{"id":6062,"title":"Wall of Death - Tornado Smith","description":"The Wall Of Death Rider and His Pet Lion! \nGeorge \u2018Tornado\u2019 Smith - Boxford BornI am not sure where the connection is but he appears somewhere on our family tree -George William Smith born in Boxford. Recognised for bringing the Great Wall of Death across the pond from America to England, and regar","content":"

The Wall Of Death Rider and His Pet Lion<\/h1>

George \u2018Tornado\u2019 Smith - Boxford Born<\/h2>

I am not sure where the connection is but he appears somewhere on our family tree ( a cousin\/second cousin) -George William Smith born in Boxford. Recognised for bringing the Great Wall of Death across the pond from America to England, and regarded as the first English gentleman to perform this death-defying cylindrical feat by the British Motorcycle Industry, defying the laws of gravity.<\/p>

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History<\/h2>

The Wall of Death is classed as the original motorcycle stunt show, dating back to the early 1900\u2019s. Remember that during these times, just riding motorcycles was frowned upon, but these shows popped up all over America and its people lost their s**t! People revelled in the revving of those Indian Scout Motorcycles, the smells of the tyres and the zephyr of speed not so far from observant spectators faces (six inches from the wall edge).\u00a0<\/p>

The popularity boomed, and sooner or later Riders had to up their game and think of inventive ways to spice up their shows, be not only risking their own lives but another\u2019s as well. Not only were ladies brought in on the act riding alongside in the sidecar, but bears, monkeys and even lions were drafted in to attract to new spectators.\u00a0<\/p>

1929 Kursaal Amusement Park, Southend-on-Sea<\/h2>

My hometown Southend-on-Sea apparently hosted the first Wall of Death in the British Isles and Tornado Smith became a fixture at the Kursaal Fairground along with many other legendary riders.\u00a0<\/p>

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<\/p>

A Great British Eccentric<\/h2>

Tornado Smith and his pet Lioness \u2018Briton\u2019, famously known by locals in Boxford, Suffolk and my recent findings inform me that the 12 stone Lioness is buried in the Courtyard of The Boxford White Hart Pub. During the early thirties Briton the Lioness started riding on the handlebars of the Indian scout until she was too big and had to upgrade to the sidecar. Local villagers have confirmed that George use to walk his pet Lion around the village.<\/p>

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<\/p>

Unfortunately, during late thirties and the coming of World War Two, due to a meat shortage and rationed prices, a Lion of Britons size required a large amount of meat, and her life was sadly ended by George himself as providing food for her I guess was not sustainable.<\/p>

Anyway George was definitely an eccentric character, and I think later on in life he wanted to build a sail boat and travel the world. I know they eventually moved to South Africa (there is another part of that story, so I've read). But to end this post, I hear there is a Brewery that have 'an eccentric pale ale\" named after him. Anyone know what it's called!?<\/p>

I think George Tornado Smith can inspire a new tee design for Howling Threads<\/a><\/p>

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Tornado Smith, the Wall of Death rider from Southend, and his wife, Marjorie Dare, having tea with their pet lion and lamb.<\/em><\/p>

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