Harry Rickards, born Henry Benjamin Leete, was an English-born baritone, comedian and theatre owner, most active in vaudeville and stage, first in his native England and then Australia after emigrating in 1871.
Early life
Rickards was born in Stratford, London, Harry began an apprenticeship as an engineer. He married Caroline Hayden on 10 March 1862 at Bromley. ==Theatrical career==
Theatrical career
Rickards became a comic singer, performing at music halls in Canterbury and Oxford under the stage name "Harry Rickards". He travelled to Australia and arrived in Melbourne on 28 November 1871. Known in the trade as "the Guv'nor", he had able lieutenants in his brother Jack Leete in Sydney and brother-in-law Fred Aydon in Melbourne. ==Personal life, death and legacy==
Personal life, death and legacy
Rickards had diabetes and died from apoplexy in Croydon, England, on 13 October 1911. His body was returned to Australia to be buried in Waverley Cemetery, Sydney. His theatrical interests were acquired by the entrepreneur Hugh D. McIntosh. ==References==