Canvey's Punch & Judy Family

Paul & Winnie Capser

By David Bullock

Every sea side holiday resort had a Punch & Judy Show and Canvey was no exception. Paul Capser, the grandson of a German immigrant entertained children on Canvey's sandy beaches for many years as seen in the photo below.

Paul's Grandad Paul H J Capser was born in Germany in 1853 and is listed in the Census as Prussian as was his father Theodore, born in Helle Prussia in 1827. They both emigrated to London.

This Photo is labelled "Leaving for France June 1917": I have compared it with a photo of Paul Capser in his senior years and I believe it is Paul - he would have been 22 years old in 1917

Dave Bullock

Paul H.J. lived in Greek Street Westminster and later Soho. In 1873 he married a London tailoress called Elizabeth (born c1854) known as Lizzy. Paul H.J. was a Jewel Case Maker by trade. They had nine children together, Paul Henry, Muriel, Henry, Florence, Agnes, Blanche, Blanch, Henry & Beatrice.

Paul & Lizzie's oldest son Paul Henry was born in 1874 and became a Hanson Cab Driver in London. In 1895 Paul Henry married Clara Maud Oxley (born c1873) in the Westminster district and they had two children, Paul born in 1896 and Violet Clara, born in 1899. This eldest son was Paul Capser, Canvey Island's very own Punch & Judy Man.

I have compared this non-labelled photo with a photo of Winnie Capser in her senior years and believe it is Winnie as a yound woman

Dave Bullock

Paul Capser was born in St Pancaras and attended St Giles-in-the-field Boys School. He married Grace Burrell in 1917 at St Pancaras. Grace was born in St Lukes in 1891, being the daughter of George Burrell and Jane Elizabeth Clarke. Her father George had died aged 26 on 26/03/1890 shortly after the April 1889 wedding which was at bedside in the City of London Hospital.

If the army photograph above is of Paul (he certainly is of the right age group, 22 in 1917, and has the same features as a later photograph) he went off to France to fight in the Great War. Paul & Jane had a daughter in 1920 whom they named Winfred Grace Capser. I believe the Photo left is of Winnie as the features compare with another photo taken much later in her life.

Unmarked Photo which I believe is Paul Capser

Dave Bullock

The family lived in Harberton Road Highgate & then at Bush Hill Park during the 1920's & 1930's. Possibly as early as 1938 the family moved to Canvey Island and rented a bungalow called 'The Dak' at 25 Roggle Road. In 1942 the rent was 15/- a week. Paul ran the Punch & Judy show until his death in 1965, a year after his wife Grace's death.

Their daughter Winnie took over the Punch & Judy show and became known by the children as "Aunt Winnie". Winnie was the Chairman of Canvey's RSPCA including the horrific time of the 1953 floods where many animals were rescued. She was also the Public Relations Officer & Chairman of the Canvey Island (National) Savings Committee from 1967 to Jan 1976. Winnie didn't marry but became friends with the Stuckey family who lived nearby in Rayment Avenue. When Miss Archie Stuckey died c1979 she left 'Inter Nos' 6 Rayment Ave to Winnie and I believe she moved there. For the Stuckey Sisters Story click HERE.

I would like to thank Joan Liddiard (nee Bishop) for donating the box containing many old documents relating to the Capser family, to Janet Penn for her help in tracing the family history and to Geoff Barsby for showing us the Capser's Punch & Judy Puppets now in his possession (See below).

If you can add any memories or information on the Capser family, the Punch & Judy Show and the Canvey RSPCA plese add your comments below. I have also started a thread on the Capser's on the Canvey.org Forum HERE

Click on the Pictures below for a larger view and description: