Hi. Have joined list. I am searching for my great aunt. The only name i know her as is Gertie Dillon [nee Winn]. Gertie was apparently a principal boy/variety in early 1900's in Leeds. After she retired from the stage she ran a guest house in Hunslet where many notable performers stayed. She is mentioned in Peter O'Toole's biography as Fanny [although no-one is given their rightful name, it seems]. I do not know if she had a stage name. Gertie died in 1940's [possibly]. My mum remembers the West Yorks Post headline "Naomi Jacob flies to Gertrude's side." I haven't yet tracked this. If anyone has any information or leads I would really appreciate you reply. Hilary Rogers Brisbane, Australia

Hi Hilary I had a look in the 1930 edition of Who's Who in Theatre, but the only Dillon in there is Frances Dillon. She appears to have been involved mainly in drama, rather than panto and variety (a lot of Shakespeare), and mainly in London. If she is a relation, I'd be happy to type out the entry for you, but it sounds like she isn't the one. There's nothing under WINN. Cheers -- Neal ----- Original Message ----- From: "Hilary Rogers" <hilary@genesisproductions.com.au> To: <THEATRE-UK-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Thursday, March 06, 2003 12:16 AM Subject: Re: [THEATRE-UK] Gertie Dillon/Winn > Hi. Have joined list. I am searching for my great aunt. The only name i > know her as is Gertie Dillon [nee Winn]. Gertie was apparently a > principal boy/variety in early 1900's in Leeds. After she retired from > the stage she ran a guest house in Hunslet where many notable performers > stayed. She is mentioned in Peter O'Toole's biography as Fanny > [although no-one is given their rightful name, it seems]. I do not know > if she had a stage name. > > Gertie died in 1940's [possibly]. My mum remembers the West Yorks Post > headline "Naomi Jacob flies to Gertrude's side." I haven't yet tracked this. > If anyone has any information or leads I would really appreciate you reply. > > Hilary Rogers > Brisbane, Australia >

Thanks Neal, I think it's the "Gertie" I need to concentrate on. Hilary Neal Dench wrote: >Hi Hilary > >I had a look in the 1930 edition of Who's Who in Theatre, but the only >Dillon in there is Frances Dillon. She appears to have been involved mainly >in drama, rather than panto and variety (a lot of Shakespeare), and mainly >in London. If she is a relation, I'd be happy to type out the entry for you, >but it sounds like she isn't the one. > >There's nothing under WINN. > >Cheers > >-- >Neal > >----- Original Message ----- >From: "Hilary Rogers" <hilary@genesisproductions.com.au> >To: <THEATRE-UK-L@rootsweb.com> >Sent: Thursday, March 06, 2003 12:16 AM >Subject: Re: [THEATRE-UK] Gertie Dillon/Winn > > > > >>Hi. Have joined list. I am searching for my great aunt. The only name i >>know her as is Gertie Dillon [nee Winn]. Gertie was apparently a >>principal boy/variety in early 1900's in Leeds. After she retired from >>the stage she ran a guest house in Hunslet where many notable performers >>stayed. She is mentioned in Peter O'Toole's biography as Fanny >>[although no-one is given their rightful name, it seems]. I do not know >>if she had a stage name. >> >>Gertie died in 1940's [possibly]. My mum remembers the West Yorks Post >>headline "Naomi Jacob flies to Gertrude's side." I haven't yet tracked >> >> >this. > > >>If anyone has any information or leads I would really appreciate you >> >> >reply. > > >>Hilary Rogers >>Brisbane, Australia >> >> >> > > > > >