Tom Armstrong (16)

New Zealand/Australian variety performer, dancer, acrobat, songwriter, poet (b. Wellington, NZ. c.1882 - d. Australia 1925). Arrived in Australia c.1895. Lleft Australia in 1901 for the lucrative American variety circuits with occasional visits to Canada, and one tour of New Zealand (1907-1908) for John Fuller, before returning to Australasia in 1909. After spending some twelve months in New Zealand (1909-1910) touring for the Fullers came back to Australia, securing engagements with James Brennan, Harry Rickards, and William Anderson, among others. Married Australian entertainer Mabs Howarth in January 1913 and in 1914 Armstrong and Howarth signed with Fullers' Theatres and over the next two years toured the company's Australasian circuit, presenting an act that comprised original sketches, patter, duets and dancing. Much of the material, including the songs, was written by Armstrong. Although their whereabouts between September 1916 and January 1924 remain sketchy, the pair reportedly spent most of that time touring Britain. They are known to have been performing at Bristol's Hippodrome in November 1917. Armstrong and Howarth came back to Australia in January 1924. The return was reportedly necessary due to Armstrong's poor health. Howarth appears to have retired from performing at this time and as a consequence Armstrong establish a new act with Australian soubrette June Rose. After playing Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide the pair toured New Zealand from May until August when Armstrong was hospitalised in Wellington with pleurisy. No further engagements have been found prior to Armstrong's death early in 1925.