport shed light on the First World War?
It has unveiled a fascinating story, not only about the Ohmy family but also about the war and Ruhleben. A single document has brought to life the hardship of thousands of men and women during one of the most harrowing events in modern European history. When we think of the war, we often focus on the people who fought at the Front, and forget about the impact of the events on others, and how they endured this tragic period in history. The travelling entertainment community has always been international, and embraced performers from all walks of life for their skills. The First World War tore through this community, turning friends into enemies overnight and creating incomprehensible situations for them.
Lily was only 23 years old at the time, and although circus women have always crossed gender barriers into male-dominated territory, internment at Ruhleben must have been a profoundly shocking situation.
In fact, we suspect that her sister Ada never recovered from the experience, because her health declined and she died in 1918 when she was just 38 years old. Casualties of war don’t only happen on the frontline.
What other items do you have in the archive?
We’re a unique archive dedicated to the collection and preservation of the history of travelling popular entertainment.
Our items cover every aspect of the industry and its culture from the 17th century to the present day, represented by British and international companies, showmen and artistes. Within the core collections are several focused specialisms including magic; sideshows; cinematograph shows; pleasure gardens; amusement and theme parks; menageries; seaside entertainment; and world’s fairs and expositions.
We also have personal and family collections that provide insight into the lives, businesses and careers of those who worked in this particular sector.