Percy Monkman
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (August 2017) |
Percy Monkman, entertainer, actor and painter (1892–1986),[1] was born in Bradford where he lived until retirement (1952) when he moved to Baildon 5 miles (8 km) away at the edge of the moors.[2]
Life[edit]
In 1909, aged 17, he joined Beckett's Bank (which was taken over by The Westminster Bank in 1921).[3]
A year after World War I broke out, he joined the Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC).[4] After a few months he found a talent for entertaining other soldiers as a pierrot with the 13th Corps Concert Party and did this for the rest of the war in up to 300 events.
After the war was over, he returned to the bank in Bradford and continued as a compere and comedian. In 1935 he joined the Bradford Civic Theatre where he performed in many productions, usually in comic roles. Many were plays by JB Priestley, man of letters, lifelong friend and the most celebrated Bradfordian of that generation.[citation needed]
He also took up painting, mainly in watercolours.[5] He studied at the Bradford School of Art and joined Bradford Arts Club[6] where he remained a member for over 60 years, serving later as vice-chairman, chairman and president. He painted predominantly town and country scenes around Bradford, the Brontë Country and the Yorkshire Dales, particularly Wharfedale and Airedale. He exhibited widely throughout Yorkshire and also at the Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours (the RI). He was a regular contributor for the Dalesman magazine. After retirement he was able to devote all his time to painting for the rest of his life. He was very prolific and his work was widely respected by peers and the general public.[7]
As well as his friendship with JB Priestley,[8] he had many friends connected with the worlds of both art and the theatre in Bradford and the wider West Riding.
He was also a passionate supporter of Bradford City AFC, having been born within a mile of Valley Parade and even trialled for the club as a teenager. When growing up in the Toller Lane area both he and JB Priestley regularly played football together (Toller Lane Tykes and Saltburn United). A photograph of Percy was published in the Sunday Times on the 19 May 1985 showing him pay his final visit to Valley Parade the day after the tragedy of the Bradford City Fire on 11 May 1985 when 56 people lost their lives and 250 suffered injuries.
In March 2018, Percy's grandson, Martin Greenwood, published a comprehensive biography about Monkman entitled Percy Monkman: An Extraordinary Bradfordian. Whilst researching the book, Greenwood was hospitalised after breathing in spores from his grandfathers 100-year old documents.[9]
See also[edit]
Monkman surname.
Further reading[edit]
- Greenwood, Martin (2018). Percy Monkman: An Extraordinary Bradfordian. PlashMill Press. ISBN 9780957261297.
References[edit]
- ^ "Off the page; the story of Dalesman magazine" (PDF). ncbpt.org.uk. Retrieved 12 September 2017.
- ^ "The Kirklands Walk" (PDF). baildontowncouncil.org.uk. 2014. p. 9. Retrieved 12 September 2017.
- ^ Clayton, Emma (18 July 2018). "Bradford bank clerk who made 'em laugh". Bradford Telegraph and Argus. Retrieved 8 October 2018.
- ^ Clayton, Emma (6 June 2018). "Bradford bank clerk who made 'em laugh behind WW1 front lines". Bradford Telegraph and Argus. Retrieved 8 October 2018.
- ^ Seton, Jim (6 April 2018). "Grandson's tribute to prolific artist". Ilkley Gazette. Retrieved 8 October 2018.
- ^ "Bradford Art Club Facebook page". Retrieved 18 April 2018.
- ^ "MONKMAN, Percy - Not Just Hockney". notjusthockney.info. 27 February 2015. Retrieved 12 September 2017.
- ^ "Is the show over for the Priestley". Bradford Telegraph and Argus. 20 January 2003. Retrieved 12 September 2017.
- ^ Jackson, Sam (16 May 2018). "How writing a book about his grandfather almost killed Warwick man". Warwick Courier. Retrieved 8 October 2018.