He was born in
Shoreditch, London, in 1866. There is some uncertainty over his birth name and details; an alternative date and birth name are given by the
Music Hall Guild. He initially worked for a firm of wood carvers and gilders, but developed talents for
clog and
sand dancing. He first appeared on stage in the early 1880s, perhaps at the
Rodney Music Hall as early as 1880, though his first paid appearance came in 1884. Leamore appeared in
pantomimes, though he claimed not to enjoy the experience, and he also fought as a
boxer. His best known song was "Percy from Pimlico" which he composed and wrote himself in 1898. In November 1937 Leamore joined the Old Timers touring company with fellow artistes including
Tom Costello,
George Mozart, and
Tom Finglass, appearing with them in various venues across the UK. The following he took part in an early
television programme,
Cavalcade of Music Hall, broadcast from the
Alexandra Palace. At the end of the same month he also appeared in the television broadcast
New Years Eve Party with
Sam Mayo and
Daisy Dormer. In 1938 he continued to tour with The Old Timers, and appeared in the touring revue
Time Marches On. In November 1938 he took part in a
Royal Command Performance during which he performed "
The Lambeth Walk" with
Lupino Lane and various other music hall veterans. In 1939 he took part in
Flashbacks of 30 Years Ago with
Wilkie Bard,
Ida Barr and Lillie Lassah. ==References==