Poole, John Reginald, 1882 - 1950
Dates
- Existence: 1882 - 1950
Biography
John Reginald ‘Jack’ Poole was a Myriorama proprietor, manager and lecturer.
John Reginald was born in Malmesbury, Wiltshire in 1882 to Charles William Poole (1858-1918) and his second wife Elizabeth Frances Churcher (1856-1937). John also had half-sister Lillian Maude (1879-1946) and a half-brother Charles William (b.1880) from his father’s first marriage.
John like all his siblings got involved in the family business from a young age and was managing his father’s Myriorama by the time he was in his twenties. By this time John also owned C. W. Poole’s No. 1 Myriorama in partnership with his father.
John settled in Edinburgh in 1924 and four years later he produced the last ever Poole Myriorama.
John became the Governing Director of Poole’s Entertainments, Chairman of Poole’s Roxy (Edinburgh) Ltd and of Poole’s Theatres Ltd, and he also owned two cinemas in Aberdeen. He also presented a sound picture show to Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Kent were in residence at Holyroodhouse in 1935.
Like his father in Gloucester, John took part in local Edinburgh affairs where he was suggested for the appointment of Lord Provost in three occasions, all of which he refused.
John Reginal had a son John (Jim) Kenneth Stafford, born on 7 July 1911, who joined the family business and eventually became a cinema proprietor in Edinburgh where he grew up and three grandchildren Diana, Celia and Genevieve.
John died in 1950 in Edinburgh.
Found in 3 Collections and/or Records:
Bill Barnes Collection
Programmes, posters and photographs mainly related to the Poole family's travelling Myriorama show.
Guide Book of Charles W. and John R. Poole Latest Myriorama, c1920 - 1929
Various Items of Ephemera, c1800 - 2016
Various items related to George Walter Poole, Wilton's Music Hall, Henry James Mayer, Alexander Billington, James Upton Printers, Gompertz's panorama show, Poole's Myriorama and Diorama shows and Messrs Strange and Wilson Ghost show. Also includes a theatrical clock with two figures on the sides attracting customers.