Businessman. Internationally acclaimed British circus impresario and pioneer. Halford Mills, Bertam’s father, was the owner of a coachbuilding works in Paddington, London and was also the owner of two farms, where he sent his horses to rest. It was on these farms that Bertram Mills spent most of his childhood and where he was taught to ride. He left school at the age of 15 to work in the family business, washing down coaches. Within a year he had graduated to driving a four-in-hand from London to Oxford. Following his marriage in 1901 he continued working in the family business until the outbreak of World War One, serving in the Royal Army Medical Corps and rising to the rank of captain. When he left the army he became interested in the “Wilkins and Young Circus” and then inspiration dawned, and he made his decision to form his own circus, and the now famous “Bertram Mills International Circus” was born. It very quickly became the annual Christmas event. By 1930 he had inaugurated a touring circus which became unique among British circuse’s, always appearing at Olympia for the Christmas season. Among the guests of the show were the political giants Winston Churchill and Ramsey MacDonald. The Royal Family were also great supporters. Betram Mills was cremated at Golders Green, his ashes later being removed. (bio by: Kieran Smith)  Family links:  Spouse:  Ethel Kate Notley Mills (____ – 1960)*  Children:  Cyril Bertram Mills (1902 – 1991)* *Calculated relationship