Description:Mr Wilmot Martin, 'Staffordshire's Harry Lauder' pictured with his wife Edith outside their home, The Wee House on the Hillside, Hixon on the occasion of celebrations of 40 years of entertaining in aid of charities. During this time his concert party gave over 9,000 concerts in 14 counties and raised over £25,000 for charity.
Wilmot Martin was a farmer who was born near Bridgeford in 1874. He finally settled in Hixon. He was known locally as 'Staffordshire's Harry Lauder' due to his charity fund raising concerts, where he impersonated the popular Scottish comedian and singer Sir Harry Lauder. These concerts began during the First World War, originally to raise funds for Belgium refugees. He was supported by his concert party, nicknamed the 'Old Contemptibles'.
This photograph was published in the Staffordshire Newsletter on Saturday 23 August 1952. Reproduced by kind permission of the Staffordshire Newsletter who retain copyright.