Tasman Bradley

Tasman Charles 'Tas' Bradley was Essie's uncle (her mother's brother) and a well-known Tasmanian showman and entrepreneur. It was inevitable that when Essie went to live with the Bradley's, she'd become part of Tasman's travelling show.
Tas clearly loved showbusiness. An article in Tasmania's leading newspaper, The Mercury, from 8 February 1915, refers to him as a 'clever and funny' comedy juggler. A relative (?), Miss Maggie Bradley, is listed as one of two accompanying soubrette.


Sometime after 1915, Tasman Bradley switched roles from performer to showman and entered the world of 'carnies' and sideshow alley. As well as creating the 'Snake Pit of Death' in the early 1920s, where Essie and George Sr met and performed, Tasman toured with other 'amusements'. For example, the Burnie Advocate mentions a monkey brass band in 1925 and the Hobart Voice describes a 'splendid troupe of Chinese artists' in 1931.

Tas and Chilliwingi
On 20 June 1929, the New Zealand newspaper NZ Truth ran this photo of Tasman and Ubangi Chilliwingi from the Belgian Congo (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo). Ubangi was advertised as an exhibit at the Wellington Winter Shows, managed by Tasman Bradley's Amusements. According to John Cann, who met Ubangi on several occasions, she and Tasman were friends who enjoyed each other's company.

Tas and the Rottnest Monster
Perth, Spring 1934. Western Australian newspapers (compiled on Yowie-ocalypse) report the excitement when a freakish monster washes up on Rottnest Island.
A few days after it is found, the 'Rottnest Monster' disappears in mysterious circumstances, only to resurface in Tasman Bradley's tent at the Royal Perth Show (clipping below from Daily News, 1 October 1934, page 2).
But then Tasman's money-making plans go awry. After only a couple of days on display, the Rottnest Monster's stench becomes so bad that punters stop coming to see it. And so it vanishes again, most likely dumped back into the ocean by Tas and friends.

Death
Tasman Charles Bradley died at Sydney Hospital on 24 September 1947 aged 61. He left behind a wife, step-daughter and siblings Florence, May, Ernie, David and Arthur. In this death notice in the Sydney Morning Herald there is no mention of Essie's mother Catherine Savage (nee Bradley) (?).
His death is mentioned in US Billboard magazine, the world's largest entertainment magazine at the time. (And yes, the American journalist has confused NSW Australia with Wales, Great Britain). The date of his death and age also differ to the Sydney Morning Herald death notice above.

This article mentions Tas Bradley's relationship with Sole Brothers' Circus and the showman Dave Meekin.